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Post by Nemesis.ie on Jul 11, 2011 10:28:58 GMT -5
Hi all, So there have been some requests for a quick intro to using REW and it seems the finger is pointing in my direction. I'm putting this in "processors" given a lot of how to set things up will have to do with crossovers, sounds cards, mics and EQ which is kind of in the electronic realm and not speaker or amp related. I hope to get some time tomorrow to post some initial things, I will probably need to prepare some screen shots etc. Feel free to PM me a reminder in case I forget.  Cheerio! ==================================== OK, as the thread has gone nuts, I'd better start actually writing something, so this will be a work in progress in post 1 I think - pics will have to happen later in the thread and I will post the number of the post next to what I am referring to.  Here goes: Step 1:Download the latest version of REW. www.hometheatershack.com/forums/downloads-area/19-downloads-page.html(There are also beta versions you can find if you go through the discussion threads). I would suggest playing with REW before spending the money on the gear, you can use your laptop's built-in mic or some $5 cheapo PC mic to get a feel for it. Step 2:Get yourself the right gear - a laptop or computer with a decent resolution screen (1280 x 800 as a minimum I would say) as it makes looking at the graphs much easier. You will also need a microphone (ideally an individually calibrated one) and a way to get it's output into your computer. I use a Dayton EMM-6 from Cross Spectrum Labs. Cheaper than some others of a similar type: www.cross-spectrum.com/Email Herb, he's great to deal with. I bought an M-Audio "buddy" from them too as the Mic pre-amp. I really like the Behringer UAC202 as it has RCA/Phono connectors which is easier to cable than the 3.5mm jacks. The advantage of A USB device over built in sound is generally that it will not pick up (as much) noise from the computer internals. If you have a high-end sound sub-system in your computer, you can of course use it too. There are also USB mics which may work, I had reasonable success with a Blue Mics "Yeti" despite the lack of a calibration, it seemed OK using the C-Weighting of REW, but for the same money you can get the proper calibrated kit I mentioned earlier. A boom mic stand is a very good idea as well, it makes taking readings in multiple locations much easier. Finally, an EQ device to actually do something with your results is nice to have, I like the MiniDSP products ( www.miniDSP.com) s they are relatively inexpensive, small, use little power, very flexible and easy to use - they also work directly from REW and more goodness is planned. Now that we have the essential hardware and software requirements out of the way, we can move on to Step 3 and get down to some nuts and bolt or brass tacks or where the rubber hits the road or some other cliché you might prefer. ;D To be continued ... |
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Post by moodyman on Jul 11, 2011 17:44:53 GMT -5
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Post by paintedklown on Jul 11, 2011 18:22:06 GMT -5
I am glad that I am not the only one with a strong need/want/use/desire for a REW tutorial. I will be looking forward to your instructions, Nemesis.ie. If I have not already done so, then I want to send a sincere "Thank You" in your direction. In this hobby, having knowledge/information is KEY to having a nice sounding HT or 2ch. rig. It can save you time, money, and frustration, as well as allow you to really get the most enjoyment possible from all of your gear. I think that knowing how to use REW is going to be a VERY valuable tool, not only now, but going forward with all of my audio purchases.   |
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Post by RuggSkins on Jul 12, 2011 11:00:38 GMT -5
apologies for my ignorance... please explain 1st what REW is?
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Post by jmilton on Jul 12, 2011 11:45:55 GMT -5
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Post by geebo on Jul 12, 2011 11:48:51 GMT -5
apologies for my ignorance... please explain 1st what REW is? REW = Room EQ Wizard. With this program and a mic/preamp or an SPL meter along with a proper sound card, you can run plots of the frequency response of your system. With an appropriate EQ device you can then adjust the response to get the desired response (or close to it in most cases) It can also identify problem areas such as room nulls or peaks. It will show the effects of simply moving your sub around the room to find the best location for it. |
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Post by paintedklown on Jul 12, 2011 12:26:05 GMT -5
Thank you for that link. In reading the requirements for using REW, it states that you need MIDI capability. Would this work? www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboards-midi/e-mu-xmidi-1x1-v3-usb-midi-interface/584010000000000It says the MIDI interface is required to communicate with a Behringer FBQ2496 Feedback Destroyer Pro Feedback Suppressor/Parametric EQ. They can be ordered here. www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/behringer-fbq2496-feedback-destroyer-pro-feedback-suppressor-parametric-eqI was unable to find the Behringer BFD Pro DSP1124P for sale new, on the web. I assume that you can use one or the other. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. If any of you are familiar with these two units, can you please share with us what unit is best to use, or what features are the most useful on these units? It also looks like the Radio Shack analog SPL meter could be needed...not 100% sure about this one though. I am thinking that using REW may eliminate the need to have an SPL meter...  Can someone please clarify? If it is needed, it can be purchased from SVSound for $44.00. svsound.com/questions-faqs.cfm#meterPerhaps I should just wait for the tutorial...  ...I seem to be confusing myself again.  |
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Post by geebo on Jul 12, 2011 12:37:10 GMT -5
You do not need a midi interface. Thats only if you wish REW to automatically enter the EQ parameters for you. I just enter them manually. It takes a little longer but you don't need to do it that often.
A RS meter will work but is not the best option. A calibrated Galaxy CM-140 or a calibrated mic with preamp is preferred. And if using a laptop, you will most likely need an external sound card.
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Post by geebo on Jul 12, 2011 14:08:43 GMT -5
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Post by paintedklown on Jul 12, 2011 15:23:01 GMT -5
You can also find these on fleabay etc. quite often for good money - I guess people buy them, calibrate and play for a bit, get bored and then sell them on, so there seem to be secondhand ones around for not many $ (or £ in my case).... Stupid question alert! Is using all of this hardware something you do to set up your system, then do not need again unless you make changes? I assumed that the Behringer unit stayed in the signal chain. If it does, where does it go? Or is this an information finding exercise so that you can set the e.q. built in to your receiver/processor? Also, does this affect (work with) the sub/LFE channel, or is that dependent on your receiver/processor? I apologize for so many stupid questions.  |
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Post by moodyman on Jul 12, 2011 15:36:23 GMT -5
You can also find these on fleabay etc. quite often for good money - I guess people buy them, calibrate and play for a bit, get bored and then sell them on, so there seem to be secondhand ones around for not many $ (or £ in my case).... Stupid question alert! Is using all of this hardware something you do to set up your system, then do not need again unless you make changes? I assumed that the Behringer unit stayed in the signal chain. If it does, where does it go? Or is this an information finding exercise so that you can set the e.q. built in to your receiver/processor? Also, does this affect (work with) the sub/LFE channel, or is that dependent on your receiver/processor? I apologize for so many stupid questions. -Once evrything is dialed in you leave it alone. -The Behringer stays in the chain. Place where ever it is convenient for you. -REW is used instead of your receiver/processor EQ. -It definately works with the subwoofer (not LFE though unless you have LFE encoded test tones)). One of the main benefits of REW are the ability to accuratley integrate your sub. There are some really goot tutorials at the Home Theater Shack website. Heading over there is a must if you want to get the most out of REW. |
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Post by geebo on Jul 12, 2011 15:54:44 GMT -5
You can also find these on fleabay etc. quite often for good money - I guess people buy them, calibrate and play for a bit, get bored and then sell them on, so there seem to be secondhand ones around for not many $ (or £ in my case).... Stupid question alert! Is using all of this hardware something you do to set up your system, then do not need again unless you make changes? I assumed that the Behringer unit stayed in the signal chain. If it does, where does it go? Or is this an information finding exercise so that you can set the e.q. built in to your receiver/processor? Also, does this affect (work with) the sub/LFE channel, or is that dependent on your receiver/processor? I apologize for so many stupid questions. You won't need to do the actual EQ precess very often. If you change equipment or where its placed in the room then you'll want to re-do the EQ. And if you go the Behringer route which I have, the most usual connection is to run the sub-out of your pre/pro in to the Behringer then out to the sub. Everything going to the sub is then processed wether it be an LFE channel or redirected bass from the mains. The Behringer has two sets of inputs/outputs that can be linked or adjusted seperately. I have two subs and simply split the signal from the sub-out to the two input channels of the Behringer then connect one sub to each of the outputs. |
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Post by Topend on Jul 12, 2011 17:44:21 GMT -5
Can anyone comment on how the Dayton Audio OmniMic compares. It seems like an "all in one package" without having to decide on which mic to use and obtaining the correct calibration file.
Cheers,
Dave.
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Post by moodyman on Jul 12, 2011 21:20:59 GMT -5
REW is used instead of your receiver/processor EQ. I need to correct myself here as this is not entirely true. A lot people use the BFD to cal their sub and then let processor calibrate everything else... I'll quote from another forum using Audyessy as an example: You should eq the sub first with BFD, then run Audyssey. Audyssey should see a subwoofer that already has a flat frequency response and does not require any further adjustment (assuming the BFD is doing a good job). Audyssey will still detect the sub's distance and adjust its volume relative to the other speakers.
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Post by petes on Jul 14, 2011 4:53:17 GMT -5
You can also find these on fleabay etc. quite often for good money - I guess people buy them, calibrate and play for a bit, get bored and then sell them on, so there seem to be secondhand ones around for not many $ (or £ in my case).... Stupid question alert! Is using all of this hardware something you do to set up your system, then do not need again unless you make changes? I assumed that the Behringer unit stayed in the signal chain. If it does, where does it go? Or is this an information finding exercise so that you can set the e.q. built in to your receiver/processor? Also, does this affect (work with) the sub/LFE channel, or is that dependent on your receiver/processor? I apologize for so many stupid questions. Apologies if this is a stupid answer, but I think you may be mixing up Behringers here. The ECM 8000 www.behringer.com/EN/Products/ECM8000.aspx is just a microphone, and you use it once to setup the system - e.g. you use REW to detect the correct settings, feed them back into the EQ of the UMC, test again, iterate until you get as flat a response as you can (or the curve that you chose). The Behringer most people refer to is the BFD (Behringer Feedback Destroyer) like a DSP1124P www.behringer.com/EN/Products/DSP1124P.aspx, which a parametric EQ to allow you to better EQ your sub. In effect this replaces the sub EQ in EmoQ - I set the sub EQ in the UMC to all flat and then let the in sub EQ (in my case an Antimode 8003 rather than a BFD but same idea) do the work. In this case, that device stays in the system all the time. So, two completely different items - just made by the same company. |
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Post by denist on Jul 14, 2011 6:25:54 GMT -5
Ok i got a Behringer DSP1124p a Behringer UC2 something usb aduio card for rew and a spl meter analog from radio shak...
is this good for doin the full calab...
or do i need something else..
Denis
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Post by Nemesis.ie on Jul 14, 2011 12:21:23 GMT -5
Yikes - I'm sorry I started this before I had the basics ready to post! For one of the other questions, MIDI is not needed unless your EQ device uses it. My BFD is in its box since I got the MiniDSPs (USB), the BFD is a PITA to use and not as flexible (IMO of course). I got snowed under at work (why I have not been around for a day or so). Give me a few days. |
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Post by atczero on Jul 15, 2011 17:01:46 GMT -5
I have a Velodyne SMS-1 that included a mic...will this mic work with REW and which calibration file should I set it up with?
Thanks all...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2011 5:27:48 GMT -5
I got the Dayton "calibrated" mic from Parts Express for $50. Its supposed to be more accurate than the Behringer. A third party calibration service is also available. The included calibration is not very accurate I've heard.
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Post by Nemesis.ie on Jul 16, 2011 5:45:01 GMT -5
I have a Velodyne SMS-1 that included a mic...will this mic work with REW and which calibration file should I set it up with? Thanks all... Unless someone has made a calibration file specifically for that mic (and there can be individual variance unit to unit between the same model) you are likely out of luck. Really the best thing to do is buy a calibrated mic. I got my preamp and mic calibrated as a pair by Cross spectrum. |
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...I seem to be confusing myself again. 
