P!NG™ - Pink Noise Generator
The P!NG™ is a handy test tool to help you analyse your audio system by simply listening to it. It is built inside a professional, high quality male XLR connector and is phantom powered via a microphone input; for example a mixing desk. So no batteries or power supply are required. It is a friendly pinkish* colour so it can be found easily in a tool box and has a stainless steel band for quick removal from an XLR socket.
*close to pink, mauve or violet may be nearer
P!NG™ generates pink noise (20Hz - 20KHz +/- 1dB) so you can check that your sound system is properly balanced.
Pink noise differs from 'white noise' (which is sometimes called 'static': the sort of noise a de-tuned radio produces) in that it has the same audio power in each octave. The sound is rather like a waterfall: deep bass, clear middle, crisp treble and each at the same power level so no single frequency band stands out from the rest. Some people use the sound to encourage children to sleep.
This 'flat' sound makes Pink Noise a very revealing way of analysing the performance of a sound system, because if one band does sound louder than the rest it means the system isn't properly balanced. This applies equally to 'Front Of House' as well as for stage monitors or studio / reference systems. Simply plug in P!NG into a microphone input, switch on phantom power so the LED illuminates; then turn up the gain to a suitable level and listen to the sound. That's all there is to it!
Note that the output level is set deliberately low. This allows you to use lots of gain which can show up potential problems with pre amplifiers.
P!NG™ is a simple yet reliable way of training the ear as to what to do to get the right sound.
Pink noise can also be used to train the ears of newcomers to the audio field as to what 600Hz sounds like (or any other frequency marked on a mixing desk etc). One of the hardest things for newcomers to grasp is the relationship between hearing a musician and thinking "that middle range sounds loud" and being able to twiddle the right control to even things out. As the Pink Noise stays constant, you can hear the changes you make when adjusting equalisation and then compare what you hear to what is marked on your equipment. By practising this regulary you quickly become used to what the markings on your equipment actually sound like.
P!NG™ can be used for testing XLR leads.
You can use P!NG™ to test XLR leads too. The Red LED comes on to show that power is being applied. If pin 2 or 3 of a lead is shorted to pin 1 then the LED will not illuminate. If either pin 2 or pin 3 is not connected then the pink noise will be at half the level compared to plugging directly into the microphone socket (without the lead). If pins 2 & 3 are shorted together then there will be virtually no pink noise output.
P!NG™ the KeyRing
Each unit is supplied with a split ring so you can use it as a keyring. You never know when you might need an audio reference so if it's always with you there's nothing to forget.
P!NG produces analogue pink noise, rather than the digital 'repeating' type. The recommended phantom power voltage is the industry standard 48v. Each unit is tested using a spectrum analyser, averaged over time, to make sure that the spectrum produced is correct. It is supplied with an instruction sheet which is available to download here http://www.brikworm.co.uk/Ping%20insert.pdf. Please note that the picture shows many units and that this listing price is for one unit, of course you can purchase more than one unit at a time if you wish. We try very hard to dispatch items the same day as funds arrive (paypal) or cheques clear, if not items are dispatched the following day.
Postage included in the price - anywhere in the world!!
P!NG™ - very handy and helP!NG audio sound marvelous!
An accessory from the BrikWorm™ digital multicore range.
Thanks for look!ng
P!NG™ is designed and manufactured in the UK and is a trademark of FlatKeys Ltd, Unit 12, Falsgrave Mews, Scarborough UK.