How do I use pink noise to 'tune' my speakers?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bvdd
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bvdd

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I know the end result .. the balanced frequencies of pink noise played through my speakers, reveal boosts or cuts .. then I adjust accordingly.

But how exactly do I do it? What do I need for this kind of test and for the
'adjustment' ?
Can it be done with software?

Thanks,
Bill
 
I wouldn't try to "tune" your speakers.... the degradation you incur by trying to EQ the speaker's response will be more detrmiental to the sound quality than simply adjusting to any response aberrations in your room.

Also, any adjustment you might make would only be valid at one specific point in the room -- move two inches over and the compensating EQ curve won't be valid....

Your best bet is to determine the sonic issues in the room (which you would do by using a spectrum analyzer), then use acoustic treatment to help minmize any issues.
 
Blue Bear Sound said:
Also, any adjustment you might make would only be valid at one specific point in the room -- move two inches over and the compensating EQ curve won't be valid....
Click to expand...
This is true.
 
Thanks. Well I know I'm supposed to tune SOMETHING even if it's not
technically the speakers.

So are you saying that if my speakers naturally have an uneven boost at say 1k hz, I should deal with it by trying to change the room?
 
You can also change the position of the speakers in the room, and relative to the monitoring position, to improve the response. I use a Radio Shack digital SPL meter (a lot of people are down on these, since they don't have perfectly linear response, but most of the anomalies are down in the low bass region) and a test CD that has frequenciy bands that play for 10 sec. I set the SPL meter on a camera tripod (it has a socket in the bottom for this) set it at a measured distance from the speaker (say, 3', or 1 meter) and run through the test frequencies.

No, it is NOT perfect! But you'll find where the problems are, and by moving the speakers in and out from the wall, and making other changes, you'll get response much better.

If you use this system in conjunction with wall treatments (especially, in my experience, bass traps) you may end up with a good sounding room.

I did.
 
Know thy speaker

bvdd said:
So are you saying that if my speakers naturally have an uneven boost at say 1k hz, I should deal with it by trying to change the room?
Click to expand...
The best way to deal with that IMHumbleO, is to know that your monitors have a peak at 1kHz, just to adjust your mixes accordingly. In other words, if your mix sounds a litlle bright at 1k, understand that brightness is in your monitor and not in your mix, and don't do an EQ cut at 1k to make it sound "right".

Yeah, treating the room is big, no question. Bear has that right all the way down the post. But even if you're room is acoustically perfect, your monitors will not be; you'll still have to learn how to mix to them and to adapt for their coloration. The best way to do that is to take a few mixes as you do them, listen to them on your monitors, and then listen to them on other typical or targeted playback systems. You want to mix so it sounds right on the playback systems, not necessarily on you monitors. Once you know the difference, then you'll "know" you monitors and you'll get better-sounding mixes out in public.

G.
G.
 
SouthSIDE Glen said:
The best way to deal with that IMHumbleO, is to know that your monitors have a peak at 1kHz, just to adjust your mixes accordingly. In other words, if your mix sounds a litlle bright at 1k, understand that brightness is in your monitor and not in your mix, and don't do an EQ cut at 1k to make it sound "right".
Click to expand...
Absolutely correct!
 
I extracted it with WinXP. If you dont have XP PKZip should work.
 
Bill,

> Well I know I'm supposed to tune SOMETHING <

You bet. :D

See How to tune your room from EQ magazine HERE.

--Ethan
 
timboZ said:
I extracted it with WinXP. If you dont have XP PKZip should work.
Click to expand...
Thanks timboZ - I have stuffit associated with .zip files and it's goofing up the extract - I'll try the WinXP extract. Thanx
 
k, with the ModeCalc on the realtraps website... it gives me ratios and what not, but does not explain where to place these traps/absorbers... not even in the article. it leaves me very sad.

I mean the article says put bass traps in the corner and place the others evenly around the room, how do I find first spot of reflection, etc. I've heard of using a mirror and if you can see the speakers, hit it up.
 
> with the ModeCalc on the realtraps website... it gives me ratios and what not, but does not explain where to place these traps/absorbers <

That's not what ModeCalc is for.

> how do I find first spot of reflection, etc. <

That too is explained on our site, but not in the ModeCalc description. See How to Set Up a Room here:

www.realtraps.com/art_room-setup.htm

--Ethan
 
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