Is the Cable Broken? Troubleshooting with Smaart
Smaart is maybe the world’s most expensive cable tester, and it’s worth every penny when the show is about to start. If you aren’t getting signal, don’t panic. Use this logical flow.
Step 1: The Input Meter
Look at the Input Meters in Smaart. Is there green moving? No? The problem is likely your interface drivers or macOS/Windows privacy settings (make sure Smaart has permission to use the “Microphone”).
Step 2: The Generator
Turn on the Pink Noise generator. Can you see it on your console meters? If not, check your output patching. If you can see it on the console but not in the room, check your amp racks.
Step 3: The Coherence Check
If you have signal but the Magnitude trace looks like a “hairy mess,” look at **Coherence**. Low coherence usually means your Reference signal and Measurement signal don’t match. Are you measuring the Left PA but using the Right PA as your Reference? Check your patches.
Smaart is excellent on its own, but most users find they get much more out of it after some structured training. That’s where our seminars come in. At TZ Audio we run practical seminars, both online and in-venue. We offer seminar-only or full “all you need packages” including software & hardware. It’s simply the fastest way to become comfortable and confident with the measuring a sound system.
If you’re in Norway, Sweden, Denmark or Iceland – or elsewhere – we offer is online seminars and traveling to Norway is a valid option too of course. We’re here if you have any questions about the software or upcoming seminars.
Thanks for reading!