Waveform Analysis Software

AS-70
Quick Instruction Manual
Ver.1.0

RION CO., LTD.

Technical Support Division,
Sound and Vibration Measuring Instruments Business Department
Date of issue January, 27th, 2014
Contents
1. Overview .......................................................................................................................................2
1-1．Main features ...........................................................................................................................2
1-2．Data supported by this software...............................................................................................2
2. Main window ................................................................................................................................3
3．When calibration should be conducted with this software..............................................................4
4．Examples of analysis .......................................................................................................................5
4-1．Display of a level-time graph and calculation of processed values .........................................5
4-2．Octave band analysis on waveform data recorded with a sound level meter ...........................7
4-3．FFT analysis on waveform data recorded with a sound level meter ......................................13
4-4．Analysis of sound and vibration waveform data recorded with a data recorder ....................17
4-5．Display of a level-time graph and performing FFT analysis on waveform data recorded with
the vibration analyzer VA-12 ..........................................................................................................23
5．Display of band level and spectrogram .........................................................................................27
5-1．Band level ..............................................................................................................................27
5-2．Spectrogram...........................................................................................................................28
6．Other useful functions ...................................................................................................................29
6-1．Template ................................................................................................................................29
6-2．User Marker ...........................................................................................................................30

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1. Overview
This software allows importing waveform data from Rion sound level meters, vibration meters, data
recorders and similar equipment to a computer as WAVE data, and performing functions such as data
display, frequency analysis, and calculation of processed values.
This quick instruction manual explains the basic operation procedures of AS-70. For the explanation
of more advanced functions and operations, not mentioned in this manual, please refer to the AS-70
online help.

1-1．Main features of AS-70

l Opening one or more waveform files.
l Specifying an analysis interval of waveform data.
l Making the settings for calibration, analysis and display of waveform data for each
separate wave file or for all files at once.
l Performing octave analysis (octave and 1/3 octave bands) and FFT analysis. A graph
superimposition function is also available.
l Displaying the analysis result in a level-time graph or frequency graph and calculation of
processed values (Leq, Lmax, LN, etc.).
l Inserting user defined markers with comments in the graphs.
l Playing back waveform data and adjusting the playback volume.
l Saving analysis, graph and calibration settings as a template.
l Saving all the settings, waveform data, and analysis results together as a project.

1-2．Data supported by this software

This software can load waveform files recorded by the following devices:
l Sound level meters NL-42, NL-52, NL-62, NA-28
l Vibration analyzer VA-12
l Analyzer SA-78
l Data recorders DA-20, DA-40, DA-21

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2. Main window
Menu bar Toolbar Monitor display area

Setting display area Graph display area

Menu Bar：
Allows you to load and save files and make analysis settings, display settings, etc.
Toolbar：
The toolbar provides buttons for frequently used functions.
Setting display area：
This area, located to the left of the main window, allows you to make settings for graph
management, analysis, calibration, etc.
Monitor display area：
This area shows the original waveform file for the selected graph.
Graph display area：
This area shows the graph of the waveform data and the graphs with the analysis results.
Select a graph to calculate processed values and to add markers. The list area on the
right-hand side displays the value at the cursor position, a list of processed values or a
marker list.

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3．When calibration should be conducted with this software
Calibration should be conducted with this software when the calibration information has not been
included in the waveform file, for example in case of a data recorder (DA-20, DA-40 and DA-21).
The calibration procedure to follow in such cases will be explained in section “4-4. Analysis of
sound and vibration level on waveform data recorded with a data recorder”.
On the other hand, calibration does not have to be conducted for waveform files saved with sound
level meters (NL-42, NL-52, NL-62 and NA-28) or some models of vibration analyzers (VA-12),
because the calibration information has already been included within these waveform files.
Calibration does not have to be conducted either, when the calibration information has been
included in waveform files saved with a data recorder (DA-20, DA-40 and DA-21) or FFT analyzer
(SA-78).

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4．Examples of analysis
4-1．Display of a level-time graph and calculation of processed values
The procedure to display a level-time graph for waveform data recorded with a sound level meter is
explained below.

In addition, the procedure of calculating processed values such as Lmax and Leq from a selected time
interval in the time graph is explained.

① Double click the AS-70 icon on the desktop screen and the AS-70 software will start.

② Drag and drop a file into the AS-70 main window to display the selected waveform file.

Drag and Drop

③ Waveform data will be displayed. Graph size can be selected on [Graph Size] in the
[Display] menu.

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④ Click the [Analysis Settings] button in the toolbar and the analysis settings panel will be
displayed. Click the [Time] tab for graph1 and select “Level” at [Analysis Type].
Then, set [Freq. Weighting] and [Time Weighting] according to the analysis purpose.
Click the [Analysis] button and the level-time graph will be displayed.

⑤ To modify the Y axis, click [Axis Settings] from the [Analysis/Settings] menu or click the
[Axis] button to display the axis settings panel. Click the [Time] tab for Graph1 and select
“Pa” at [Axis Label]. Also, check the check box at [Display in decibels] to set the Y axis
to decibels.
To set the upper and lower limits of the Y axis, select “Manual” at [Y Scale] and set the
upper and lower values. Click the [Settings] button to apply the settings to the Y axis
scale.

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 ⑥ In the level-time graph, left-click and drag to select a time interval for calculation and
right-click on it. When the popup menu appears, select “Calculate Statistics”. Processed
values (like Leq, Lmax, LN, etc.) are calculated for the specified time interval and the results
are displayed in the calculation value list on the right-hand side of the graph.

Drag

4-2．Octave band analysis on waveform data recorded with a sound level meter
The procedure for performing octave band analysis on waveform data recorded with a sound level
meter is explained below.
Also, the procedure for calculating processed values (like Lmax and Leq) for octave band analysis
results for a selected time interval in the graph is explained.
In addition, the procedure of comparing two analysis results (graph superimposition and
differences) is explained.
① First, open a waveform data file and display the level-time graph, as is explained in section
4-1.
② Then, click on the graph you want to select for analysis. Next, click the [Analysis] button

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 and select the [Frequency] tab, and then select [Oct.] at [Analysis Type].

Click the graph

③ Make the appropriate settings for [Freq. Weighting], [Time Weighting] and [Band
Width] and click the lower [Analysis] button. The analysis will be performed and the
(third) octave band analysis results will be displayed.

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④ To modify the Y axis settings, click the [Axis] button and select “Manual” at [Y Scale].
Then, set the upper and lower values. Click the [Settings] button, and the settings will be
applied to Y axis scale on the level-time graph.
Cursor

Display of analysis result

at cursor position

⑤ As shown in the picture above, the analysis result (octave band spectrum) at cursor
position in the level-time graph can be displayed in the left-hand side spectrum graph. The
right-hand side spectrum graph is the average spectrum for the total or selected interval.

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⑥ In the level-time graph, left-click and drag to select a time interval for calculation and
right-click on it. When the popup menu appears, click “Calculate Statistics”. Processed
values are calculated for the specified time interval and the results are displayed in the
calculation value list on the right-hand side of the graph. In the right-hand side octave
band spectrum, the displayed quantity (Leq, Lmax, etc.) can be selected by using the drop
down menu.
Time interval
(Yellow frame)
Switch the calculation type

Calculation result

⑦ To define a spectrum graph for superimposition, left-click the graph to select it, and then
right-click on the same graph. When the popup menu appears, select [Add this Graph to
Superimpose]. The [Graph Superimposition] window appears and the graph is added as
[Graph A]. Right-click

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⑧ In the level-time graph, left-click and drag to select another time interval to calculate the
processed values for, and right-click on it. When the popup menu appears, click
“Calculate Statistics”.

⑨ Right-click on the newly made right-hand side spectrum graph to add it as [Graph B].
When the popup menu appears, select [Add this Graph to Superimpose]. The graph is
added as [Graph B] and both the graphs are superimposed on each other in the [Graph
Superimposition] window. In the same window, click the [A] or [B] tab to display a table
of frequency band values for the selected graph.
Right-click

Select A or B

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⑩ To check the differences between the graphs, click the [Difference] tab.
When you select "Display A-B" from the drop-down list, a graph is displayed showing the
values obtained by subtracting Graph B from Graph A. The values are displayed in the
list.
When you select "Display B-A" from the drop-down list, a graph is displayed showing the
values obtained by subtracting Graph A from Graph B.

Select the
Display A-B

Select the
[Difference]

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4-3．FFT analysis on waveform data recorded with a sound level meter
The procedure for performing FFT analysis on waveform data recorded with a sound level meter is
explained below.
Also, the procedure of calculating and displaying a FFT analysis result is explained.
In addition, the procedure of displaying the Maximum or Linear average values is explained.

① First, open a waveform data file and display the level-time graph, as is explained in section
4-1.
② Then, click on the graph you want to select for analysis. Next, click the [Analysis] button,
select the [Frequency] tab, and then select [FFT] at [Analysis Type].

Click the graph

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③ Make the appropriate settings for [Freq. Weighting], [Max Type], [POA], [POA upper],
[POA lower], [Window Type], [Analysis Points], [Overlap] and [Average Count] and
click the lower [Analysis] button. The analysis will be performed and the FFT analysis
results will be displayed.

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④ To configure the graph axis settings, click the [Axis] button and select “Manual” at [Y
Scale]. Set the upper and lower values. The Frequency range can also be set. Click the
[Settings] button and the axis settings will be applied to the scales.

Display of analysis result

at cursor position

⑤ As shown in the picture above, analysis results at the cursor position on the level-time
graph can be displayed in the left-hand side spectrum graph.

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⑥ To calculate processed values, in the time graph, left-click and drag to select a time
interval for calculation and right-click on it. When the popup menu appears, click
“Calculate Statistics”. Processed values are calculated for the specified time interval and
the results are displayed in the calculation value list on the right-hand side. In the
right-hand side FFT spectrum, the displayed average type (LIN or MAX) can be selected
by using the drop down menu.

Time interval
(Yellow frame)

Calculation result Switch the calculation type

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4-4．Analysis of sound and vibration waveform data recorded with a data recorder
In this section, the procedure of opening a waveform file, calibrating and displaying as a
time-level graph for waveform data recorded on a data recorder DA-40, DA-20 or DA-21 is
explained.
An example of analyzing the AC-signal waveform data recorded with a sound level meter on
channel 1 and vibration level meter waveform data on channel 2 is shown below.

① Drag and drop to display selected data recorder waveform files to the AS-70 main window.
In this example, first a waveform file with recorded measurement data is loaded. Next, a
waveform file with recorded calibration signals is loaded.
Measurement data of the sound level meter and vibration level meter will be displayed on
graph1 and graph2, respectively.
Calibration signals of the sound level meter and vibration level meter will be displayed on
graph3 and graph4, respectively.

Load the waveform file with

recorded measurement data

Load the waveform file with

recorded calibration signals

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② On the toolbar, click the [Calibration] button. The [Calibration] window appears. In this
example, the [Measuring Device] is set to “Sound Level Meter (AC output)” on graph1
and graph3 and to “Vibration Meter (AC output)” on graph2 and graph4.

Select the Sound Level Select the Vibration

Meter (AC output) Meter (AC output)

Click the [Select Calibration Signal Interval] button for graph1, and the [Select Calibration
Signal Interval] window appears. Select the data interval used as the sound calibration
signal in the waveform data in graph3 and click the [Select] button. Then, click [Select
Calibration Signal Interval] for graph3.

Graph1

Select the data interval used as the calibration signal

Graph3 from the waveform data of the sound level meter

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③ Next, click the [Select Calibration Signal Interval] button for graph2, and the [Select
Calibration Signal Interval] window appears. Select the data interval used as the vibration
calibration signal in the waveform data in graph4 and click the [Select] button. Then, click
[Select Calibration Signal Interval] for graph4.

Graph2

Select the data interval used as the calibration signal

Graph4 from the waveform data of the vibration meter

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④ Enter the calibration level values of the signals recorded with data recorder into the
[Calibration value] box.
In this example, the calibration values of sound level meter and vibration level meter are
entered in the fields of graph1 and graph3, and of graph2 and graph 4, respectively.
Click the [Calibration] button to execute the calibration.

Enter the calibration Enter the calibration value of the

value of the sound level vibration meter
meter

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⑤ Click the [Analysis Settings] button in the toolbar and the analysis settings window
appears. Click the [Time] tab for each graph, and select “Level” at [Analysis Type]. Then,
set [Freq. Weighting] and [Time Weighting] according to the analysis purpose. Click the
[Analysis] button, and the level-time graphs value will be displayed.

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⑥ To modify the graph axis, click the [Axis] button. The [Axis Settings] window appears,
click the [Time] tab for each graph and check the check box at [Display in dB]. At [Axis
Label], select “Pa” on graph1 and graph3, and select “m/s2” on graph2 and graph4.
Select “Manual” at [Y Scale] and set the upper and lower values. Clicking the [Settings]
button will apply the axis settings to the Y scale.

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4-5．Display of a level-time graph and performing FFT analysis on waveform data recorded with a
vibration analyzer VA-12
The procedure of opening a waveform file, displaying it as a level-time graph and performing FFT
analysis on waveform data recorded with a vibration analyzer VA-12 is explained below.

① Drag and drop to display selected VA-12 waveform data into the AS-70 main window.
In this example, the waveform data displayed on graph1, graph2 and graph3 has been
recorded with vibration analyzer VA-12 in acceleration, velocity and displacement mode,
respectively.

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② Click the [Analysis Settings] button and the analysis settings window appears. Click the
[Time] tab on each graph, and select “Level” at [Analysis Type]. When displaying
measurement values from the vibration mode of VA-12, select “Z” at the [Freq.
Weighting] and “S” at the [Time Weighting]. Click the [Frequency] tab, select “FFT” at
[Analysis Type] and make the other appropriate settings as well. To display amplitude on
the Y axis, select “Amplitude” at the [Power / Amplitude]. Then click the [Analysis]
button to perform the analysis.

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③ By default, the Y axis unit is displayed in dB on the level-time graph. Click a graph to
select. In the [Axis settings] menu, uncheck the check box for [Display in decibel] and
click the [Settings] button. Then, the Y axis unit on the selected graph will be displayed as
acceleration, velocity or displacement. Repeat for other graphs if needed.

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④ When the upper and lower values of the Y scale of a graph have to be configured, left-click
the graph to select. Click the [Axis] button, select “Manual” at [Y Scale] and set the upper
and lower values. In a similar way, frequency range also can be set under the [Frequency]
tab. Finally, click the [Settings] button to apply the axis settings to the scales.

④ As shown in the picture above, FFT analysis results at cursor position on the level
waveform graph are displayed in the left-hand side FFT spectrum graph below the
level-time graph.

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5．Display of band level and spectrogram
5-1．Band level
After “Oct.” is selected at [Analysis Type], “Band Level” can be displayed.
Band levels for individual frequency bands can be displayed in the same level-time graph. “Band
Level” display is performed as described below, after loading of a waveform file and calibration are
performed.

① Click a graph to be displayed as a band level graph and click the upper [Analysis] button.
Click the [Time] tab and select “Band Level” at [Analysis Type]. Next, click the
[Frequency] tab, select “Oct.” and make appropriate settings for [Freq. Weighting] and
[Time Weighting]. Click the lower [Analysis] button to perform the analysis.

② To configure the upper and lower values of the Y scale, click the [Axis] button, select the
[Frequency] tab, set the [Y scale] to “Manual” and enter the upper and lower values.
To display a desired frequency band, select that band at the check box on the right of the
graph area, and de-select other frequency bands to hide them from the graph.
Select the check box for
each frequency band to
display

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5-2．Spectrogram
After “FFT” is selected at [Analysis Type], a spectrogram can be displayed.
In a spectrogram, the results of FFT analysis are presented in a color map, where the horizontal
axis is for time and the vertical axis is for frequency. The level is displayed as various colors in the
graph.
Spectrogram display is performed as described below, after loading of a waveform file and
calibration have been performed.

① Click a graph to be displayed as a spectrogram graph and click the upper [Analysis] button.
Click the [Time] tab and select “Spectrogram” at [Analysis Type]. Next, click the
[Frequency] tab, select “FFT” and make the appropriate settings for [Analysis Points] and
[Window Type]. Then, click the lower [Analysis] button to perform the analysis.

② To configure the upper and lower values of the Y scale and the displayed frequency range,
click the [Axis] button. Select the [Frequency] tab and make the appropriate settings for
[Y scale] and [Frequency Range]. Then, click the [Settings] button to apply the settings.

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6．Other useful functions
6-1．Template
A template saves the calibration, analysis, and axis settings of each graph. A template facilitates
creating graphs with the same settings. If you configure the settings of the graph once and save
them as a template, you can analyze other waveform data with the same settings just by loading
the template. If the saved template is applied to a waveform file, the waveform file format should
have the same format as the saved template (channel number, sampling frequency, etc.).
The storage of a template file is described below.

① After having analyzed a waveform file by using certain settings for the first time, these
settings can be saved as a template for later use. To do so, click the [Save Template]
button and the [Save Template] window appears. Enter a user-defined name at the
[Template Name] and click the [Save] button.

② In order to load another waveform file, and analyze this data with the settings from the
template, first close the waveform file which was used to create the template by using
[Close Project] in the [File] menu. After that, load another waveform file to analyze.

③ Click the [Load Template] button at the toolbar and the [Load Template] window appears.
Select the template to load at [Select Template] and click the [Apply] button.

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 ④ The settings from the template are applied automatically to the graph, and the data analysis
is automatically performed subsequently.

6-2．User Marker
A user marker can be added by the user at any selected interval in the waveform data. The user
can select a marker name and add a comment to it. It is also possible to select a user marker from
the marker list to jump to the starting position of the selected user marker in the graph.
Adding markers is performed as described below, after loading a waveform file, calibration, and
making analysis settings and axis settings have been completed.

① Click the [Marker] button in the toolbar to activate the user marker function.

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 Drag

Enter a comment

② In the graph, left click and drag the desired interval to insert the marker and add a
comment to it in the dialog box.

③ Click the marker in the marker list to jump to the starting position of the selected user
marker.

④ To rename the marker, in the [Edit] menu, select [Edit Marker Name] under [User Marker].
In the settings window, rename the marker and click the [Apply] button.

Enter a marker name

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⑤ To delete a user marker, double left-click on the marker in the graph area.
⑥ When saving the project at [Save Project As] in the [File] menu, the marker information is
also saved.

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