newby questions

I'm brand new to this REW/BFD stuff. I thought I was going to be able to use by "m-audio revolution 5.1" sound card with REW/BFD. It appears it is not capable of duplex operation so I realize now I will need another sound card to use with REW.

The threads I've found on this forum concerning best sound cards are a little old. Are the "soundblaster 24bit usb" and "soundblaster mp3+ usb" still considered the (best/easiest/cheapest???) cards to use?

My main source component for my stereo/HT is my computer so my plan would be to still use my m-audio card as my digital source and to hook up the external usb card temporarily to measure with REW and set up BWD. (I assume I might have drivers that will need to be uninstalled and reinstalled to actually do this)

Am I right in thinking that once the BFD is set up and running that the external soundcard used to do this is not needed unless new measurements/setup is needed?

I have a Behringer ECM8000 and phantom power supply. It looks like I also need a SPL meter. Is this true?

On reviewing the manual for REW setup I see items talking about not using mic input on the sound cards. Is this only done when calibrating? When actually using the mic would the mic input be used?

I see that a midi interface is not necessary. Is the midi interface only used to upload filters to the BWD? How hard is it to enter filters manually into the BWD?

To summarize, here are my questions. (I'm sure a lot more will be coming)

1. Will my "m-audio revolution 5.1" sound card work with REW?
2. What would be the easiest/best/cheapest soundcard to use?
3. In my case would the external soundcard only be needed when setting up REW/BFD?
4. On top of having a microphone do I also need a SPL meter?
5. When using a microphone, is the mic input on the soundcard used?
6. Is the midi interface only used to upload filters to BWD?
7. How hard is it to enter filters manually into the BWD?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice that can be given.

[brucek]

1. Will my "m-audio revolution 5.1" sound card work with REW?

If it is indeed non-duplex, then it will not work. Why not try it. Do a simple soundcard calibration - only takes a simple cable connected from line-out to line-in. See if that works.

2. What would be the easiest/best/cheapest soundcard to use?

Just about every card available will work. It has to have a line-in and a line-out and be capable of duplex operation. The cheap ones are fine because REW compensates for any inadequacies with the calibration routine. In fact the cheapies are better because you don't have all those wacky equalizers, surround modes, effects modes, multi channels, etc, etc, to deal with.

3. In my case would the external soundcard only be needed when setting up REW/BFD?

Yep.

4. On top of having a microphone do I also need a SPL meter?

Yep - cheap is fine since it's only used standalone to set a rough 75dB level in the room during calibration.

5. When using a microphone, is the mic input on the soundcard used?

No, they're quite unsuitable. You require a line-in.

6. Is the midi interface only used to upload filters to BFD?

Yep.

7. How hard is it to enter filters manually into the BFD?

It's not hard. It's the only way I have ever used it. Bet I can enter my filters faster than you can get the midi cable hooked up and ready to use...


brucek