If you dont have it, buy one NOW

  • Thread starter Thread starter CyanJaguar
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Yoiks! I never knew about all the flap regarding the RadioShack spl meter.
 
First thing you do, Rickson, is set your volume to 85 dbs. This is where all the frequencies are flat. If it is too loud for you or your neighbours, then set it to 65Dbs and listen to all your favorite Cds at that level. That is also where you need to mix yours. It is about creating a reference point.

I believe in tuning the room. If you cant tune the room then I am strong believer in equalizing the monitors. I just believe one can mix better when one does not have to compensate for deficiencies in the sound.
 
boingoman said:
I can't tell if that does RTA functions.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure it does... I was imagining use it to test the chain from the computer out to the monitors, and back into the computer via the mic. It does have a frequency response analysis etc (and it's free!).

DG
 
Dagoob said:
I'm not sure it does... I was imagining use it to test the chain from the computer out to the monitors, and back into the computer via the mic. It does have a frequency response analysis etc (and it's free!).

DG
Click to expand...

That's kind of what an RTA does. It listens to the speaker, and displays the response at all the frequencies. This allows you to shape the response with eq, and see the results in real time. (RTA= Real Time Analysis or Analyzer).

An RTA doesn't measure the signal before it hits the speakers, though. It strictly measures the speaker output.

That program you linked to looks handy for checking the chain before that, and the one masteringhouse linked to has a demo version that does RTA functions.


It's been said, but I should repeat it. RTAs, pink noise, test tones, are really only useful to shape the response of your speakers with an eq when the room is not a factor, or to get familiar with what different freqs sound like, or set levels, like when you add a sub on.
Setting response with one of these tools is best done away from any boundaries like walls or floors, to establish a baseline eq curve that brings your speakers to the best they can be, before putting them in a room, or at least let you know where they are off, if you are in the position of not having an eq.
If you are using nearfields, and sit in the near field, and don't goose the room too hard, that baseline is fine. As soon as the room comes into play, the room needs to be evaluated, as well as placement. Room and placement problems cannot be fixed with eq. Cutting 20db at 100hz at a live gig to quiet a room mode might be ok, but in a studio it's not. Conversely, if your placement cancels all the 500hz in your system, you can't boost it, cause it's just not there.
An RTA or SPL meter just points out frequency response or level at a given point in a room. It tells you nothing about what contributes to that response.
 
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Oddly enough,the single thing that really convinced me that the room was the key was when I played back a 20Hz-20KHz sweep in my room while I walked around.

Wow. Talk about a stunning demonstration: I felt the room flex around me while I listened, and when the sweep hit the nodes it was almost a religious experience. Try it. It'll teach you a lot you don't get from reading about it.
 
fun test...SPL

I picked up the RS SPL meter.
Downloaded the NT sinus/freak generator tones...burnt a CD.

So I took the "Tone" CD to the bedroom..i mean studio.
I could have done more frequencys, but had...
20hz,575,2K,3K,5K,10K,12K,18K,20Khz.
I chose more mid-freq because I had a feeling this is where
the highest volume would be (their kinda harsh-mid monitors.)

Stuck the SPL meter on a Mic-stand placed the meter
about where my head would be to the monitors/ normal
mixing position with the nearfields. RAM 2-way Studio Ref. Monitors.
Made in the USA, about all i know about these things.

Pressed play, adjusted volumes until the meter could read 20Khz...
I couldn't hear it, but the bar graph on the CD player and the SPL
meter saw it! Found a good average volume of the amplifier, it remained
constant with only the Frequency range being the variable.
Then plotted the Meter readout as I went thru each track/CD had a different
frequency.Track 1=20hz,Track 2=575,
etc..2K,3K,5K,10K,12K,18K,Track 9=20Khz.

I think the attachment is attached?

Basically, 4 qty tests.
1- standard
1- toilet paper over the tweeter(yes the mids were higher!)
2- Bass Boost on
3- Advent PC speaker w/sub (pretty damn nice)
4- Treble pot off (RamMonitors have a treble/high pass knob it was off)

Test showed my speakers & room...~85db avg volume, to be
lacking in low hz and high, and/or magnified mid-range.
(agreed with my ears).
cool fun stuff. you should try this test.very simple.
now to tweak out that mid..hmm
wall-acoustics? toilet paper over the cones???

THANKS TENKAS for the Tone generator link, it loaded easily.
 

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COOLCAT said:
I picked up the RS SPL meter.
Downloaded the NT sinus/freak generator tones...burnt a CD.

So I took the "Tone" CD to the bedroom..i mean studio.
I could have done more frequencys, but had...
20hz,575,2K,3K,5K,10K,12K,18K,20Khz.
I chose more mid-freq because I had a feeling this is where
the highest volume would be (their kinda harsh-mid monitors.)

Stuck the SPL meter on a Mic-stand placed the meter
about where my head would be to the monitors/ normal
mixing position with the nearfields. RAM 2-way Studio Ref. Monitors.
Made in the USA, about all i know about these things.

Pressed play, adjusted volumes until the meter could read 20Khz...
I couldn't hear it, but the bar graph on the CD player and the SPL
meter saw it! Found a good average volume of the amplifier, it remained
constant with only the Frequency range being the variable.
Then plotted the Meter readout as I went thru each track/CD had a different
frequency.Track 1=20hz,Track 2=575,
etc..2K,3K,5K,10K,12K,18K,Track 9=20Khz.

I think the attachment is attached?

Basically, 4 qty tests.
1- standard
1- toilet paper over the tweeter(yes the mids were higher!)
2- Bass Boost on
3- Advent PC speaker w/sub (pretty damn nice)
4- Treble pot off (RamMonitors have a treble/high pass knob it was off)

Test showed my speakers & room...~85db avg volume, to be
lacking in low hz and high, and/or magnified mid-range.
(agreed with my ears).
cool fun stuff. you should try this test.very simple.
now to tweak out that mid..hmm
wall-acoustics? toilet paper over the cones???

THANKS TENKAS for the Tone generator link, it loaded easily.
Click to expand...

Hey, Great post coolcat. Really goes to show how unflat many monitors can be.
 
The best reason to have an SPL meter handy is to keep an eye on your monitoring levels. The ratshack meter is fine for that, but is otherwise rather useless - it does not accurately measure SPL/freq across the audio bandwidth...
 
SPL fun test

bblackwood said:
The best reason to have an SPL meter handy is to keep an eye on your monitoring levels. The ratshack meter is fine for that, but is otherwise rather useless - it does not accurately measure SPL/freq across the audio bandwidth...
Click to expand...

yes, it even says it on the manual...not XXY certified etc..
so accurately maybe +/- 10, .5?? .00025??

no, I wouldn't have a $200,000 studio built, based
off this Radio Shack $40-50 meters data.
GC has 'em for $70. :)

it did read, as my ears had predicted tho...
the meter was able to drastically display when I turned
the treble knob on the monitors (even slightly),
, or if the volume knob was increaded or decreased
and it did respond to the different FREQ/HZ, quiet
noticably per the TEST TONE CD. it was a blast.

it's fun and interesting and a cool learning tool for anyone interested in DB/HZ etc....I think alot of gearheads will love "reading"
their rooms/monitors.

so I give it a thumbs up too, for home recording- non-professional.

thanks to all on this thread...that was some fun.

I'm going to try two things: wall trap location effects
and a pair of BX5's to see if they "read" better than my monitors.

watch out fo the Low ranges, damnn...your speakers will be humpin' hard!!
great stuff.
 
what I would really like to do is to setup a nice hometheater setup for monitoring. Imagine how much money one could save if they already had an expensive home theater system with powerful subs etc
 
CyanJaguar said:
what I would really like to do is to setup a nice hometheater setup for monitoring. Imagine how much money one could save if they already had an expensive home theater system with powerful subs etc
Click to expand...
Save.... i don't know...
Already spent.... yeah. :D
 
SPL homestudio test

SPL test comparing

HiFi Paradigm 2-way
RAM ref spkr 2-way
Advent computer pc speaker w/sub

Data in my room anyway! :)

this is just a HR test,
SPL placed on a mic stand about where my head would be
at the mixing desk. PLay the test tone CD thru different
speakers....as only variable.


IMO specs won't tell how well you can translate the monitors
to your CDR burning/mixdown....learning the spkrs and talent.

but this test can tell you that maybe there is a limit to the spkr,
limit being the room acoustics IMO.
85db was main volume targeted, as mentioned is the "~industry standard".
had to adjust to get the 20khz to register on the SPL meter.

this was a great thread...great idea and interesting fun.
now how to "pad" out the mid's?????honey...do we have some extra blankets?
 

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