DCAT-3, Diamond Cut Audio Test CD Set

The Diamond Cut suite of test CD's consists of three separate discs. These professional formulated files provide 197 fully loop-able signals. Included are a full compliment of sine, triangle and square wave tones with various calibrated volume levels. Also provided are swept sine, square and triangle waveforms as well as random white, pink, brown, seismic and much more. All signals were mathematically synthesized using Diamond Cut Productions, "Make Waves Generator" from the DC 5 version of the software. Therefore, since no A/D converters were used, the accuracy, distortion and linearity of these signals are only constrained by the quantization error of the Red Book Audio CD definition and the CD player on which they are played. The first CD in the DCAT-3 suite is optimized for Stereo or Sound System Testing. The second CD is optimized for the calibration of a Real Time Analyzer or other acoustical measurement equipment. The last CD is optimized for Room Acoustics Testing in conjunction with the use of a 30 band 1/3rd Octave Equalizer wired in the signal path of your audio system. In the latter case, the 1/3rd Octave equalizer should be connected between your pre-amplifier or soundboard and the inputs to your power amplifier or active crossover networks.

Each signal track is annunciated by the track that proceeds it. Its associated signal track is the next even number on the list. (All announcements are odd in number; all signals are even). If any of the particular signals are not long enough for your specific needs, you can put your CD player in Loop play mode to repeat the particular signal track without hearing the annunciation each time.

DCAT-3 (Audio Test) is very useful to audio professionals but is very affordable for the home users who want the best sound possible out of his home theater.
The listings shown below outlines all of the signals that are provided on the 3 CD set.

These signals can be used in a wide variety of situations. Here are some examples:

Applications:

1. Sound Card Performance Testing
2. CD and DVD Player Performance Testing
3. Stereo Amplifier and Pre-Amplifier Testing
4. Loudspeaker Testing
5. Real Time Analyzer Calibration
6. Equalizer Calibration
7. Sound System Room Acoustical Balancing.
   etc.

Measurements Capabilities with the Test CD's:*

1. Frequency Response
2. Frequency Accuracy
3. Signal to Noise Ratio
4. Total Harmonic Distortion vs Frequency
5. Intermodulation Distortion
6. Acoustical Room Response and Resonance
   And much more!

Features of DCAT-3:

1. Each signal has a professional introduction on its own separate track. You can hear what signals are upcoming, but loop play will still play only the signal.
2. Each signal is created mathematically and is a perfect representation of the signal within Red Book CD Audio Sampling Rate and Resolution limits.
3. Each signal has a very short fade in so that the signals have a soft start and will not start with a click.
4. Many of the signals are designed to be used with a 31 band EQ commonly used for audio setup.
5. A full set of 1/3 octave weighted noise signals are included so that a common (and cheap) Sound Pressure Meter can be used for adjustments. A RTA or spectrum
6. analyzer can also be used, of course.
7. The signals range from below to above human hearing thresholds.

*A measurement tool such as a Sound Pressure Meter, Real Time Analyzer or full Spectrum Analyzer is required. Diamond Cut DC5 software provides these and many more sophisticated measuring tools in an inexpensive software package.

The first CD in the set is optimized for Stereo or Sound System Testing. The second CD is optimized for the calibration of a Real Time Analyzer or other acoustical measurement equipment. The third CD is optimized for Room Acoustics Testing in conjunction with the use of a 30 band 1/3rd Octave Equalizer wired in the signal path of your audio system. In the latter case, the 1/3rd Octave equalizer should be connected between your pre-amplifier or soundboard and the inputs to your power amplifier or active crossover networks. Assorted useful signals for other types of testing can also be found on all three CDs including signals which allow the use of a sound pressure meter to balance the acoustical spectrum of a sound system.

DANGER! When playing the first signal track on these Test CD's (tracks 1 & 2), keep the volume on your sound system all the way down. Slowly rotate the volume control upwards until the volume is at the desired level. The reason for this DANGER! warning is that the first signal is always at 1 Kilo Hertz 0 dB (Maximum Output) Reference Level and can damage your hearing and/or sound system.

*WARNING - DCAT-3 is capable of providing very loud 0db signals at frequencies that can not be heard by humans. Care must be taken to keep volumes of any signals within the limits of any amplifier, speakers or other audio equipment or damage to this equipment may result.

Performance Specifications

Signal Type	Frequency Accuracy	Amplitude Accuracy	Distortion (% THD)
Sine	+ / - 0.005 %	+ / - 0.5 dB	0.0033 % @ 1 KHz
Square	+ / - 0.005 %	+ / - 0.5 dB	44 % @ 1 KHz
Triangle	+ / - 0.008	% + / - 0.5 dB	12 % @ 1 KHz
White	N/A	+ / - 0.7 dB	100 %
Pink	N/A	+ / - 1.5 dB	100 %
Narrowband Random	+ / - 0.2 %	+ / - 1.5 dB	100 %
Swept Sine	+ / - 0.005 %	+ / - 0.5 dB	0.0033 % @ 1 KHz
Swept Square	+ / - 0.005 %	+ / - 0.5 dB	44 % @ 1 KHz
Swept Triangle	+ / - 0.5 %	+ / - 1.5 dB	12 % @ 1 KHz
Dual Tone	+ / - 0.005 %	+ / - 0.5 dB	0.008 % (high tone)

The quality of your CD performance will degrade these numbers to varying degrees

Stereo System Test CD (CD # 1) Descriptions

Audio Real Time Acoustical Analyzer Test CD (CD # 2) Descriptions

Audio System Acoustical Testing CD (CD # 3) Descriptions