From a user standpoint, one of the downsides of reading reviews is perusing a discourse on some state of the art, megabuck 96-channel digital console when you’re getting by on a 16-channel desk for the shows you mix at your church, community center or Elk’s Lodge. “If only I could afford something cool that I just read about,” you might be thinking. Well, now you can.
Released at this year’s InfoComm show, the Installed Sound Support (ISS) iOS app from Audio-Technica features helpful tools for system integrators, contractors, FOH engineers and other audio pros, and it’s a free download from the Apple App Store.
Compatible with Apple iOS devices such as iPads, iPhones and iPod touch running iOS 5.1 or higher, ISS offers calculators, meters, record-and-playback functions, an A-T mic application guide and more, including a wavelength calculator, 30-band RTA, SPL meter and male/female voice recordings for checking vocal intelligibility.
ISS was designed by Andrew Smith of Studio Six Digital and was developed based on direct feedback from working professionals. The app is optimized for the iPhone 5, but ran fine on my iPhone 4S.
Dive Right In
Operation is easy and straightforward. From the main menu, just tap on one of eight icons to take you where you want to be. Several of these are pretty company-centric, such as the information icon that’s a link to the Audio-Technica website. A Frequency Finder function searches for unused TV (analog and digital) channel frequencies useable for RF mic use based on your zip code and various models of A-T wireless systems. Likewise, the Application Guide lists dozens of potential instrument and vocal mic uses, and lists various A-T products to suit the bill. The latter is not entirely comprehensive. For example, the “Rack/Floor Tom” category doesn’t include the mid-diaphragm AT4033 — one of my faves on rack toms. They’ll have to fix that faux pas in ISS version 2.0.
Beyond the “word from our sponsor” sections — hey, don’t complain, that’s why it’s free — there’s plenty of useful stuff. Some of these are purely educational (in a good sense) in nature, such as the Mic Placement Calculator for determining the (3:1 rule) spread between two spaced mics to avoid phase problems, based on the distance from the source — or vice-versa. The calculator works perfectly, but here it would be nice if the “info” window added a few words explaining the reasoning behind the 3:1 rule to help the beginner.
The Wavelength Calculator is equally useful from an educational sense, and provides a quick readout of the length (in feet or meters) of any wave from 5 Hz (214.7 feet) to 20 kHz (0.1 feet). If this feature keeps just one novice from treating a room surface with 2-inch foam (or carpet) to reduce the problem of excessive LF (like 53.7-foot, 20 Hz waves), then the world would be a better place.
A Gain Calculator feature simplifies the logarithmic math involved in determining the Potential Acoustic Gain (PAG) required to set the Needed Acoustical Gain (NAG) from your sound system and avoid feedback. The app can calculate this with a system margin of 6 dB (equalized) or 12 dB (non-equalized). One of the parameters in this segment is the Equivalent Acoustic Distance (EAD), which is mentioned but should be defined in the info section.
A Test Recordings function has two passages with male and female voices that are ideal for checking vocal intelligibility. Pros often listen to favorite CDs to evaluate sound systems, but often a clear, dry human voice can reveal much more. The app also has a record function, with space to additionally store three user recordings. One nice touch is that the recordings automatically loop and play over and over, offering plenty of time to make tweaks or walk a room while listening in different areas.
Last but far from least, the RTA and SPL feature is probably the most useful on a daily basis, and includes a 30-band real time analyzer display with a scalable range from less than 50 dB to 140 dB. A band identifier lets the user slide over any particular band, showing its exact frequency and level in dB’s, and there is a freeze function that can start/stop the display. A small readout in the upper corner has a numeric overall SPL display in dB’s. Although the “weighting” of this is not specified, it does provide a useful general guide as to sound levels.
Overall
Audio-Technica’s ISS is a great little app for sound pros. Sure, it would be great if there were a few extra tweaks — maybe a white/pink noise player, switchable weightings for the SPL display and a tad more background in the “info” windows, but hey, the price is right and this useful app is now on all my iOS devices.
At a Glance:
Great Price, Solid Functions
A versatile, pro-level tool that’s a free download for your iOS device and adds a little power to your pocket.
Audio-Technica Installed Sound Support App
PROS: Easy to use; useful apps; great (free) pricing.
CONS: Only supports Apple iOS devices; no switchable SPL weightings; could use more “info” for novice users.
Manufacturer: Audio-Technica
Price: Free download from Apple iTunes Store.
More info: www.audio-technica.com
