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California SoundCheck Training Oct 2019
SoundCheck training (with advanced training) returns to the West Coast in October 2019. Please join us!
Basic 2 day SoundCheck training
Monday Oct 7th & Tues Oct 8th, 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.
Instructor: Mark Latshaw, Listen, Inc
Cost: $950 ($665 with valid SoundCheck support contract)
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 10741 N Wolfe Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014
Course Outline
Register
Advanced SoundCheck training
Wednesday Oct, 9th, 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.
Instructor: Mark Latshaw & Steve Temme, Listen, Inc
Cost: $495 ($350 with valid SoundCheck support contract)
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 10741 N Wolfe Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014
Course Outline
Register
Scroll down for full class outlines.
Multi-person discounts:
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.
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.
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
New Order Processing Specialist: Rocky Ludger
Rock-Andral Ludger (Rocky) has joined Listen in the role of Order Processing Specialist. In this role, Rocky is responsible for every order from the moment it is placed, through fulfilment, to ensuring safe delivery of the product. He is also the smiling face at our front desk and keeps the office running smoothly. Rocky joins Listen with a degree in business from Kentucky University and several years’ supply chain management experience, both in the Boston area and in his native Haiti where he also used to play soccer professionally. He also speaks multiple languages fluently, including Spanish, French and Creole. Outside of work, Rocky is a keen athlete who enjoys playing and watching many different sports and, like most at Listen, also enjoys music. Rocky also founded and runs a non-profit organization in Haiti, New Vision for Youth, that coaches young professional leaders.
Updated Bluetooth Interface Supports High Definition and Low Latency Bluetooth
The updated BTC-4149 Bluetooth measurement interface now supports the aptX HD and aptX-Low Latency Bluetooth protocols for accurate measurement of high definition and low latency Bluetooth devices, in addition to the standard aptX, CVSD and mSBC codecs previously available. This enables manufacturers of Bluetooth audio devices to accurately test the audio of the latest high performance Bluetooth sink and Bluetooth source devices, making the same measurements as on traditional audio devices. In addition, the device has a new, larger color screen for improved ease of operation.
The BTC-4149 is designed as a R&D interface, testing both sink and source devices with full control over Bluetooth protocol settings, including explicit control over codec choice and transmitter power, as well as various pairing options.
Also available is a lower cost production tool, the BQC-4149. This tests Bluetooth Sink devices only, and offers only the standard aptX, CVSD and mSBC, along with more limited control of Bluetooth parameters. This model has been updated to use the same chipset as the BTC-4149 to ensure accurate production line replication of R&D tests for those customers who use both interfaces.
Both interfaces integrate seamlessly with SoundCheck, so that all parameters can be set and modified from within a test sequence for fully-automated testing of Bluetooth devices. This accelerates testing, particularly on the production line as it avoids the need to manually adjust Bluetooth settings, reducing the possibility of error. It also enables a device to be tested using multiple Bluetooth protocols and settings by taking sequential measurements using different settings in one continuous test.
Creating and Using Custom VIs Tutorial
This training video provides an overview of how to create and use custom VIs. Custom VIs enable you to extend the capability of your SoundCheck system by
- Programming your own highly customized tests which run within Soundcheck,
which is useful if your device requires additional specific tests that fall
outside of the SoundCheck test suite - Enabling SoundCheck to control other hardware devices and use them in test
sequences, for example additional application-specific interfaces.
Note that the method is slightly different in SoundCheck version 16 and later versus version 15, so please view the video that corresponds to your SoundCheck installation.
Creating and using Custom VIs (V 16+)
Creating and using Custom VIs (V 15)
Sequence Loops and Logic Tutorial
This series of 5 training videos explains how to use sequence loops and logic. Sequence loops and logic are extremely powerful features that can significantly reduce the time taken both to program and run tests. The first video walks you through the basics, then the following videos focus on 4 examples: Loop Stimulus Level, Polar Plot Measurements, Jump To Sections and Digital I/O.
Sequence Loops and Logic 1: The Basics
Sequence Loops and Logic 2: Loop Stimulus Level
Sequence Loops and Logic 3: Polar Plot Measurements
Sequence Loops and Logic 4: Jump To Sections
Sequence Loops and Logic 5: Digital I/O
Message Steps Tutorial
These 3 training videos provides guidance on how to use message steps in sequences. Message steps enable dialog between the sequence and either the operator or external devices. These fall into 3 categories, each with a short instructional video.
Part 1 – Operator Message steps
– messages between the sequence and operator, for example to advise the operator to do something, or to request the operator input a value or yes/no input.
Part 2 – External control messages
– messages that enable communication with external hardware such as DIOs and RS232 devices.
Part 3 – Listen Hardware Control messages
– messages that enable control over Listen and Portland Tool & Die hardware.
Analysis Editor Tutorials
These 5 short tutorials guide the user through the various tabs in the SoundCheck analysis editor. Note: The next tutorial will cover the remaining tabs and the available analysis algorithms.
SoundCheck 17 New Features Video
In this short video, sales engineer Les Quindipan gives a brief overview and demonstration of the new features and functionality of SoundCheck 17, including the new level and cross-correlation trigger, average curve/waveform post-processing functionality, new color palettes, save to MATLAB option, and more.
