[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

This got me thinking about my REW setup. You know that we calibrate the sound card within REW. We also use calibration files for our microphones. But what about the preamp mixer?? how does that influence the test results? Unless I missed something, there is no way of knowing the influence of this device.

The mixer can (and should be) calibrated with the soundcard if it’s connected to it.

I use the Behringer XENYX 802 Mic Preamp. It has all kinds of adjustments for the manipulation of highs mids and lows. They're on reostats and we know how those can break down.

It shouldn’t be a problem, as all that would be compensated for with the calibration file. But it certainly wouldn’t hurt to streamline the signal chain. Personally I’d prefer a mixer where the aux send has a pre/post fader option. The former setting would bypass all tone controls and filters.

I've been thinking about getting the Galaxy CM-140 microphone primarily to help eliminate the clutter. Now I'm thinking it might would have the added benefit of having a calibration file that take into consideration the preamp function.

Another option is a USB soundcard with a built-in mic pre-amp and phantom power. The Galaxy is a good option, as long as you keep in mind that for full range measurements, its larger mic element will be more directional than a mic like the ECM8000.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

So Anthony, as far as REW is concerned, was it pretty much "plug and play?" We've seen some of those sound cards have problems generating calibration files, etc.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

This all being said, I just ran a 1/4" instrument cable from the tip-sleeve line out to the tip-sleeve line in and did the calibration that way. It is identical to the one I did by making an adapter cable.

So it has unbalanced ins and outs? That's good - brucek has documented that trying to include a mic preamp in the calibration file can be problematic.

The only weird part of this sound card is the adjustable gains for the inputs. It adds an extra complexity to setup balancing system volume, input levels, and then the line-in/mic gains.

I assume that would be an issue with the Xenyx as well...

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

You didn't give us much to go on. Why do you think you're not getting enough gain? BTW, do you have the Tracker's phantom power switched on?

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

If you're not getting enough signal from the pre amp, all you need to do is turn the gain control on the mic input clockwise to increase the output to the program. The Calibrate Soundcard routine also has a level input adjustment.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Under the settings menu. I cannot select "Control input mixer/volume', and "Input Volume" is greyed out and set to 0.250.

The Input Volume control should activate if you select the eMu in the top Input and Output device windows, and change the lower window to Speaker and Line In.


Regards,
Wayne

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

No, I don’t have an E-Mu. If it doesn’t show up in the window, there might be a compatibility issue between it and your operating system. If all else fails, up the gain control. That’s what it’s there for. You can always mark your setting with a Sharpie or something for future reference.

Besides, Dennis didn’t say what he was using for a mic. If he was using the Radio Shack meter, it has a line level output, which is a fairly hot signal. So he’d be able to get away with leaving the gain all the way down.

Regards,
Wayne