[Phillips]

I use to use a Laptop Soundcard calibration until John (REW creator) basically said not to.

 

[Nitrofreakman]

That's music to my ears. I did try calibrating the sound card at 44.1, but I'm not sure about my results. Now the issue I ran into was when the Umik was connected, REW would pop up a message about the sound card being calibrated at 44.1, and the Umik being 48k, which will give inaccurate results.

Now I can switch my input to Soundflower(2ch), I can use the Umik with 44.1 but I'm wasn't sure if that was ok. The easiest would be to not have to calibrate the sound card.

 

[snowmanick]

Just an FYI for those waiting, I got my shipping notice yesterday, order was placed 2/22 (right before they went on hold). I don't know if they are shipping all back-orders or not, or chronologically, but they're shipping none-the-less.

Looking forward to playing with this, its my first foray into calibrated mics.

 

[McStyvie]

Thank you very much monomer, that is excellent info, can't wait to get this kit!

I want to use this to calibrate my two subs running from my .1 channel (so Mono, witha Y-splitter). What is the best way to do this? One at a time? Both together (where do I point the mic, if I do it this way?) And which plugin would be the best for that? At first, I am not interested in using this for my mains...I am pretty happy with Audyssey for that.

Thanks in advance!

 

[monomer]

Realize that your miniDSP will become the splitter. You take the AVR's pre-amp output and connect it to Input1 on the miniDSP. Then connect miniDSP Output1 to one sub and Output2 to the other sub. You now have the ability to select delay(phase) and gain independently for each sub... keep verifying the results in REW after each change.

I have a more complex situation than yours... two mid-bass subs and two ULF subs to integrate into a 9.1 system and finding the best compromise across 8 listening positions spread over two tiers of seating.

I suggest the following:
You first of all turn Audyssey OFF then take individual measurement readings for each sub (you can mute whichever output you desire in the miniDSP) and set delays and gains appropriately for each... if you have more than one listening position then take one measurement at each position and in REW on the "All SPL" screen "average the responses"... now go to and open "EQ" (its the box selection at the upper right of the main screen) ...within the EQ screen select the radio button "miniDSP" from the drop-down "Equaliser" menu and now click on "EQ filters" at the top of the screen. In that window use as many drop-downs as you think it needs, under "Type" select PK (stands for peak) and select freq/gain/Q values to try to level the graph to your target. Next is to input those values into the miniDSP plug-in... use the "Parametric EQ" output box AFTER the "4-way Cross-over" box that corresponds to the output your sub is connected to... I tried the "Import REW file" function using the miniDSP plug-in but for some reason it doesn't recognize the file format so in the end I inputted each peak filter one at a time (its no big deal and takes very little time to do). Once you've done one sub "mute" it and un-"mute" the other and repeat the process. Then un-"mute" both subs and now run Audyssey. After Audyssey go back and verify that because of Audyssey's distance selections that the delay/phasing still look correct, now if you'd like to you can adjust the over-all (meaning with both subs un-"mute") freq response the same way you did it for the individual subs except this time both subs will be playing so now you will make your "Parametric EQ" adjustments within the big box that's BEFORE the "4-way Cross-over" box. That's it! Trust me, it reads more complicated than it is to actually do it.

Have fun...

Oh, I forgot... the direction you point the mic in doesn't really matter that much since the frequencies are all so low they will be omni-directional. I personally just point it somewhat in the direction of the sub I'm measuring and in the middle when both subs are active. And I would recommend the Mono 4-Way Cross-over Advanced plug-in (which is the one I based the above procedure on). You should order it now so you can download it and play around and get familiar with it before your miniDSP arrives and you will immediately see what I'm talking about in the procedures I outlined above.

 

[McStyvie]

Thanks Monomer, that is a great explanation, and I downloaded the 4-way and it makes perfect sense when you are looking at it! Looks like I just need the delivery then I am ready to go!

 

[McStyvie]

Monomer- Since my unit is still stuck in Customs, and they refuse to hurry it up...could you maybe let me know how you would go about rolling off my 10" sub at 30Hz? What I mean is, I would like it to stop putting out at that level and let my 15" er take over all the frequencies below that. Is that an easy thing to do with the mini dsp?

Thanks in advance,
McStyvie!

 

[monomer]

Yes, just put in your desired cross-over values for each sub. Your plug-in will have 4 cross-over sets available (one for each output). You can select the desired slope, frequency and type of filter for both high-pass and low-pass for each output... use it anyway you want, however you will need to verify by taking measurement readings in REW just so you can maintain a balance between the two subs.

In my case I'm running my mid-bass units and my ultra-low frequency units as if they were a 2-way sub speaker system... meaning I use the miniDSP to control the cross-over between the subs. I utilize a high-pass only on my mid-bass units as I allow the AVR to cross-over with the mains... and I only use a low-pass for my ULF units and let the natural roll-off deal with the bottom end. I'm also using a 48dB/oct slope to minimize any issues in the cross-over region by keeping it small.

 

[McStyvie]

Ok, thanks again Monomer! Now if customs would just get off their bums...

 

[Scubasteve2365]

So what's the final result here? Is the UMIK-1 not a good choice if you want to EQ subs below 20Hz?

I think I'm going either UMIK-1 or the UMM-6. Of course, at the moment neither are readily available.

 

[Infrasonic]

I’m also leaning towards the UMM-6 Steve for that reason; I also just don’t feel the UMIK-1 results can be trusted (at least the ones being shipped now).

Hopefully Cross-Spectrum Labs will have them available soon.

Btw, are you the same Scubasteve who made the demo disc? If so good work and thank you very much!

 

[Scubasteve2365]

I’m also leaning towards the UMM-6 Steve for that reason; I also just don’t feel the UMIK-1 results can be trusted (at least the ones being shipped now).

Hopefully Cross-Spectrum Labs will have them available soon.

Btw, are you the same Scubasteve who made the demo disc? If so good work and thank you very much!

Yes, that would be me. I made two actually, if you didn't get the newer one (the one that prompts you for widescreen or scope at launch) you should definitely get it.

I'm going with the UMM-6 as well. There's no point in really taking the risk from what I can tell.

 

[AudiocRaver]

So what's the final result here? Is the UMIK-1 not a good choice if you want to EQ subs below 20Hz?

I think I'm going either UMIK-1 or the UMM-6. Of course, at the moment neither are readily available.

Not sure if there is a consensus on this, but my personal opinion at this point is "whatever is available through Cross Spectrum with their calibration," considering pre-cal mic-to-mic variation, recent events, etc.

 

[Phillips]

What would be interesting is someone to send a UMIK to Cross Spectrum for calibration and then compare the Minidsp file.

 

[monomer]

What would be interesting is someone to send a UMIK to Cross Spectrum for calibration and then compare the Minidsp file.

When compared to my EMM-6 the response appeared near identical, so I've got to believe there would not be much value to a Cross-Spectrum calibration above 20Hz HOWEVER it sure would be nice to have the calibration data for below 20Hz.

I really like the miniDSP, its a simple yet powerful tool that impresses me every time I play with it. Just last night I happened upon an updated "beta plug-in" that had quietly replaced the old 4-way plug-in that had been in my "downloads" box. This new beta was never announced and if I'd not happen to read a thread discussing miniDSP issues over at AVS I'd have not been aware there was one out nor would I have any inkling as to what all it is supposed to fix as there is no "changes" or "fixed" list that comes with it (**see my EDIT below). Sigh... I love their products but the customer support side of things leaves a whole lot to be desired.

I'd say if you have (or think you'll ever have) the need to observe below 20Hz in-room response and desire some bit of accuracy (I mean be able to trust in what REW is graphing below 20Hz) then better steer clear of the UMIK-1... the DevTeam has been totally ignoring the thread and postings over on their own help forum where we keep asking if they will release below 20Hz data. They haven't responded in over a month despite the fact that all posters to a thread get an email copy of every new posting and since DevTeam has posted in that thread you KNOW they are getting copies of every one of these postings begging for some sort of response from them... so basically we UMIK-1 owners are just being ignored... which tells me they don't intend to do any thing about it otherwise we'd surely have been told something by now.

As much as I love my 2X4 miniDSP and will recommend it to people, I surely wouldn't if there were any competitive alternative product out there at its price... and though I think this UMIK-1 is a wonderful quality USB mic, I just couldn't recommend it based upon the lousy (nearly non-existent) customer support by the manufacturer and the miniDSP DevTeam. Go with the Cross-Spectrum calibrated UMM-6... I sure wish I had done that now.


**EDIT: Okay I just found a "bug fixed" list for the new beta plug-in in my downloads area... I could have sworn I didn't see one there when I first saw it.

 

[dRwOOD73]

I'm also in the deciding mode of what to go with.. UMIK-1 or UMM-6, I've had REW for a couple months and have yet to actually use it.. mostly doing online research on the components I need to tinker with it.. I do keep coming back to the "plug-&-play" aspect of the UMIK-1..

Also trying to decide between the DSP1124(old, I know) or a miniDSP - i read the whole thread on dsp1124 v1.3 MIDI issues as well as this one.. threw me for a loop so I am up in the air, just want it all to play nice with REW

Hey ScubaSteve, I frequent AVS as well - I think I got your 5 disc set(or is it 4) on my PC, I've only burned one so far though.. very nice work


edit; UMM-6 not EMM-6

 

[Phillips]

When compared to my EMM-6 the response appeared near identical, so I've got to believe there would not be much value to a Cross-Spectrum calibration above 20Hz HOWEVER it sure would be nice to have the calibration data for below 20Hz.

I think to compare with the same actual mic would be better, and also USB side of things.

I really like the miniDSP, its a simple yet powerful tool that impresses me every time I play with it. Just last night I happened upon an updated "beta plug-in" that had quietly replaced the old 4-way plug-in that had been in my "downloads" box. This new beta was never announced and if I'd not happen to read a thread discussing miniDSP issues over at AVS I'd have not been aware there was one out nor would I have any inkling as to what all it is supposed to fix as there is no "changes" or "fixed" list that comes with it (**see my EDIT below). Sigh... I love their products but the customer support side of things leaves a whole lot to be desired.

Sounds like it. Doesn't put alot of confidence in people for all their products.
How is their support for their other products that you know off?

I'd say if you have (or think you'll ever have) the need to observe below 20Hz in-room response and desire some bit of accuracy (I mean be able to trust in what REW is graphing below 20Hz) then better steer clear of the UMIK-1... the DevTeam has been totally ignoring the thread and postings over on their own help forum where we keep asking if they will release below 20Hz data. They haven't responded in over a month despite the fact that all posters to a thread get an email copy of every new posting and since DevTeam has posted in that thread you KNOW they are getting copies of every one of these postings begging for some sort of response from them... so basically we UMIK-1 owners are just being ignored... which tells me they don't intend to do any thing about it otherwise we'd surely have been told something by now.

As much as I love my 2X4 miniDSP and will recommend it to people, I surely wouldn't if there were any competitive alternative product out there at its price... and though I think this UMIK-1 is a wonderful quality USB mic, I just couldn't recommend it based upon the lousy (nearly non-existent) customer support by the manufacturer and the miniDSP DevTeam. Go with the Cross-Spectrum calibrated UMM-6... I sure wish I had done that now.


**EDIT: Okay I just found a "bug fixed" list for the new beta plug-in in my downloads area... I could have sworn I didn't see one there when I first saw it.

What advantages (outside UMIK issues) does the UMM-6 have over UMIK?
I know which calibration i wouild trust in general, guess?


I am currently trialing a Antimode 2.0 Dual Core, very interesting.
Have been using it on my Mains (Energy Veritas 2.3i Floorstanders).
My room has got a mode at 37hz that has been dealt with + other issues.
Very versitile to date, auto calibration up to 80hz or 150hz or 350hz or 500hz, with manual PEQ for full range. Also other setups that i have not approached.

 

[AudiocRaver]

Also trying to decide between the DSP1124(old, I know) or a miniDSP - i read the whole thread on dsp1124 v1.3 MIDI issues as well as this one.. threw me for a loop so I am up in the air, just want it all to play nice with REW

Wouldn't it be nice if life was so simple?:bigsmile:

 

[monomer]

I'm also in the deciding mode of what to go with.. UMIK-1 or UMM-6... ...I do keep coming back to the "plug-&-play" aspect of the UMIK-1...

Plug-n-play is nice but really its only a few more mouse clicks to get a UMM-6 going... it should not be a deciding factor. I suspect most people who have the interest and money to be using REW and EQs and installing room treatments etc to improve in-room response, will usually have a subwoofer (or two) with sub-20Hz capability and thus below 20Hz calibrated response should definitely be a concern. I think it may be a bigger concern than plug-n-play since you can always get the UMM-6 to function with just a few more mouse clicks. (I believe the UMM-6 calibration file doesn't come with a sensitivity factor so... For most applications you don't need a calibrated SPL but if you did then you'd need to purchase or borrrow an SPL meter). If the UMIK-1 below 20Hz calibration data ever gets released then I would recommend it but 'til then I've got to say go with the UMM-6.

...Also trying to decide between the DSP1124(old, I know) or a miniDSP...

Back in 2006 I first downloaded REW and it soon inspired me to get a BFD1124 to tame the room modes and other accoustic anomilies I'd become aware of (thanks to REW)... I was unlucky as I had the dreaded hum that couldn't be tamed (and I spent quite a lot of money, time, and effort in the attempt)... in addition to that issue I swear I could also hear added distortion and I found it quite distracting, all in all I wasn't too pleased with it and after a few months of struggling with it and trying so hard to like it, I finally gave up in frustration and disappointment in its performance. Though the miniDSP is almost twice as expensive it has many capabilities the 1124 doesn't... in fact I wouldn't even consider it direct competition. I guess it will depend upon what you're looking to do with it but the miniDSP is very powerful in how it can be used, whether you choose to use all of those functions or not may well decide it the extra expense will make it worth it for you. In my complex situation its a Godsend... my system's in-room response has never sounded this good in so many seated locations and the miniDSP made it possible.

 

[Phillips]

I believe the UMM-6 calibration file doesn't come with a sensitivity factor so

I believe it comes with the Dayton mic itself but Herb doesn't give it out with the mic because he hasn't measured it.

No harm in asking Herb.