Visual Analyser-FREE PC scope/spectrum/ZRLC meter

[dacboy 0]

Hi all,

I came across this free and powerful PC scope and spectrum analyser with a new ZRLC meter.

As you know a RLC is a Resistance, Inductance and Capaitance meter in addition it can also measure

impedance.Although mesuring range is conservative but good enough for general use. If it was me I'll

add a speaker testing and design module and it will become a killer application yes?

 

Alfredo Accattatis an Italian PHD holder said he could have comercialised ver.2010 next 2.4 but

decided not to because he has a passion for electronics and heart for diy audio hobbists.

 

I loaded the beta 2011 version to see what is latest you may download the more stable ver2010 next 2.4.

But I still think using beta 2011 ( I am adventurous) and if you give feedback he may do something about it in his SPARE time.He has to work for a living and it's free so don't complain.

 

Documentation is minimal but it's intuative but he is compiling a manual so be patient as

most of the help screen are blank.So you need to be familiar with electronics,instrumention and

digital signal processing.But if you are a newbie this is a good time to learn and he has a forum to

ask questions or help.But remember they are Italians not english speaking people so there may

be something lost in translation.

 

WARNING If you are using your fancy notebook PC,it is not recommended as most

soundcard inputs can only take 1 - 5 volts maximum and you risk frying the sound chip or

expensive soundcard. Like tube circuits with high DC/AC voltage.

Better to use ( old ) desktop PC with a decent soundcard like Creative soundblaster or

newer models.If you use standard 16 bit soundcard you will get 20 khz. bandwitdh which is sufficient

for audio ( 20 -20khz.)But if you have 24 bit /192k soundcard then you get about 100khz. which is better.

 

What you need is a soundcard interface as an attentuator and level setting with buffer because

there are long cables etc.Although you can calibrate it in soundcard (software) it may not be easy.There is also a ZRLC interface articles but they are in italian but the circuit schematics are easily understood by electronic hobbist like yourself.

Alternatively a cheap digital multimeter can be easier?

 

Visual Analyser download- http://www.sillanumsoft.org/download.htm

 

Edit: Download Translated VA doc. by diyaudio member of VA thread on pg.6--

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/software-to...cr-meter-6.html

 

PC soundcard interface- http://www.pmillet.com/ATEST.htm

 

PS the soundcard interface is not cheap because of the true RMS converter ic AD536 so may you can omitt it

and use multimeter( not true RMS unless buy more expensive one) but if you are an advanced hobbist you may prefer the convenience.

Have fun.

Edited January 3, 2011 by dacboy

[bpribadi 0]

Downloaded the 2011 exe only, and ran it, wow pretty cool!

 

Thanks a lot for the info! Should be useful for my current headamp project

[dacboy 0]

Hi , By the way there are some help or readme files in english in the main directory after installtion of VA.

 

I have since discovered that if you use 16 bit sound card like soundblaster live,in the settings tab, device tab

you can select your soundcard and increase the spectrum analyser bandwith with 96khz. sampling to get 40Khz.

but if you use 24/196khz. soundcard you can get 93khz. as Nyquist theorem states that half of sampling

frequency is possible.

 

I have notice my soundblaster live card shows soundcard noise to average around -120db.I was hoping

to make it lower or cleaner as the peaks are all over the place.Apart from using better caps I don't think

I can't do much because it is troublesome.

 

regards.

Edited January 6, 2011 by dacboy