Is this all I need to measure my room?

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sts9fan

Is this all I need to measure my room?
« on: 27 Apr 2010, 06:17 pm »
I want to measure my room to start fixin things up.  I am thinking of getting these.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOMOBILEPRE
http://www.zzounds.com/item--CBIMLC
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHECM8000

I will then use HOLMImpulse to do the good stuff.

Am I on the right track?

Thanks
Kris

Ethan Winer

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Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #1 on: 28 Apr 2010, 03:16 pm »
Am I on the right track?

All of that looks fine for computer I/O, though I had never heard of HOLMImpulse. The program looks nice, especially for free, but I didn't see anything about waterfall plots which are critical for room analysis. I use the freeware Room EQ Wizard program which does what you need, though without THD measuring.

--Ethan

K Shep

Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #2 on: 28 Apr 2010, 03:35 pm »
I want to measure my room to start fixin things up.  I am thinking of getting these.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOMOBILEPRE
http://www.zzounds.com/item--CBIMLC
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHECM8000

I will then use HOLMImpulse to do the good stuff.

Am I on the right track?

Thanks
Kris

Those are the 3 exact products I purchased from Amazon.  You may consider a tripod too.

Do you own an SPL meter?

sts9fan

Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #3 on: 28 Apr 2010, 03:46 pm »
Awsome.  Thanks for the info.  This should fun.

Nyal Mellor

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Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #4 on: 28 Apr 2010, 05:11 pm »
You should also get:

A stereo mini-jack to RCA 'Y' splitter (takes the stereo out of the MobilePre and splits it into L/R signals accessible via standard RCA plugs)
Some cheap RCA leads to plug the measurement rig into your system

Some programs also need a loopback cable, which you connect on one channel between input and output. On the MobilePre you will need a 1/4" jack cable to do this.

SPL meter is useful to calibrate the measurement rig and to ensure you are getting good signal to noise when measuring the room.

etcarroll

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Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #5 on: 30 Apr 2010, 04:21 pm »
I bought an inexpensive tripod from buy.com like the one below. $9 and free shipping, you can't go wrong.

http://www.buy.com/prod/dci-2-way-panhead-tripod-floor-standing-tripod-22-dci-2-way-panhead/q/loc/111/90126659.html

NagysAudio

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Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #6 on: 30 Apr 2010, 06:37 pm »
What exactly are you going to measure?

TomS

Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #7 on: 30 Apr 2010, 06:50 pm »
I want to measure my room to start fixin things up.  I am thinking of getting these.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOMOBILEPRE
http://www.zzounds.com/item--CBIMLC
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHECM8000

I will then use HOLMImpulse to do the good stuff.

Am I on the right track?

Thanks
Kris
Kris,

I use that exact same setup with a mic stand and it works great with RoomEQWizard, HOLMImpulse, or Fuzzmeasure on a Mac.  You just need all the various cabling bits and pieces since it is 1/4" and XLR I/O.  Since I'm only interested in response to about 200hz and measuring the relative impact of changes/adjustments, I don't worry about mic calibration.  As noted, a handheld SPL meter is also handy.

Good luck!

Tom

pjchappy

Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #8 on: 30 Apr 2010, 07:22 pm »
Regarding the microphone, I would recommend this one, b/c it comes with it's own unique calibration file:  http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=390-801&FTR=&CFID=29144052&CFTOKEN=62943438  Plus, it's $10 cheaper.

I just ordered one.


Paul

sts9fan

Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #9 on: 30 Apr 2010, 07:49 pm »
Nagy's: everything.
Pjchappy:  ten bucks says it's the same mic. I will go with the Dayton.
Toms:  yeah I will mostly be looking below 200 but I also what to check my crossovers (a little late but what are you going to do).  So you don't use the USB input?
Kris

pjchappy

Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #10 on: 30 Apr 2010, 07:52 pm »
Oh, I bet it is the same mic, too.  So, not only cheaper for the same thing, but you get a calibration file specific for that mic.


Paul

TomS

Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #11 on: 30 Apr 2010, 08:55 pm »
Yes, USB to the M-Audio Mobile Pre

NagysAudio

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Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #12 on: 1 May 2010, 05:23 pm »
sts9fan - If you're just measuring for fun, then what you listed is fine.

If you're doing any kind of crossover work, then forget about it. You'll need a completely different mic and software (like lspcad). Without an anechoic chamber, it's nearly impossible to design a proper crossover taking impedance, SPL, time, and phase into consideration.  You'll need to read a 50 page book on how to use lspcad and then you'll realize that it's nearly impossible to get any kind of descent reading of your drivers in a normal room. The resulting modeled crossovers are also significantly complex. Without proper environment and tools, it becomes extremely frustrating. Learn from my mistakes and save your money would be my recommendation.

If you need any help PM me, or if you would like to try play around with lspcad pro. I have it.

Biggest misconception is that people believe that they can tune their speakers to in-room response. This is completely false. The speakers have to be tuned in an anechoic chamber at 1m distance. Not in-room at listening distance, etc. It's a waste of time.

sts9fan

Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #13 on: 1 May 2010, 08:32 pm »
You may be right. Although one could argue that this is a hobby. I build stuff for shits and giggles. You take it too seriously. I have no doubt I can build some good sounding speakers with nearly none of what you describe. I know Earl Geddes thinks highly of the HOLMImpulse software.

Kris the halfassed hobbiest.

planet10

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Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #14 on: 2 May 2010, 07:10 am »
ten bucks says it's the same mic. I will go with the Dayton.

The cheap Dayton & the Behringer are the same, i own both. They need independent calibration to be useful thou.

dave

planet10

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Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #15 on: 2 May 2010, 07:12 am »
... but you get a calibration file specific for that mic.

The one i got with mine was a generic calibration plot. Not even close to the paid for extra calibration.

dave

DanTheMan

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Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #16 on: 2 May 2010, 08:11 am »
The one i got with mine was a generic calibration plot. Not even close to the paid for extra calibration.

dave

Same goes for me Dave.

Dan

sts9fan

Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #17 on: 2 May 2010, 03:58 pm »
Any suggestions on well calibrated mics?  Anything under $200?  Has anyone tried the HOLM MIC1? 

DanTheMan

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Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #18 on: 2 May 2010, 04:54 pm »

sts9fan

Re: Is this all I need to measure my room?
« Reply #19 on: 2 May 2010, 08:32 pm »
Perfect. Thanks Dan.