If you’re like me, you end up in situations where you need to trouble-shoot, verify or calibrate your audio stuff. If you have access to a tech shop with expensive scopes and waveform generators — life is great. If not, your most cost effective solution may be something portable. Here’s a list of portable test equipment that costs under $1,000.

If you are aware of any other tools that should be added, please let me know.

Portable Audio Tone Generators
For Under $1k

Horita PT3
Portable Tone Generator
http://www.horita.com/video.htm#PT3
Creates two tones (1k Hz & 10k Hz) via balanced or unbalanced output and has selectable line levels (+8dBu, +4dBu, -10dBV, +5dBV, -50dBu/V). Low battery indicator. 9 VDC.
List: $189, Retail: $155

Horita BSG-50
Video Sync Generator with Tone
http://www.horita.com/video.htm#Blackburst,_Sync,_Audio_Tone_Generators
Multiple output (BNC) video sync generator that also produces a 1k Hz tone at 0dBu via unbalanced RCA output.
Retail: $325 – 440

NTI Audio Minirator MR2
Analog Audio Signal Generator
http://www.nti-audio.com/Home/Products/Minstruments/MiniratorMR2/tabid/118/Default.aspx
Offers a full range of analog test signals for calibration, maintenance and repair of professional audio equipment. The signals include sine, pink noise, white noise, polarity, sweeps, chirps and delay.
Retail: $320 – 520

Videoquip Research Limited DSG-1
Digital/Analog Audio Signal Generator
http://www.videoquip.com/products/std/dsg-1.html
Provides both digital and balanced analog output signals. Output connectors are digital coaxial (RCA), digital optical, and AES3 on XLR. The XLR connector doubles as a balanced analog output when analog mode is selected. All outputs are simultaneously active. Front panel controls permit selection of Format (AES3, S/PDIF, or Analog), Sample Rate (32, 44.1, 48, or 96 kHz), Frequency, (100Hz, 400 Hz, 1 kHz, or full bandwidth sweep), and Level (-12, 16, -18, -20 for digital, +8, +4, 0, -10 for analog).
Retail: $930

Goldline TS-1
Oscillator & Audio Test Set
http://www.gold-line.com/testsets.htm
I’ve had personal experience with this unit. The controls are analog. I’ve found it difficult to get precise settings, especially the output level.
Retail: $480 – 530


Portable Analyzers
For Under $1k

NTI Audio Minilyzer ML1
Palm Sized Audio Analyzer
http://www.nti-audio.com/Home/Products/Minstruments/MinilyzerML1/tabid/80/Default.aspx
Level (in volts, dBu or dBV and the signal frequency), THD+N, Frequency Sweep, Polarity, Time Sweep, Scope, 1/3 Octave, vu/PPM, Induction Loop Measurements AFILS
Retail: $540 – 630

Goldline ASA10B
Audio Spectrum Analyzer
http://www.gold-line.com/asa10b.htm
Hand Held Calibrated 10 Band Single Octave Analyzer
Retail: $300

Goldline 30MP
1/3 Octave Audio Spectrum Analyzer
http://www.gold-line.com/30mp.htm
ISO 1/3 octave between 25Hz-20kHz. Reads in IEC A, C and Flat weighting. Mic input is XLR, 12Vdc phantom power. Line input is balanced 1.4″ jack, 10k ohm impedance.
Retail: $760 – 830

You may also consider using a laptop, tablet or handheld with an analyzer app, such as the Android RTA Pro Analyzer.


Portable Audio Testers
For Under $1k

Whirlwind AESQbox
AES/EBU Audio Line Tester
http://whirlwindusa.com/catalog/black-boxes-effects-and-dis/testers/aesqbox
Generate into or monitor from AES digital. Also doubles for A/D and D/A conversion and impedance transformer. Analog does not appear to be calibrated.
Retail: $460 – 480

Whirlwind Qbox
Audio Line Tester
http://whirlwindusa.com/catalog/black-boxes-effects-and-dis/testers/qbox
The Qbox includes a microphone, a speaker, a test tone generator, outputs for standard headphones, a 1/4″ jack for line-in or a 2k Ohm (telephone) earpiece out. 9 volt battery. “The Qbox 440Hz tone oscillator is intended to be used in pass/fail situations and is not designed to be used as a precise calibration tool.”
Retail: $180

Equipment on this page has been pinned to my Audio Test Equipment board.
Want to add this page to your Pinterest board about audio test equipment or audio wiring? Pin It

UPDATES Feb 2nd:

I was contacted by @chrisrouffer about a cost effective calibration he recently performed…
“I just set up a PA system, including EQ to meet the x-curve using tools that cost me less than $100. Sound is phenominal. The tools?

1) Behringer ECM8000 measurement mic – $60 – It is the same mic as other $700 measurement mics
2) True RTA Software – I bought the 31 band version for $35

I hooked the mic up to my laptop via my 2 channel USB interface and started measuring the room. I then tweaked the EQs for each of the mains (left, right, and center) so each one matched the large room x-curve (True RTA includes tone and pink noise generators). Once I had all three channels EQ’d I measured all three together and made a few final tweaks.”

I also heard from Davide Favargiotti. He wanted everyone to know about Syncheck, a great tool for time aligning picture and sound (film sound, game audio, ADR, etc.) List price: $495.