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Post by denali on Oct 6, 2017 23:21:01 GMT -5
I have a XMC-1 and have been using REW with a UMIK-1 from Cross Spectrum Labs for over a year.
Analog connection – Current setup I have been connecting the analog stereo output from the soundcard in my desktop PC to an analog input on the XMC-1. With REW I am mainly interested in just testing the front left – right speakers in my 5.0 system – no sub, no miniDSP.
Digital Connection My question is, would using a USB port on my PC to the computer input on the XMC-1, yield higher accuracy than the analog connection I have been using? Or are they both equivalent and just different ways to get the test tones to the XMC-1 and out to the speakers?
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Post by ansat on Oct 7, 2017 7:55:47 GMT -5
I have a XMC-1 and have been using REW with a UMIK-1 from Cross Spectrum Labs for over a year.
Analog connection – Current setup I have been connecting the analog stereo output from the soundcard in my desktop PC to an analog input on the XMC-1. With REW I am mainly interested in just testing the front left – right speakers in my 5.0 system – no sub, no miniDSP.
Digital Connection My question is, would using a USB port on my PC to the computer input on the XMC-1, yield higher accuracy than the analog connection I have been using? Or are they both equivalent and just different ways to get the test tones to the XMC-1 and out to the speakers?
My preference is to use digital (hdmi), as sound cards can sometimes add to the measurements. If you have analog inputs as well as outputs, you can measure your sound card by looping the two together to see if your sound card is flat 20hz to 20khz. If it is flat, then there is no real advantages to either with exception of reduced complexity. T
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Post by denali on Oct 8, 2017 16:10:57 GMT -5
Ansat,
Thank you for your reply and insight. I did as you suggested and ran the loopback test for my soundcard. It is very flat with less than a 1/4 dB variance from 20 to 20k Hz. However I like the concept of totally taking the analog soundcard completely out of the picture and using a digital connection. Next time I run REW tests I will use USB out of my PC to the computer input on my XMC-1.
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Oct 11, 2017 16:08:01 GMT -5
1) The front USB port on the XMC-1 is FOR UPDATES ONLY; you CANNOT play audio through it. 2) (Most of those converters are intended for both audio and video - and do rather poorly with the video; the audio is sort of an unknown.) Going USB to HDMI is not a great idea anyway... because you still need to be able to steer the test tone to the correct channel. If your computer was close to the XMC-1, you'd be better off with a USB DAC (or even the sound care in the computer); then just connect the output of the DAC to one of the 7.1 analog inputs on the XMC-1. Note that you will be able to play the test tones and take measurements that way, but you will not be able to listen to the results (because you can't use the processing with the analog 7.1 channel inputs). You could try a long analog cable..... depending on how far away you really are. Hey guys looking to dig into this REW thing, but step one is getting the tones to play through the XMC and not have hook directly into the amps or sub. Small problem I have is my A/V equipment is in another room adjacent to my Theater room. I’m using a MacBook Pro, NO HDMI output. I purchased an USB extension for the microphone that came with the XMC. It is female to male so will plug into my MacBook. Then I purchased another USB male toe male to output from my laptop to the front USB port on XMC. Will this pass the tones, or do I need an adapter to go from USB to HDMI? If so any recommendations? All the ones I’m seeing on amazon have pretty low ratings, any help is appreciated.
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Post by goozoo on Oct 11, 2017 18:46:53 GMT -5
The distinction here is what it is you're trying to accomplish, general room EQ or bass EQ specifically. To properly dial in multiple subs, you need an outboard DSP like a 2x4HD from miniDSP and a good understanding of how to work with software like REW and Multi Sub Optimizer. This is the reason why most people don't bother and instead rely on auto EQ like DIRAC. If you are so inclined, as you say, start off by getting comfortable with REW and getting an accurate measurement, then how to manipulate it, then the rest. There are also a lot of resources online from miniDSP to AVS forum to help you better understand the steps. This is a process and can take weeks or longer to figure out and properly dial in.
PM me with any questions getting started and I will see how I can help you get going. Welcome to your new journey in sound.
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Oct 12, 2017 7:01:42 GMT -5
The distinction here is what it is you're trying to accomplish, general room EQ or bass EQ specifically. To properly dial in multiple subs, you need an outboard DSP like a 2x4HD from miniDSP and a good understanding of how to work with software like REW and Multi Sub Optimizer. This is the reason why most people don't bother and instead rely on auto EQ like DIRAC. If you are so inclined, as you say, start off by getting comfortable with REW and getting an accurate measurement, then how to manipulate it, then the rest. There are also a lot of resources online from miniDSP to AVS forum to help you better understand the steps. This is a process and can take weeks or longer to figure out and properly dial in. PM me with any questions getting started and I will see how I can help you get going. Welcome to your new journey in sound. First I've heard of Multi Sub Optimizer. I may have to look further into it.
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Post by flamingeye on Jan 18, 2018 21:32:18 GMT -5
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