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Post by ttocs on Apr 14, 2020 17:57:31 GMT -5
I've been playing with REW since about a week ago, and the only mic I currently have that is compatible is the EMM-1, my ARC mic has a proprietary calibration file so REW doesn't recognize it. Even if the EMM-1 mic is not totally correct it's been fun adjusting the location and orientation of my subs and seeing the resulting graphs. I'm not doing this right now with the purpose of creating filters, it's just for discovery and learning. When I get a mic that has a dedicated calibration then I will have something I can use with confidence and with which to compare. I predict that the EMM-1 will be relatively accurate, meaning, while it may be some dB's high or low, the curve will be within reason so it can be used relative to itself. It's my theory of relativity.
I've been testing the subs using the Line Input and using the Crossover/Level adjustments on the subs. What I've learned so far is that even when the crossover setting on each sub is set to 30Hz the graph extends way higher in frequency than I would've thought possible. Also, below 80Hz I only have one dip at 62Hz on one sub, I was expecting more on both, otherwise they both look pretty good up to 80Hz after which the freqs drop steadily. This info is dependent on an assumption that the results are accurate.
Full disclosure: If these measurements are close to accurate then I have no problem keeping the subs connected to the amps using the speakON connector for two channel music, thus allowing the Subwoofer's Crossover to be in play. I'm doing the measurements to get the sub placement/orientation as good as possible. I still haven't measured each main together with its companion sub to see how they like each other, so that should be an eye opener. Still learning.
The Big Question: For calibrating multiple subs does it make sense to get the miniDSP-HD or just get the regular miniDSP? I'm not planning on using the miniDSP for anything else, just subwoofers. Yes, I'll be ordering the mic from Cross-Spectrum when they are allowed to ship them. I like that they calibrate for extended frequency range.
Thanks for any helpful advice.
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Post by megash0n on Apr 14, 2020 18:06:31 GMT -5
I've been playing with REW since about a week ago, and the only mic I currently have that is compatible is the EMM-1, my ARC mic has a proprietary calibration file so REW doesn't recognize it. Even if the EMM-1 mic is not totally correct it's been fun adjusting the location and orientation of my subs and seeing the resulting graphs. I'm not doing this right now with the purpose of creating filters, it's just for discovery and learning. When I get a mic that has a dedicated calibration then I will have something I can use with confidence and with which to compare. I predict that the EMM-1 will be relatively accurate, meaning, while it may be some dB's high or low, the curve will be within reason so it can be used relative to itself. It's my theory of relativity. I've been testing the subs using the Line Input and using the Crossover/Level adjustments on the subs. What I've learned so far is that even when the crossover setting on each sub is set to 30Hz the graph extends way higher in frequency than I would've thought possible. Also, below 80Hz I only have one dip at 62Hz on one sub, I was expecting more on both, otherwise they both look pretty good up to 80Hz after which the freqs drop steadily. This info is dependent on an assumption that the results are accurate. Full disclosure: If these measurements are close to accurate then I have no problem keeping the subs connected to the amps using the speakON connector for two channel music, thus allowing the Subwoofer's Crossover to be in play. I'm doing the measurements to get the sub placement/orientation as good as possible. I still haven't measured each main together with its companion sub to see how they like each other, so that should be an eye opener. Still learning. The Big Question:For calibrating multiple subs does it make sense to get the miniDSP-HD or just get the regular miniDSP? I'm not planning on using the miniDSP for anything else, just subwoofers. Yes, I'll be ordering the mic from Cross-Spectrum when they are allowed to ship them. I like that they calibrate for extended frequency range. Thanks for any helpful advice. They calibrate each mic as opposed to umik calibrating in batches. So, they should be better. The HD version allows for more delay to be introduced, so I would go with that. I use the balanced version, but you can't have a balanced HD version unfortunately. You might want to look into the version that is compatible with Dirac since you may be buying that module at some point anyways. Check this guys video out. He shows how he integrates multiple subs using minidsp and should give you plenty to think about. I don't love his method of how he aligns things, but you can find better examples of how to use REW for subwoofer alignment. youtu.be/_A6gPCczhuU
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Post by ttocs on Apr 16, 2020 11:56:38 GMT -5
The Big Question:For calibrating multiple subs does it make sense to get the miniDSP-HD or just get the regular miniDSP? I'm not planning on using the miniDSP for anything else, just subwoofers. They calibrate each mic as opposed to umik calibrating in batches. So, they should be better. The HD version allows for more delay to be introduced, so I would go with that. I use the balanced version, but you can't have a balanced HD version unfortunately. You might want to look into the version that is compatible with Dirac since you may be buying that module at some point anyways. Check this guys video out. He shows how he integrates multiple subs using minidsp and should give you plenty to think about. I don't love his method of how he aligns things, but you can find better examples of how to use REW for subwoofer alignment. youtu.be/_A6gPCczhuUThanks, this helps. I'm leaning towards getting the HD version. I'm not unhappy with bass management not being balanced, none of the subs I own have balanced inputs. The extra delay is probably a good thing to have on hand even if not needed yet. Regarding Dirac, I'm good with that being directed by the XMC-2. The microphone is a whole 'nother matter. Group calibration vs individually calibrated? After looking at 5 calibration files covering a large range of serial numbers from a mic manufacturer, it became clear that the biggest difference in calibration is the amount of gain - not the slope. Most of the files I checked were within less than 1dB "offset" in gain with exception of one which was 2dB different and also diverged slightly more in slope below 20Hz. Since the SPL is verified per session when creating calibration filters in REW, this offset situation is not a big deal to me. Plus, I don't regard measuring audio to be a highly accurate science when done outside of an extremely controlled anechoic chamber. Heck, if I change where I sit during measuring I'm changing the outcome, not to mention that measurements are different slightly each time the mic is setup due to variance of exact location. And as soon as I invite people over to watch a movie the system is not going to "measure" the same. So I'm not gonna get crazy about whether a mic is individually or group calibrated.
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Post by megash0n on Apr 16, 2020 16:46:46 GMT -5
They calibrate each mic as opposed to umik calibrating in batches. So, they should be better. The HD version allows for more delay to be introduced, so I would go with that. I use the balanced version, but you can't have a balanced HD version unfortunately. You might want to look into the version that is compatible with Dirac since you may be buying that module at some point anyways. Check this guys video out. He shows how he integrates multiple subs using minidsp and should give you plenty to think about. I don't love his method of how he aligns things, but you can find better examples of how to use REW for subwoofer alignment. youtu.be/_A6gPCczhuUThanks, this helps. I'm leaning towards getting the HD version. I'm not unhappy with bass management not being balanced, none of the subs I own have balanced inputs. The extra delay is probably a good thing to have on hand even if not needed yet. Regarding Dirac, I'm good with that being directed by the XMC-2. The microphone is a whole 'nother matter. Group calibration vs individually calibrated? After looking at 5 calibration files covering a large range of serial numbers from a mic manufacturer, it became clear that the biggest difference in calibration is the amount of gain - not the slope. Most of the files I checked were within less than 1dB "offset" in gain with exception of one which was 2dB different and also diverged slightly more in slope below 20Hz. Since the SPL is verified per session when creating calibration filters in REW, this offset situation is not a big deal to me. Plus, I don't regard measuring audio to be a highly accurate science when done outside of an extremely controlled anechoic chamber. Heck, if I change where I sit during measuring I'm changing the outcome, not to mention that measurements are different slightly each time the mic is setup due to variance of exact location. And as soon as I invite people over to watch a movie the system is not going to "measure" the same. So I'm not gonna get crazy about whether a mic is individually or group calibrated. Did you watch that guys video I linked for you?
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Post by ttocs on Apr 16, 2020 17:13:54 GMT -5
Did you watch that guys video I linked for you? Yes I did, actually I re-watched it because I came across it about a week ago. I especially enjoyed the in-depth I/O stuff, so I bookmarked it for reference. Thanks!
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Post by ttocs on Apr 16, 2020 20:56:26 GMT -5
Just ordered the miniDSP 2x4HD with remote.
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