Meyer Sound SIM 3 Audio Analyzer

The Meyer Sound SIM 3 Audio Analyzer system is truly multi-channel, so that time can be spent measuring instead of setting up or patching.

SIM-3022 AUDIO ANALYZER

The SIM-3022 audio analyzer includes two microphone inputs with phantom power and instrumentation-quality preamps, two line inputs, a multifunction laboratory-quality signal generator, and a headphone jack for monitoring. Basic measurements such as verification of an individual electronic component or a very simple sound system can be completed using only these onboard facilities.

Front Panel:

Power/Standby Switch

The power/standby switch, located in the lower right corner of the SIM-3022 analyzer, is used to power on the unit. The recommended way to shut down the analyzer is via File > Shutdown from the menu. If necessary, the power switch may be used to turn off the analyzer; the switch must be held for five seconds in order for the unit to properly shut down.

CD-RW Drive

The CD-RW drive is used for:

Installing software updates.

Transporting data out of the SIM 3 audio analyzer by recording the data onto CD-RW or CD-R media. This data can be viewed outside the SIM 3 audio analyzer using the DataViewer Software for PC to create reports, and can be transported to another SIM 3 audio analyzer or stored for archival and backup purposes.
In an emergency, the CD-RW drive can be used to boot and re-install the system in case of a failure or problem with SIM 3’s built-in fast flash disk.

PS-2 Mouse and Keyboard Inputs

SIM 3 provides four dedicated inputs, two each (located on the front and rear panels, respectively) for both a PS-2 mouse and a standard keyboard.

Source (Signal Generator) Output

The SIM-3022 analyzer’s signal generator serves as a convenient excitation signal when source independent measurements are not required, sending signal to the component or system under measurement.

Observe the following status LEDs when using the generator:

ON/OFF LED – Located above the front panel XLR connector, this LED displays the status of the generator; it will light if the generator is on. (green)

Bus Select LED – The bus select indicator, this LED is lit when the generator is assigned to one of the buses of the live branch. (blue)

The source front- and rear-panel male XLR connectors serve the same function — to allow the generator to send signal to the unit or system being measured. Signal levels can be manually adjusted from the front panel using the “level” knob or in the software.

The generator includes the following test signals:

Pink Noise – This test signal is random pink noise with equal energy per octave and a minimum peak-to-average of 12.5 dB for time spans of 1 second or longer. It is primarily used for frequency response and impulse response (Delay Finder) measurements. Amplitude may be fixed using the generator’s Pink Noise dialog (accessible from the Generator menu) after setting the “level” knob to “CAL”. The output level can also be adjusted using the “level” knob on the front panel.

Sine Wave — This test signal is used for gain structure testing and distortion analysis in Line Spectrum measurements (at cursor position). The frequency and amplitude can be fixed using the generator Sine Wave dialog (accessible from the Generator menu) after setting the “level” knob to “CAL”. The output level and frequency can also be adjusted using the “level” and “frequency” knobs on the front panel.

Pulse – This test signal is a pink-filtered pulse – useful for verifying limiters on selfpowered speakers, identifying echoes, as well as verifying sub-systems’ delay settings and the acoustic image by ear. The repetition frequency and amplitude can be manually entered using the “frequency” and “level” knobs on the front panel.

Line Inputs 1 and 2

These female XLR front panel inputs are used mainly to measure single electronic components and/or small sound systems when the line switcher is not connected. They can also be used in conjunction with the line switcher(s) as additional inputs.

In order to make transfer function measurements between any of these points, reference and measurement points need to be defined by constructing branches. To enable these inputs in Meyer Sound SIM 3 software, select Branch > Edit Branches. On the Branches tab, specify “FP” in the address box, and then select line 1 or 2.

There are four meter LEDs above each XLR input, representing the following status information from left to right:

Green: -48 dBFS
Green: -24 dBFS
Yellow: -6 dBFS
Red: Overload

Just like the source generator, the blue LED above each XLR connector is a bus select indicator, and lights when the signal connected to its associated XLR connector is assigned to one of the buses in the Live Branch. If the blue bus-select LED is lit, then the meter for that XLR input represents the level of the signal connected to that XLR.

In addition, the meter LEDs allow you to monitor signals connected to the line switcher. If the blue bus select LED is not lit, the front-panel Line 1 meter will show the level of the signal on the “console” bus of the live branch. Likewise, if the blue bus-select LED is not lit, the frontpanel Line 2 meter will show the level of the signal on the “processor” bus of the Live Branch.

For example, if the “console” bus takes its signal from the front-panel generator, then the green source generator LED will light, the blue bus-select LED will light above the source generator XLR connector, and the front-panel Line 1 meter will show the console level.

Mic Inputs 1 and 2

As dedicated microphone inputs, these front-panel XLR female inputs can accept microphone-level signals.

These inputs are primarily used to measure small sound systems when the mic switcher is not needed. They may also be used in conjunction with microphones connected to the mic switcher(s) as additional inputs.

In order to make transfer function measurements between any of these points, the reference and measurement points need to be defined by constructing branches from the Branch > Edit Branches option in Meyer Sound SIM 3 software. Selecting the Branches tab and specifying “FP” in the address box will allow you to select these front-panel inputs. There are four meter LEDs above each XLR input, representing the following status information:

Green: -48 dBFS
Green: -24 dBFS
Yellow: -6 dBFS
Red: Overload

Just like the Meyer Sound SIM 3 analyzer’s line inputs, the blue LED above each XLR connector is a busselect indicator, and will light when the signal connected to its associated XLR connector is assigned to one of the buses in the Live Branch. If the blue bus-select LED is lit, then the meter for that XLR input represents the level of the signal connected to that XLR.

In addition, the Mic 1 meter LEDs allow you to monitor signals connected to the mic switcher. If the bus-select LED is not lit, the front-panel Mic 1 meter will show the level of the signal on the “Mic” bus of the Live Branch.

Headphone Output

The headphone output is used for monitoring any of the sources connected to the front panel or switchers. Selection is controlled via the silver select buttons (Figure 2.1), while level is controlled with the “level” knob.

Any of the front-panel inputs can be monitored by pressing the headphone select button for the desired channel. The blue-select LED indicates the current channel selected.

In addition, Line 1, 2 and Mic 1 headphone select buttons also have a second function to allow you to monitor sources connected to the line and microphone switchers. If the frontpanel Line 1, blue bus-select LED is not lit, the front-panel Line 1 meter will show the level of the signal on the “console” bus of the Live Branch and its signal can be monitored by selecting Line 1. By the same token, if the front-panel Line 2 bus-select LED is not lit, the front-panel Line 2 meter will show the level of the signal on the “processor” bus of the Live Branch and its signal can be monitored by selecting Line 2.

Similarly, if the bus-select LED is not lit, the front-panel Mic 1 meter will show the level of the signal on the “mic” bus of the Live Branch (from the mic switcher) and its signal can be monitored by selecting Mic 1.

This allows convenient headphone monitoring of the signals connected to the line and mic switcher(s).

Rear Panel

AC Connector

Meyer Sound SIM 3 uses a PowerCon 3-pole AC mains system with locking connectors to prevent accidental disconnection and complies with worldwide product safety standards.

When the front-panel power/standby switch is pressed, Meyer Sound SIM 3 system’s Intelligent AC™ power supply automatically selects the correct operating voltage, allowing the analyzer to be used internationally without manually setting voltage switches. The Intelligent AC supply performs the following protective functions to compensate for hostile conditions on the AC mains:

– Suppresses high-voltage transients up to several kilovolts
– Filters common mode and difference mode radio frequencies (EMI)
– Sustains operation temporarily during low-voltage periods
– Provides soft-start power-up, which eliminates high inrush current

The Meyer Sound SIM 3 audio analyzer operates safely if the AC voltage stays within the operating window of 88 to 264 V AC, at 47 to 63 Hz.

All amplifier modules and directly associated audio equipment (mixing consoles, processors, etc.) must be connected to the AC power distribution in a proper manner, preserving AC line polarity and connecting earth ground such that all grounding points are connected to a single node or common point using the same cable gauge as the neutral and line(s) cable(s).

Video Output

The Meyer Sound SIM 3 is equipped with a 15-pin D-Sub analog video output. A monitor with at least a 1024 x 768 resolution is required.

PS-2 Mouse and Keyboard Inputs

Refer to “Front Panel PS-2 Mouse and Keyboard Inputs” section earlier in this chapter for more information on these connectors.

Ethernet Connection

The Meyer Sound SIM 3 comes equipped with an RJ-45 Ethernet port. This port is reserved for future use for such operations as enabling additional diagnostic and file transfer functions.

Bus Connectors

The rear panel of the SIM-3022 analyzer includes two multi-pin bus connectors. These dedicated custom connectors are used to connect the analyzer to the SIM-3088 line-level switcher and SIM-3081 microphone switcher using bus cables.

The multi-pin bus connectors and cables carry several electrical connections between the switchers and the analyzer. These buses include audio signals, control signals and power.

Both types of switchers are remotely powered from the SIM-3022 audio analyzer. The total number of switchers that can be powered directly by the Meyer Sound SIM 3 system is limited to three.

To learn more about Meyer Sound, Click Here

View more products from Meyer Sound