Repeatable Audio Measurement Workflow

Use one sheet per measurement goal. Record the exact chain and settings so the result can be repeated and audited.

1. Question And Scope

Question this measurement must answer:

Date / project:

Operator:

Vehicle / bench setup:

Listening or sensor position:

Channels / device under test:

Frequency range:

Single-seat / multi-seat / competition / bench:

Expected decision:

2. Measurement Chain

Signal file / generator:

Signal level / channel / sample rate:

Playback app / source mode:

OS / interface / output device:

Factory integration / LOC:

DSP preset / routing:

Amplifier / channel / load:

Driver / enclosure / position:

EQ, loudness, ANC, normalisation, dynamics, limiters, bass restoration, and other processing:

3. Sensor And Calibration

Microphone / probe / serial:

Orientation / incidence angle:

Calibration file:

Sensitivity included? yes / no:

Interface / preamp / input:

Input gain / OS level / sample rate:

SPL calibrator or reference:

Calibration level / frequency / date:

Loopback calibration:

Absolute or relative result:

4. Vehicle And Microphone Position

Engine / voltage / charging state:

Doors / windows / seats:

HVAC / fans / ambient noise:

Temperature / unusual conditions:

Mic height:

Left-right position:

Fore-aft position:

Stand / holder / nearby surfaces:

5. Safe Level And Timing

☐ routing and mutes verified
☐ protective crossovers confirmed
☐ source, DSP, amplifier, microphone, and ADC headroom checked
☐ test level above noise floor without stressing drivers or hearing
☐ timing reference selected when phase, impulse, delay, or vector averaging is required

Measurement level / headroom:

Timing reference method:

Reference channel / path:

Safe stop conditions:

6. Frequency-Response Capture

Trace	Method / signal	Level	Position	Purpose / notes
Baseline 1
Baseline 2
Change 1
Final repeat

Sweep length / repeats / RTA averaging:

Frequency and level axes:

Smoothing:

Normalisation:

Window reference / left / right:

Minimum valid frequency:

7. Spatial Averaging

Position	Offset / seat	Weight	Level aligned?	Trace name
1
2
3
4
5

Averaging method: RMS / dB / vector / moving mic:

Alignment frequency range:

Worst-case positions and spread retained:

8. Distortion Test

Method: sweep / stepped sine / RTA / other:

Test level / load / distance:

Bandwidth / harmonics included:

Noise floor:

Fundamental level:

THD / THD+N / harmonics:

Compression / temperature / voltage:

Measurement-chain limit check:

9. SPL Or Exposure Test

Weighting: A / C / Z:

Detector: fast / slow / peak / Leq / SEL:

Measurement interval:

Signal / frequency / duration:

Sensor placement:

Input overload status:

Recorded result:

Exposure / hearing protection notes:

10. Final Verification

☐ unchanged baseline repeated successfully
☐ only one intended variable changed per comparison
☐ individual and averaged traces retained
☐ phase or timing compared only with a shared reference
☐ graph axes, smoothing, windowing, and averaging documented
☐ final headroom, distortion, protection, and listening check completed
☐ raw data and project file saved

Conclusion supported by the measurement:

What the measurement does not prove:

Next test or action:

Companion lesson: Repeatable Audio Measurement.