|
Positioning the Sound Check Analyser in your vehicle
is so easy - no mic stand required!
It is important when doing any kind of frequency analysis that the microphone stays in the same position throughout the test. This usually means placing the microphone on a good quality, weighted stand. In the Sound Check Analyser, the microphone capsule is built inside the case, within an isolating rubberised holder, so to position the microphone you must position the open CD case in a suitable location.
As it happens, the height of a CD case is just about ideal for positioning between the top of the driver’s seat and the lower edge of the head-rest. By adjusting the head-rest height, it can be used to ‘clamp’ the Analyser in position, helped by the way the cushions of the head-rest and seat mould around the case edges to give a firm hold and isolate the case from vibrations. The CD case cover (which usually holds the disc but that will now be in your CD player) can be carefully unclipped from the main body of the case - this will prevent accidentally breaking the hinge while positioning the Analyser.
The 10 point LED level meter is on the rear of the Analyser case (that is, the back of the CD case). By positioning the case between the driver’s seat and head-rest and then sitting yourself in the rear seat, it’s an easy job to read off the levels and plot them onto the graph. And being in the rear stops you from accidentally masking any of the front speakers.
Life will be easier if you have a remote control for your head unit, but even without one all you need to do is start play on your CD player and get in position while the 1kHz test tone plays (30 seconds). The required tracks then follow in sequence (tracks 2 to 32).
Here are photos of the Sound Check Analyser mounted in a Renault Clio to give you a clear idea of what we mean.
Firstly you will need to install 4 AAA 1.5V batteries (not supplied). We then suggest that you carefully detach the lid (below, left) of the CD case (having first removed the disc). This will prevent any chance of the case hinges from being damaged as you mount the Analyser.
The microphone is mounted directly onto the printed circuit board of the Analyser, just above the battery holder (below, right), and so the case must be faced forward. There is an on/off switch in the lower right corner, and a red ‘power on’ LED.
 
Mount the Analyser above the driver’s seat by lifting the headrest (you may need to engage the support arm release so that the headrest can travel up far enough). Hold the Anayser in place and carefully bring the headrest down so that it ‘clamps’ the case in place.
 
If you prefer, the Analyser can be placed at a slight angle (below, left) so that the microphone faces towards the centre of the dashboard. In most cases the difference will be minimal since the microphone is an omnidirectional type. Each measurement can be read from the level meter on the back of the Analyser while seated in the rear (below, right).
 
|
