I need a good handheld tone generator

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RubiconProSound
Posts: 597
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2006 3:10 am
Location: Pollock Pines CA. (between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento...)

I need a good handheld tone generator

#1 Post by RubiconProSound »

I'm looking for a small handheld tone generator for breaking in subs and field testing. Back in my car stereo days I used to have a Rockford OSC2. It was a great little unit that had pink noise and adjustable sine wave output but nobody seems to make one similar anymore.

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I've seen the cheap PAC unit but the tone is more square wave and it's cheap. Rolls has their MO2020 but you need a wall wart to run it, no onboard battery. Does anyone have any ideas?

...and yes, I know you can get apps for the phone but I use my phone for work, and I need to be able to break in my subs at home while I'm at work. :wink:
Built so far:
AutoTuba. TAT, T18, T30, T39, SLA, SLA Pro, DR200, Omni 12TB, Omni 12 Sub, Omni 10.5,

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dswpro
Posts: 314
Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2011 3:17 pm

Re: I need a good handheld tone generator

#2 Post by dswpro »

Buy a used Android phone on Craigslist or pick up a new cheap android tablet at a store. You do not have to activate the phone onto a cell network to use WiFi or run apps. Then use Audio tool app, it has a decent generator. Will not give you a "reference" level but fine for breaking in drivers and playing music. Or download Goldwave for the PC to create wave files of test tones and loop playback from your computer or a laptop.

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bitSmasher
Posts: 629
Joined: Fri May 30, 2008 2:55 am
Location: Sydney, Aus.

Re: I need a good handheld tone generator

#3 Post by bitSmasher »

Another vote for a cheap phone... I have a few that I keep around, for use as music playback on a portable bluetooth speaker or a tone generator in the workshop.
They're cheaper and more readily available than other dedicated options!

himhimself
Posts: 599
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:34 pm
Location: Vancouver BC & Bloomington IN

Re: I need a good handheld tone generator

#4 Post by himhimself »

Definitely a cheap spare smart phone. I have a dbx PA2 and my phone works great with that app, too. I just have a cheap little router in the rack, since you need to connect via wifi, not Bluetooth.
2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
4xOtop J-array (Beta12, melded/straight piezos)
Truck Tuba (MCM)
Next up: 2xJack12 or family of table tubas

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RubiconProSound
Posts: 597
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2006 3:10 am
Location: Pollock Pines CA. (between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento...)

Re: I need a good handheld tone generator

#5 Post by RubiconProSound »

I think I have an old phone floating around in a drawer somewhere with a busted digitizer screen... maybe I'll replace the screen and use it.

Thanks guys.
Built so far:
AutoTuba. TAT, T18, T30, T39, SLA, SLA Pro, DR200, Omni 12TB, Omni 12 Sub, Omni 10.5,

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bitSmasher
Posts: 629
Joined: Fri May 30, 2008 2:55 am
Location: Sydney, Aus.

Re: I need a good handheld tone generator

#6 Post by bitSmasher »

To add to this, depending what phone you use they can run a USB audio interface with the right cable (USB-OTG for Android or Camera Connection Kit for Apple)
That does take a bit of research and playing around but can expand the usage

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