SoundCheck Supports Unlimited Virtual Instruments (100 Things #48)
SoundCheck introduced the concept of virtual audio analysis instruments to the world in 1997, and has continued to expand and develop their functionality since then. It supports an unlimited number of virtual instruments, including signal generators, multimeters, multi-channel RTAs and spectrum analyzers, and more. The use of multiple instruments simultaneously is demonstrated in this short video.
Unlimited Virtual Instruments in SoundCheck
Learn More About SoundCheck’s VIs
Check out our easy-to-follow tutorials on virtual instruments. (in the Acquisition section)
Watch our video on how to save time with virtual instrument configuration.
More information is also available in the SoundCheck Manual.
Video Script: SoundCheck Supports Unlimited Virtual Instruments
Since 1997, SoundCheck has supported the use of software virtual instruments, also known as VI’s. VI’s are software versions of hardware bench tools like signal generators, multimeters, spectrum analyzers, etc. They’re used for taking a quick measurement in SoundCheck, or in combination with SoundCheck’s sequence editor in a virtual instrument acquisition step. Most importantly, VIs can replace the need for dedicated hardware instruments which can be bulky and expensive. This is particularly useful if you need to travel with your audio test setup.
For quick measurements or signal tests in SoundCheck, you may only need to open 1 or 2 VIs at a time. However, did you know that SoundCheck supports unlimited VIs? This is useful if you need to perform multichannel or complex test applications. For example, in this setup, I’m using multiple signal generators to playback noise to a multi-speaker simulated background noise environment. I can open as many signal generators as needed. I can also simultaneously monitor input as well.
Here’s I’m using multiple reference mics in a 6 mic array for making automotive measurements. I have 6 separate multimeters averaging input from each mic source, but I can also monitor the same input via the multi-RTA and even power sum the sources. Multichannel virtual instruments, such as the RTA, let you view multiple sources in a single VI graph, saving screen real estate and allowing additional graph operations to be implemented in real time.
With unlimited VIs in SoundCheck, there’s no limit to what you can do. Try it for yourself.
