Altec 8050A Real Time Audio Analyzer (circa 1971)
The Altec 8050A is a real-time audio analyzer, and it came in as a big price break for professional acoustical measurement. DB-Magazine (February 1972, p.7) reported a list price of $3,018, far below competing instruments with similar capabilities. It scans the audio spectrum continuously from 40 Hz to 16 kHz across 27 contiguous one-third octave bands, and it scans every 30 milliseconds. Fast RMS response is for visual program monitoring. Slow RMS response is for steady sine wave indication. Input impedance is 100 kilohms, and the dynamic range runs from 3.16 mV to 3.16 V rms. The built-in display shows a 20 dB range on a 1.5-inch high screen.
Altec marketed the 8050A as a professional tool for acoustical measurement work. Its own advertising in Recording-Engineer (August 1971, p.12) called it "the first low-cost, professional real time audio analyzer." Past the magazine ads and brief product announcements, surviving documentation on the 8050A is thin.
Known specifications from period sources:
- Type: Real-time audio spectrum analyzer
- Frequency range: 40 Hz – 16 kHz
- Bands: 27 contiguous 1/3-octave bands, ISO center frequencies
- Scan rate: continuous scanning every 30 ms
- Dynamic range: 3.16 mV – 3.16 V rms
- Display: 20 dB range, 1.5" high self-contained screen
- Input impedance: 100 kΩ
- Overload capability: accepts levels up to 30 dB above full scale (steady sine wave signals)
- Original price: $3,018 (1971–1972)
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