Rightmark Audio Analyzer: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 22:21, 14 August 2016

RightMark Audio Analyzer (RMAA) is a free and easy to use utility to quantitatively analyze audio hardware. It generates a test wav file which can be played on one device and recorded on another. Analysis of the test file can then be used to determine the frequency response, nonlinearity, and crosstalk of a test system and device.

The software has multiple modes, including loopback testing within Windows where one file is played and then recorded on the same device, and offline testing, where a file can be played on a hardware device (perhaps by burning to CD or copying to MP3 player) and then recorded (either by RMAA directly or into WAV). RMAA can then process the recording to determine changes introduced by playback.

Testing using RMAA

Depending on what you want to test, you will most likely have to plug one device (the source playing the test file) into another (the recording device).

If you are testing a device driving headphones, you may need a splitter so that you can test with headphones connected.

What RMAA Can Measure

Frequency Response (of the combined test system and device under test)
Harmonic Distortion
Intermodulation Distortion
Stereo Crosstalk
Dynamic Range
Absolute noise floor

What RMAA Cannot Measure

The performance of a device independent of the test system
Absolute level or output power
Audibility of differences between devices

External links

RMAA home page

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-'''RightMark Audio Analyzer (RMAA)''' is a free and easy to use utility to analyze your sound card.  It generates a test wave file and you use that along with another computer or a loopback cable to test your sound cards inputs and outputs.
+'''RightMark Audio Analyzer (RMAA)''' is a free and easy to use utility to quantitatively analyze audio hardware.  It generates a test wav file which can be played on one device and recorded on another.  Analysis of the test file can then be used to determine the frequency response, nonlinearity, and crosstalk of a test system and device.
-It doesn't appear to be a valid replacement for your frequency analysis tools.
-===Testing using RMAA:===
+The software has multiple modes, including loopback testing within Windows where one file is played and then recorded on the same device, and offline testing, where a file can be played on a hardware device (perhaps by burning to CD or copying to MP3 player) and then recorded (either by RMAA directly or into WAV).  RMAA can then process the recording to determine changes introduced by playback.
-===External Links:===
+===Testing using RMAA===
+Depending on what you want to test, you will most likely have to plug one device (the source playing the test file) into another (the recording device).
+If you are testing a device driving headphones, you may need a splitter so that you can test with headphones connected.
+===What RMAA Can Measure===
+* Frequency Response (of the combined test system and device under test)
+* Harmonic Distortion
+* Intermodulation Distortion
+* Stereo Crosstalk
+* Dynamic Range
+* Absolute noise floor
+===What RMAA Cannot Measure===
+* The performance of a device independent of the test system
+* Absolute level or output power
+* Audibility of differences between devices
+==External links==
 * [http://audio.rightmark.org/index_new.shtml RMAA home page]
+[[Category:Software]]