Audio Analyzer has 8 simultaneous channels of analog I/O.
Press Release Summary:
Able to take multiple measurements simultaneously, PC-controlled APx585 employs user-interface that let users automate test sequences without any programming. Test sequences are supported with integrated reporting facility and reports are exportable. To facilitate design team collaboration, project file structure includes all measurement settings and automated sequences. Along with real-time input signal monitors and general-purpose FFT analyzer, product uses continuous sweep method.
Original Press Release:
Audio Precision Announces Industry's First 8-Channel Audio Analyzer
Integrated Reports and Automated Test Sequences Provide Productivity Gains and Set New Standards for Ease-of-Use
BEAVERTON, Ore., May 15 -- Audio Precision, Inc., the worldwide leader in audio test and measurement, today announced the APx585, the world's first audio analyzer with 8 simultaneous channels of analog I/O. Designed specifically for multichannel consumer audio products, the PC-controlled APx585 also features an innovative user-interface that allows new users to take measurements almost immediately, and to automate test sequences with no programming.
"Consumer audio moved to multichannel systems years ago, and test and measurement has now caught up," said Bruce Hofer, co-founder and chairman at Audio Precision. "We have also seen a dramatic change in users as the market expanded from audio experts to engineers who have little formal audio training. For these people, in markets such as personal computers and portable media players, the 585 will be a tremendous productivity tool."
The APx585's measurement Navigator presents a broad set of measurements that can be made simply by selecting a checkbox, then clicking Run. Entire test sequences can be defined by selecting multiple tests, then clicking the Navigator's Run button. Automating test sequences through the Navigator eliminates the need for any programming, saving time for development teams and making for a seamless transition to production, where automated test sequences are standard.
Test sequences run on the APx585 are supported with an integrated reporting facility, which generates rich graphic reports on individual test settings and results every time a sequence is run. Reports are exportable, and can be customized with a company's name and logo.
Collaboration among design teams is expedited with the APx585's project file structure. Measurement settings and automated sequences are saved in the project file, which can be loaded and run by another 585 user. This enables test results to be reviewed quickly and analyzed independently by different team members.
"The changes in the audio test market, as audio expanded into all sorts of industries, were profound enough to generate a new set of requirements for audio analysis," Hofer continued. "The 585, with a range of productivity features such as the measurement Navigator and integrated reports, is the first test instrument that addresses the needs of this redefined market." Dolby and DTS projects are included with the APx585, allowing designers of multi-channel systems to assess their readiness for Dolby/DTS certification. These projects use measurements developed by Audio Precision that are the equivalent of those used by Dolby and DTS in their certification procedures. When users load and run the projects, all the measurements are made and a report is generated.
The APx585 uses a new, patent-pending sweep method called "continuous sweep" that is faster than previous methods, and can also make multiple measurements at once. Making a typical one-second sweep, with a subsequent 10 seconds of processing time, can result in up to 14 measurements of characteristics such as frequency response, THD, crosstalk, group delay and more. The 585 provides a measurement Selector that displays thumbnails of all these measurements, which can be clicked to display full screen.
Other tools available in the APx585 include real-time input signal monitors and a general purpose FFT analyzer. The input signal monitors provide a choice of a real-time oscilloscope view, an FFT spectrum view, or level, frequency and THD+N meter readings. All of these meters display all 8 channels, and any number of them can be viewed in real-time while the APx585 is making measurements. The FFT tool provides both time domain and frequency domain views with an FFT acquisition variable of up to one million points.
Options available for the APx585 include an 8-channel switching amplifier measurement filter, the APx581, for testing switch mode amplifiers such as class-D. A cable kit, the CAB585, provides a full set of cables for connecting the APx585 to a test device, with cables harnessed and color-coded to simplify the task of connecting up to 8 channels. A 2-year extended warranty, which adds two years to the standard 3-year warranty, is also available.
Price and Availability
The APx585 is available in July and is priced at $21,000 USD. The Dolby and DTS projects will be shipped as a free upgrade by the end of the year. The APx581 Switching Amplifier Filter, priced at $3,000 USD, the CAB585 Cable Kit, priced at $800 USD, and the EWP2-585 extended 2-year warranty, priced at $1,450 USD, are also available in July.
About Audio Precision
Audio Precision has been designing and marketing audio test instruments for over two decades. The industry leader in audio test, Audio Precision provides field-hardened solutions to help engineers worldwide design and build audio products that meet or exceed the highest performance standards. For more information, visit the Audio Precision Web site at http://www.ap.com/.
CONTACT: Tom Williams of Audio Precision, +1-503-627-0832, ext. 206, or tomw@ap.com
