Vernier GDX-SND Users manual
Go Direct®Sound
(Order Code GDX-SND)
Go Direct Sound can be used for a variety of activities with
sound waves.
l Demonstrate how the wave pattern changes when
frequency and amplitude are changed.
l Compare the waveforms from various musical instruments.
l Measure the speed of sound by using reflected sound waves in a tube.
l Demonstrate beat patterns.
l Determine the period and then the frequency of a sound by measuring the
time between peaks on the waveform.
l Measure sound level in decibels.
l Investigate sound insulation and room acoustics.
l Investigate the logarithmic nature of the decibel scale.
Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not
designed nor are they recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial
process such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing
process, or industrial testing of any kind.
What's Included
l Go Direct Sound
l Micro USBCable
Compatible Software
See www.vernier.com/manuals/gdx-sn d for a list of software compatible with Go
Direct Sound.
Getting Started
Please see the following link for platform-specific connection information:
www.vernier.com/start/gdx-snd
Bluetooth Connection USB Connection
1. Install Vernier Graphical
Analysis™ on your computer,
Chromebook™, or mobile device. If
using LabQuest®, make sure
LabQuest App is up to date. See
www.vernier.com/ga4 for Graphical
Analysis availability or
www.vernier.com/downloads to
update LabQuest App.
2. Charge your sensor for at least
2hours before first use.
3. Turn on your sensor by pressing the
power button once. The Bluetooth
1. If using a computer or
Chromebook, install Vernier
Graphical Analysis. If using
LabQuest, make sure LabQuest
App is up to date. See
www.vernier.com/ga4 for Graphical
Analysis availability or
www.vernier.com/downloads to
update LabQuest App.
2. Connect the sensor to the USB
port.
3. Launch Graphical Analysis or turn
®
on LabQuest. You are now ready to
LED will blink red.
4. Launch Graphical Analysis or turn
on LabQuest.
5. If using Graphical Analysis, click
collect data.
4. This is a multi-channel sensor. To
change the channel selections, see
www.vernier.com/start/gdx-snd
or tap Sensor Data Collection. If
using LabQuest, choose Wireless
Device Setup > Go Direct from the
Sensors menu.
6. Select your Go Direct sensor from
Note: This sensor does not work with
the original LabQuest. It works with
LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3.
the list of Discovered Wireless
Devices. Your sensor's ID is located
near the barcode on the sensor. The
Bluetooth LED will blink green
when it is successfully connected.
7. Click or tap Done. You are now
ready to collect data.
8. This is a multi-channel sensor. To
change the channel selections, see
www.vernier.com/start/gdx-snd
Charging the Sensor
Connect Go Direct Sound to the included Micro USB Cable and any USB
device for two hours.
You can also charge up to eight Go Direct Sound sensors using our GoDirect
Charge Station, sold separately (order code: GDX-CRG). An LED on each Go
Direct Sound indicates charging status.
Charging
Fully charged
Orange LED next to battery icon is solid while
sensor is charging.
Green LED next to battery icon solid when
sensor is fully charged.
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Powering the Sensor
Turning on the sensor
Putting the sensor in sleep
mode
Press button once. Red LED indicator next to
Bluetooth icon flashes when unit is on.
Press and hold button for more than three
seconds to put into sleep mode. Red LED
indicator stops flashing when sleeping.
Connecting the Sensor
See the following link for up-to-date connection information:
www.vernier.com/start/gdx-snd
Connecting via Bluetooth Wireless Technology
Ready to connect Red LED next to Bluetooth icon flashes when
sensor is awake and ready to connect.
Connected Green LED next to Bluetooth icon flashes when
sensor is connected via Bluetooth wireless technology.
Connecting via USB
Connected and charging Orange LED next to battery icon is solid when
sensor is connected to Graphical Analysis via
USB and the unit is charging. LED next to
Bluetooth icon is off.
Connected, fully charged Green LED next to battery icon is solid when
sensor is connect to Graphical Analysis via USB
and fully charged. LED next to Bluetooth icon is
off.
Charging via USB,
connected via Bluetooth
Orange LED next to battery icon is solid when
sensor is connected to charger via USB and the
unit is charging. Green LED next to Bluetooth
icon flashes when sensor is connected via
Bluetooth wireless technology.
Identifying the Sensor
When two or more sensors are connected, the sensors can be identified by
tapping or clicking Identify in Sensor Information.
Using the Product
Connect the sensor following the steps in the Getting Started section of this user
manual.
Channels
Go Direct Sound has four measurement channels. The channel names are
l Microphone
l Sound Level A-weighted
l Sound Level C-weighted
l Wave Amplitude
Microphone
The default channel that is active when the sensor is connected is Microphone.
This channel is used for capturing sound waveforms. Follow these guidelines to
collect good waveforms:
l By default, microphone data-collection parameters are set that sample very
quickly for a very brief time, effectively taking a “snapshot” of the sound
waves present when data collection is started. With this in mind, start the
sound source you wish to investigate before starting data collection.
l Make sure the sound level is in the correct range to produce good wave
patterns. If the sound is too loud, the wave pattern will be clipped off at the
top or bottom. Move the Microphone farther from the sound source or turn
down the volume of the sound.
While capturing waveforms, Go Direct Sound can store up to 5000 data points.
It is possible to capture high frequency (>10,000 Hz) sound waves by increasing
the data-collection rate. Likewise, it is possible to capture more wave cycles by
increasing the data-collection duration. However, Graphical Analysis will not
let you select data-collection parameters that will yield more than 5000 data
points per run.
Note: When connected via Bluetooth®wireless technology, collecting a large
number of data points will lead to a delay when the data appear in Graphical
Analysis. The transfer rate of data over Bluetooth wireless technology is
relatively slow compared to wired connections.
Because of the unique data-collection parameters required to capture a
waveform, this channel cannot be active if any of the other channels (sound
level or wave amplitude) are selected.
Sound Level
There are two Sound Level channels: A-weighted and C-weighted. The
A-weighted channel applies a filter to the sound level reading that mimics the
human ear’s response to loudness and frequency. In most classroom situations,
you'll want to measure A-weighted sound levels. For more information on the
difference between A- and C-weighted sound levels, see www.vernier.com/til/3500
The microphone is located inside the hole in the top of the case. Because the
microphone is located inside the sensor, it is helpful to point the microphone
hole toward the source of the sounds you are measuring.
When using the sensor, be mindful of the environment around it. Wind blowing
across the opening or vibrations from the surface on which it is resting can
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