"Official" Audyssey thread (FAQ in post #1) - Page 1955

Why do you think so Jerry? Aren't all speakers in the system equally important as regards overall SQ?
Edited by mogorf - 1/1/13 at 4:47pm

 

Equally?  No, I don't think so, Feri.  I think the left and right surrounds are quite important, but the back surrounds, heights and wides are lower on the "importance" scale, IMO.  I use measurements to help place speakers, for example, and I have very little flexibility with regards to the placement of my surrounds.  My fronts and center are very carefully placed, with the help of REW measurements.

You're so very welcome, Jerry!

I've enjoyed talking to you very much and am happy to help.

Maybe now since it's just one cable, you can leave it hooked up!

That's what I do and find myself taking measurements at the spur of the moment when I just wanna check something out all the time.

I swear I listen to more test tones/sine sweeps and look more at AVS/Gearslutz/REW Graphs than I listen to music or watch movies, lol.

I do spend a lot of time here and read every single post.

I only wish I was faster at replying! The last time I was actually able to help a few folks out on this particular thread was when Jeff went on vacation last year!

I'm only able to get on here about once, sometimes twice a day, and it's normally late like now, so when questions come up I know the answers to and want to help, Keith, Jeff, you, or Feri has already answered!

I look forward to starting a new thread and hopefully will be able to be much more active and give back much more over there.

Talk to ya soon, I'm sure...

--J

Your welcome, Keith.

I will probably be PM'ing you if that's okay, as I do feel we have (I take full responsibility here) totally derailed the Audyssey thread and think we need a new/dedicated thread, but have some questions and want to discuss some logistics before starting one.

Thanks,

--J

Great, but remember, and this goes for everyone reading this... You only need to install this IF you will be using HDMI from your computer to your Pre-Pro/AVR.

If instead you'll be hooking up an RCA cable, you will NOT need to install this.

The difference is, with HDMI and this driver, you have access to measure all 8 channels and with RCA you can only measure (easily, at least) LCR/Subs.

--J

YES!

I'm very happy and excited that so many folks are interested in exploring exactly what is going on in their rooms and exactly what Audyssey is doing/not doing, but I don't know this is the proper thread for it.

However, before starting a new thread, I'd like some input...

What should we call it? I don't know that we should imply limiting it to only Audyssey users, but then again, there are already other catch-all threads and I don't want it to turn into such a diverse (read: LONG) thread such as this or the Acoustical Treatments Master thread where there is so much misinformation that folks can't wade through it.

I've never personally started/maintained a thread before, but do have some ideas of what "I" feel the scope should be, but would like to hear from you and others first.

I'd like for us to get it right the first time.

Thanks,

--J

That's kind of you, Keith.

Would it be okay if I PM you?

As some of you may have noticed, I tend to reply to all posts about once a day, normally around the same time each day, which is in the evening (EST) so I wonder if it would be appropriate for me to start it and take the responsibilities that come along with that since my current schedule doesn't allow me to participate at all hours of the day/night like I'd like to.

I don't want to commit to folks and let anyone down.

I DO want to help where I can and give my input on this subject, as quite frankly, I have spent a considerable amount of time over the last few years studying acoustics and psychoacoustics and do feel I have a lot to share on the subject.

We need to define the scope of the thread and if we wish to put Audyssey in the title as for folks who don't already read this thread but may want to learn more about room treatment and using REW might think the thread wouldn't apply to them?

Or am I totally wrong with that thought and those folks maybe should go to one of the catch-all threads and maybe we actually should keep it closely tied with the folks in this thread??

I have some ideas of what the scope of the thread should be, but I'd like input from all of you before I state them.

Would you be able, interested, and have time, to possibly help manage a FAQ? There are SO MANY of the same questions I see throughout AVS, HTShack, and Gearslutz, and unfortunately, there is also a ton of plain wrong information out there and I just know a thread such as this is going to get a lot of the same questions.

I'm thinking maybe the first post in the thread should outline the scope so we can help keep it in line and on topic and the second post should be the FAQ with all the common questions/answers laid out in plain sight where we can add to it as needed.

Or maybe make the 3rd post the FAQ and the 2nd post a getting started/hookup guide, etc??

But I'm probably getting ahead of myself.

Ideas on how to move forward?? Due to my availability and timing of my posts, am I truly the best person to start this??

I'm open to anything but can only promise one thing. I will answer every question from every person directed towards me personally, and will try to offer assistance with any other question that I can, unless someone else beats me to it, which is what always seems to happen, darnit!

I'm excited now!

--J

I Knew it!! I honestly and literally LOL'd when I read that.

Which one did you end up ordering, Keith?

--J

I agree 100% and that is one of my main goals for the new thread.

Folks need to learn that the frequency response isn't the end-all...

There are a lot of things we can do on a new thread and if everyone could put up with these off topic posts for just another day or two, I think we can be moved over to another thread, and you're more than welcome to participate there, Igor!

Thanks for your patience in this matter while we figure out the details.

--J

NOTICE REGARDING USB MIC SELECTION:

I feel it important to let everyone in on a few things as there are some differences in the two options.

While this information needs to go in the new thread since folks are starting to spend their hard earned money, I didn't feel it appropriate to wait.

Please forgive the off-topic post. I'm only trying to help folks decide how to spend their money.

First, I have recommended the UMM-6 USB Mic over the Mini-DSP for a few reasons. The most important reason is that for the same price (within a few dollars) you can get a true individually calibrated Mic with 0/45/90 degree axis and Polar Response data, from a Company in the US who also has great support if needed.

However, the current beta version of REW doesn't have the same total/100% PNP support for this Mic like it has for the Mini-DSP Mic.

BOTH Mics will hook up the same way, the same minimal amount of cabling, etc, but there will be a few more settings to select and set up in your PC and in REW if you purchase the UMM-6 Mic.

For folks that want a no nonsense, easy, and 100% PNP setup to be up and running with REW in 2 minutes, as of the time of this post, you need to purchase the Mini-DSP Mic.

In fact, as of right now, the Mini-DSP Mic is the only Mic that is in stock.

You can always send the Mini-DSP Mic off to Herb at CSL and have it calibrated later, and once we get more samples of them and compare the mics and the calibration files they come with from the factory we "may" find this isn't even necessary as they "may" be close enough.

I am in talks with JohnM, the author of REW and in fact just sent him a PM over at HTShack before posting here, asking if he could/would please add the same support for the UMM-6 Mic that he has added for the Mini-DSP because quite frankly for all you can get with the UMM-6 as far as the calibration goes, and the 0/45/90 degrees plus the Polar Response data for the same price, it's a much better bargain.

However, I do understand folks with not much PC experience who are coming from Omnimic/XTZ and who want a simple/no-nonsense PNP solution may be a bit frustrated with me if they get the UMM-6 Mic and can't just plug it in and go.

I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from purchasing the UMM-6, but again, if you are going to be disappointed if you have to do anything or set anything other than plugging it in, please order the Mini-DSP!! For now, it's your only choice anyway as the UMM-6 is out of stock.

Hope I haven't confused anyone or turned anyone off of REW or the UMM-6, but I felt it necessary to offer full disclosure as to the situation as it stands at this moment.

When I hear back from JohnM I will let you all know.

While I cannot commit for him or speak for him, I don't feel it will be a big deal to add the UMM-6 to the dropdown list and make it a selectable item just as he has done for the Mini-DSP, but again, as of this moment, there is a bit (just a bit, honest) more involved in getting up and running with the UMM-6 Mic.

Thanks for listening, and again, I hope to have all this moved over to a new thread very soon and invite you all there!!

--J

I am not frightened away by the prospect of a little more effort getting the UMM-6 working with the new REW release. I like the idea of an individually-calibrated mic (like my EMM-6 fromSpectrum Labs). So, I am likely to keep my order as is for now. Since they are on back order, and since I am in no particular hurry, there is always time to change my mind as our discussions progress.

jevansoh, are you knowledgeable on ETC measuring? That is next up for me along with decays to verify my ears making me think I need to swap some absorbers out for diffusors.

Jeff

Regarding the new thread, here are my thoughts regarding the purpose of the thread:

- To assist existing REW users in reducing the complexity of their kits by providing guidance in implementing plug-and-play USB mics.
- To alleviate the apprehensions of those who don't use REW--it's not as difficult as it looks!
- To explore the uses and advantages of using HDMI connectivity and measuring speakers other than LCR and subs.
- To provide basic guidance for using REW measurement techniques to users of Audyssey RC, e.g. using REW to optimize speaker placements/room treatments prior to running RC, and to assess the post-calibration results.
- To provide a forum for sharing REW measurements for feedback and recommendations.

Not Jason, but this thread provided me with some good guidance on ETC as well as Waterfalls: http://www.avsforum.com/t/1432713/using-waterfall-and-etc-graphs-to-analyze-room-response/150#post_22551641

It looks like I have two:



I'm not going to buy another lap top so I guess I will just move the outputs to the channels I want to measure

On my laptop, I have to plug in the HDMI lead and connect to the AVR before starting REW in order to see the multi-channel option in the ASIO control panel, or in the REW drop-downs. Give it a try.
Regards, Mike.

Groggily this morning, I was just getting to that ... if a laptop lacks HDMI, then the ASIO panel won't present any HDMI output options.

So after finishing my very first DIY speaker build: I dusted off my REW setup (including a Tascam external soundcard/mixer). Thought it would be fun to characterize the new speaker's FR.
Lo and behold my laptop no longer recognizes the Tascam, I then dinked around for several hours, and finally gave up.

Then last night I discovered the latest buzz here, and just finished ordering myself a mini-DSP USB mic
Looking forward to a new much easier to use REW setup.

You probaly need to use updated drivers for your TASCAM. Mine works fine on 64-bit Win 7.

Jeff and all,

Would it be nice (here or on the new thread) to start out with a list of minimum technical requirements (hardware/software both) for entering this brave new world of REW? Just thinking out loud!

Well, maybe ... but some of this stuff is pretty basic - use the latest drivers. It's not related to REW.

Boldog uj evet!

Jeff

Thanks pepar!
I did indeed download the latest drivers - but still no luck (the laptop is an older 32 bit / XP unit)
I just like the simplicity of not having to wrestle with a separate box and all of the associated controls/settings to confirm

Try a different cable, maybe? But, sure, a USB mic is a more elegant solution. Plus you can sell your pre-amp on eBay.

Yep!
Selling the preamp/mixer (my old mic), and moving on to a more elegant setup is indeed the plan.

What is basic to some is rocket science for others,... until they can also become "some".

Boldog új évet neked is! (Happy New Year to you, too.)

This forum thread may help/guide you with your query: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=142807

Look for post #4 and #8.

Report back, please!

Yeah, my point was regarding having info like that in the thread as a minimum requirement. We will certainly answer questions like that, but it's not possible to anticipate and cover all minutia in advance.

I'm a little cranky today ...

Can you explain in plain English the deal with the "PNP support" issue with the UMM-6? I think you have convinced me as I've always wanted to start measuring, but like I said before $300 wasn't going to work for Omnimic. A $100 plug-and-play solution sounds awesome, but I want to understand the "real world" consequence of what you are describing.

As an FYI, I will be installing on an 2-3 year old Netbook with a standard RCA mini jack output, so will be running mini-to-stereo RCA to my receiver's AUX IN front analog input. I'm fine with just measuring the front speakers + sub so it looks like all I need is the USB mic and I can be up and running?

^^^

Not jevansoh - the Plug-n-Play support referenced is in REW, not Windoze. Absent PNP in REW for the UMM-6, it would be selected and setup manually. REW has autmatic support for the DSP mic. If I didn't already have the gear, and was about to move off the fence and go USB, this would not be a deterrent.

thanks... PNP = Plug-n-Play, duh!