Audison APM User manual

OWNER’S
MANUAL
rev. 1.0
audison.com

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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
Index
1. APM DESCRIPTION.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.1 PRECAUTIONARY NOTES.............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
1.2 PACKAGING CONTENTS................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
2. DIMENSIONS.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 DUMMY HEAD DIMENSIONS........................................................................................................................................................................ 6
2.2 TMD ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
3. DESCRIZIONE......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1 DUMMY HEAD APM........................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
3.2 TMD ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
4. CONNECTIONS...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
4.1 POWER SUPPLY AND TURN ON .................................................................................................................................................................. 9
4.2 PERSONAL COMPUTER...............................................................................................................................................................................10
4.3 APM DUMMY HEAD CONNECTION...........................................................................................................................................................10
4.4 TMD CONNECTION.......................................................................................................................................................................................11
5. SOFTWARE AND DRIVERS INSTALLATION.................................................................................................................................................12
5.1 PC SOFTWARE AND DRIVER INSTALLATION WIZARD.........................................................................................................................12
5.2 UNINSTALLING BIT TUNE SOFTWARE and DRIVER.............................................................................................................................19
6. APM / bit Tune DESKTOP.................................................................................................................................................................................20
6.1 SOFTWARE START IN APM MODE............................................................................................................................................................21
6.2 APM TARGET MODE.....................................................................................................................................................................................22
6.2.1 CONNECTION STATUS MENU..........................................................................................................................................................22
6.2.2 SESSION NOTE MENU .......................................................................................................................................................................22
6.2.3 “FILE” MAIN MENU ............................................................................................................................................................................23
6.2.4 “TOOLS” MAIN MENU .......................................................................................................................................................................25
1. Auto FSA + TMD: .............................................................................................................................................................................25
2. Front stage analysis .......................................................................................................................................................................25
3. Total music distorsion ...................................................................................................................................................................27
4. SPL meter.........................................................................................................................................................................................29
6.2.5 “APM” MAIN MENU. ...........................................................................................................................................................................30
1. Mode..................................................................................................................................................................................................30
2. New measurement .........................................................................................................................................................................30
3. Disconnect to...................................................................................................................................................................................30
4. Save measurement.........................................................................................................................................................................30
5. Save measurement as ...................................................................................................................................................................30
6. Create report ....................................................................................................................................................................................30
7. Apm rank calculator .......................................................................................................................................................................31
8. Master sound quality race.............................................................................................................................................................31
9. Save measurement.........................................................................................................................................................................31
6.2.6 “SETTINGS” MAIN MENU..................................................................................................................................................................32
6.2.7 MEASURAMENT WIZARD / TOOLS.................................................................................................................................................35
6.2.8 MEMORY STATUS...............................................................................................................................................................................36
6.2.9 FILES MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................................................................................................36
7. MEASUREMENT SESSION - FREE MODE.....................................................................................................................................................37
7.1 AUTO FSA+TMD ............................................................................................................................................................................................37
7.2 FSA .................................................................................................................................................................................................................42
7.3 TMD .................................................................................................................................................................................................................42
7.4 SPL .................................................................................................................................................................................................................43
8. MEASUREMENT SESSION COMPETITION MODE.....................................................................................................................................44
8.1 COMPETITION MODE WIZARD ..................................................................................................................................................................44
9. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................................................................................................49

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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
1. APM DESCRIPTION
THE PROJECT
Audison APM is the result of years of research and development into a complex topic, the evaluation of in-car sound
quality. It has always been a challenge for the automotive industry to provide a measurement system dedicated
to the objective evaluation of the sound quality, intended to support and not replace the subjective evaluation that
remains one of the most amazing human qualities.
Thanks to APM’s technology, sound quality evaluation is no longer influenced by the listener’s preferred music
genre. APM technology is able to replicate the auditory perception of humans and therefore to measure the system
performance with a high level of precision.
The bit Tune hardware platform implements APM functions, providing the market as well as industry specialists with
a complete tool. This enables two innovative types of analysis, which objectively evaluate customized and OEM car
audio systems.
APM MEASUREMENTS
The APM software is composed by two measurement tools: the FSA (Front Stage Analysis) and TMD (Total Music Distortion).
The asymmetric listening position affects the quality of in-car sound reproduction. Placing the front soundstage
at the center of a car hi-fi system is the most critical and challenging element. The FSA tool provides the ability to
automatically determine the location of the virtual sound image generated by a stereophonic configuration.
This technology was made possible thanks to the dummy head, which allows to recreate the HRTF (Head Related
Transfer Function) and an innovative approach, based on binaural and monaural cue which was studied to
simulate the human auditory perception of the sound image.
Thanks to the FSA, the front sound emission can be analysed as if your dashboard were the soundstage of a
concert to determine, with high level of accuracy, the centre stage on the two axis, providing the FSA score as result.
TMD (Total Music Distortion) is a tool able to measure the linear and non-linear distortions of the system’s
frequency response using a real musical track unlike conventional methods of measurement.This analysis can be
performed at different sound pressure levels, which is very significant to identify the system’s performance when
we push the system close to or over its distortion point, giving different TMD scores for different SPL categories.
MASTER SOUND QUALITY RACE
The Master Sound Quality Race is a new contest format where the evaluation of the sound quality is determined
partly by a traditional listening test, made by qualified judges, and partly by the APM system.
Our goal is not to replace human presence with APM technology. We rather see an opportunity to add further value
to the judge’s critical listening and create an online worldwide network to allow the participants to compare and
share the APM results.
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
Before using the bit Tune, please refer to all instructions contained in the manual. We recommend to closely
follow the instructions. Failure to comply with these instructions could result in unintentional injuries or damage to
equipment or devices connected to it.
1. In order to use the APM measurement tools, you must install the software on a personal computer running
Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7/8/10, with a 1.5 GHz processor or higher, 1 GB of RAM and a graphics
card with minimum resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels.
Remarks: -The APM PC software might show malfunctioning with some PCs manufactured before 2008 even with
processors running at higher speed than the minimum required. It is recommended to check using
“Windows Update” and make sure that the available updates are installed in the PC.
-Before performing the measurements, check that the Antivirus is not scanning the PC. If you experience
any problems, it is advisable to disable the Antivirus, even if it is not scanning the PC, and close any other
running programs.
2. Please use only the specific power adapters provided in the package (bit Tune +APM).
3. For use in the car please check that the vehicle’s electrical system has a supply voltage of 12 VDC with negative
to ground. If you are using the network adapter, select the power supply connector suitable for the country of use
(provided in the bit Tune package).
4. Do not perform any measurements in the engine compartment and in locations exposed to water, excessive
moisture, dust and dirt.
5. Take measurements in places where the temperature does not go below 0 °C (32 °F) and does not exceed 55 °C (131 °F).
6. Make sure that the positioning of the device does not interfere with the proper functioning of the car’s electrical or
mechanical devices.
7. Make sure you do not short the power cord during the measurement.
8. In order to facilitate the measurement, route the cables the best possible way, using cables supplied with the product
and referring to instructions provided in the USER MANUAL.
1.1 PRECAUTIONARY NOTES
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
1.2 PACKAGING CONTENTS
- Warranty
-Dummy Head
- TMD + omnidirectional microphone
- 3-Poles connection cable (3 m)
-5-Poles connection cable (3 m)
-ABS Carrying Case
-CD ROM, containing:
APM Software
This User’s Manual (.pdf)
Audio Test tracks
SETUP CD 2.0
TEST SIGNALS
Track_01.sine sweep (10 min)
Track_02.pink noise (5 min)
Track_03.white noise (5 min)
Track_04.sine wave 100 Hz (2 min)
Track_05.sine wave 1k Hz (2 min)
Track_06.sine wave 10k Hz (2 min)
Track_07.sine wave 50 Hz (2 min
CD ROM
bit Tune software2.0.2
Manuale d’uso rev.2.0
User Manual rev.2.0
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
2. DIMENSIONS
170 mm / 6.69 in.
80 mm / 3.1 in.
320 mm / 12.5 in.
108 mm / 4.25 in.105 mm / 4.13 in.
350 mm / 13.77 in.
200 mm / 7.87 in.
130 mm / 5.11 in.
ON
HSM
bit Tune
Total Music Distortion
TMD
2.1 DUMMY HEAD DIMENSIONS
2.2 TMD
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
3. DESCRIPTION
1. Omnidirectional microphone Right Ear.
2. Omnidirectional microphone Left Ear.
3. HSM: XLR 5 poles Mini Connector, to be connected using the specific cable to the bit Tune HSM socket (see sect. 4.3).
4. LPM: 3 poles XLR Mini Connector, to be connected using the specific cable to the bit Tune LPM socket (see sect. 4.3).
5. ON: Blue led, APM measurement set is turned on.
6. Bracket to fix the Dummy Head to the HSM microphone bracket provided in the bit Tune packaging.
7. Adhesive labels showing the Dummy Head Left and Right microphones calibration. These values will need to be
entered during the calibration stage of the APM measurement system (see sect. 6.2.6.1).
FRONT VIEW
1 2
335544
66
REAR VIEWBOTTOM VIEW
Left Ear 7.000mV/Pa Rear Ear 7.000mV/Pa
Left Ear 7.000mV/Pa Rear Ear 7.000mV/Pa
3.1 DUMMY HEAD APM
*
Use the support
provided with
the bit Tune
AAI
BBI
To bit Tune
(see sect 4.3)
**
To bit Tune
(see sect 4.3)
TOP VIEW
A = AI
B = BI
DUMMY HEAD INSTALLATION
C
C=CI
CI
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
1. ON: Blue Led, indicates the TMD measuring set power on.
2. HSM bit Tune: Mini XLR 5 poles connector, to be connected via dedicated cable to the bit Tune HSM socket (see sect. 4.4).
3. Slot to plug in the omnidirectional microphone (see point 5).
4. Slot to plug in the HDM microphone bracket provided in the bit Tune packaging.
5. ECM 800 omnidirectional microphone.
Total Music Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
Total Music Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
Total Music Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
Total Music Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
Total Music Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
Total Music Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
Total Music Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
Total Music Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
Total Music Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
Total Music Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
Total Music Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
Total Music Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
FRONT VIEW
1
2
4
5
3
REAR VIEW
TotalMusic Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
To bit Tune
(see sect 4.3)
To bit Tune
(see sect. 4.4)
TDM INSTALLATION
HEADREST
How to plug in the omnidirectional microphone on the TMD.
*Use the support
provided with the
bit Tune
**
3.2 TMD
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
4. CONNECTIONS
POWER
POWER OFF
ON
POWER
POWER OFF
ON
1. POWER SUPPLY VIA 12V DC PLUG IN
3. bit Tune TURN ON
2. POWER SUPPLY VIA NETWORK ADAPTER
Remark: the bit Tune is protected internally by a 2°
Cilyndrical fuse located inside the product. To replace it
please check section 9.4 of the bit Tune manual.
*The universal adapter 110 - 220 VAC is provided
with tension adapters for EUROPEAN, UK, USA,
ASIA sockets.
*
to power supply
PUSH TO TURN ON
OR OFF
WARNING: when using the universal network
adapter it may be necessary, for some
measures, to connect the ground reference
cable (provided in the packaging), by
connecting it between the vehicle battery and the
bit Tune (see sect. 7.9, bit Tune manual).
4.1 POWER SUPPLY AND TURN ON
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
EMS PC ANALYZER
LINE NOISE
POWER
SEGNAL INPUT
SELECT
RIGHT
VOLUME
MONITOR
47 OHM
SPK SYM
NO LOAD
LEFT
PRE IN BNC SPK INPROBE
MIN • • MAX
LOAD SIMULATOR
SPEAKER IN EMS PC ANALYZER
LINE NOISE
POWER
SEGNAL INPUT
SELECT
RIGHT
VOLUME
MONITOR
47 OHM
SPK SYM
NO LOAD
LEFT
PRE IN BNC SPK INPROBE
MIN • • MAX
LOAD SIMULATOR
SPEAKER IN
EMS PC ANALYZER
LINE NOISE
POWER
SEGNAL INPUT
SELECT
RIGHT
VOLUME
MONITOR
47 OHM
SPK SYM
NO LOAD
LEFT
PRE IN BNC SPK INPROBE
MIN • • MAX
LOAD SIMULATOR
SPEAKER IN
1. PERSONAL COMPUTER E bit Tune 2. PERSONAL COMPUTER bit Tune + Audison bit
LED ON WHEN
THE MICROPHONES
ARE ACTIVE
5 pole Connector cable 3 pole Connector cable
USB CABLE
PROVIDED USB CABLE PROVIDED
Remark: the bit Tune can be connected to all
Audison bit devices featuring a DSP.
4.2 PERSONAL COMPUTER
4.3 APM DUMMY HEAD CONNECTION
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
EMS PC ANALYZER
LINE NOISE
POWER
SEGNAL INPUT
SELECT
RIGHT
VOLUME
MONITOR
47 OHM
SPK SYM
NO LOAD
LEFT
PRE IN BNC SPK INPROBE
MIN ••MAX
LOAD SIMULATOR
SPEAKER IN
To tal Music Distortion
TMD
ON
HSM
bit Tune
5 pole Connector cable
4.4 TMD CONNECTION
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
5. SOFTWARE AND DRIVERS INSTALLATION
Remark: to remove any active restrictions on Windows Vista 7/8/10 operating systems, right-click on the
setup icon and select “Run as administrator” option.
In the next “User Account Control” window, select Yes to continue with the installation.
5.1 PC SOFTWARE AND DRIVER INSTALLATION WIZARD
1. Insert the “APM Setup CD 1.0” in the CD-ROM player of the PC that you intend to use.
2. Windows XP: go to My Computer in the START menu;
Windows Vista: go to My Computer in the START menu;
Windows 7: go to My Computer in the START menu;
Windows 8/10: click on the DESKTOP icon from the MAIN menu;
Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8/10
4. Windows XP: double click on the setup icon;
Windows Vista: double click on the setup icon;
Windows 7: double click on the setup icon;
Windows 8/10: select the CD ROM drive and double click on setup icon.
Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8/10
3. Windows XP: with the right mouse button select the “APM Setup CD 1.0” icon and click Browse;
Windows Vista: with the right mouse button select the “APM Setup CD 1.0” icon and click Browse;
Windows 7: with the right mouse button select the “APM Setup CD 1.0” icon and click Open;
Windows 8/10: double click on the Computer icon.
Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8/10
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
5. Windows XP: select ACCEPT;
Windows Vista: select ACCEPT;
Windows 7: select ACCEPT;
Windows 8/10: select ACCEPT.
6. Windows XP: select ACCEPT and wait for the installation;
Windows Vista: select ACCEPT and wait for the installation;
Windows 7: select ACCEPT and wait for the installation;
Windows 8/10: select ACCEPT and wait for the installation.
7. Windows XP: select NEXT to continue with the installation,
CANCEL to stop it;
Windows Vista: select NEXT to continue with the installation,
CANCEL to stop it;
Windows 7: select NEXT to continue with the installation,
CANCEL to stop it;
Windows 8/10: select NEXT to continue with the installation,
CANCEL to stop it.
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
8. Windows XP: select I Agree, then NEXT;
Windows Vista: select I Agree, then NEXT;
Windows 7: select I Agree, then NEXT;
Windows 8/10: select I Agree, then NEXT.
9. Windows XP: select NEXT;
Windows Vista: select NEXT;
Windows 7: select NEXT;
Windows 8/10: select NEXT.
10. Windows XP: choose NEXT to start the installation
of audio codecs;
Windows Vista: choose NEXT to start the installation
of audio codecs;
Windows 7: choose NEXT to start the installation
of audio codecs;
Windows 8/10: choose NEXT to start the installation
of audio codecs.
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
11. Windows XP: select
- Everyone if you have administration rights for the system,
so that the program, once installed, can be accessed
by all users of the PC.
-Just me if you want the program, once installed, to be
accessed by the current user only.
Then click NEXT.
Windows Vista: select
- Everyone if you have administration rights for the system,
so that the program, once installed, can be accessed
by all users of the PC.
-Just me if you want the program, once installed, to be
accessed by the current user only.
Then click NEXT.
Windows 7: select
- Everyone if you have administration rights for the system,
so that the program, once installed, can be accessed
by all users of the PC.
-Just me if you want the program, once installed, to be
accessed by the current user only.
Then click NEXT.
Windows 8/10: select
- Everyone if you have administration rights for the system,
so that the program, once installed, can be accessed
by all users of the PC.
-Just me if you want the program, once installed, to be
accessed by the current user only.
Then click NEXT.
12. Windows XP: select NEXT to start the installation;
Windows Vista: select NEXT to start the installation;
Windows 7: select NEXT to start the installation;
Windows 8/10: select NEXT to start the installation.
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
13. Windows XP: select NEXT to start the installation
of the audio driver, turn the bit Tune on and connect it
to the USB port of your PC;
Windows Vista: select NEXT to start the installation
of the audio driver, turn the bit Tune on and connect it
to the USB port of your PC;
Windows 7: select NEXT to start the installation
of the audio driver, turn the bit Tune on and connect it
to the USB port of your PC;
Windows 8/10: select NEXT to start the installation
of the audio driver, turn the bit Tune on and connect it
to the USB port of your PC.
14. Windows XP: select INSTALL to start the installation;
Windows Vista: select INSTALL to start the installation;
Windows 7: select INSTALL to start the installation;
Windows 8/10: select INSTALL to start the installation.
Possible error message:
If the bit Tune is not recognized by the PC, make sure that the bit
Tune is turned on and connected to the PC via USB, then select
NEXT.
If the problem persists, see sect. 7.9, bit Tune manual on troubleshooting
the installation.
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
15. Windows XP: select NEXT to complete the installation
of the audio driver and then select FINISH;
Windows Vista: select NEXT to complete the installation
of the audio driver and then select FINISH;
Windows 7: select NEXT to complete the installation
of the audio driver and then select FINISH;
Windows 8/10: select NEXT to complete the installation
of the audio driver and then select FINISH.
16. Windows XP: select “No, not now” and click “Next”.
Windows Vista: will not ask for confirmation;
drivers will be installed automatically;
Windows 7: will not ask for confirmation;
drivers will be installed automatically;
Windows 8/10: will not ask for confirmation;
drivers will be installed automatically.
17. Windows XP: select “Install the software automatically”
and click “Next”;
Windows Vista: will not ask for confirmation;
drivers will be installed automatically;
Windows 7: will not ask for confirmation;
drivers will be installed automatically;
Windows 8/10: will not ask for confirmation;
drivers will be installed automatically.
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OWNER’S MANUAL APM /
18. The system will install the XMOS interface drivers.
19. If the procedure is successful, the system will notify that
the driver installation is complete.
Windows XP: click “Finish”;
Windows Vista: will not ask for confirmation,
drivers will be installed automatically;
Windows 7: will not ask for confirmation,
drivers will be installed automatically;
Windows 8/10: will not ask for confirmation,
drivers will be installed automatically.
20. If the procedure is successful, the system will notify that
the driver installation is complete.
Windows XP: click “CLOSE”;
Windows Vista: click “CLOSE”;
Windows 7: click “CLOSE”;
Windows 8/10: click “CLOSE”.
21. The installation of the bit Tune software and drivers is now complete.
At this point the bit Tune is ready for use (see sect. 6).
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5.2 UNINSTALLING BIT TUNE SOFTWARE and DRIVER
1. To uninstall the bit Tune PC software you can
use the uninstall command from the menu:
2. Windows XP: click “YES”;
Windows Vista: click “YES”;
Windows 7: click “YES”;
Windows 8/10: click “YES”.
3. Windows XP: click “UNINSTALL”;
Windows Vista: click “UNINSTALL”;
Windows 7: click “UNINSTALL”;
Windows 8/10: click “UNINSTALL”.
4. Windows XP: click “NEXT”;
Windows Vista: click “NEXT”;
Windows 7: click “NEXT”;
Windows 8/10: click “NEXT”.
5. Windows XP: click “FINISH” to complete
the uninstall process;
Windows Vista: click “FINISH” to complete
the uninstall process;
Windows 7: click “FINISH” to complete
the uninstall process;
Windows 8/10: click “FINISH” to complete
the uninstall process.
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 Windows 8/10
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6. APM / BIT TUNE DESKTOP
In order to use the main APM tools of the bit Tune you must install the software rev 2.1.2 (see sect. 5)on your PC.
The bit Tune must be connected to the PC and be turned on by setting the measurement selection switch in the PC
analyzer position. Start the software by clicking the icon previously installed in your PC.
The first screen that appears is the starting screen, where you need to select one of the following modes:
- APM: starts the APM measurement software (Acoustic Performance Measurement);
- bit Tune (see Audison bit Tune Advanced Manual);
- bit Tune + Processor: bit Tune connected and interfaced to a processor (see Audison bit Tune Advanced Manual);
- Rescue Mode: firmware upgrade recovery (see sect. 9.3, bit Tune manual).
For the first three measurement modes the software can also be started in OFF LINE mode.
To select the starting mode, go to the drop-down menu, select the entry APM using the mouse.
6