CTP Systems Testa User manual

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Analogue Audio
Testa
The Manual
by CTP Systems

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Introduction
The audio Testa is an analogue test tool designed specifically for sound engineers.
It has a powerful digital signal processor and a separate co-processor providing
multiple audio monitoring and test signal generators. These include line level
monitoring, microphone level monitoring with or without phantom power, tone
generation, noise generation, phantom voltage check, a four-wire box facility, two
wire monitoring, audio test tone loop and XLR cable test. The unit includes a
balanced combo XLR/Jack input and an XLR balanced output, two headphone sockets
(6.35mm and 3.15mm) and a torch LED. It includes a built in microphone and
speaker and is supplied with a belt clip. The unit uses a standard nine volt battery or
may be powered from its micro USB socket. The USB socket may also be used to
update the Testa’s firmware. All settings are retained in non-volatile memory.
Operation of the device has been made as simple as possible using three push
buttons and a 128*32 OLED white on black display which includes a level meter with
PPM or VU style scale and ballistics. The unit includes an auto power off function.
Power
The Testa may be powered using a nine volt battery or via the micro USB port.
The power switch only operates when on battery power. Plugging in a micro USB
cable will automatically switch the unit on.
When on battery power a battery symbol appears for three seconds on the top left
of the display when switching between modes providing an indication of battery life.
A solid block is a full battery. Bear in mind some functions may use more power,
particularly generating 48 volt phantom power, a big ask for a nine volt battery. The
unit may be made to automatically switch off if no button is pressed for a selectable
period between 1 and 127 minutes. The Testa automatically switches off battery
power when the micro USB is plugged in.
Using the menu system
When the unit is switched on it will be on the top level menu. Press the left and right
‘ADJ’ buttons to switch through the various functions. The function will be shown in
large text at the top of the screen along with the meter if applicable. Adjustable
parameters will be shown in small text at the bottom of the screen. To adjust these
parameters first press the ‘SEL’ button. If the function has only one parameter (eg.
Line in gain) then the unit will switch directly to adjustment mode of that function. If
there is more than one parameter, the first press of the ‘SEL’ button will highlight
the first of the parameters. Now use the adjust buttons to highlight the required
parameter. Then press ‘SEL’ again. The parameter will be shown in large text as will
its current setting. Press the adjust buttons as required to set to the required value.

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Now press the ‘SEL’ button again and the display will return back to the top level. It
really is easier to use than it is to describe.
All settings are stored in non-volatile memory and these settings will be retained
until adjusted again. The Testa will always power up using the function that was in
use when it was switched off.
Audio inputs and outputs
Audio inputs are on the female combo connector that accepts either a standard
three pin XLR or a TRS balanced jack. Line level audio outputs are available on the
male three pin XLR. A useful extra is that when the unit is monitoring/metering an
input then that input is available on the XLR output in its amplified form. For
example, it means that the unit may be used as a microphone amplifier.
There are both 6.35 and 3.15mm jacks for headphone monitoring. Inserting either
will cut the internal loudspeaker.
Metering
In the settings menu the meter may be set to PPM or VU style ballistics and levels.
In PPM mode the wider pip is PPM ‘0” (0.775 volts into 600 ohms). In VU mode the
wider pip equates to VU ‘0’ (1.23 volts into 600 ohms). The other pips on the meter
are at intervals of 4dB.
LED light
Press and hold the PTT/Light button for half a second and the LED will illuminate,
press it again and it will extinguish. This will operate in all functions apart from in the
four-wire menu where it is used as a ‘Talk’ button. Take care not to look directly at
the LED when switching it on, it’s quite bright.
Testa Functions
Line Input
Plug into the XLR or TRS jack input. Line level inputs may be monitored on the
loudspeaker or using headphones and metered on the display. Input gain is
adjustable from -12dB to +12dB in 1dB steps. The signal is available on the XLR
output.

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Microphone Input
Plug into the XLR or TRS jack input. Microphone level inputs may be amplified from 0
to +70dB in 1dB steps and monitored on the loudspeaker or headphones and
metered. 48 volt phantom power may be switch on or off. This input is available on
the XLR output.
Tone Generator
The tone generator outputs sine wave frequencies from 50Hz to 20kHz in third
octave steps.
The tone is available on the XLR output and the output level may be monitored and
metered. Level may be set from -60dB to +12dB in 1dB steps.
Noise Generator
Pink noise and white noise are available on the XLR output at levels from -60dB to
+12dB. The output may be monitored and metered.
Phantom check
Phantom power voltage on pins 2 and 3 of the male XLR may be measured.
Tolerance is +- 1 volt.
4Wire Box
The Testa may be used as a four wire box using the built in mic. Press the PTT (push
to talk) button to talk. Speaker level will be dimmed when talking to prevent howl
round. Headphones will not be dimmed. The display shows ‘TALK’ when the button
is pressed. Internal microphone gain may be adjusted form 0 to +70dB. The meter
may be set to show input or output levels in the Setup menu.
2wire Mon
2 wire audio may be monitored and metered on pin 2, pin 3 or both pins
simultaneously. 2wire monitoring is not suitable for use with Clearcom beltpacks due
to the way the calling system operates.
Tone Loop
This is useful for testing external equipment. Plug the XLR output into the equipment
under test. Plug the equipment output back into the Testa. Alter the levels or
frequency as required. This facility may be set to monitor input or output levels using
the settings menu.

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XLR test
Connect your XLR (or jack to XLR) cable between input and output. All three XLR pins
are shown. A good connection will have a tick next to it, a bad connection a cross.
A live/neutral crossed connection will show a circle with a line through it (phase
symbol).
Settings
Auto Off –May be set from Off to 127 minutes. When the unit is not used (no
buttons pressed) for the set time the unit will automatically go into a very low power
mode (effectively off). To switch back on select the power switch to off then on
again.
4wBox –Set to meter input or output of the four wire box.
Toneloop –Set to meter input or output of the tone loop.
Meter –Set for PPM or VU style levels and ballistics.
Updating
The Testa may be updated using its micro USB port. New software and firmware will
be available on the support page of ctpsystems.co.uk/support when available.
Testa firmware is the intellectual property and copyright of CTP Systems in
the UK ©2021

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Product warranty
Your Testa is guaranteed for a period of one year from dispatch. This guarantee is a
return to base warranty. In the unlikely event of a fault the Testa should be returned
to CTP Systems (if you are in the UK) or your local dealer.
This equipment is CE marked and conforms to the following directives:
Emissions: EN55032: 2015
Immunity: EN55035: 2017
WEEE
CTP Systems are registered for Business to Business sales of WEEE in the UK. Our
registration number is WEE/DF0509VR.
RoHS
The product conforms to the RoHS2 Directive 2011/65/EC for restriction of the use
of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
This unit was designed and manufactured in the UK by CTP Systems Limited, Unit 4,
Clinton Business Centre, Lodge Road, Staplehurst, Kent TN12 0QF.
ctpsystems.co.uk. Telephone [phone]