Meter MOd

[howie85]

Radio Shack Analog Meter MOd

For those who are interested, I found this mod for the popular Radio Shack meter talked about so much around here. Im placing my order for one in the next day or so and was wondering if this mod would be a necessity? Where would the benefit of this mod be seen most? I'm not too savvy on the use of the meter and how the mods listed would be a benefit, but i can operate a soldering iron and can read connections on a circuit board so I could probably make this procedure happen if it would be necessary/beneficial. Thanks for any input. Curt
http://www.gti.net/wallin/audio/rsmeter/33-2050/33-2050.html

 

[howie85]

One thing to add. Is there a preference with those of you who have a meter on which seems easiest to use analog or digital? Thanks again.

 

[howie85]

Nobody has an opinion on which meter? Digital or Analog? I thought with the amount of times this meter is mentioned that I could get some feedback?

 

[Randos]

I'm just a beginner but I bought the Analogue model to go with the AVIA DVD and it was extremely easy to use. I've read that some prefer the analogue because it is easier to read due to the fact that the numbers are not constantly changing as in a digital (this is all speculation to me though because I've never actually used a digital one).

 

[sjdgpt]

Nobody has an opinion on which meter? Digital or Analog? I thought with the amount of times this meter is mentioned that I could get some feedback?

I have not checked the design specs of the meters.

But based upon other testing equipment, the sensitivity of the sensor is the deciding factor on whether one meter or the other is more accurate.

Generally speaking, if their is an improvement in the sensor, it will be with the newer designed unit, typically the digital display unit.

That said, for many testing meters, the only real difference is the display sensitivity. The digital display will typically show more units (ie 19,20,21.....99,100 etc) versus the approximation display of the analog unit (ie 20,30....90,100) with subdivisions just a guess. The flip side of the great display for the digital meter is a filter to slow the speed of the display response so that the display does not flicker between a set of values.

For quick usage, analog is generally more than sufficient. For typical consumer usage, digital is generally preferred.

 

[perato]

You can mathematically adjust the readings yourself instead of modifying the Radioshack meter to read linear. The modification basically changes the meter from reading decibels on the C-weighting scale to linear, i.e. no weighting. I am not sure how much an effect the microphone mod would have. It might improve performance but by how much? A calculator to help with the calculations can be found at:

http://www.measure.demon.co.uk/Acoustics_Software/a_weight.html

I would just use the Radioshack meter as is and mathematically adjust the readings (this is what I am in the process of doing). Improving the microphone could help but if you have peaks and nulls of +/- 20 dB at some frequencies (many rooms are at least this bad if not even worse), why bother trying to measure to +/- 1 dB. Once you get the frequency response of your room fixed with the Radioshack meter you can rent a Type 0 sound level meter to improve your room further, if you still think you need to. Type 2, Type 1, and Type 0 sound level meters cost thousands of dollars and would be necessary to do a near perfect job of fixing frequency response. But first start with the analog Radioshack meter (since it is only US$35, if you can still find it; otherwise the digital is US$50). Of course, if you use the Rives Audio test cd, you do not need to do any calculations since the test tones already account for the C-weighting in the Radioshack meter.

 

[howie85]

I just got back from Radio Shack with my new analog meter. I know I have some 9v batteries around here someplace.... So the Rives Audio cd is matched to this meter? I can see with 2 channel and a EQ how different freq can be adjusted but how is it done with mulitchannel? I suppose I have the weekend to play with things.