Looking for an audio analyzer

[ci11]

I posted in this thread during 2016/2017 after deciding to find an E-Mu 1616m as a part of a DIY audio analyzer. I completely recapped the "dock" portion of the unit, which connected successfully to a Thinkpad of mine that has a PCMCIA slot. After the hardware was in order, I also successfully installed the E-MU proprietary software under Win10 after a number of misses and gyrations. Expending all that effort required leaning on many who followed this path previously for help,, including @1audio who had been an invaluable resource. Thank you again, 1audio.

The question is - would I do it again? The answer is a resolute NO. Here's why:

1. The dock unit runs uncomfortably warm due to having a lot of parts on 2 PCBs inside an unvented enclosure. Its stability has not been verified for instrumentation purposes.

2. Its audio performance is no better than a modern, purpose-made audio analyzer such as a QuantAsylum QA401 which is very reasonably priced for what it does, and it has an up-to-date software package with an easy to use UI.

3. The E-MU software install was VERY tricky, requiring many unsupported, back-level versions that may eventually be crippled as Windows Update continue to unapologetically disable older software. Even though it worked, it was held together with Band-Aids. Moreover, the functionality and ease of use of the audio interface software was anything but intuitive. E-MU was sold to Creative a long time ago and Creative has long since dropped support for anything E-MU.

4. The hardware upgrade was not difficult but certainly tedious. Some caps have 2.5mm lead spaclng so a desoldering iron will be very helpful.. Attached is my Mouser order for parts that I determined should be changed. The part number cross references should be verified again as there may be mistakes I did not correct. These parts went into the "after" picture I posted from my refurbished PCB in post# 65 on this thread.

Even with a perfectly restored E-MU 1616m - or any other competent sound card - a complete audio analyzer requires much more to be actually considered "competent". Functions like ultra-pure test tone generation, input filtering and attenuation, notch filtering, post-ADC digitization for DSP digital filtering all help to ensure measurement results can be relied on.

All the best in your quest.

[CeeZett]

Hi ci11,

thanks a lot for the list! Very helpful and very much appreciated!

The QuantAsylum QA401 You mentioned I already had an eye on and (not only after what You wrote) I indeed have to contemplate some more if this would not be a (better) option for me.
Lastly this is the only one of the dedicated analyzers for audio in the price bracket of what I could still justify to spend. 

Regarding the EMU, I`m not so concerned about software and installation. As mentioned, I already have a dedicated DELL laptop with WinXP and Win7 for it.
So no need to hassle with Win10 installation, band-aids to get it running and/or worrying about (Win) udpates to keep it up running.
The EMU with Win7 should not be a problem, even less so with WinXP.
However, the EMU PatchMix software is indeed very confusing to me but I have not yet made any serious efforts to understand how it works.
I`m convinced, once necessary and when I really get into it, I will handle it.

What I like about the 1616m is that I could use it not only for electrical measurements but with various software (ARTA for example) also for speaker measurements.
I do have a dedicated PC based speaker measurement system though - but to use it, I have to carry around the clunky, heavy, loud 19" PC case with an even older ISA mainboard in it.
With a 12V to 48V power-supply + battery for the EMU and the laptop also on battery, the system could be running even completely independent from mains voltage (thinking car audio or outdoor speaker measurements). 

What I`m also not much concerned about is the heat issue. I`m convinced, once recapped with quality caps, the EMU would last a long time, despite the heat (as I`m  already of what could be called somewhat "advanced" age, it might even outlive me....).
Especially as I intend to use it for measurement purposes exclusively. It would be comparatively short times it will be actually in use.
Moreover the heat issue could be solved with some more case vents or maybe even a small fan.
I do not worry about "verified instrumentation purposes". This is just for occasional hobby usage.

What is indeed the biggest drawback with a soundcard are missing attenuators and to some extend a low-distortion generator (but I have an old Krohn-Hite which I think would be good enough)  and finally a notch-filter.
As always back at the very basic two options: soundcard + DIY periphery or spending the bucks on something like the QuantAsylum (+ accessories). Hmmm...
There are worse things in live than this kind of "luxury" decisions.. 

[1audio]

If I can find the "smoking hulks" I'll take good photos of the boards and share them. Not sure where in my piles of stuff they are but good to use as a starting point.

[djsb]

According to the QuantAsylum forum the QA404 will be available June/July 2023.

https://forum.quantasylum.com/t/qa404-and-qa403-update/795/24