Feature wish: multiple units simultaneously on Level Meter + make Calibration window non-modal

[klangmeister]

Hey, Pro user here (and finding it's worth every penny - Thanks so much, John!)

We often need to do calibration runs where we need to calibrate a certain input to a particular reading (e.g. I play a 1 kHz sine at a level which I know will create 94 dB SPL at my microphone, or I have a mic calibrator attached to my mic which will produce 94 dB SPL). In order to also get all readings right, presently I need to switch between the Calibration Window, Generator, and Levels (or SPL meter if I only use my first input).

• It would be super convenient to have the Levels window show multiple units at the same time (e.g. dBFS, Volts and SPL). This would eliminate some of the going-back-and-forth. I know there's teh dBFS bar, but we do (have to) calibrate to better than 0.1 dB precision.
• In addition, it would be great if the Calibration window did not have to be closed in order to do things in other windows (e.g. turn Generator off/on).

Is this something that's feasible in a future release? I could also envision an input calibration dialog that combines some of the elements above, but that's another discussion.

Thanks, and best regards,
klangmeister

 

[John Mulcahy]

It would be super convenient to have the Levels window show multiple units at the same time (e.g. dBFS, Volts and SPL).

Clutter would be the main issue, since unit choices are V, W, dBV, dBW, dBu, SPL and dBFS. Note that the SPL meter uses an FFT to measure levels so that it can include the cal file effects. If you use the level gauges those are rms values for the data stream so would only reflect the same SPL as the SPL meter at frequencies where the cal file adjustment is zero.

I could also envision an input calibration dialog that combines some of the elements above, but that's another discussion

I have a to-do item to deal with calibrating multiple inputs, likely linked with a multi-input SPL meter. No timescale for that, though. In the meantime you can trigger calibration through the API as an alternative, configuring the generator appropriately beforehand if you use that as a source.

 

[klangmeister]

Thanks for your swift response!

Clutter would be the main issue, since unit choices are V, W, dBV, dBW, dBu, SPL and dBFS. Note that the SPL meter uses an FFT to measure levels so that it can include the cal file effects. If you use the level gauges those are rms values for the data stream so would only reflect the same SPL as the SPL meter at frequencies where the cal file adjustment is zero.

I understand clutter would be a concern. I haven't used cal files productively yet, so I hadn't experienced their influence on the readings. They have been nicely linear for me :-)
Not sure what the best way to do this would be - displaying all available units is certainly too many. Maybe if one could pick just two or three?

I have a to-do item to deal with calibrating multiple inputs, likely linked with a multi-input SPL meter. No timescale for that, though. In the meantime you can trigger calibration through the API as an alternative, configuring the generator appropriately beforehand if you use that as a source.

Yes, a multi-input SPL meter would be great (and also a challenge to balance necessary information vs. too much). I have yet to wrap my head around using REST APIs, but maybe this is a good excercise.

In any event, if having the Calibration window open wouldn't block other interactions, that would be a great start (for me).

Best regards,
klangmeister