Listen AmpConnect ISC™ Quick Start Guide

AmpConnect ISC Installation

Important: As of SoundCheck 18, NI Visa is included in the macOS installer.

1. Connect AmpConnect ISC to the SoundCheck computer with the USB cable provided. Drivers are included with the installation of SoundCheck. It is recommended to start with a new installation of SoundCheck, connect AmpConnect ISC and power it on before opening SoundCheck. See "Automatically Create Signal Paths" below.
2. Open SoundCheck. The Setup Wizard will open and automatically recognize the AmpConnect ISC.
3. In the Setup Wizard, select "Setup New Hardware". Expand the option and select "And Open Hardware Editor".
4. Click Refresh. Verify that the AmpConnect ISC values have been loaded in the Hardware Editor. Select "Cancel" to close the editor.

"Automatically Create Signal Paths for Listen Devices"

This feature automatically updates AmpConnect Vp levels and adds signal paths in the Calibration Editor when SoundCheck opens. It is enabled by default but can be disabled in Main Screen > Edit > Preferences > Launch. Refer to the SoundCheck manual for details.

Note: AmpConnect ISC uses WDM drivers only and is not compatible with WASAPI.

Figure 1: Setup Wizard - The SoundCheck Setup Wizard is shown, automatically recognizing the Listen AmpConnect ISC. Key options include 'Setup New Hardware' and 'And Open Hardware Editor'.

Figure 2: Hardware Editor - The Hardware Editor displays the AmpConnect ISC's configuration, listing input and output channels, their associated driver devices (WDM), sampling rates, and bit depth. A 'Refresh' button is available to update settings.

Self Test

The AmpConnect Self Test sequence verifies that the interface is properly connected and working with SoundCheck.

1. From the SoundCheck Main Screen, navigate to: File > Open > Sequences > Calibration > AmpConnect Self Test.sqc. SoundCheck typically opens the Calibration directory by default for sequence selection.
2. (You may need to resize or move the sequence documentation PDF window if it obscures the SoundCheck window.)
3. Select the green play button ▶️ to run the sequence. The sequence runs for approximately 40 seconds, verifying that AmpConnect is connected and operating correctly.

Figure 3: Self Test Display - This display shows the results of the AmpConnect Self Test, featuring graphs for frequency response, distortion, and noise spectrum. It also indicates test margins and overall noise levels.

At the end of the sequence, AmpConnect ISC reverts to factory default settings, as noted in the "Complete Loudspeaker Test Example Sequence" section.

Microphone Setup

1. The default reference microphone in SoundCheck is Listen's SCM 3. The default SCM sensitivity is used in the Calibration Editor. For more accurate results, calibrate the SCM 3 according to the Microphone Calibration Procedure in the SoundCheck Instruction Manual.
2. If using a different microphone, change the Reference Microphone selection in the Calibration Editor (Setup > Calibration) and calibrate it according to the Microphone Calibration Procedure in the SoundCheck Instruction Manual.

You are now ready to begin testing.

Complete Loudspeaker Test Example Sequence

Listen provides sample sequences to help users get started quickly. This complete loudspeaker test enables basic level speaker testing.

1. Open the Complete Test example sequence: File > Open > Sequences > Loudspeakers > Complete test using AmpConnect.sqc.

Complete Test Setup

1. Connect the SCM microphone to the Reference BNC input. A Microdot to BNC Adapter is required.
2. Connect the Loudspeaker (Device Under Test) to the Amplifier Output A binding posts.
3. Run the test sequence and adjust sequence settings (in Setup > Sequence) for the specific device under test. Refer to the SoundCheck Instruction Manual for sequence editing instructions.

Figure 4: Complete Test Wiring - A diagram illustrating the necessary connections: a USB cable from the computer to the AmpConnect ISC, an SCM Reference Microphone to the AmpConnect ISC's Reference BNC input (requiring a Microdot to BNC adapter), and the Loudspeaker (Device Under Test) to the Amplifier Output A binding posts.

Figure 5: Complete Test Display - This screen presents the results of a complete loudspeaker test, including graphs for response, THD, Rub & Buzz, and impedance. A 'Results' panel summarizes key measurements such as average sensitivity, polarity, and various margins.