Category Archives: Location

sound guy Xmas idea: APx515 2-Channel Audio Analyzer

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This would be a dream for the test bench.  Simple, robust effective analysis tools!   I would be happy with an old system one… but this would be on the shelf in a heartbeat. 

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The APx515 is a high performance audio analyzer optimized for production test. APx515 has a typical THD+N of –106 dB, a one million point FFT with 24-bit resolution, and 192K digital I/O. It is a best-in-class instrument for its combination of speed, performance, automation, and ease-of-use.

APx515 is a significant product because it delivers the performance and reliability of Audio Precision at a production-level price.

APx is the fastest audio analyzer in the world, returning 21 audio measurements in as fast as 1.2 seconds. It is also the easiest to use, with one-click measurements, custom reporting and sophisticated automation without any programming. A full API and LabVIEW driver is also provided.

This speed and ease-of-use means test will never be a bottleneck, and production line managers can achieve reliable, consistent results compared to the current low-cost alternatives like a distortion analyzer.

For companies outsourcing their production, requiring APx515 on the production line gives tighter control over production, ensuring manufacturers are meeting their contractual requirements.

sound guy xmas!!! Day 1 – Syscomp Curve Tracer

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Xmas is around the corner.  Sound guys and gals are the hardest people in the world to shop for… I will be posting a stream of gift ideas!

Day 1:  The Syscomp CTR-101 Curve tracer:

Key Features
-Plots device characteristics for diodes, transistors, MOSFETs, JFETs, and more!
-Up to 30V test voltage at 1A test current
-True voltage and current source drive ampliers
-High resolution measurements
-Pulsed test mode to minimize device dissipation
-Auto-scaling real-time plotting during analysis
-Sample-by-sample power and current limiting
-Open-source software
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Moving stuff across the country

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I most certainly had a busy “reading week”.  It started with finishing up a job My brother Mike started.  Moving 7 pallets of equipment from my moms garage in Saskatoon.    Followed by great visits with Family and friends.  I’m sorry I did not get the chance to meet with everyone I had planned to visit with.  Things got a little busy in the IT support world and there was so much family to visit!

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 Three consoles were packaged and palleted up for shipment across the country.

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 Custom made dollies were built for the two large sections of console frames.

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Modules were packed, boxed and palleted.  A small fortune in bubble wrap and pallet wrap were employed. 
 2014-10-21 11.04.33-2This is the PSU for a console along with a 1″ Studer A80 8 track Recorder that was made transportable.
I’m excited to work on these projects again in my “Spare time”

Stay tuned for updates of what’s happening with this lot.  We’re very excited for what’s planned :-)

Due to popular demand: Ward-Beck Systems RTO-214 Rack Mount Chassis

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Due to popular demand:

Introducing: the Ward-Beck Systems RTO-214 Rack Mount Chassis


APKaudio and Ward-Beck Systems are excited to announce a new lineup of retro products. Started with possibly the most requested and in demand item the WBSps.ca has needed: 

a 2RU rack enclosure for (2) 14″ WBS modules.

Most rack users have a 3RU box to enclose (2) WBS modules. With Studios shrinking in size and gear filling up the cramped racks with all the killer deals these day… there has been a need for this enclosure. 

Originally designed by veteran WBS fabricator Erwin S. for the current lineup of WBS AMS-8 products. The design updates and fabrication are carried forward by Shop Manager and Mechanical designer at Ward-Beck systems Dave Adams. Dave is a master metal smith utilizing the tools that built the modules WBSps users want to have rack mounted. Dave has been working with APKaudio to create a stable platform in a 2RU enclosure.IMG_0573-2014-05-05 IMG_0577-2014-05-05 IMG_0584-2014-05-05 IMG_0585-2014-05-05 IMG_0586-2014-05-05 IMG_0589-2014-05-05 IMG_0596-2014-05-05



The BUM (Back Unit Mount) will be pre-punched for however you decided to wire it. Power options and i/o varieties make for easy design. 

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Future options will include:
– Internal Power supply
– DB25 pre-wired breakouts
– DB25 to EDAC connectors for the modules of your choice

It’s a banana now, but it will be ripe summer 2014!

pre-order now and get a free WBS mug

http://audioaholics.com/item/276

A Social Experiment

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I’ve been thinking about a social experiment.
I often take calls from people looking for services, I’ve met a lot of great people in this industry and I do stand by their great work and contributions.   So instead of fielding calls and answering the questions I’ve created a Wizard Services section at http://audioaholics.com/wizard_services

I am asking you my friends to use it to work, get work share work and do work together.  I would like to consider it my rolodex

I’ve got the permission to post a few contacts and will be doing so this week.

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2009 microphone cart

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While visiting a friends studio (The Avenue Recording Company) I was happy to notice an old microphone cart I’d built for Tanda Recording.  The cart was designed to keep clutter down and be able to slide between the room partitions.  It was extremely well then and keeps working today.  There are two side compartments that remove and a bottom one for larger items. 
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2013-09-29 12.33.23Compartments taken out.  The compartments were great for keeping the mic clips and stere bars etc etc

2013-09-29 12.33.28The bottom case was great to stash round basses and goose necks

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A word of advice if you want to build a cart like this: The real trick to this cart is its depth.  We had a similar cart at a theatre I worked for; we were always breaking off adjustment knobs on the bottom of the stands.  If the depth of the holes is too much putting the stands in can snap the adjustment screws right off.

When in doubt: fuck it, paint it black.

Making snakes for a Patching system

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We Built some 24 Channel snakes from some re-claimed Blenden Bundles.  All the EDACs were de-pinned and re-inserted into a 90 pin housing.  The other end has been cut to length and re-prepped into various configurations. Dave got some really good practice on this build and his chops have come a long way in a very short time.
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To give you more of an idea of what’s going on in the patchbay here is the design preliminary that’s ever changing and evolving!

Spectrafoo or Smaart?

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I’m looking to invest in a mobile acoustic measurement software and am looking for opinions.

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I’ve been playing with the Spectrafoo Demo and I must say it’s very impressive
http://mhsecure.com/metric_halo/products/software/spectrafoo.html and it’s very competitively priced. The Main thing appealing to me about foo is the “Transfer Function Measurement System” I became familiar with while using a SIM system… This to me is the most valuable feature.

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