Home Theater Shack Forums
Epik Subwoofers manufactures world-leading high performance subwoofers for die-hard home theater and music enthusiasts who won't settle for anything less than the best.
PacParts, Inc.: Since 1969, PacParts has been supplying quality replacement parts & accessories from the most recognized manufacturers in the Consumer Electronics Industry.
GIK Acoustics: Home audio acoustics at its best... especially when you have help from the owners right here at the Shack!  Check out their very affordable acoustic panels!
Discount Merchant:  If you need a replacement bulb for your video device... look no further... save big!
ReliableHardware.com: A Reliable Source for Case, Cabinet and Acoustical Hardware!
Fi Audio: Infinitely amazing balanced high end musicality designed drivers!
SVSound: The Sound Authority in speaker and subwoofers as well as the astounding AS EQ1 Subwoofer Equalizer!
Elite Screens offers the finest in affordable projection screens.
Creative Sound Solutions: Loudspeaker kits and components for subwoofers, midwoofers, woofers and full range speakers!
Emotiva is your Home Theater Component Source for Audiophile Quality Home Theater Equipment at Factory Direct Prices
RAM Electronics: Audio, Video, Home Theater and Computer Cables.
Ultimate Home Entertainment: Providing home theater seating and accessories such as popcorn machines and signage... at very affordable prices!
Go Back   Home Theater Systems - Electronics and Forum - HomeTheaterShack > Equalization | Calibration > REW Forum
Room EQ WizardBFD Guide
Forgot Password?
Favorites Home Theater Links Donations Image Gallery

REW Forum

Please help with hardware setup for REW

Discuss Please help with hardware setup for REW in the Equalization | Calibration forum; Please help with hardware setup for REW I have just acquired a Creative MP3+ USB Sound Blaster, a Behringer Eurorack 802 mixer, and a 25' XLR M-F ...


 Reply     Post New Thread
Views: 740 - Replies: 7  
Thread Tools
Old 02-21-07, 03:47 PM   #1
gkaste
Inactive
Alias:
User: #
Posts: n/a
   
Please help with hardware setup for REW


I have just acquired a Creative MP3+ USB Sound Blaster, a Behringer Eurorack 802 mixer, and a 25' XLR M-F cable. I will be purchasing a microphone and stand soon; I am waiting to get prices from a guy who can hopefully get me a nice discount.

This sound card has a stereo jack for headphones and microphone, and I assume I will not use these. It also has an RCA pair each for line in and line out. I assume I will use the line in RCAs to connect to my mixer. There is also an optical in and optical out on this soundcard. For my output to go to my stereo, which would be prefered to use, the RCA pair or the optical connector?

Also, which output on the mixer should I use to send to the line in on the soundcard? Having read up, I have seen some people using the RCA tape out, and others using the 1/4-stereo main out. Which is prefered? Also, I have heard of problems using adaptors, so what cables would be best to get.

Will my 25' microphone cable be too long?

On the mixer, as I understand all of the channel adjustments should just be set to 0, is this right?

Lastly, I do have a radio shack SPL meter. Does this really serve me any use any more?

Thank you all for your help.


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Alt Advertisement
Old 02-21-07, 04:28 PM   #2
Shack Administrator
Platinum Supporter
Alias: brucek
User: #6
Since: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,181
  brucek is offline    
Re: Please help with hardware setup for REW


Quote:
which would be prefered to use, the RCA pair or the optical connector?
REW is setup to use the analog line-in and analog line-out. The response of the soundcard is compensated for by first creating a soundcard calibration file which basically makes the analog response of the card perfect. Be sure to read the REW HELP files on how to create this file.

Quote:
Will my 25' microphone cable be too long?
No, it's fine. Use an ECM8000 microphone and you can use the microphone calibration file on the site.

Quote:
On the mixer, as I understand all of the channel adjustments should just be set to 0, is this right
Well, here's a picture of mine. Be sure the EQ buttons are in their detent and position the rest about where I show them. Turn on the phantom voltage after you plug in the microphone...


Name:  Euro802.jpg
Views: 149
Size:  59.3 KB


Quote:
Lastly, I do have a radio shack SPL meter. Does this really serve me any use any more?
Yeah, you need it to set the 75dB reference level........

brucek


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-07, 04:35 PM   #3
Shack Moderator
Platinum Supporter
Alias: Dr Doan
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK
User: #2314
Since: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,250
  drdoan is offline    
Re: Please help with hardware setup for REW


you must use the RCA connection as the optical is digital and my not work. If your mixer has a digital output, you could go from the mixer to the stereo with the optical connection. Your mixer's output will work either way (tape out, or, main out) as long as you set the levels correctly. the RCA out may not have the volume control inline and won't be adjustable, but, it could. the Main out will be adjustable by the mixer's level controls. Your Mike cable length is fine. The mixer's levels will have to be set to allow the correct output to the stereo. I believe you can do this using Room EQ Wizard. I think most people who are having adaptor problems are using USB to MIDI adaptor cables to go from their computor to the Barringher Feedback Destroyer, your cables and mixer should be fine. Remember you will have to get a response curve for whatever mike you use and enter that into the Wizard. And finally, the Radio Shack SPL will do a great job and is easier to set up. Hope this helps, but, please wait for others with more knowledge to answer. Have fun, Dennis

update: i posted my response before I saw Brucek's more correct response. Dennis


L Dennis Doan, DC
Gonstead Chiropractor
IT'S THE NERVE!
www.drdoan.com
www.healedthefilm.com
SVSound SBS-01 fronts, center, rear surrounds (I was honored to be the 1st purchaser of these great speakers)
Klipsch RS-42 side surrounds
SVSound SB12-Plus/2 sub (w/12.3 drivers)
AS-EQ1 Sub Equalizer (WOW!)
Denon AVR-2807 Receiver w/AudysseyXT
Toshiba DVD Recorder w/HDMI
Direct TV DVR HD
BenQ W5000 projector mounted on ceiling. 91" MovieTime pull-down screen
15' x 11.8' vaulted ceiling dedicated HT room w/DIY sound absorption
:

Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-07, 10:11 PM   #4
gkaste
Inactive
Alias:
User: #
Posts: n/a
   
Re: Please help with hardware setup for REW


Thanks for the feedback, guys!

How critical is it to have a calibration file for the particular mic? The mic I am looking at is this one:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RTAM/
I have heard multiple first hand reports that it is much nicer than the ECM8000. I am only going to get it if its a good enough discount, otherwise Ill just order an ECM8000. One person told me this mic would be flat enough not to bother with needing a calibration file at all.


When I use the RS meter to set my 75dB level, I just hook it directly into the soundcard, not through the mixer, correct?

Thanks


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-07, 11:07 PM   #5
Shack Administrator
Platinum Supporter
Alias: brucek
User: #6
Since: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,181
  brucek is offline    
Re: Please help with hardware setup for REW


Quote:
How critical is it to have a calibration file for the particular mic? The mic I am looking at is this one:
The results of your testing aren't meaningful unless you know you have a calibarated microphone. Not many mics are perfect down to 10hz, so they require a calibration file. In reality you should should get an ECM8000 calibrated professionally, but the units are so close that a lot of people simply use the calibration file here on the site. I do believe though, that dBX microphone you show use the same element as the ECM8000. But the ECM8000 is quite a bit cheaper than the dBX. Why not just get the ECM.

Quote:
When I use the RS meter to set my 75dB level, I just hook it directly into the soundcard, not through the mixer, correct?
No, you place it beside the ECM8000 and read its meter when setting the receiver volume to 75dB during the REW setup. The ECM8000 doesn't have an SPL readout, so you need the RS meter to tell you when the level is 75dB. Then you just put the RS meter away. It isn't hooked to anything...

brucek


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-07, 12:06 AM   #6
gkaste
Inactive
Alias:
User: #
Posts: n/a
   
Re: Please help with hardware setup for REW


Well, I am only getting the dbx if I can get it around the same price. The ECM8000 seems to be about $50+s/h. From everything I have found, the dbx would be a better option, but depends on the price.

When using the RS meter, I would get huge variations in readings depending on where I pointed it. Will this be true with the microphone as well? Where should I be pointing the microphone? Also, when I use the SPL meter next to the microphone, where exactally do I point it?


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-07, 10:18 AM   #7
Shack Administrator
Platinum Supporter
Alias: brucek
User: #6
Since: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,181
  brucek is offline    
Re: Please help with hardware setup for REW


Quote:
When using the RS meter, I would get huge variations in readings depending on where I pointed it. Will this be true with the microphone as well?
The ECM8000 and DBX are omni-directional microphones...

Quote:
Also, when I use the SPL meter next to the microphone, where exactally do I point it?
No big deal, point it up and toward the front, you're just trying to get a rough 75dB reading at the spot where the ECM8000 is taking the measurement. The RS meter is for an SPL level check. It doesn't do the measurement. Just place it near the ECM and take the quick reading while you set your receiver volume and then put it away.

brucek


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-07, 11:28 PM   #8
gkaste
Inactive
Alias:
User: #
Posts: n/a
   
Re: Please help with hardware setup for REW


Thanks again.


Forum Rules Reply With Quote
 Reply     Post New Thread

« Home Theater Shack > Equalization | Calibration > REW Forum »

« Previous Thread   Next Thread »

Bookmarks
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads... You may not post replies... You may not post attachments... You may not edit your posts

BB code is On... Smilies are On... [IMG] code is On... HTML is not allowed!




Parts Express: The #1 Internet source for all your DIY and electronics needs!

Ultimate Home Entertainment

This site is best viewed with a screen resolution of 1280 x 1024 or higher!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:58 AM.



Powered by vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Vendor Tools vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.

Copyright ©2006 - 2009, Home Theater Shack, LLC.
John Mulcahy and Sonnie Parker - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED!



Projector Screens   AV Carts   Lectern   WhiteBoards   Audio Video   HDMI Cables   Multimedia   AV Blog
Massage Chairs   Wall Fountains   Bath Vanities   Electric Fireplaces   Bunk Beds
Dish Network     Dish Network deals




Sponsor/Vendor Ad Rates

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331