OPTOGATE Mini Audio Lab V3 User manual

User Instructions for the Mini Audio Lab V3
Congratulations to your new Mini Audio LabV3!
No time for reading manuals?
We know, it´s the same to us... But lease read at least this manual to get to know all the functions of the
Mini Audio Lab V3 and what it can for you!
The Mini Audio Lab V3 is made for the most common test a lications on stage without the need to
s end time to search for the right tool. Just lug your Mini Audio Lab V3 and check whether there is a
correct signal or not. With the integrated measuring o tions you are able to find out faults in the Signal-
flow including Cables, S eakers, Batteries and so on.
Before you use the Mini Audio Lab V3, you should acquaint yourself with the different functions and how
you can use them, to make sure that you are choosing the right menu item.
This manual will guide you through the functions and ossibilities of the Mini Audio Lab V3. But in your
own interest, educate yourself in Audio measuring techniques also used in different systems. You will find
ha iness in working with the Mini Audio Lab V3 when you know, what it can do for you. It´ll be easy!
Now, let´s start working with the Mini Audio Lab V3!
The following functions are integrated:
Precision sine wave generator from 16 Hz. u to 20 kHz in 1/3 Octave ISO ste s,
lus 440 hz,
Burst Signal, works also with the Precision sine wave generator
Pink noise generator
Internal 1 Watt am lifier for the im edance test of louds eaker boxes between 1
Ohm u to 20 Ohm at the different iso frequencies.
Internal measuring micro hone with the signal level indicated at the dis lay for the
level control with different frequencies for a rough eqalizer re setting.
Detection and indication of feedback frequencies that need to be cut
with an Equalizer.
Delay Measurement
Polarity measurement
Inline check
Cable/Bat Check
Installation:
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Decide whether the Mini Audio Lab V3 is to be owered by batteries or an external 9V
DC ower su ly:
attery Power:
The Mini Audio Lab V3 is owered by a 9V Block Battery. When changing the Battery,
ensure the correct Polarity! Please kee looking after your Battery! The Mini Audio
Lab V3 can do some malfunctions if the 9V Block Battery doesn´t give enough ower to
the unit!
External Power:
Connect a suitable 9V stabilized ower su ly. Always remove the battery when you
use an external power supply! The 2.5mm connector for the su ly is located at the
Front of the Mini Audio Lab V3. e careful when connecting the psu: The tip is plus
and the ring is minus.
Using the Touchscreen to operate the Mini Audiolab V3:
You can choose between the functions of the Mini Audiolab V3 by using the
Touchscreen. Just ress on the “button” to make your selection.
In each Menu item, you´ll find the “Hel ”-Button to get further information. We did the
“Hel ”-level as easy as ossible by using ictures instead of words. But nevertheless,
you will find what you need to o erate correctly.
Assingment of buttons / switches and potentiometers:
On/Off: Switches on the Mini Audio Lab V3.
IN: Sensitivity ot for the mic and jack in ut
OUT: Out ut level for the XLR Connector, the Jack and the NL4-connector.
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Now let´s come to the different Functions, activated by pressing the
button on the touchscreen:
The signals of the different modes will be out via the Out ut-Sockets. So it can be
neccessary to connect the Mini Audiolab V3 Desk.
The Sine mode will switch on the recision sine wave generator and the Dis lay will
show the sound level at the different frequencies. Every level above 65 dB will be
indicated. So you can easily check frequencies. To make your work even more easy,
the choosable frequencies are geared to the Frequencies on a 1/3 Octave Equalizer.
Please note that frequency levels above 5 kHz will rise the level of error due to
reflections on the surface of the Mini Audio Lab.
In the urst mode, the recision sine wave generator will be switched on for 1 second
and the internal rocessor will dis lay the sound level after 1 second off time. This
allows the user to get an im ression of reverb times at different frequencies. It is a
great hel for making „Sound“ in difficult laces such as Churches, Assembling-Halls or
Railway-Stations.
The Pink Noise mode gives a recisly defined Noise Signal. The ink noise signal can
be given out to the XLR-Connector and to the NL4 connector. With the XLR connector
you can check for exam le active S eakers or the Signal flow through your Equi ment
and the NL4 Connector sends the signal directly to the s eaker. In that mode you can
change the configuration from 1+/1- to 2+/2-.
You the use the Pink Noise Signal to find out roblematic Frequencies f.e. coming from
reflections.
The Mini Audiolab V3 cannot measure itself! To evaluate the Signals, there´s
an external Device needed.
In the Delay mode you can let the Mini Audiolab V3 calculate the delay time in meters
and ms. Please note, the minimum indicated distance is 8m! The test result might
change with different thresholds and levels. Please note that an exact result is only
ossible in environments with low reflections and without wind and with low background
noise around. Just lay a bit with the “In” ot and the threshold value and you will find
out the right settings for your s eaker system and the distance.
The Polarity mode will show a res onse of a s eaker system after a small dirac signal.
The Symbols (+/-) show you, whether the s eaker “In Phase” or “Out of Phase”.
Notice: Make Polarity checks as close as ossible to the selected S eaker. The
S eaker res onse is different at low frequency s eakers com are to mid or high
frequency s eakers. A correct olarity check is only ossible if the Mini Audio Lab V3 is
close enough to the s eaker that needs to be checked. Polarity checks should always
be done with the lowest ossible level, just above “Low sig.”
As in the “Delay”-Mode, lease note that an exact result is only ossible in
environments with low reflections and without wind and with low background noise
around. Just lay a bit with the “In” ot and the threshold value and you will find out the
right settings for your s eaker system and the distance.
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The Impedance mode let´you check your s eaker´s im edance. Other im edances
than the mentioned ones on your s eaker could oint to malfunctions. Checking the
s eakers before using them is hel ful.
It´s im ortant to know, that the im edance mode will disable the out ot in order to get
a fixed signal value at the NL4 connector.
You can also change the out ut between 1+/1- and 2+/2- of the NL4 connector on the
dis lay of your Mini Audio Lab V3.
The im edance will be indicated between 1 Ohm and 25 Ohm. Please note that an
em ty battery will affect the result!
There can be a need of calibrating the Im edance: You can calibrate the im edance by
using a small screwdriver and adjust the otentiometer which is laced directly under
the little hole at the bottom side of the Mini Audio Lab V3.
For calibrating you can create our own Calibrating Plug like we did:
Use a NL4-S eakon lug (it can be an old one as well...). Now screw an 5
Ohm resistor between the 1+ and 1- Pins, and a 10 Ohm Resistor
between the 2+ and 2- in. Ready!
With the Inline mode you can check the hantom ower voltage at Pin 2 and Pin 3.
The indicated voltage has to be the same on Pin2 and Pin3. The hantom ower is fine
if the voltage is just above 34Volt. Exce ting a connected condenser microfone to the
in ut. A condenser microfone will reduce the indicated value, because of sucking
ower.
You also can listen via head hone to the xlr mic. - or line signal in the Inline mode
when you switch on the "Mon.on" button.
With the just declared function of „listening“ to the Signal in the Inline Mode (Mon.
On!) you can use this device as a 1 channel in ear system as well. lug the
Monitor-Signal into the Jack or the XLR Connector and your headphone to
the phone lug. Don´t forget to connect an external power supply if you use
it as in ear system. A constant use will suck the battery empty soon...
The Cable/ at mode is made for checking cables and also Batteries. On the rear of the
Mini Audiolab V3 are two Jacks for lugging the delivered measuring cables.
Just hit the same Pin on both ends of the cable and the Mini Audiolab V3 will show you
if the chosen Pin is okay. You can directly check a battery voltage by holding the red
cable to the + and the black cable to the -. The battery voltage will be indicated at the
Dis lay.
We know, if there´s no signal, everyone will first change the cable and sometime´s in
okay after changing. With the Mini Audio Lab V3 you have an easy way to check your
cables „on the road“. So if your cables are okay, your smart enough to tell your
stagehands arrogantly that it has been their fault, not yours...
By the way: You can also check your microfone cables in the Inline-Mode! Only
an unimpaired cable can use phantom power. So, if the Displays shows no
phantom power or great differences between in 2 and 3 you should not use this
cable (of course, you first have to make shure, that the phantom power comes
out correctly from your desk...)
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The Feedback mode is an easy way to let the Mini Audio Lab V3 show where are the
difficult Frequencies that can lead to feedbacks.
The frequence of the loudest signal is shown in the first row of the dis lay. The second
line shows the frequency what should be ulled down on your 1/3 otave Equalizer.
Mini Audio Lab will first search for an average level after activating the “Feedback”-
mode. This level might change after a while what leads to a higher threshold before
the relevant frequency will be indicated. Just start the measurement again if the
threshold is too high for a good result.
The Feedback mode gives the chance, to make a good sound also after after a 3-days
Festival with 30 bands, no slee and totally tired ears.
You can also connect the Mini Audio Lab V3 to the head hone am of your monitor
desk as well and you will get the feedback frequencies direct from the desk.
That´s all folks!
Now you know what your Mini Audio Lab V3 can do for you. And as you see, that´s quite a
lot.
Just „ lay“ with it! The more you use the Mini Audio Lab V3, the more you don´t want to
miss it!
Finally, we want you to know, that you shall always be critical to the Results, shown on the
Dis lay. Only in correct Measurement requirements, you can have rational results!
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Technical Specifications:
Dimensions 167 mm x 116 mm x 46 mm
Power Supply 9V, The current is between 45 and 400 mA,
de ending of the s eaker load and level.
Accuracy sinus-wave generator Deviation 0.3 cycles er second/distortion factor <
0.1%
Accuracy amplitude
measurement
Accuracy
impedance
measurement
1.5 dB, +/- 1 digit (50 Hz – 6,3 kHz)
+/- 1 ohm, 1 digit (50 Hz - 12.5 kHz)
Pink Noise Accuracy +/- 1 dB between 100 Hz to 10 kHz.
Connectors 2 x 3 in XLR, 2x 6,3mm Jack, 1 x NL4, 1+ / 1- ,
2+ / 2-, 2x measuring connectors
Max input signal Jack socket +3 dBu
Input impedance Jack socket 2,2 k-Ohm
Max. Output signal XLR 0 dBu with external in ut, - 12 dBu with internal
signals
Max. Output signal NL4 + 3 dBu / 8 Ohm / external in ut, 0 dBu, internal
signals
Service and Warranty:
The warranty on this roduct is 2 years from invoice date. Legal references: Please note
that these devices may be used only by trained technicians in combination with
rofessional ublic-address systems. A res onsibility of the manufacturer for ossible
damage or disadvantages of the user by the use of the devices is hereby ex ressly
excluded. The res ective laws are to be ke t by the user. The com any Axel Joost
Elektronik ex lained further that these devices are made under the a licable CE-
standards and ROHS regulations, as well as the registration as b2b equi ment under
the number DE54933725 WEEE. Please feel free to contact us at info@o togate.com if
you have further questions.
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