REQ setup

[chrapladm]

I have read and read way to many threads and am a bit frustrated but I figured I should just ask on a new post instead of confusing myself even more.

I am building a 5.1 HT(I am only building the 5.1 speakers not the room) and was wanting to use the REW to help with room setup. I have read many posts about the REW but I am still confused. I am also very tired because my 4 kids have been a lot of work today. Anyways I am wanting to know what do I need, in regards to REW, to setup my HT.

I have a 2 year old MAC computer with 1.83 Intel Core Duo(10.4.11) and 1.5GB memory. I also have a M-Audio Firewire Solo recording interface which has phantom power.

I have know idea were to go from here. I live in Australia so there is no Radio Shack here either. I am trying to find a list of things I need so I can set my HT up properly. I thought of buying the BFD1124?, I think, but dont know much about that. After reading about the BFD I think I will buy one in the future or maybe the Elemental Design EQ.2 but like I said I really dont know what I need.

I have a pretty small budget so thats why I like the Eq.2 price. Anyways for all those people out there that have done what I want to do please help. Thanks

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

First, welcome to the Forum!

If all you’re trying to do is set up your HT system, there’s no compelling reason to use REW. At its most basic element, “setting up” the system merely involves adjusting the relative levels of the speakers. You can do that by ear using the test tones your receiver has. Or, if you desire a bit more precision in level setting (most of us do), you can use an SPL meter instead of going by ear.

The purpose of REW is for fine-tuning beyond basic level setting, to get the best in-room frequency response from your speakers (among other things, if you want to go even further than that). Obviously peaks and dips in response are not pleasing to the ear, so the more of them we can eliminate, the better. Most people are satisfied at this level by smoothing out their subwoofer response. REW lets you see exactly where the peaks and depressions in response are; the BFD smoothes out those problems if placement isn’t able to take care of them. The only thing you need to accomplish this is a RadioShack or Galaxy SPL meter, a USB sound card, and a few cables. The RS meter is the cheapest option and works just fine for subwoofer response; if you can’t buy one locally I’m sure you can find one on eBay.

If you want to move up to taking accurate full-range frequency response readings, that’ll cost a bit more money, because you’ll need a calibrated mic and maybe a pre-amp (in the event that your M-Audio won’t work with REW). We have a recommended vendor who sells the Behringer ECM8000 for a reasonable price. Even if you don’t resort to outboard equalization, full-range readings can help you set any tone controls your receiver has, should they be needed to smooth out the response of your surround speakers.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Wayne

[brucek]

I also have a M-Audio Firewire Solo recording interface

I'm afraid Macs with firewire soundcards do not work. You'll need to get a USB soundcard.

I have know idea were to go from here

Read and become familiar with the REW HELP files and the REW Cabling and Connections Basics.

Also note the REW information Index and the Download Page.

brucek

[chrapladm]

Alrighty I guess I will need an external sound card.

I probably came off with the wrong ideas. I am wanting to measure and adjust my HT dips and peaks in all ranges. Sub to Mains. I was wanting to buy a Denon 2809 receiver that had the Audyssey Multi Eq XT but I can only afford the Denon 1509 for now. It has the Multi EQ and Volume but I was trying to see how I could get the functions of the XT from something else.

I do know the BFD will adjust my subwoofer with what ever parameters I put in it. I would like to see where I have to adjust so I can have a relatively flat response. And now I am trying to see how I can make sure, I could do the rest of the adjustments the Audyssey Multi EQ cant do that the Multi EQ XT can.

And yes I would like to go the route of taking full range readings. I saw the price of the ECM8000 and that is pretty cheep. How much would it cost to have it calibrated?

And is there a recommended external sound card to buy? for Macs?

[brucek]

I saw the price of the ECM8000 and that is pretty cheep. How much would it cost to have it calibrated?

You can purchase one already calibrated from Cross Spectrum Labs or they can calibrate one for you, or you can simply use the generic calibration file we supply on our download site.

Note that you require a preamp for a microphone to raise its level to a line-level. Most here purchase the Behringer 802 - see the material I referenced in my original post.

You can also use a soundcard with a mic preamp already built in.

brucek

[chrapladm]

sorry for my ignorance but is this all I would need then to use the REW with my mac:
1. Behringer Xenyx 802
2. Behringer ECM8000
3. Behringer Feedback Destroyer 1124p(well I guess that would just be for my sub)
So 1 and 2 are all I need. That is pretty cheep. I think I can come up with the scratch for that if this is all I need.

Thanks and I will continue to read the links and familiarize myself with the basics.

[chrapladm]

I think I just saw that I will still need the usb sound card.

What should be suggested as far as the sound card?

And is the sound card in a external case also because all of the ones I have seen are internal ones.

[chrapladm]

will this sound card work:?
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TV008LL/A

[brucek]

is the sound card in a external case

Yes.

will this sound card work:?

Your link is bad, but, if this is what you're referring to, it should be fine. Any external USB soundcard that has a line-in and line-out with MAC drivers should work.

brucek

[chrapladm]

yes thats what I was trying to post for a link. Thanks everyone I need to continue reading the REW basics now from here on out.

[liyuthcw]

What is the normal cost for a calibration?

Thanks guys

[brucek]

What is the normal cost for a calibration?

Can you be more specific - don't understand the question.....?

brucek