News & Events
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New Support Engineer – Devin Vaillancourt
Devin Vaillancourt has joined the technical support team at Listen, where he will be working closely with Steve, Mark L, Cam and Mark D to help our customers with their audio measurements. Devin graduated from UMass Lowell in 2016 with a degree in sound recording technology. Prior to joining Listen, he worked as an audio technician for a production services company where he gained extensive knowledge of using, calibrating and troubleshooting audio interfaces, and other recording hardware and software. In addition to his technical experience, Devin is a keen musician – outside of work, he plays in several bands, records and engineers music, and teaches drums.
New Manufacturing Manager: Ryan Burgess
Ryan Burgess has joined Listen as Manufacturing Manager, responsible for all manufacturing functions including supply chain, assembly, test, Quality Control, and product delivery. Ryan is an experienced manufacturing professional with 20 years’ experience in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality Control Systems. He attended Clark University focusing on Computer Science, minoring in Mechanical Engineering, and also holds several certifications including a Six Sigma Green Belt, certified internal auditor and LEAN Bronze certificate. Prior to joining Listen, Ryan has held management roles in the mass notification industry, aerospace industry, industrial technology, and a global technology solutions company. In his free time Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and six children, music, sports, and home improvement.
New Sales Director: Joe Kushi
Joe Kushi has joined Listen as Sales Director. Joe is an experienced international sales manager with over 25 years’ experience in both domestic and international sales and sales management. He also holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business, languages and international business. In prior positions, he has sold a variety of hi-tech products including data acquisition and imaging systems, audio and video QA equipment, telecoms and security infrastructure equipment. He speaks 5 languages (with varying degrees of fluency), has lived in Paris and Brussels, and has opened offices and managed reps around the world. Outside of work, Joe enjoys traveling, listening to music, and playing drums.
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.
