FFT / RTA measurement software for Mac

zigzagflux · 15th February 2011, 05:22 PM

Wondering if anyone has found a decent Mac application within the last two years that has worked well for them. I can borrow a PC laptop if needed, but prefer to use something for Mac.

I have a Focusrite Saffire sound card, http://www.focusrite.com/support/saffire/saffire and am really only looking to do two fundamental things:

1. Pink noise / RTA measurements for basic loudspeaker measurements. Nothing fancy, just 1/3 octave to get an idea of driver polarities and room acoustics. Probably will do some experimentation with bass response, as I have a DCX2496 and would like to use it to its fullest.

2. FFT / distortion measurements of amplifiers and preamps. I have a FFT module in my Tek scope, but its only good to maybe -55dB.

A wave generator would not be required, as I have most of the test tones I need. I am not opposed to paying for the app, but don't want to drop $500, either. Any suggestions, or would it be best to pursue to the PC route?

planet10 · 15th February 2011, 05:30 PM

Mac-the-Scope will turn your Mac into an ocilliscope and more. I'm pretty sure that there are some simple RTAs, i use FuzzMeasure which is more sophisticated than that. For a simple RTA & SPL meter i use Studio Six Audio Tools on an older iPhone i gotten given as a tip (also gets used as a Remote for the G5 iMac music server).

dave

zigzagflux · 15th February 2011, 07:09 PM

FuzzMeasure looks promising; cheaper than MTS too. So as long as your sound card is decent, you get those pretty little -110dB FFT plots ?

planet10 · 15th February 2011, 07:38 PM

I use an Edirol FA66 external Firewire ADC/DAC, conceptually similar to the Focusrite. As i'm only measuring speakers 110dB is something i'm not going to run into.

dave

scott wurcer · 16th February 2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by planet10

I use an Edirol FA66 external Firewire ADC/DAC, conceptually similar to the Focusrite. As i'm only measuring speakers 110dB is something i'm not going to run into.

dave

Dave, would you recommend the FA66? Any warts?

zigzagflux · 16th February 2011, 04:03 PM

Can anyone link to a good thread that discusses how to get optimal FFT plots with a soundcard? Loopback referencing, etc.

planet10 · 16th February 2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott wurcer

Dave, would you recommend the FA66? Any warts?

Yes. I really like it. It sounds good too. I prefer it with bus power, but at some pint i'll probably build a really nice supply for it.

nlike others i looked at (and own -- an Alesis), it has a very nice compact rectangular aluminum enclosure. I also have an Edirol USB unit in the same chassis.

Like most pro stuff you need to deal with the stereo phone jacks for output. Also without software that specifically accesses it (pure vinyl does) only 2 of the outputs work.

dave

scott wurcer · 16th February 2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by planet10

Yes. I really like it. It sounds good too. I prefer it with bus power, but at some pint i'll probably build a really nice supply for it.

nlike others i looked at (and own -- an Alesis), it has a very nice compact rectangular aluminum enclosure. I also have an Edirol USB unit in the same chassis.

Like most pro stuff you need to deal with the stereo phone jacks for output. Also without software that specifically accesses it (pure vinyl does) only 2 of the outputs work.

dave

Thanks but it looks like I would need to buy an external 1394 card with the TI chipset. Warning was on Edirol's site, confirmed by some very p'd off users.

Zodiac · 16th February 2011, 07:53 PM

Fuzzmeasure is strongly recommended. Great UI, actually designed by a software designer rather than an acoustician or acoustic engineer

planet10 · 16th February 2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott wurcer

Thanks but it looks like I would need to buy an external 1394 card with the TI chipset. Warning was on Edirol's site, confirmed by some very p'd off users.

What Mac do you have that it dosen't work with?

dave

15th February 2011, 05:22 PM	#1
zigzagflux diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	FFT / RTA measurement software for Mac Wondering if anyone has found a decent Mac application within the last two years that has worked well for them. I can borrow a PC laptop if needed, but prefer to use something for Mac. I have a Focusrite Saffire sound card, http://www.focusrite.com/support/saffire/saffire and am really only looking to do two fundamental things: 1. Pink noise / RTA measurements for basic loudspeaker measurements. Nothing fancy, just 1/3 octave to get an idea of driver polarities and room acoustics. Probably will do some experimentation with bass response, as I have a DCX2496 and would like to use it to its fullest. 2. FFT / distortion measurements of amplifiers and preamps. I have a FFT module in my Tek scope, but its only good to maybe -55dB. A wave generator would not be required, as I have most of the test tones I need. I am not opposed to paying for the app, but don't want to drop $500, either. Any suggestions, or would it be best to pursue to the PC route?

15th February 2011, 05:30 PM	#2
planet10 frugal-phile(tm) diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Victoria, BC, NA, Sol III Blog Entries: 4	Mac-the-Scope will turn your Mac into an ocilliscope and more. I'm pretty sure that there are some simple RTAs, i use FuzzMeasure which is more sophisticated than that. For a simple RTA & SPL meter i use Studio Six Audio Tools on an older iPhone i gotten given as a tip (also gets used as a Remote for the G5 iMac music server). dave __________________ community sites t-linespeakers.org, frugal-horn.com ........ commercial site planet10-HiFi p10-hifi forum here at diyA

15th February 2011, 07:38 PM	#4
planet10 frugal-phile(tm) diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Victoria, BC, NA, Sol III Blog Entries: 4	I use an Edirol FA66 external Firewire ADC/DAC, conceptually similar to the Focusrite. As i'm only measuring speakers 110dB is something i'm not going to run into. dave __________________ community sites t-linespeakers.org, frugal-horn.com ........ commercial site planet10-HiFi p10-hifi forum here at diyA

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Looking For: Basic Dumb FREE FFT measurement Software??	bear	Multi-Way	15	25th April 2009 09:32 AM
RTA (measurement system)	guru_jeff	Multi-Way	6	18th August 2006 02:29 AM
Distortion measurements using FFT software on PC/Mac	peranders	Everything Else	1	22nd April 2003 11:21 AM


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

15th February 2011, 07:09 PM	#3
zigzagflux diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	FuzzMeasure looks promising; cheaper than MTS too. So as long as your sound card is decent, you get those pretty little -110dB FFT plots ?

16th February 2011, 04:03 PM	#6
zigzagflux diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	Can anyone link to a good thread that discusses how to get optimal FFT plots with a soundcard? Loopback referencing, etc.

16th February 2011, 07:53 PM	#9
Zodiac diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Kenfield, CA, USA	Fuzzmeasure is strongly recommended. Great UI, actually designed by a software designer rather than an acoustician or acoustic engineer

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read