I would really like a hardware tool that can quickly switch between generating one of ~10 preset tones. This would be for testing and room calibration. Currently I use a PC, but would like to simplify things. A digital display with a knob that adjusts in 1 Hz steps would work, but would be nice to have presets.
There are a million PC/phone based solutions. I want something that’s dedicated, with physical buttons.
I at first thought of a Raspberry Pi or Arduino, but both would require significant programming.
Perhaps the easiest thing to use is an mp3 or other audio player. Make a file of each tone playing for however long you want, and transfer that to the player. Or make a separate file for each tone that plays for the longest time you would need it to play. It's not quite as handy as a button per tone, but it should be easy enough to use. You could even record warble tones and bandlimited noise.
Perhaps the easiest thing to use is an mp3 or other audio player. Make a file of each tone playing for however long you want, and transfer that to the player. Or make a separate file for each tone that plays for the longest time you would need it to play. It's not quite as handy as a button per tone, but it should be easy enough to use. You could even record warble tones and bandlimited noise.
Do it analog using old chips but still available such as xr2206 or icl8038.
There are many kit availaible on AliExpress. It.easy to modify them to implement presets with a rotary switch.
There are many kit availaible on AliExpress. It.easy to modify them to implement presets with a rotary switch.
Just a warning about those chips, the originals were obsoleted by their respective manufacturers many years ago, and new ones with the same markings don't meet the original specs. This thread is on the xr2206 but also mentions the icl8038:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/dodgy-technology/dont-buy-any-kit-with-xr2206-wfg/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/dodgy-technology/dont-buy-any-kit-with-xr2206-wfg/
DDS generator modules might be a place to start. They work DC to RF, most require an Arduino or similar microcontroller to program them though. A common chip used is the AD9850 which has a tuning resolution of 0.03Hz or so and is 10 bit. There are more expensive DDS chips, some 14 bit. Probably a good search term is Arduino + AD9850
If going digital AD9833 is even cheaper, breakout modules exists : https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/3274...!sea!FR!708581534!&curPageLogUid=3z79YlRnliBd