Tone Generator Kit
 |
| Click to enlarge |
Here is the "Tone Generator Kit", I found on Amazon which includes the attractive carrying case, a tone generator with alligator clips on it, the inductive amplifier wand, an alternate probe tip for the amp and a simple owners guide (that's a lot of stuff for $29). Nowhere does it mention whether the amp and generator need batteries (they do and you must provide them). The owners guide does mention removing the screw and battery cover (be careful to not drop the nut from the other side - you’ve been warned ;-)
PLEASE NOTE: High on Technology does not do affiliate marketing so we’re not giving out any specific links on this "Tone Generator Kit". If you go and search Amazon on your own you can find this tool set (I bought the one that was Prime). Some other sales-joint might also have this, buy it wherever you like to buy tools.
I’m going to show you how to put this useful kit to work in your studio projects to identify noise and sort out wires (like ethernet wiring, multi-channel speaker wiring, antenna cables and snake cables for microphones and line level signals).
 |
| Click to enlarge |
THE KIT
The Inductive Amplifier is the key to the magic offered by this kit. This tool is powered by an internal 9-volt battery (same type your stomp boxes use), at one end is a small speaker and on the business end is the probe. Two probes come with the kit, I like the one that comes installed on it from the supplier. On one side is an adjustable volume knob which controls what comes out of the speaker, on another side is a pushbutton, this is a momentary switch you hold on while probing for sound. These is an LED to indicate visually the Inductive Amp is powered up.
The Tone Generator is powered by a second 9-volt battery which you’ll need to provide. The generator has a center-off, three position toggle switch (recessed in a metal tube to prevent accidentally turning it on or off), an RJ style phone connector lead (I rarely use this since wireless phones happened), there’s also a pair of alligator clips, the tone comes out on the red and black clips. You clip the black to ground and the red to a wire (you’re hunting for at the other end), switch the toggle to TONE. Flip the toggle the other direction to CONTINUITY and you can use the two alligator clips and the second LED to test wires for — you guessed it— continuity, or test a guitar cord for shorts.
WHAT IS AN INDUCTIVE AMPLIFIER - Magic Wand of Noise Detection
From The Internet: An inductive amplifier is a diagnostic tool used primarily in telecommunications and electrical work to detect and trace wires or cables without direct contact. It works by picking up electromagnetic signals generated by electrical current flowing through a conductor, such as a telephone line, network cable, or power line.
How The System Works:
- Signal Generation: A tone generator (often paired with the inductive amplifier) is connected to the target wire or cable, sending an alternating electrical signal (tone) through it.
- Signal Detection: The inductive amplifier, a handheld device with a probe, is moved near the wires. It senses the electromagnetic field created by the tone without needing to touch the wire directly.
- Audio/Visual Feedback: The amplifier converts the detected signal into an audible tone or visual indicator (e.g., LED lights), helping the user identify the specific wire or cable among a bundle.
Key Features:
- Non-Contact: Safely traces wires without stripping insulation or making direct electrical contact.
- Sensitivity Adjustment: Volume control allows users to adjust sensitivity to pinpoint the correct wire and avoid interference from nearby conductors.
- Portability: Compact and battery-powered for field use.
Common Uses:
- Telecommunications: Identifying specific telephone lines or network cables in a bundle.
- Electrical Work: Tracing circuits or locating breaks in wiring.
- Cable Management: Mapping out wiring in buildings or data centers.
Limitations:
- May pick up interference from nearby wires or devices, requiring careful adjustment.
- Less effective on shielded cables, as shielding reduces the electromagnetic field.
Inductive amplifiers are widely available from brands like Fluke, Extech, and Klein Tools, often as part of a wire-tracing kit, but are they $31 including tax and shipping? Do they offer extra features other than brand name? This kit has everything you need for tracing big system problems and proving your studio for noise sources.
HOW CAN AN INDUCTIVE AMP HELP IN YOUR STUDIO?
Crank up the level on your inductive amp and get it near a computer monitor, you’ll hear hum and buzz as you bring the probe of the Inductive Amp near things that are emitting electronic noise. Bring the inductive amp near your computer and listen for hum. Now that you’ve got the idea, check around all the electronic devices in your studio, around your monitors, patch bay, wiring bundles, AC power distribution, keyboard, mouse, trackpad -- electronics and power wiring are the biggest emitters of noise and interference.
On a recent trouble shooting adventure I found a computer keyboard that is emitting A LOT of electronic noise, a squealing feedback like sound screamed out of my inductive amp when it was anywhere around this computer keyboard, no sign of this without the inductive amp. This keyboard was inducing noise into a nearby Bento2 500-series chassis. Test all the electronic noise producers in your studio separately by bringing the Inductive Amp nearby (be sure to have the volume on the amp cranked up). Use your best judgement about super-noise producing items and what is normal (playing with this tool will change your ideas about what is normal)
 |
| Click to enlarge |
OTHER USES
Of course you can use the Tone Generator and the Inductive Amp to trace out wires — I made a lot of money in my working career by figuring out wiring problems created by other people and this basic kit was always part of the cure. A luxury adventure cruise ship line flew me to Alaska to straighten out a huge wiring screw up, I got to vacation behind a rack in the Pilot House for a week and saw lots of interesting wild life as it passed by the windows in front of me.
WARNING: Don’t clip your Tone Generator to hot AC power wires. Don’t touch your Inductive Amplifier probe to any hot AC power wires. If you’re not sure what these instructions mean don’t do it!
EPILOGUE
As I mentioned at the outset, these tools together cost over $200 back in the 90’s but now they’re available for under $30 for the complete kit, including the carrying case.
The cream colored kit I used back then was labeled “Inductive Amplifier” but in this bargain version the two parts are labeled “Wire Tracker” which makes more sense than what the installers called it way back when. We always referred to this as the “Eeedler” because of the tone the generator makes, “eeedle, eeedle, eeedle, eeedle”, buy one and you’ll understand.
I have two studios currently and there is always gear coming in (and sometimes going), so there are continuous wiring changes and new sources of induced noise. When I saw this bargain kit I immediately ordered it and it came the next day. It reignited all the fun I had investigating hum and revealed some surprising sources, just by probing around and listening for the noise.
Thanks for reading High on Technology, Good Music To You!
©June 2025 by Mark King, it is not ok to copy or quote without written permission from the author.
Now, go forth and create something beautiful. . . . . . . .
 |
| Tone Generator Kit |
