QA403 Audio Analyzer Tutorial (Noise, SNR, THD+N, ...) - Phil's Lab

[@kriscurkovic9265]

The greatest thing about this channel is that we always know you are working on some cool project in the background that you'll eventually teach us!

[@PhilsLab]

Thanks, Kris - that's right, always some project going on in the background 😄

[@bsodmike]

Agreed!!

[@Tagzmon]

This legit is that only channels i "ring the bell" for. Extremely high quality video production and helpful teaching material. I don't watch every single vid but definitely a lot of them. Good stuff

[@PhilsLab]

I'm very glad to hear that, thank you so much!

[@kiprof4350]

It was the best educational 30 minutes on youtube! Thank you!

[@PhilsLab]

Thank you!

[@FortuneMineMe]

its not my job but i love listening to him all day while i am working ❤

[@CraigHollabaugh]

I absolutely loved this excellent run through. What's amazing to me is the overall performance of sub $1K test equipment like this and the Analog Discovery 2. Back in 80s-90s, an HP setup like this would be $50-75K with none of the software calculations (you'd have to write HPIB acq code ). Thanks Phil, made my day and I left with a smile.

[@PhilsLab]

Thank you very much, Craig! I completely agree - it's pretty incredible how affordable and accessible this stuff has become. Especially for most cases where one might not need the power of an Audio Precision.

[@kargausa553]

Great demonstration and details, thank you!

[@zachbrown7272]

Excellent as always, Phil!

[@PhilsLab]

Thank you, Zach!

[@velvetsound]

Thanks Phil. I’m still inspired by your videos to keep working on my project. I’m just 15 years behind you. 😂

[@PhilsLab]

Thanks a lot, Jason!

[@ivanr5315]

The QA403 is a rather cool device. Quantasylum also sells other similarly sized accessories to go with it like a load, etc. I use the QA403 mainly to measure DIY amp performance when loaded at 8/4ohm using big 1000w break resistors. The only advice I can add is a silly but important one, make sure that the voltage delivered to the unit is within its expected range. Some cheap cables or sometimes the lack of a powered USB hub (depending on the PC). The application software will tell you (bottom bar) if the voltage is too low. If this is the case then try to fix the issue before taking a measurement.

[@PhilsLab]

That's right! I actually had to buy a new, higher gauge USB cable to reduce the voltage drop, so the QA403 was happy.

[@anlpereira]

hi, what happened with the last video about Chip Antenna? It is not possible to watch it anymore. Thank you very much

[@PhilsLab]

I'm afraid there was an error and I will have to reupload soon - sorry about that!

[@MeeBilt]

Brilliant video as always - this tool is on my shopping list.

[@PhilsLab]

Thank you - well worth the money!

[@DustinWatts]

Hi Phil! You lucky guy that they send you the QA403 to review! :D Edit: I prefer a 150 Ohm dummy mic by soldering a 150 Ohm resistor between pin 2 and 3 to measure preamp noise.

[@marcostraubel]

Great video again. Thanks. Could you maybe explain the effect of the exposed copper frame along the edges of this board (and others you have designed). There is a surrounding via-fence for shielding for sure but why is the copper pour frame that connects all vias exposed and not covered by solder mask?

[@PhilsLab]

Thank you, Marco! The exposed copper itself is mainly aesthetic but also useful for attaching probe grounds to during debugging/testing.

[@andymouse]

Awesome! this bit of kit is on my list and this vid has helped it up a few spaces as you answered some questions I had. Great to know it will feature in vids to come. Did you loop it back on its self and see how the internal generator performs ? (curious) I want to evaluate my own DIY headphone amp as I'm certain its the finest sounding piece of audio equipment ever created ! (maybe).....cheers.

[@PhilsLab]

Thanks, Andy! Yes, I did try the loopback when I first got the device and it lived up to the datasheet specs. Definitely worth having one in your lab in my eyes!

[@ZSkydragon]

I’d be interested in a measurement episode if your past audio projects. Is there anything planned? Otherwise a great video again. I own the QA403 for about 2 months now, great device.

[@PhilsLab]

Thanks! Yes, I want to make more audio & measurement videos on some of my more analog projects (e.g. headphone amplifier, guitar gear, etc..).

[@blackxiivexil8255]

Great video - again! Thanks!

[@PhilsLab]

Thanks for watching!

[@errcl65]

In the market for one. How does it compare with Analog Discovery 3 and software for same set of audio (0-100Khz range) test and measurements?

[@PhilsLab]

The AD3 has lower resolution, can't directly do THD/SNR/.. measurements, lacks A-weighting, etc.. I'd suggest getting it - for the price, the QA403 a really nice bit of kit.

[@Dreifgenoff]

Hellow Phil!! Thanks a lot for your videos! I'm designing a device that counts pulses from neutron detectors, calculates average count rate, make some math., display some info, process 20 discrete signals. So I decided to use stm32f446 + altera max5. I need fpga to implement 10 counters, so I need to choose the way mcu communicates with fpga. I want to use QSPI in memory mapped Mode, to read data from counters, and another spi to control discrete outputs of fpga and read data from keyboard. Am i on the right way, or there is more efficient way to communicate between mcu and fpga?

[@velvetsound]

Would love to see a video about analog dry through mixing with the digital output. All the best sounding pedal designs to my ear use that method and I imagine there are some decent challenges with managing the analog and digital signal mix.

[@PhilsLab]

Was actually recently working on a project that uses exactly that - will be sure to make a video on that in the future!

[@rtkkjson]

Great video! Thank you so much

[@PhilsLab]

Thanks for watching!

[@mspeir]

Phil, do you still do PCB design reviews? I see that on your site and contacted you via the site, but have yet to hear back.

[@PhilsLab]

I don't do design reviews on the channel at the moment I'm afraid. Only private, paid ones. There's also been a large influx of work/mails over the last few weeks, so I'm sorry if I didn't get to replying. If you're interested in an 'offline' review, could you please send me another mail? Thanks!

[@andrewlloydwebber2616]

Great video!

[@PhilsLab]

Thank you!

[@AlbertRei3424]

Any recommendation of a book to learn audio electronics from scratch ? :)

[@PhilsLab]

If you're new to electronics, then 'Art of Electronics' is the go-to (also for audio purposes). Then, I'd strongly suggest checking out any book by Douglas Self - in particular, 'Small Signal Audio Design'. Possibly the best audio electronics book that I've read and goes into quite a bit of detail.

[@gino3286]

sorry at a couple hundreds from where ? i see more like 600USD

[@SAM-pm5vd]

hi phil I am from bangladesh. I like your videos and just wanted to let you know that you make good videos. Do you know how can I can improve the knowledge about DSP MIcrocontrller so that I can work with them.. in a efficient way My goal is to make autonomous Drone

[@PhilsLab]

Thank you! I'd suggest trying to work directly on a project and learn as you go/as obstacles come up.

[@tamaseduard5145]

👍🙏❤