Custom 1U Acoustic & Environmental Analyzer

Project Overview

Psycho Acoustic Lab (PAL) is currently developing a bespoke, highly accurate 1U/2U rack-mounted Acoustic & Environmental Analyzer. We operate on a strict "End-to-End Pure Analog" audio philosophy. To monitor our acoustic spaces without injecting any digital noise into our analog signal chain, we are engineering a fully isolated, standalone measurement unit.

This project integrates custom analog hardware, embedded Linux, and real-time DSP to achieve zero-noise, high-precision room telemetry.

Core Functions & Requirements The device will operate entirely in the acoustic domain (via a measurement microphone) to sample the room in real-time, displaying data locally for the DJ/PA, and logging it externally for historical trend analysis.

1. Audio & DSP Architecture

  • Input: XLR measurement microphone input with +48V Phantom Power.

  • ADC: High-precision 24-bit/96kHz (or higher) ADC.

  • DSP: Real-time Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for Spectrum Analyzer, accurate RMS Peak, and Transient Peak detection.

2. Environmental Sensing

  • Integration of high-precision I2C environmental sensors (e.g., BME280/BME680) via external probes to monitor ambient Temperature, Humidity, and Barometric Pressure.

3. Strict Power & Galvanic Isolation (Crucial)

  • Our venue operates on pristine, isolated power infrastructure. The unit must feature medical-grade galvanic isolation and an ultra-low noise linear power supply.

  • The +48V phantom power generation and ADC circuits must be strictly isolated to prevent any EMI/RFI noise leakage back into the venue's main power grid. No ground loops are acceptable.

4. Dual Display & Logging Outputs

  • Front Panel (Real-Time): Ultra-wide bar LCD (e.g., 8.8" or 12.6") integrated into the 1U/2U chassis for low-latency (<10ms) real-time monitoring of RTA, RMS/Peak meters, and environmental data.

  • External Dashboard (Logging): USB-C port on the front panel outputting time-series data to an external dashboard for long-term acoustic and environmental trend analysis.

Project Phases

  • Phase 1 (Software PoC): Breadboard/Raspberry Pi (or similar ARM board) + Audio Interface + Sensor integration to validate DSP, FFT rendering, logging and exporting data.

  • Phase 2 (Hardware & Enclosure): Custom PCB design, ADC integration, and 1U/2U aluminum chassis CNC layout.

  • Phase 3 (Calibration & Finalization): SPL calibration against a Class 1 Sound Level Meter and final firmware delivery.

Who We Are Looking For

  • Proven experience in Embedded Linux (Raspberry Pi CM4, ESP32, etc.) and C++/Python.

  • Strong background in Audio DSP (JUCE, custom FFT) and hardware design (PCB layout, ADC, isolated power circuits).

  • If you share our obsession with uncompromised acoustic engineering and minimalist design, please include details of your past audio hardware or embedded IoT projects in your proposal.

If you are an expert engineer interested in this project, contact us at info@psychoacousticlab.com