Acoustic Test Tones

These tones are best used in conjunction with external devices, such as a sound level meter or an audio spectrum analyzer. These test tones will help you testing your audio equipment, loudspeakers, headphones, and room acoustics. Some of them can even be used during  hearing therapies.

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I hear terms like oscillator, test tone, sine waves, pink or white waves. I know that they are gotta have tools and knowledge for serious recording people. Can anyone explain to me in laymen terms, what they do and how I can use an oscillator to improve my recording? I have Emu1212m soundcard and it has DSP which has some test-tone generating function.

thanks

unsaint

Probably a naive question, but having worked with nothing but digital and not having too many years of experience at that, i'm wondering- what is the function of a test tone? What is it used for and why?