RME

Intelligent Audio Solutions


Test Files

The following wave files can be found on our web site

http://www.rme-audio.com/english/downloads

They contain special, completely digital generated signals. Some of them were reduced
to one channel (mono) because of their size. The ZIP-archives contain this text file
and some screenshots, explaining the signal and its usage. The screenshots show
measuring functions of RME's DAM-1 and the FFT software HpW Works. 

The files need several MByte space on your harddisc when unpacked. Both 16- and 24- bit
files may be played back with Windows own player (Media Player) as long as a hardware supporting these formats is available. To play back 24 bit files we recommend DIGI32, DIGI32/8 or DIGI32 PRO, all 24 bit PCI digital in/out cards from RME.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

0_16.wav

44,1 kHz, 16 bit, stereo, 1 kHz sine at 0 dBFS (full level), phase right -180, dither.

This clean sine is free of distortion, but has a limited signal to noise ratio. Measuring
distortion with a hi-class measurement system will show a THD+N at 0,001%.

Peak level meter show exactly 0 dBFS, in no case over must be shown. The corresponding
RMS level is exactly -3 dB (or dBFS). As this value is normally scaled + 3 dB for better
handling, the RMS meter will often show the same as the peak level meter (0 dBFS).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

50_16.wav

44,1 kHz, 16 bit, stereo, 1 kHz sine, right channel phase -180, dither.

Sine with a level of -50, -60, -70, -80 and -90 dBFS, each 5 seconds. This level sweep
allows an easy test of the effective dynamic. Many soundcards claiming the use of 16 bit
technology will not let you hear -90 dBFS sine but only their noise.

This file also allows to test the real (and true) handled dynamic of home (Hi-Fi) equipment. Set up your amp as usual and play back this file. In most cases -80 dB will not be audible. If the volume is raised so that -90 dB will just be audible, then switching back to normal music will result in horrible volume.

The level may also be viewed with a level meter display like RME's DAM-1, which has a
customizable view of up to 160 dB range.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

dc_16.wav

44,1 kHz, 16 bit, stereo, DC (0 Hz) at -20 dBFS, left channel positive, right channel
negative, 20 seconds.

DC (0 Hz) at -20 dBFS. This file allows testing wether a digital device uses, transmits or
changes dc levels. Also wether digital level meters show dc levels or not.

Peak and RMS-values are identical with this signal. Because of the usual scale change of
RMS level meters (+3 dB) the RMS level may be displayed three dB higher as the peak level.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

crest_16.wav

44,1 kHz, 16 bit, stereo, 40 sines at -35 dBFS, right channel phase -180.

Multisine with very high crest out of 40 single sines between 40 Hz and 20 kHz, its peak
level is exactly 0 dBFS. Very good for checking the accuracy and precision of level
displays, because the RMS-value of this signal is only -16,1 dBFS.

Most Peak or RMS level meters will fail showing the right (true) level. RME's DAM-1 does
not, because it uses exact digital mathematics to compute the real values.

Automatic gain controls can also be checked. Their automatic level detection will often
fail when recording this signal, resulting in high overloads.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

20khz_16.wav

44,1 kHz, 16 bit, stereo, 20 kHz sine with -10 dBFS.

20 kHz sine with -10 dBFS. This signal is inaudible for 99,9% of all human beings. The
signal needs high precision DAC's for playback because it's near to the sampling frequency.
As the signal is inaudible, and is an extreme load to tweeters (the crossover before the
tweeters is not working at these frequencies) we reduced the length to 1 second.

NormalIy only a short click should be heard at the begining and the end (hard cut, no fade
in/out). Depending on the quality of the used DAC noise, low level whistles or other tones
may occur.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

100_24.wav, 110_24.wav, 120_24.wav, dither.

44,1 kHz, 24 bit, stereo, 1 kHz sine with -100 dBFS, -110 dBFS and -120 dBFS level, each 5
seconds, right channel phase -180.

1 kHz sine with -100 dBFS, -110 dBFS and -120 dBFS. These very low levels can of course
only be processed in 20 or 24 bit technology. You will not hear -120 nor -110 dBFS when
using modern DAC's, because the sine is hidden behind the noise of the DAC's.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

All files copyright RME 1997.

RME allows the free distribution of these files, as long as the original archives are
unaltered. RME can not be held responsible for damages occuring when using these files.
Any usage is at your own risk!

RME:
http://www.rme-audio.com

Infos about the FFT software:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/hpwidmer
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

File end
 