VT RTA-168C-----PC Based Real Time Audio / Acoustic Spectrum Analyzer, Sound Level Meter, Distortion Analyzer, Polarity Tester
with a USB hardkey (dongle) activated Multi-Instrument (Standard) Software License
VT RTA-168C is a precision PC based real time audio / acoustic spectrum analyzer, sound level meter, distortion analyzer, polarity tester... All its components can be packed into the small black soft pouch case provided and be carried together with your laptop or tablet. It is an indispensable tool for audio / acoustic measurements in both field and laboratory. Application examples are frequency response measurement, distortion measurement and polarity test of a loud speaker, room/car equalization, noise monitoring and analyzing, etc. Combined with the computing power of a modern PC and the powerful virtual instrument software "Multi-Instrument", VT RTA-168C provides an unbeatable performance-to-price ratio compared with any other types of RTA. Furthermore, the Multi-Instrument software upgrade for the same license level is FREE for life.
The software can be downloaded from virtins.com for a 21-day fully functional FREE trial using your sound card as the ADC and DAC device.
1. Package Contents
(1) USB Measurement microphone and its accessories (a windshield, a microphone clip and a small microphone stand)
(2) USB cable (3 m)
(3) CD (contains the copy-protected Multi-Instrument Software)
(4) USB hardkey (contains a Multi-Instrument Standard License)
(5) Audio Test WAV files (contains a list of audio test tones and noises, downloadable from virtins.com/VT-RTA-168C.shtml)
(6) 1/8” TRS cable (1.8m)
(7) Black Soft Pouch Case
(8) Unique Sound Level Calibration Data (in CD)
(9) Unique Microphone On-Axis and 90-degree Calibration Data (in CD)
2. Specifications
| Transducer Type | 6mm electret condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Omni-directional |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz ~ 20kHz (±1dB with the frequency response calibration file loaded) |
| Sampling Rate | 48kHz |
| Bit Depth | 24 Bits |
| Number of Input Channels | 1 |
| Frequency Accuracy | 0.01% |
| Frequency Weighting | Flat, A, B, C, ITU-R 468 |
| Time Weighting | Linear, Exponential (Equivalent Continuous Sound Level (Leq) fully complies with IEC61672) |
| Max. SPL (THD<1%, 1kHz) | 133 dBSPL @ 0dB analog gain |
| Sound Level Measurement Range | 35dB ~ 125dB (typical), adjustable through software gain slider. Recalibration is not required after the gain setting changes. |
| Sound Level Measurement Accuracy | ± 0.3 dB at 94dB, 1kHz after calibration |
| Sound Level Calibration | Calibrated using Type 1 Sound Level Calibrator |
| Octave Analysis | 1/1, 1/3, 1/6, 1/12, 1/24, 1/48, 1/96 (Complies with IEC61260) |
| Other Functions | THD, THD+N, SINAD, SNR, SMPTE IMD, DIN IMD, CCIF2 IMD, Frequency Response, etc. Much more functions are described in the software manual. |
| USB Audio | USB Audio Class 1.0 (no driver installation required) |
| Connector | Mini USB socket |
| Case Material | Die cast aluminum |
| Weight | 120 g |
| Dimensions | Φ21.0 × 181.0 mm |
| Power Supply | USB bus powered (5V) |
| System Requirements | Windows XP/VISTA/7/8/8.1/10/11, 32 bit or 64 bit. Minimum Screen Resolution: 1024 × 600 |
| Calibration | Individually calibrated. Calibration files for on-axis and 90 degree included. |
3. Introduction of Multi-Instrument (Standard)
Multi-Instrument (Standard) is a powerful PC based multi-function virtual instrument software. It supports a variety of hardware ranging from sound cards which are available in almost all computers to proprietary ADC and DAC hardware such as VT DSO, VT IEPE, VT CAMP, VT RTA, NI DAQmx cards and so on. It consists of a dual trace oscilloscope, a real time spectrum analyzer, a signal generator and a multimeter, all of which can run simultaneously.
For a sound card based system, software triggering is supported. It features a specially designed data acquisition approach, which is able to monitor the input signal continuously without missing any trigger event before a frame of data is collected. It has a very fast screen refresh rate (typically greater than 50 frames per second). It supports sophisticated triggering method including pre-trigger and post-trigger. Both level trigger and differential trigger are supported. For a non sound card based system, the triggering capability depends on the hardware used. Hardware triggering is supported if the hardware used supports it. Software triggering is supported if the hardware used supports data streaming.
The software has a multilingual user interface, including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. It has been widely used in education, scientific research, audio engineering, electronic engineering, medical diagnosis, vibration analysis, etc.
The software can be downloaded from virtins.com for a 21-day fully functional FREE trial using your sound card as the ADC and DAC device.
4. Functions of Multi-Instrument (Standard Version)
A comprehensive range of functions are provided in Multi-Instrument (Standard), including:
(1) Oscilloscope
Oscilloscope Mode: dual-trace waveform, waveform addition, subtraction and multiplication, Lissajous Pattern, transient signal recording, voltmeter. AM, FM, PM Demodulation. Linear and exponential average...
Record Mode: Record data to the hard disk continuously until the recording process is stopped manually or 2 gigabytes of data has been recorded, whichever is earlier. During the recording process, acquired data will still be analyzed and displayed to keep the screen updated in real time.
Roll Mode: Data displayed in the Oscilloscope will shift left gradually while the newly acquired data are added from the right.
(2) Spectrum Analyzer
RMS amplitude spectrum, relative amplitude spectrum, octave analysis (1/1,1/3,1/6,1/12,1/24, 1/48, 1/96), frequency compensation, frequency weighting (A,B,C,ITU-R 468), moving average smoothing, peak hold, linear average, exponential average, measurement of THD, THD+N, SNR, SINAD, Noise Level, IMD, Bandwidth, Crosstalk, Harmonics, Peaks, and Energy in user defined frequency bands, phase spectrum, auto correlation function, cross correlation function...
(3) Signal Generator
Function generation, multitone generation, arbitrary waveform generation, burst tone generation, MLS generation, DTMF generation, musical scale generation, white noise and pink noise generation, and frequency/amplitude sweep signal generation. Fade In / Fade Out of the output signal. AM, FM, PM modulation...
(4) Multimeter
RMS, dBV, dBu, dBSPL, dB(A), dB(B), dB(C), Frequency Counter, RPM, Counter, Duty Cycle, Frequency/Voltage Conversion, Cycle RMS, Cycle Mean. The latter seven modes involves a pulse counting process, with the counter trigger level, hysteresis, frequency dividing ratio adjustable.
5. License information and Function Allocation in Multi-Instrument Series
The full package of Multi-Instrument has six levels and six add-on modules/functions.
The six levels are: Sound Card Oscilloscope (listed price US$39.95), Sound Card Spectrum Analyzer (listed price US$59.95), Sound Card Signal Generator (listed price US$39.95), Multi-Instrument Lite (listed price US$79.95), Multi-Instrument Standard (listed price US$129.95), Multi-Instrument Pro (listed price US$229.95).
The six add-on modules/functions are: Spectrum 3D Plot (listed price US$99.95), Data Logger (listed price US$99.95), LCR Meter (listed price US$99.95), Device Test Plan (listed price US$99.95), Vibrometer (listed price US$99.95), Dedicated Hardware Support (listed price US$99.95).
Note: The item here contains one USB hardkey activated license of Multi-Instrument (Standard) without any add-on modules/functions. No softkey (activation code) is provided. The software will run under the licensed mode as long as the USB hardkey (dongle) is connected to your computer before you launch the Multi-Instrument software.
Please refer to virtins.com/multi-instrument.shtml for the function allocation matrix for the six levels of Multi-Instrument.
6. Software Upgrade Policy
Software upgrade for the same level is always FREE. When a new version is available, you can just uninstall your current version, download and re-install the new version, as long as the USB hard key is still supported by the new version.
Software upgrade to a higher level can be purchased from virtins.com. The software license activated by the USB hardkey is remotely upgradable.
7. Shipping
We ship worldwide.
The item will be shipped via express mail service within 24 hours after the payment is received. It will take normally about 5~8 days to deliver to you (e.g. USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea...). In some specially cases, or special places (e.g. Italy), it may take a little longer time. The shipping and handling charge is fixed at US$30 for all places. Tracking information online will be provided 2 days after shipping. You MUST provide us your telephone number as required by the courier company to facilitate the delivery!
8. Refund Policy
One year warranty against defective materials and manufacturing defects for all hardware parts inside the package.
Return of defective item is accepted for a refund within 7 days after you receive the item. For a full refund, the package must be in the same condition as received with all accessories. The returned item must be delivered with postage prepaid by the customer. You must contact us first before you return it. We strongly recommend that you try out the Multi-Instrument software from virtins.com first before you place your order. Please contact us if you are in doubt.