Simple detonation meter

A new instrument for measuring the detonation factor (sound distortion caused by parasitic frequency modulation within the 0.2 to 200 Hz range) has been built with only three transistors and two microcircuit chips, but it performs as well as the existing commercial 41 instrument. This instrument can operate from any unipolar 14 + or - 1 V d.c. source with a voltage ripple not exceeding 0.5 mV, drawing a maximum current of 25 mA. Its alignment and calibration require only a d.c. voltmeter with 10 kohm/V input resistance and a 3150 Hz sine-wave or square-wave generator. It can then be used for checking tape recorders with the use of test tapes already carrying phonograms of 3150 Hz signals. Three readings must be taken, at the beginning and at the end of a cassette or spool as well as somewhere in the middle, the highest reading being the conclusive one. The detonation factor in the test tape must be smaller than one third of the measured one. The instrument can also be used without test tapes, but the procedure is then more laborious.