[Ernest]

I'm getting a room in my basement set up as an audio room and would like to try out doing room analysis, which I've never done before.  Are there any good options for doing this with a Mac (laptop)?

Thanks,

Ernest

[Rocket_Ronny]

This is what pro's use. http://www.mhlabs.com/metric_halo/products/foo/

Might be over the top however.


Rocket_Ronny

[Ernest]

Wow, that's actually scary looking!   

Also, unfortunately, way beyond my price range.

Thanks,

Ernest

[audioferret]

I have this and used it with a Duet; I have not mastered it, but you may see if Ethan Winer can help: http://www.realtraps.com/articles.htm

Fuzzmeasure: $150.00
http://supermegaultragroovy.com/products/FuzzMeasure/

Apogee Duet: (Or the Solo)
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/duet.php

[planet10]

I'm a happy FuzzMeasure user... i use it with an Edirol FA66.

dave

[oneinthepipe]

You can start with Room EQ Wizard, which is available free.

http://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/

All you need for some basic measurements is a Mac, a mic, a phantom power supply and a couple of cables to connect the mic, power supply, and Mac.  On Ethan's site, he indicated that Behringer ECM8000 is a decent inexpensive mic (approx $50.00).   Cross Spectrum Labs has had some group buys on calibrated Dayton and Behringer mics on hometheatershack.  They also have a sale on calibrated Dayton mics on their site. 

http://www.cross-spectrum.com/measurement/calibrated_dayton.html

A Behringer phantom power supply is available for $19.95 from Amazon and others. The cables can be purchased at a variety of sellers, but monoprice has particularly inexpensive cables.

For about $100.00, you can get a calibrated mic, a phantom power supply, and cables, and the software is free.  If you don't need a calibrated mic, the cost can be less.

[TomS]

You can start with Room EQ Wizard, which is available free.

http://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/

All you need for some basic measurements is a Mac, a mic, a phantom power supply and a couple of cables to connect the mic, power supply, and Mac.  On Ethan's site, he indicated that Behringer ECM8000 is a decent inexpensive mic (approx $50.00).   Cross Spectrum Labs has had some group buys on calibrated Dayton and Behringer mics on hometheatershack.  They also have a sale on calibrated Dayton mics on their site. 

http://www.cross-spectrum.com/measurement/calibrated_dayton.html

A Behringer phantom power supply is available for $19.95 from Amazon and others. The cables can be purchased at a variety of sellers, but monoprice has particularly inexpensive cables.

For about $100.00, you can get a calibrated mic, a phantom power supply, and cables, and the software is free.  If you don't need a calibrated mic, the cost can be less.

I had a lot of problems getting REW to work on my Macbook and gave up, but maybe someone has worked out the kinks since then.

[jtwrace]

The only thing I caution you about REW is the setup.  It's not hard once you've completed it but if you have no patience, you will not enjoy yourself.  The online help at hometheatershack.com is great though. 

[TomS]

The only thing I caution you about REW is the setup.  It's not hard once you've completed it but if you have no patience, you will not enjoy yourself.  The online help at hometheatershack.com is great though.

Yep, no problems with the Windows version...

[oneinthepipe]

The only thing I caution you about REW is the setup.  It's not hard once you've completed it but if you have no patience, you will not enjoy yourself.  The online help at hometheatershack.com is great though.

Yep, no problems with the Windows version...

Since he has a Mac, he can run REW under Windows, too (assuming he has a Windows disk).   

[low.pfile]

You can start with Room EQ Wizard, which is available free.

http://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/

All you need for some basic measurements is a Mac, a mic, a phantom power supply and a couple of cables to connect the mic, power supply, and Mac.  On Ethan's site, he indicated that Behringer ECM8000 is a decent inexpensive mic (approx $50.00).   Cross Spectrum Labs has had some group buys on calibrated Dayton and Behringer mics on hometheatershack.  They also have a sale on calibrated Dayton mics on their site. 

http://www.cross-spectrum.com/measurement/calibrated_dayton.html

A Behringer phantom power supply is available for $19.95 from Amazon and others. The cables can be purchased at a variety of sellers, but monoprice has particularly inexpensive cables.

For about $100.00, you can get a calibrated mic, a phantom power supply, and cables, and the software is free.  If you don't need a calibrated mic, the cost can be less.

I tried REW with Mac OS (nope don't have a Win disk) and gave up. tried a few different times. couldn't get the soundcard (macbook pro intel) calibrated properly. still a slightly bit curious about my room though.

@ oneinthepipe: I reread the REW setup instruction PDF and don't see a mention of "a phantom power supply" where is that used?

[oneinthepipe]

What were you using for a microphone?

If you use the Behringer ECM8000 or a similar mic, the mic needs a power source.  Behringer makes an inexpensive phantom power supply.

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-PS400-Ultra-Compact-Phantom-Supply/dp/B000FG795I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260917151&sr=8-1

[low.pfile]

What were you using for a microphone?

If you use the Behringer ECM8000 or a similar mic, the mic needs a power source.  Behringer makes an inexpensive phantom power supply.

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-PS400-Ultra-Compact-Phantom-Supply/dp/B000FG795I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260917151&sr=8-1

Ah, I see the PS is for the mic.....
I used what was being recommended on that site back then: Galaxy CM-140 Check Mate SPL Meter
maybe that has changed I will look at that forum over the holiday break.

[Ernest]

Thanks for the info on REW.  I'll check it out.

-E

[george_k]

What were you using for a microphone?

If you use the Behringer ECM8000 or a similar mic, the mic needs a power source.  Behringer makes an inexpensive phantom power supply.

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-PS400-Ultra-Compact-Phantom-Supply/dp/B000FG795I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260917151&sr=8-1

Interesting, but how do you connect the mic to your Mac? Do you need another box?

[bpape]

You'd need a DA box to convert pro level balanced to consumer level unbalanced.

Bryan

[TomS]

Interesting, but how do you connect the mic to your Mac? Do you need another box?

I just use the M-Audio MobilePre USB that has power supply built-in  http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MobilePreUSB.html

REW forum on hometheatershack has lots of info and faq's on this stuff.