All items in category Magazine Articles
MEMS Microphones - Vesper Delivers New MEMS Microphone Technology
by Mike Klasco

MEMS Microphones - Vesper Delivers New MEMS Microphone Technology

Since 2009, Vesper has built a broad and deep patent portfolio around its proprietary MEMS piezoelectric technology, which works quite differently from conventional capacitive MEMS microphones. As Matt Crowley, CEO of Vesper, says during an interview with Voice Coil, “We are just beginning to realize the potential of piezoelectric MEMS microphones.” This article was originally published in Voice Coil, December 2016.
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Fresh From the Bench: Benchmark DAC3 HGC Stereo D/A Converter
by Gary Galo

Fresh From the Bench: Benchmark DAC3 HGC Stereo D/A Converter

Benchmark Media Systems' DAC series of high performance digital-to-analog converters (DACs) have earned the respect of audio enthusiasts and professional users alike for their state-of-the-art performance, including exceptional audio transparency and vanishingly-low levels of noise and distortion. Now Benchmark has made its DAC3 even better with the upgrade to ESS Technology’s new ES9028PRO DAC chip. The DAC3 HGC, reviewed here, combines an analog preamplifier with the DAC. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2017.
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Fresh From the Bench: Earthworks M50 Omnidirectional Measurement Microphone
by Stuart Yaniger

Fresh From the Bench: Earthworks M50 Omnidirectional Measurement Microphone

Stuart Yaniger reviews the Earthworks M50 Omnidirectional Measurement Microphone. Earthworks, a well-regarded brand based in the US, manufactures the M series microphones, targeted at the middle of the market, and ranging in price from $500 to $1300 per microphone. The Earthworks M50 under review ($1299 retail price) is the top entry of the M series, which mainly differs in high-frequency cutoff between models. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2017.
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Fresh From the Bench: CEntrance DACportable High-Resolution USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier
by Oliver A.Masciarotte

Fresh From the Bench: CEntrance DACportable High-Resolution USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier

In this Fresh From the Bench article, audioXpress reviews the CEntrance DACportable High Resolution USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier, which Oliver A. Masciarotte experimented with during several days. And to confirm Masciarotte’s positive impressions from this Chicago-based company, Stuart Yaniger does the full bench measurements of the CEntrance DACportable. This article was originally published in audioXpress, April 2017.
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Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements (Part 7) - Pitting the CLIO Pocket Against a Sound Card
by Stuart Yaniger

Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements (Part 7) - Pitting the CLIO Pocket Against a Sound Card

In this article of a series on how to create a low-cost system for lab-grade audio electronics measurements, Stuart Yaniger decided to do a comparison experiment between a dedicated but very affordable measurement solution - the Audiomatica CLIO Pocket - and its own sound-card based system described previously. This article was originally published in audioXpress, December 2015.
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Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements (Part 6) - Measurement Examples
by Stuart Yaniger

Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements (Part 6) - Measurement Examples

Stuart Yaniger continues to examine ways to create a low-cost system for lab-grade audio electronics measurements. In this article, a few measurement examples are used to illustrate the power and the versatility of sound-card-based measurements. To illustrate the usefulness of measurements in the design process, Yaniger also explores the effects of load on power supply noise for a common IC regulator circuit. This article was originally published in audioXpress, November 2015.
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Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements (Part 5) - The User
by Stuart Yaniger

Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements (Part 5) - The User

In this article series, Stuart Yaniger examines ways to create a low-cost system for lab-grade audio electronics measurements. The first four articles in the series looked at the hardware and software bits of the sound-card based measurement system. The last remaining piece is the user and the need to choose the right measurement parameters. This article was originally published in audioXpress, October 2015.
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Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements (Part 4)
by Stuart Yaniger

Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements (Part 4)

In this article series, Stuart Yaniger examines ways to create a low-cost system for lab-grade audio electronics measurements. The pieces of a powerful modern measurement system comprise a sound card, software, and a signal conditioning interface and, of course, the right computer. In this fourth article in the series, the author looks at selecting the right interface. This article was originally published in audioXpress, September 2015.
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Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements (Part 3)
by Stuart Yaniger

Practical Test & Measurement: Sound Cards for Data Acquisition in Audio Measurements (Part 3)

In this article series, Stuart Yaniger examines ways to create a low-cost system for lab-grade audio electronics measurements. The pieces of a powerful modern measurement system comprise a sound card, software, and a signal conditioning interface and, of course, the right computer. That’s where Yaniger delves in this third part, also sharing some of his first findings on available software. This article was originally published in audioXpress, August 2015.
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VC Spotlight: SOTA Applications Focuses on Weather Protection for Audio Gear
by Mike Klasco

VC Spotlight: SOTA Applications Focuses on Weather Protection for Audio Gear

This article explores State Of The Art (SOTA) Applications, a high-tech coating specialist that is focusing on the audio speaker industry. The company offers many unique treatments to protect paper cones and foam surrounds, fabrics, corrosion resistance for steel frames, and magnetic structures from moisture and water. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, July 2016.
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