A couple of non-Altec projects are on the home-run. It's time to start thinking about doing some very long overdue RTA.
I have a DEQ2496 and will do a first-run with it.
Because I would like to 'see' some analysis output I thought this freeware might be OK: RealTraps - Room Measuring Series REW - Room EQ Wizard Home Page
Has anyone tried it?
Disclaimer: Not me, not my room.
Opinion is only as valid as its verifiable supporting evidence.
I haven't tried any of them but I need to get on dealing with that part of the process. Lately I've been moving carpet around on the walls behind the speakers. Also on the floor in front of the speakers. It's amazing how much the sound changes with just little things like that. Got to admit, Terminator Salvation the other night was absolutely stunning sounding.
Excellent software, although you will have to jump through a few hoops by joining the HTS forum and it requires Java. As AB said, there is a steep learning curve with REW. Luckily, there are tutorials on youtube. These are a bit dated, there may be newer, better ones. One of the vids shows a cal with an external SPL meter but the meter is not really necessary.
Room EQ Wizard - Step 1 - Calibration
www.youtube. com/watch?v=21wUsNfF2Lw
Room EQ Wizard - Step 2 - Check Levels
www.youtube. com/watch?v=XmV0SiGFaNQ
Room EQ Wizard - Step 3 - Measurement
www.youtube. com/watch?v=jkj_VMB9m4E
It's good software, I've used it. Mostly I work with HOLMImpulse which does a lot of the same things. And it's free.
Whatever you use, take your measurements with a grain of salt. The mic is not an ear connected to a brain. Let the measurements guide you, but use some judgement in doing so. It may take you some time to get there, but it's worth the journey.
I use a modified DEQ as my EQ.
That REW integrates with mini DSP is appealing.
Not all vegetables make good leaders.
While REW can do most of what Holm does, the same cannot be said about Holm. This is by design. Holm is great for measuring speakers minus room response, REW measures and analyzes speakers plus room response.
Holm- gating negates measured room response, which allows measurements without an anechoic chamber. My program of choice for measuring individual drivers. Also great for setting up crossovers.
REW is used to measure and correct room response. Includes many things Holm does not: RTA, group delay and spectral decay plots, waterfalls, spectrograms. Calculates reverberation times, T/S parameters. Has the ability to build and export eq correction filters.
I'm almost ready to do this as well. I'm finally getting a bit settled in the new dwelling. I need to build some absorption panels for obvious problem areas and then I will fire up my miniDSP and REW again.
mah, you mentioned RTA. I assume this stands for real time analysis? Does REW do this? I didn't think so. I would love to be able to play a pink noise signal with the mic in my listening zone and view real time frequency curves while I move things around. Sometimes moving a speaker or sub a few inches can create or eliminate a suck out or spike. I'd rather not EQ if I can avoid it.
Hi Alan, Correct ! Real Time Analyzer is what it means.Along with REW this should get you most if not all the info you need.There is a free program called TrueRTA also.Originally Posted by alancohen
I like Holm as well though for it's simplicity.For beginners it is much easier to learn and then move on to the more complicated software is what I did.Like I was when I first started measuring Drivers,speakers,etc...Not that long ago. I had a tutor to help get me started on the right track.. Thanks Again Pano ! Here's a thread on TrueRTA over at AVS.
Recommend RTA software and mic.
http://www.trueaudio.com/rta_abt1.htm
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