WinISD Signal Generator

WinISD has a very handy built in signal generator

The generator allows you to produce a single frequency, or a sweep across a range.

For the single frequency option, you can manualy specify the frequency, or you can use the cursor to pick the frequency from on of the WinISD graphs.

Unlike some other products, this one doesn't produce any clicks during sweep mode.

There is also an output attenuator, allowing control of the signal level.

 

 

screenshot - winisd tone generator

Recently I have used TrueRTA's spectrum analysis softwareLink opens in external window to have a look at the signal WinISD produces.

TrueRTA has several price / performance options, with this handy oscilloscope function in the free version.

I discovered that the default attenuation of zero, leads to an overdriven situation - at least with my sound card and windows setup.

 

TruRTA screenshot showing clipping

 

This TrueRTA screenshot shows how the signal has the peaks clipped. This produces a whole stream of harmonics. Not the best signal for testing your speakers

 

 

This TrueRTA screenshot shows the results of decreasing the output level from the WinISD tone generator. The clipping is gone and the output is a clean sine wave. Note the vertical scale has been changed from 2 to 1 volt / division

Setting the Attenuation control to 6 was enough to restore a pristine sine wave. Your results may vary

 

 TrueRTA screenshot of clean signal

Now, whenever I use the tone generator, I use TrueRTA to make sure I'm not getting a clipped signal

 

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Last update to this page 27th April 2007

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