News & Events
Please use the filters in the right sidebar to narrow content by type of news.
Denmark SoundCheck Training May 2019
We are excited to announce our first major SoundCheck training event in Denmark in Copenhagen on May 1-3, 2019.
Basic 2 day SoundCheck training
Wednesday May 1st & Thurs May 2nd, 8.30am – 5.30pm
This two-day class is designed to accelerate the learning curve for novice and basic level SoundCheck users. A combination of teaching, demos and hands-on exercises begin with the basics of system setup and calibration, using virtual instruments, and creating and modifying basic test sequences. On the second day, the sequence writing progresses to more complex techniques such as sequence loops, statistics and advanced post-processing.
Course Outline
Register
Advanced SoundCheck training
Friday May 3rd, 8.30am – 5.30pm
This is designed for users who have already attended the basic class or who need to make more complex measurements and want to take their SoundCheck use to the next level. This course will include topics such as simulated free field measurements, open loop testing of smart devices, advanced distortion measurements, selecting an appropriate test stimulus (including speech, music and compound stimuli), advanced sequence development including conditional branching and looping, advanced post-processing algorithms and more.
Course Outline
Register
Scroll down for full class outlines.
Location: Clarion Hotel Copenhagen Airport, Ellehammersvei 20, 2770, Kastrup, DENMARK
Costs:
Each day is the same cost and you can combine any number of days, with a discount for each additional day that you take Although please note that the basic training is intended as a 2-day course). In addition, support contract holders and multiple attendees from the same company receive additional discounts
1 Day: $495 / 3250DKK ($350 / 2300DKK with valid SoundCheck support contract)
2 Days: $950 / 6235DKK ($665 / 4365DKK with valid SoundCheck support contract)
3 Days: $1350/ 8850DKK ($950 / 6235DKK with valid SoundCheck support contract)
Multi-person discount:
2-3 people from one company: 10% discount;
4 people will receive a 15% discount
5+ will receive a 25% discount.
Note: to qualify for the discount, all attendees must register together, but do not need to attend the same days.
2-Day Basic SoundCheck Training: Class Outline.
Wednesday May 1st & Thursday May 2nd.
Instructors: Mark Latshaw (Listen, Inc.), Steve Temme (Listen, Inc.), Introduction from Michael Trolle (Vibrakustik)
In this class, we start with the basics – how to set up your system, calibrate your hardware and use the virtual instruments. We then focus on how to develop and modify test sequences, starting with stimulus, analysis and display options, and progressing to more advanced functionality such as sequence loops and jumps, statistics, and advanced post-processing. The class is a combination of classroom-style teaching and hands on practical sessions, so that when you leave the class you will be ready to go in practice as well as in theory.
This hands-on class covers all the major features of SoundCheck, including writing sequences, test signals, analysis, distortion measurements and more. The class is a combination of presentations interspersed with hands-on exercises to ensure that you are comfortable with all the concepts and methods taught before you leave the classroom. Although no previous SoundCheck experience is assumed, the course still offers plenty to users familiar with writing basic sequences. Content includes:
- Overview of SoundCheck software
- Software Options
- Hardware
- Configuring audio interfaces and external equipment
- Listen Certified Sound Cards
- Calibration
- Calibration of different DUT types (telephones, speakers, etc.)
- Virtual instruments
- Spectrum Analyzer, RTA, Multi-meter, Signal Generator, Oscilloscope
- Virtual Instruments – hands-on
- Online forum, bug and wish lists
- SoundCheck Steps & Sequences
- Philosophy & Architecture
- Creating and editing SoundCheck Test Sequences and Steps
- Using the Sequence Wizard
- Stimulus & Acquisition Step details
- Basic analysis
- Display
- Data Management Hands-on
- Limits
- Sequence Development – hands-on
- Printing
- Serial numbers
- Autosave and recall
- Messages – user prompts, calling external devices
- Post-processing
- Sequence Development (part 2) – hands-on
- Statistics
- Sequence loops and jumps
- Advanced sequence development
Note: This is intended as a 2-day class, but each day may be taken separately if wanted. The first day will focus more on setup, calibration, virtual instruments and some beginning sequence writing. The second day will focus on sequence writing in much more detail.
1-Day Advanced SoundCheck Training: Class Outline.
Friday, May 3rd
Instructor Steve Temme
This is designed for users who have already attended the basic class or who need to make more complex measurements and want to take their SoundCheck use to the next level. This course will include topics such as simulated free field measurements, open loop testing of smart devices, advanced distortion measurements, selecting an appropriate test stimulus (including speech, music and compound stimuli), advanced sequence development including conditional branching and looping, advanced post-processing algorithms and more. Content includes:
- Stimulus and analysis – choosing the right combination
- Open loop and Bluetooth testing methods in detail
- Advanced distortion measurements
- Advanced sequence development and post-processing
- Simulated free field measurements and SoundMap
- System and custom steps
- External control including Python integration
AISE, Orlando, FL, Jun 9-10, 2019
This years AISE (ALMA International Symposium & Expo) will be held on June 9-10 in Orlando, FL. Listen will be showcasing its suite of audio measurement equipment for measuring smart speakers, wearables, smart home audio, hearables and automotive audio, as well as conventional transducers such as loudspeakers, headphones and microphones.
In addition to exhibiting, Steve Temme will present a half-day seminar on smart speaker testing. This informative and educational seminar will discuss the challenges of testing smart devices such as smart speakers, smart home devices, wearables and more, and demonstrate various methods of testing such devices. Steve Temme will also present a paper on testing smart hearable devices, and Les Quindipan will demonstrate automotive audio testing using the Mentor A2B interface with SoundCheck.
Listen offers ETSI Standard background noise generation system
Listen offers ETSI Standard background noise generation system
Listen, Inc. has launched the ETSI standard background noise generation module, a SoundCheck test sequence which calibrates a 4.1 speaker array to conform with the ETSI ES 202 396-1 Standard. This provides an equalized, calibrated playback solution to stress devices in a standardized and repeatable way. The sequence includes a library of real-world binaural recordings from the ETSI standard: cafeteria, pub, crossroad, vehicle, single voice distractor, and office noises. Custom or user-defined binaural recordings can also be used. With a purchase price of just $5,000 for the test sequence, this offers an extremely economical alternative to a conventional $20,000+ stand-alone background noise generation system.
Furthermore, it offers the advantage that the ETSI standard library is fully integrated with, and managed by, the SoundCheck test system. This means that the calibrated background noise levels can be fully controlled and adjusted as part of a pre-programmed test sequence, significantly reducing test development time as well as simplifying the physical setup.
This has many applications, for example evaluating ANC, noise suppression, SNR optimization of microphone arrays, beamforming directionality studies, and more. It is particularly useful for voice recognition testing as the test sequence may include loops to incrementally increase the volume or change the noise and repeat the test until the voice is no longer accurately recognized.
Seminars in China: Smart Speakers and Automotive Audio
The Challenges of Testing Speech Controlled Audio Systems
Your devices got smarter. Did your test system?
Learn how to implement open loop tests for both playback and recording in a range of devices including smart speakers, automotive audio, robots, IoT devices and more in this practical seminar.
Open loop testing (testing devices where inputs and outputs are independent) enables many types of smart devices and their components to be tested in various formats and situations including:
- Smart speakers, smart watches and other smart devices
- Microphone arrays
- Speech recognition systems with microphones
- In-vehicle audio systems
- Audio devices/systems with no physical inputs or outputs
- Testing in noisy environments
We explain how to measure the same parameters as traditional loudspeakers, discussing such challenges as injecting and extracting response signals, time delays, and triggering the system using voice commands. We also demonstrate how to measure microphone array performance, speakerphone performance and more. Course content includes:
- Stimulating and capturing responses from a device where you don’t have direct access to the microphone or speaker (open loop testing).
- Delays, asynchronous stimulus / acquisition, and working with the ‘cloud’
- Testing with real world signals such as speech and music, and how to analyze results from these test stimuli
- Voice Recognition – key word spotting, wake word testing, directionality, and the effect of background noise on voice recognition performance
- Telephony – testing smart speakers for hands-free calling
Speakers /主讲人: Steve Temme, Listen, Inc. and Peter Wulf Andersen, GRAS.
Date & Locations /时间与地点:
West Coast Training Extravaganza! Feb 4-8, 2019
Listen is excited to announce its biggest ever training event on the West Coast the week of Feb 4th– 8th (Chinese New Year week) with 5 full days of training events.
Monday Feb 4th: Electroacoustics training with Chris Struck. This one-day course covers the fundamentals of electroacoustics and is ideal for anyone new to the industry or who wants to learn more about the electroacoustics theory behind the measurements they are making. You do not need to be a SoundCheck user to benefit from this class! Course Outline. Register.
Tuesday and Wednesday Feb 5th & 6th: Basic 2 day SoundCheck training with Steve Tatarunis. This two-day class is designed to accelerate the learning curve for novice and basic level SoundCheck users. A combination of teaching, demos and hands-on exercises begin with the basics of system setup and calibration, using virtual instruments, and creating and modifying basic test sequences. On the second day, the sequence writing progresses to more complex techniques such as sequence loops, statistics and advanced post-processing. Course Outline. Register
Thursday Feb 7th: Advanced SoundCheck training with Steve Temme. This is designed for users who have already attended the basic class or who need to make more complex measurements and want to take their SoundCheck use to the next level. This course will include topics such as simulated free field measurements, open loop testing of smart devices, advanced distortion measurements, selecting an appropriate test stimulus (including speech, music and compound stimuli), advanced sequence development including conditional branching and looping, advanced post-processing algorithms and more. More details to follow. Register
Friday Feb 8th: Smart speaker testing seminar (half day plus networking lunch). By popular demand we are bringing our free smart speaker testing seminar back to the West Coast. Steve Temme will present this seminar covering many aspects of smart device testing including open loop measurement, telephony measurements and voice quality measurements. Although the demonstrations will be done with smart speakers, the techniques and methods are relevant to anyone testing voice-controlled devices including hearables, watches and other wearables, robots, smart home devices and automotive entertainment systems. FREE. Course Outline. Register.
Scroll down for full class outlines.
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 10741 N Wolfe Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014.
Costs:
We have simplified pricing this year so that each day is the same cost and you can combine any number of days, with a discount for each additional day that you take. In addition, support contract holders and multiple attendees from the same company receive additional discounts
1 Day: $495 ($350 with valid SoundCheck support contract)
2 Days: $950 ($665 with valid SoundCheck support contract)
3 Days: $1350 ($950 with valid SoundCheck support contract)
4 Days: $1725 ($1200 with valid SoundCheck support contract)
Smart Speaker Seminar: FREE
Multi-person discount:
2-3 people from one company: 10% discount;
4 people will receive a 15% discount
5+ will receive a 25% discount.
Note: to qualify for the discount, all attendees must register together. Multi-attendee discount is only applicable to Mon-Thurs training since the Friday Smart Speaker Seminar event is free.
1- Day Electroacoustics Class Outline. Instructor – Christopher Struck (CJS Labs)
Introduction
-
- Transducers & Reciprocity
- Subjective & Objective Tests
- Loudspeaker and Microphone Test Systems
Basic Acoustics and Measuring Sound
- Sound Pressure & Sound Pressure Level
- Wavelength & Frequency
- The Decibel and Working with Decibels
- Weighting Networks
- Detectors, and Time Constants
Sound Sources and Sound Fields
- Ideal Sources, Sound Radiation, and Sound Fields
- Transmission, Reflection and Diffraction
- Elementary Room Acoustics
- Anechoic Chambers and Reverb Rooms
Psychoacoustics & Hearing
- Frequency and Dynamic Range
- Masking & Critical Bands
- Directional Effects
- Anatomy of the Ear
- Detection and Signal Processing within the Ear
- Loudness & Hearing Loss
Measurement Microphones
- Principles of Operation
- Frequency & Dynamic Range
- Microphone Types, Selection and Applications
- Field Calibration
Frequency Analysis
- Signal Types
- Filters and Filter Analysis
- Confidence Limits, and Averaging Time
- The FFT
- Time Windows, Overlap & “Real Time” Analysis
System Analysis
- Time & Frequency Domains
- Causal Linear Time-Invariant Systems
- Analysis Methods: Dual Channel FFT, MLS, TDS
- Stimulus Signals
Simulated Free Field Measurements
- Sound Paths, Correlated and Uncorrelated Noise
- Quasi-Anechoic Test Methods
- Near Field Measurements
- Time Selective Techniques
Distortion & Non-Linearity
- Non-Linear Systems & Distortion Order
- Distortion Audibility
- Transducer Defect Detection
- Harmonic, Intermodulation & Difference Frequency Distortion Tests
- Measurements of Band-Limited Systems
- Multi-Tone Distortion
- THD + N
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Non-Coherent Power
- Time Variance and Linearity Measures
2-Day Basic SoundCheck Training: Class Outline. Instructor: Steve Tatarunis (Listen, Inc.)
In this class, we start with the basics – how to set up your system, calibrate your hardware and use the virtual instruments. We then focus on how to develop and modify test sequences, starting with stimulus, analysis and display options, and progressing to more advanced functionality such as sequence loops and jumps, statistics, and advanced post-processing. The class is a combination of classroom-style teaching and hands on practical sessions, so that when you leave the class you will be ready to go in practice as well as in theory.
This hands-on class covers all the major features of SoundCheck, including writing sequences, test signals, analysis, distortion measurements and more. The class is a combination of presentations interspersed with hands-on exercises to ensure that you are comfortable with all the concepts and methods taught before you leave the classroom. Although no previous SoundCheck experience is assumed, the course still offers plenty to users familiar with writing basic sequences. Content includes:
- Overview of SoundCheck software
- Software Options
- Hardware
- Configuring audio interfaces and external equipment
- Listen Certified Sound Cards
- Calibration
- Calibration of different DUT types (telephones, speakers, etc.)
- Virtual instruments
- Spectrum Analyzer, RTA, Multi-meter, Signal Generator, Oscilloscope
- Virtual Instruments – hands-on
- Online forum, bug and wish lists
- SoundCheck Steps & Sequences
- Philosophy & Architecture
- Creating and editing SoundCheck Test Sequences and Steps
- Using the Sequence Wizard
- Stimulus & Acquisition Step details
- Basic analysis
- Display
- Data Management Hands-on
- Limits
- Sequence Development – hands-on
- Printing
- Serial numbers
- Autosave and recall
- Messages – user prompts, calling external devices
- Post-processing
- Sequence Development (part 2) – hands-on
- Statistics
- Sequence loops and jumps
- Advanced sequence development
Note: This is intended as a 2-day class, but each day may be taken separately if wanted. The first day will focus more on setup, calibration, virtual instruments and some beginning sequence writing. The second day will focus on sequence writing in much more detail.
1-Day Advanced SoundCheck Training: Class Outline. Instructor Steve Temme
This is designed for users who have already attended the basic class or who need to make more complex measurements and want to take their SoundCheck use to the next level. This course will include topics such as simulated free field measurements, open loop testing of smart devices, advanced distortion measurements, selecting an appropriate test stimulus (including speech, music and compound stimuli), advanced sequence development including conditional branching and looping, advanced post-processing algorithms and more. WE are finalizing content and a more detailed outline will follow shortly.
Free Seminar: Smarter Measurements for Smarter Speakers! Instructor Steve Temme (Listen, Inc.)
Learn how to test smart speakers, hearables, watches and other wearables, robots, smart home devices, automotive entertainment systems and other smart devices in our practical half-day seminar taught by industry expert Steve Temme of Listen, Inc.
Although acoustic testing of smart speakers and other voice-activated devices presents challenges such as injecting and extracting response signals, time delays, and triggering the system using voice commands, it is still possible to measure the same parameters as traditional loudspeakers, In addition we can also measure microphone array performance, speakerphone performance and more.
We demonstrate how to do this, focusing on:
- Stimulating and capturing responses from a device where you don’t have direct access to the microphone or speaker (open loop testing).
- Delays, asynchronous stimulus / acquisition, and working with the ‘cloud’
- Testing with real world signals such as speech and music, and how to analyze results from these test stimuli
- Voice Recognition – key word spotting, wake word testing, directionality, and the effect of background noise on voice recognition performance
- Telephony – testing smart speakers for hands-free calling
There is no charge for this seminar and lunch will be provided.
Listen Expands Operations Team
Listen welcomes Renee Jolie Bartel to the Operations team, where she will be working as Sales and Marketing Administrator. With previous experience at Thomson Reuters and The Marketing Arm, she looks forward to supporting Listen’s efficiency and creating infrastructure, working as a liaison between teams. She has a degree in Social Sciences from University of Washington and completed post graduate work in pre-medical sciences at Columbia University, where her interest in marketing was stoked through student organization leadership and recruitment. She has worked on campaigns for Frito Lay, Bacardi, and helped create guidelines for greater accessibility and compliance with ADA legislation. She is passionate about music, especially in the ways it impacts human physiology. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, sailing, hiking, and traveling.
New Sales Engineer: Matthew Miller
Listen has expanded its Sales team with the addition of Matthew Miller as a sales engineer on the West Coast. Based in the San Francisco area, Matthew will be the main point of contact for our customers in California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada. Matthew brings a combination of engineering and sales experience to the Listen team with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and almost ten years’ experience in technical sales. In addition to listening to music, Matthew enjoys creating beats and recording songs, particularly in hip-hop and R&B genres. He also loves spending time with his wife and daughters, collecting cards, and gaming. Matthew can be reached at mmiller@listeninc.com.
SoundCheck 16.1 Released – New Frequency Trigger for Open Loop Testing
Listen is excited to announce the release of SoundCheck 16.1. This minor release, which contains some exciting new features, is available free of charge to all registered users of SoundCheck 16.0.
Most significant is the inclusion of a new frequency trigger. This allows frequency-based triggering of acquisition from an external source using a pilot tone at the beginning of a test sweep. This allows for improved accuracy over previous level-based triggering when capturing responses from a device where you don’t have direct access to the microphone or speaker, especially in noisy environments. This technique optimizes open loop test methods for smart speakers and other voice-controlled devices such as smart phones, robots, automotive audio, smart thermostats, hearables and more. You can view a short video explaining this feature here:
We also have a free measurement sequence using the frequency trigger that can be downloaded from our website so that you can test it out right away! View Sequence.
SoundCheck now also fully integrates with the Mentor A2B interface for testing automotive audio connected via the Analog Devices A2B digital bus. The Mentor Analyzer, which handles the transmission of signal in to and out of the bus, is viewed as an ASIO interface by SoundCheck, enabling SoundCheck to read/write to the device and therefore analyze any transducer connected to the A2B bus. A custom VI permits control of the Mentor A2B interface configuration via SoundCheck. This means that it can be controlled from within a SoundCheck sequence, for example loading configurations and starting/stopping ASIO streams. This makes it an ideal R&D or production line test solution for automotive audio, or for anyone testing transducers connected via A2B bus. More.
Also available (additional cost) with this new release are two optional sequences – background noise simulation to the ETSI ES 202 396-1 standard, and the TIA-920B dual-bandwidth telephone test standard.
The background noise simulation sequence (part number 3121) is a cost-effective alternative to dedicated background noise generation systems. It calibrates a 4.1 speaker array to conform with the ETSI ES 202 396-1 Standard, providing an equalized, calibrated playback solution to stress devices in a standardized and repeatable way. The sequence includes a library of real world binaural recordings from the standard, and custom or user-defined binaural recordings may also be used. Applications of this sequence include evaluating ANC, noise suppression, voice recognition testing, SNR optimization of microphones, beamforming directionality studies of microphone arrays and more. More.
The TIA-920B sequence (part number 3111) tests to the TIA-920B dual-bandwidth standard that applies to both narrowband (NB) and wideband (WB) devices. It also allows a choice between Free Field (FF) and Diffuse Field (DF) as the Listener Reference Point (LRP). The current release measures digital communications devices with handset features, according to TIA-920.110-B and speakerphones, according to TIA-920.120-B. Support for headset measurements, according to TIA-920.130-B will be added in a future release. More.
