Guide by Purpose
Introduce numerous widgets included in MeasureLab, categorized by purpose.
🔍 Quick Search Guide
Checklist to find the best tool for "what you want to do" quickly.
| What you want to do | Recommended Widget |
|---|---|
| Output sound / Need a signal source | Signal Generator |
| View frequency components (spectrum) | Spectrum Analyzer |
| Check specific frequencies with extremely high resolution | Lock-in Spectrum Finder |
| View original waveform shape | Oscilloscope |
| Measure distortion (THD) of amps or components | Distortion Analyzer |
| Measure frequency response of amps, etc. | Network Analyzer |
| Measure impedance of speakers | Impedance Analyzer |
| Measure ultra-low distortion (THD) with high precision | Lock-in Harmonic Analyzer |
| Manage loudness (LUFS) | LUFS Meter |
| Know ambient noise level (SPL) | Sound Level Meter |
| Analyze noise types (1/f, etc.) | Noise Profiler |
| Precisely align L/R acoustic characteristics | Stereo Alignment Monitor |
☕ Coffee Break: An Orchestra of Instruments
There are many widgets (measurement instruments) here, but what are their respective roles?
- The Oscilloscope is a "camera" that captures the shape of sound exactly as it is.
- The Spectrum Analyzer is a "prism" that separates sound by frequency. (Just like separating light into a rainbow!)
- The Distortion Analyzer is a "microscope" that finds only the impurities mixed in the signal.
By combining these, you can unravel the true nature of invisible "sound" from all angles. Try placing widgets freely according to your purpose, like a conductor of an orchestra!
📡 Signal Generation
Tools for outputting signals or generating reference signals.
-
- Generates sine waves, noise, sweep signals, etc. It is the basic signal source for measurements.
-
- Generates and monitors LTC (Linear Timecode). Used for checking synchronization with video equipment.
📊 Basic Analysis
Measures basic characteristics of audio signals (spectrum, level, frequency).
-
- Real-time display of frequency components (spectrum) using FFT.
-
- Uses lock-in detection to analyze the spectrum of a specified frequency band with high resolution. Ideal for magnifying specific peaks buried in noise.
-
- A sound level meter. Measures sound pressure level (SPL) and equivalent continuous sound level (Leq).
-
- Measures loudness units relative to full scale (LUFS). Suitable for level management for broadcasting and distribution.
-
- Counts the frequency of input signals with high precision. Statistical analysis such as Allan deviation is also possible.
-
- Visualizes changes in frequency components over time with colors (voiceprint analysis, etc.).
📉 Distortion & Quality
Tools for evaluating equipment performance and sound quality.
-
- Measures THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) or THD+N. Use this for basic distortion measurements.
-
- Measures input/output level linearity. Used for verifying the low-level signal reproduction capability and dynamic range of DACs.
-
- Performs more advanced distortion analysis, such as multitone measurement and IMD (Intermodulation Distortion).
-
- An ultra-low distortion (THD) measurement module utilizing the principle of a lock-in amplifier. It achieves high precision by performing multi-parallel IQ detection (up to 200th order) strictly tuned to the fundamental and harmonics.
-
- Calculates psychoacoustic "sound quality" metrics such as sharpness and roughness.
-
- Analyzes noise floor characteristics (1/f noise, white noise, etc.).
🔌 Circuit & Network
Measures transmission characteristics, impedance, etc., of electronic circuits and systems.
-
- Measures frequency response (gain, phase, group delay). Useful for checking characteristics of amplifiers and filters. Supports RIAA curve overlay for phono-equalizer testing.
-
- Measures impedance characteristics (LCR) of speakers and components.
-
- Detects infinitesimal signals buried in noise. Can also be used as an FRA (Frequency Response Analyzer).
-
- Tracks minute frequency deviations or phase fluctuations relative to a reference signal.
-
- Detects loopback paths of audio interfaces.
📈 Time Domain
Observes waveform shapes and transient changes on the time axis.
-
- A general-purpose oscilloscope. Observes the waveform itself.
-
- A tool like a chart recorder that records waveforms over a long period and allows you to check them by scrolling.
-
- Triggers and analyzes transient phenomena such as impulse responses. Wavelet transform display is also possible.
-
- Averages repetitive signals to remove noise and extract minute waveforms.
🎧 Spatial & Acoustics
Handles stereo image and spatial sound reverberation.
-
- Displays phase relationship (spread) of stereo signals using Lissajous figures, etc.
-
- Binaural Neural Image Map. Visualizes sound source localization (ITD/ILD) based on auditory models.
-
- Loads Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTF/SOFA) and simulates 3D audio playback via convolution.
-
- Monitors the consistency of L/R level, frequency response, and phase in real-time to verify stereo alignment.
-
- A high-quality offline multitrack spatial audio renderer. Load stems and independently position them in 3D space using HRTF, avoiding real-time processing artifacts.
🛠️ Utilities
Other useful functions.
- Recorder & Player
- Simple recording and playback function.
- Waveform Loop Player
- A tool that allows you to load an audio file, inspect its waveform, and loop a selected region. Useful for repeatedly observing transient responses.
- Inverse Filter
- Creates an inverse filter to cancel out the characteristics of speakers and rooms.
- Detachable Wrapper
- A framework for detaching any widget into a separate window.
- Processor Benchmark
- Tests the FFT and rendering performance of your PC to verify real-time processing limits.
- Settings
- Configure audio device settings, language settings, theme changes, etc.
- Log Viewer
- Displays real-time application logs, warnings, and errors for diagnostics and troubleshooting.
- Welcome
- The startup screen.