Newb to RoomEQ

I need some serious help! LOL I've installed RoomEQ, calibrated the soundcard and RS SPL meter correctly (I think) but there is no way the results I'm getting are accurate. If someone has 10 min or so to help me understand what I'm doing wrong; I'd appreciate it. Either here, messenger, phone would be great.

[brucek]

calibrated the soundcard and RS SPL meter correctly (I think) but there is no way the results I'm getting are accurate.

You haven't told us a lot.

After you calibrated the soundcard and saved the file, did you temporarily leave the short from line-out to line-in connected and do a measurement (with no c-weight or meter cal loaded)?
You should get a ruler flat response with that test, because the soundcard file is inverse compensating for the soundcards less than perfect response.

Await your answer on that and more information of what is wrong...

brucek

Yes, I did that next step and the resulting graph was flat all the way across. It's the measuring step that has me confused. I'm not sure if I calibrated the SPL meter correctly. Do I connect the soundcard output to my receiver and use the test tones in REQ?I adjusted the volume on my AVR until I achieved 75db, then set it accordingly in the SPL window. Then when I took some room measurements with the default sweep, it said I was at 85db from 30hz up to around 10k and from 30hz down the meter jumped to 130db. I love my sub but I know thats not right! I forgot to save my graphs so I'll redo it in the morning to show. Thanks in advance.

[brucek]

Do I connect the soundcard output to my receiver and use the test tones in REQ?

Did you read the REW HELP files? Yes, you hook up the SPL meter or microphone to the soundcard with a stereo plug (one channel used) and press the button in REW to calibrate the SPL meter. Set your levels first though.

85db from 30hz up to around 10k

10K? You are suppose to set the sweep limit to 200Hz in the measurement panel.

Once the soundcard file is created and saved, load the SPL meter cal file, then set the check levels for a subwoofer, do a Check Levels button and then Calibrate SPL Meter button, Set Target Level button, and finally Measurement button where you recheck levels and set sweep limit and passes and Measure.

brucek

[DrWho]

Where do you have the meter when you're taking the measurement? In your hand? On a sofa? You'll want to mount it to a rigid surface that doesn't vibrate when you're playing tones.

I don't think I set the target level or know how to. I mount the SPL meter to a tripod which is placed in the LP on my couch. So if I understand you correctly, I play the test tones from my source (a test CD) and record the levels via my SPL meter which is hooked to the line in jack on my soundcard. Then set the level in the SPL window to match. As for sweep limits, I left it default which was to 20k. I also ran some tests where it was limited to 200hz but the results where the same. I haven't had a chance to rerun the tests but I'll post some results when I do. Thanks again!

brucek wrote:

Did you read the REW HELP files? Yes, you hook up the SPL meter or microphone to the soundcard with a stereo plug (one channel used) and press the button in REW to calibrate the SPL meter. Set your levels first though.


10K? You are suppose to set the sweep limit to 200Hz in the measurement panel.

Once the soundcard file is created and saved, load the SPL meter cal file, then set the check levels for a subwoofer, do a Check Levels button and then Calibrate SPL Meter button, Set Target Level button, and finally Measurement button where you recheck levels and set sweep limit and passes and Measure.

brucek

[brucek]

I don't think I set the target level or know how to

In the Target Settings Panel there is a Set Target Level button

So if I understand you correctly, I play the test tones from my source (a test CD) and record the levels via my SPL meter

No, you don't play any test tones. REW handles everything for you. It's all automatic, but it needs to be calibrated for the results to be meaningful.

You really, really need to read the REW HELP files to understand how to calibrate REW to be ready to take a measurement, otherwise it's a bit of a waste of time. Hooking up and calibrating REW isn't what I would call intuitive. It requires reading first and then carrying out the correct steps to get ready to measure.

brucek

[drdoan]

Robert welcome to the Shack. If you will read the help files and try a couple of test runs, you will see that it is not that difficult and will prove to be very helpful as you set up your system. Have fun and keep us posted. Dennis