On this page I give an overview of several tools and resources useful in audio engineering for both, the hobbyist and the semi-professional. Most of the software referred to is for free. I will keep on updating this overview. In my later blogs, I will make use of these tools.
Useful Design Information
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This site gives valuable information about active crossovers and open baffle speaker designs. The site was started by one of the co-founders of the field of audio engineering; Mr. Siegfried Linkwitz (1935-2018).
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https://www.current-drive.info/
This site promotes ‘the other way’ of driving loudspeakers. Physically seen, current drive is the correct way of driving loudspeakers.
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RMS Acoustics published a number of informative white papers about distortion in loudspeakers and about motional feedback.
Reference Microphone
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https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=P0118#googtrans(en|en)
The Behringer ECM8000 is a good value for money reference microphone that I use. It might be not as perfect as an expensive calibrated measuring microphone, but it is good enough to spot the differences when tweaking your audio system.
Frequency Response and Spectrum Measurement
For spectrum analysis and frequency response measurements I recommend to use:
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This is the perfect tool for observing the frequency response of your system in real-time. It is very nice for A/B comparison tests and it supports many other functionalities too.
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This tool is for measuring the frequency and impulse responses and many more.
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https://reference.digilentinc.com/reference/instrumentation/analog-discovery-2/start
The analog Discovery is a perfect tool to validate your electronic circuits. It measures the amplitude and phase response of your circuits and it also functions as a normal time domain oscilloscope. There is an optional analog input- output breakout board with BNC connectors, which I strongly recommend to use with it.
Impedance Analyzer
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https://www.daytonaudio.com/product/1650/dats-v3-computer-based-audio-component-test-system
The DATS-V3 is a low cost impedance analyzer meant for voice coil drivers and passive filter components. This device is very useful for comparing drivers and for checking the total speaker impedance curve as function of the frequency.
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The analog discovery mentioned above comes with an optional impedance analyzer breakout board. I don’t have experience with that module.
Simulation Tools
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Xsim is meant for designing passive crossover filters. You can import the measured speaker impedance data from the DATS-V3 impedance analyzer directly.
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https://www.analog.com/en/design-center/design-tools-and-calculators/ltspice-simulator.html
The all time electronics circuit simulator.
Books
- Introduction to Loudspeaker Design by John L. Murphy, second edition 2014, ISBN-13: 978-0-9663773-4-7
- Loudspeaker Design Cookbook by Vance Dickason
- The Design of Active Crossovers by Douglass Self, second edition 2018, ISBN 9781138733022
- Current-Driving of Loudspeakers by Esa Meriläinen, first edition 2010, ISBN 1450544002
