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Post by novisnick on Jan 11, 2015 0:22:11 GMT -5
Tony, Thanks for the FAQ thread, nice work! I've been catching up with the Lounge content for the last three weeks or so because of work and much needed time off. Anyhow I can see you've been busy to say the least, and it's much appreciated!  Great to see you back my fiend!!!  |
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Post by weigle2 on Jan 11, 2015 7:30:15 GMT -5
Wow! Turning off AGC made a very big difference in my room. Don't know how I missed this before, but this FAQ thread is really usefull.
Thanks, Tony. And, everyone who is contributing.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Jan 11, 2015 14:14:48 GMT -5
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Jan 11, 2015 17:03:09 GMT -5
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cawgijoe
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Post by cawgijoe on Jan 12, 2015 6:28:48 GMT -5
Found that I had AGC turned on by default! Reran last night. Improvement. Thank you for this.
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Post by hesster on Jan 12, 2015 6:41:12 GMT -5
Where does one find the AGC setting/menu/location to assure it is not turned on?
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Post by geebo on Jan 12, 2015 7:56:17 GMT -5
Where does one find the AGC setting/menu/location to assure it is not turned on? It's in the Control Panel and under Sounds and Audio Devices. Windows 8 has it under the Recording tab then under Customize. |
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Post by fbczar on Jan 12, 2015 9:48:21 GMT -5
Tony, There are several illustrations and examples of the microphone placements for Dirac. In most of those cases the measurements are numbered such that most folks would think there is a measurement "order". However, after the initial measurement to establish the main listening position the order of the measurements taken does not matter. Her is a reply from Dirac Technical Support concerning the order of measurements:
No, as long as you place the first measurement in the centre of the sweet spot, the order of the rest does not really matter.
Just keep in mind to distribute measurement 2-9 symmetrically around the sweet spot.
The images in the manual should be regarded as guidelines more than absolute facts, so feel free to experiment with a couple of different measurement setups until you are satisfied.
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Post by ansat on Jan 13, 2015 9:11:50 GMT -5
Tony, There are several illustrations and examples of the microphone placements for Dirac. In most of those cases the measurements are numbered such that most folks would think there is a measurement "order". However, after the initial measurement to establish the main listening position the order of the measurements taken does not matter. Her is a reply from Dirac Technical Support concerning the order of measurements: No, as long as you place the first measurement in the centre of the sweet spot, the order of the rest does not really matter. Just keep in mind to distribute measurement 2-9 symmetrically around the sweet spot. The images in the manual should be regarded as guidelines more than absolute facts, so feel free to experiment with a couple of different measurement setups until you are satisfied. I struggled with how I was going to write up this alt technique to if I should put in the comment of following the location pattern or not. I decided to leave things be given our audience at the forum. Many are new to ARC and are already overwhelmed and some are frustrated with the results. I felt that a lack of structure could lead to more confusion and generate more questions about placement. Buy you are accurate and my measurements are in agreement with that statement. Tony |
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Post by fbczar on Jan 13, 2015 14:43:31 GMT -5
Tony, There are several illustrations and examples of the microphone placements for Dirac. In most of those cases the measurements are numbered such that most folks would think there is a measurement "order". However, after the initial measurement to establish the main listening position the order of the measurements taken does not matter. Her is a reply from Dirac Technical Support concerning the order of measurements: No, as long as you place the first measurement in the centre of the sweet spot, the order of the rest does not really matter. Just keep in mind to distribute measurement 2-9 symmetrically around the sweet spot. The images in the manual should be regarded as guidelines more than absolute facts, so feel free to experiment with a couple of different measurement setups until you are satisfied. I struggled with how I was going to write up this alt technique to if I should put in the comment of following the location pattern or not. I decided to leave things be given our audience at the forum. Many are new to ARC and are already overwhelmed and some are frustrated with the results. I felt that a lack of structure could lead to more confusion and generate more questions about placement. Buy you are accurate and my measurements are in agreement with that statement. Tony I agree with your assessment. However, I remember reading posts from people who were having difficulty because they had to change the positioning of the mic up and down and the order was tricky, even with an illustration to follow. The MiniDSP chair illustration is very simple and easy to follow compared to the sofa illustration. |
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Post by ansat on Jan 13, 2015 15:37:34 GMT -5
I struggled with how I was going to write up this alt technique to if I should put in the comment of following the location pattern or not. I decided to leave things be given our audience at the forum. Many are new to ARC and are already overwhelmed and some are frustrated with the results. I felt that a lack of structure could lead to more confusion and generate more questions about placement. Buy you are accurate and my measurements are in agreement with that statement. Tony I agree with your assessment. However, I remember reading posts from people who were having difficulty because they had to change the positioning of the mic up and down and the order was tricky, even with an illustration to follow. The MiniDSP chair illustration is very simple and easy to follow compared to the sofa illustration. Ageeed. Tony |
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Post by texthai on Jan 14, 2015 5:44:18 GMT -5
Guys, I really appreciate all these discussions, and Tony, the work you are doing, the help you are giving everyone is truly wonderful, remarkable; you deserve a BIG pat on the back!
Sorry, but I am hung up on the very first step. To turn off AGC. I am not even sure what it is, but I think it stands for Auto Gain Control, which I am guessing is not a diet thing.
I cannot find it in Win 7 home.
Several people have asked about it, but Windows seem to change the location with each new version.
Can someone tell me how to turn it off? Do I have to have the mic hooked up before I can turn it off?
It all gets confusing, sometimes you talk about REW, which I am guessing does not stand for "rewind" any more. But it doesn't sound like that is in the XMC-1 (or is it?) so I will not worry about it. I just wish I could get that dang AGC turned off, so I can go to step 2!!!
Thanks for all you guys' great help,
Wayne
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Post by geebo on Jan 14, 2015 8:05:46 GMT -5
Guys, I really appreciate all these discussions, and Tony, the work you are doing, the help you are giving everyone is truly wonderful, remarkable; you deserve a BIG pat on the back! Sorry, but I am hung up on the very first step. To turn off AGC. I am not even sure what it is, but I think it stands for Auto Gain Control, which I am guessing is not a diet thing. I cannot find it in Win 7 home. Several people have asked about it, but Windows seem to change the location with each new version. Can someone tell me how to turn it off? Do I have to have the mic hooked up before I can turn it off? It all gets confusing, sometimes you talk about REW, which I am guessing does not stand for "rewind" any more. But it doesn't sound like that is in the XMC-1 (or is it?) so I will not worry about it. I just wish I could get that dang AGC turned off, so I can go to step 2!!! Thanks for all you guys' great help, Wayne It's going to be similar to the Windows 8 method above. The mic has to be plugged in and selected to get to AGC. Not all devices have an AGC check box so that's why you have to select the mic in the audio properties. Sorry, but I don't have access to a Windows 7 machine now so I can't outline the exact steps. Maybe someone else will be able to do that for you but you should be able to fine it by plugging in the mic, going to the Control Panel and then selecting Sounds and Audio Devices (or whatever they call it in Windows 7) |
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Post by ansat on Jan 14, 2015 8:15:32 GMT -5
Try this for Windows 7
1. Close all programs in Windows.
2. Click on the Windows key in the bottom left hand corner of the screen.
3. Click on the Control Panel.
4. Click on the header Hardware and Sound.
5. Click on Manage audio devices under the “Sound” header
6. A window pops up with the first tab highlighted “playback.”
7. Highlight the “C-Media Driver” under the recording tab.
8. Select Properties.
9. A window pops up, click on the “Custom” tab.
10. Uncheck the “AGC” or automatic gain control box.
11. Click OK/Apply.
12. Close all windows.
Tony
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Post by texthai on Jan 14, 2015 8:49:07 GMT -5
Thanks guys, I just don't have those tabs, well I got sound and playback, but I see I must have the mic connected first.
Heck, I have not even managed to order the XMC-1 yet, just trying to get ready!!!!
Thanks, I will try it again after I got a mic.
God Bless,
Wayne
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Post by hesster on Jan 14, 2015 12:59:46 GMT -5
I reran DIRAC after sorting out the AGC function in the setup input here. It had been on in the laptop I was using after I checked. My results were what seemed to be more gain than before, and caused more clipping at certain Mic positions (Setup @ -24 db and targeting average of -12 db in the output). This was resolved by relocating microphone placement, not turning down the volume, since I could not get my Mains to ping into the Green Zone at reduced output levels and keeping the more efficient sides and woofer to exceed the green zone. I got more variation and correction on my Main Speakers in the plots in the lower Hz ranges, and less given volume after loading the filters than before (around 3-5 db). It still sounds OK, but I am thinking I need to do a Re-Run. Is it OK to correct the volume reduction in the Setup/Level/Trim setting, and what is too much (like +3-6 db?). |
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Jan 14, 2015 13:02:24 GMT -5
I think Tony has earned a free upgrade for all of his Dirac work here at the Lounge!
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Post by ansat on Jan 14, 2015 14:02:38 GMT -5
I reran DIRAC after sorting out the AGC function in the setup input here. It had been on in the laptop I was using after I checked. My results were what seemed to be more gain than before, and caused more clipping at certain Mic positions (Setup @ -24 db and targeting average of -12 db in the output). This was resolved by relocating microphone placement, not turning down the volume, since I could not get my Mains to ping into the Green Zone at reduced output levels and keeping the more efficient sides and woofer to exceed the green zone. I got more variation and correction on my Main Speakers in the plots in the lower Hz ranges, and less given volume after loading the filters than before (around 3-5 db). It still sounds OK, but I am thinking I need to do a Re-Run. Is it OK to correct the volume reduction in the Setup/Level/Trim setting, and what is too much (like +3-6 db?). I would expect no more then 1 to 2 db would be needed. Tony |
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cawgijoe
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Post by cawgijoe on Jan 14, 2015 14:08:06 GMT -5
I think Tony has earned a free upgrade for all of his Dirac work here at the Lounge! Or at least some more blue M&Ms! |
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Post by hesster on Jan 14, 2015 14:45:18 GMT -5
Anyone measure the individual Speaker Db levels with a SPL meter after running DIRAC, by using the speaker level test tones? Should these all be "close" to one another within a certain range, and if not, adjusted for balance or just rely on DIRAC? I am noticing a big difference (my mains are huge line arrays and not as "efficient" as the large center, smaller Klipsh Sides, and Bose Rear surrounds). |
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