Swez....
I know your into designing and testing loudspeakers and all, so I was wondering what you think of some products I am looking into. I've been wanting to build my own home speakers for some years, plus be able to measure the car systems that I put together (cabin gain, frequency response, etc.).
Essentially, I want it to be a mobile lab of sort. Thus, the use of a laptop will be in order.
Here is one I've had my eyes on for a good while:
http://www.trueaudio.com/rta_abt1.htm
That and the use of a calibrated microphone I checked out, plus a few other minor components. Do you think this is adequate or accurate enough to produce decent results?
Replies (4)
swez on 01/1/2007 10:22:26
This could be a very good tool for your interests. Be sure to read the FAQ's regarding mike choices and calibration needs. They recommend some good products and reasonably priced preamps and phantom power supply items for USB type interfaces to a typical Laptop Sound card. Read the FAQ's carefully before you dive in.
The nice part about this tool, is that it's portable, easy to set up and can give some very accurate Real Time data on any given sound system. The key is a well calibrated mike source and properly matched USB interfaces that are well explained in the FAQ section of this product.
Swez
Ash on 01/1/2007 11:09:39
Thanks.... The FAQ go into great detail. Looks like this company has a good support program. That's a major plus.
One question though, how often would the mic need to be calibrated? A one time deal, once a year, after so many hours of use, etc?
The parts seem to be very reasonable in price and setup. I've already picked a few to utilize and a budget that all will fit in. I hope it will produce good results for the money. Of course it will help to have a decent knowledge of what is going on, but I believe I am capable to some extent.
The main portion I might have to take some time in finding is a suitable laptop. Not that it requires a extreme hi-tech one. I just want to make sure that the one I choose isn't limited to what I can connect to it or it's capabilities. I might even be able to find a used one in decent shape for a good price just to get started. I don't think it will be used for much more other than browsing the net maybe. Just mostly as a compact portable lab.
swez on 01/1/2007 15:23:52
Chances are good that mike calibration is only needed once. Other than that, if it was dropped or damaged in some mishap, it should be good to go. From the factory, it's probably well within tolerances.
One can do a diagnostics test using Pink Noise and a "reference" full range speaker. As long as the test conditions are the same, you should get the same results every time. (Use a quality Hi-Fi speaker as a reference, not a cheapo computer speaker here)
Computer wise, I would think an older Pent-III would be more than adequate and a decent sound card. Would not need much RAM, (256) or a huge HDD, (10 Gig max) either. So, a good used Laptop for under $300.00 should suffice.
I would suggest asking about sound card recommendations before you buy any software package. They seem to like the Beringer mike and that's what my brother uses too. He uses a calibrated RTA in a rack for live sound, but could easily adapt to a laptop if required. This program is not that complex, so an older laptop should be more than adequate.
Finally, this is not an exact science type thing. RTA's are a very good tool for Pro Sound and high end HT techs. Interpretations of the display are the key as no, speaker, room and transfer fuctions are perfect or identical. Here, we try to optimize speaker characteristics to the room acoustics. (Reflections, phase alignment boost/cancellations and other anomolies are what we are after) Am sure you know that already or will soon find this out with time and experience.
Swez
Ash on 01/1/2007 16:15:28
Correct.. That is exactly what I want it for. Building the speaker to fit a specific environment (particular room, vehicle being worked on, etc).
I know it's probably quite a bit of work or time consuming, however, this is the missing link to my kooky ideas. It's a must have if I plan to make them real and take it up a notch.
I know your into designing and testing loudspeakers and all, so I was wondering what you think of some products I am looking into. I've been wanting to build my own home speakers for some years, plus be able to measure the car systems that I put together (cabin gain, frequency response, etc.).
Essentially, I want it to be a mobile lab of sort. Thus, the use of a laptop will be in order.
Here is one I've had my eyes on for a good while:
http://www.trueaudio.com/rta_abt1.htm
That and the use of a calibrated microphone I checked out, plus a few other minor components. Do you think this is adequate or accurate enough to produce decent results?
Replies (4)
swez on 01/1/2007 10:22:26
This could be a very good tool for your interests. Be sure to read the FAQ's regarding mike choices and calibration needs. They recommend some good products and reasonably priced preamps and phantom power supply items for USB type interfaces to a typical Laptop Sound card. Read the FAQ's carefully before you dive in.
The nice part about this tool, is that it's portable, easy to set up and can give some very accurate Real Time data on any given sound system. The key is a well calibrated mike source and properly matched USB interfaces that are well explained in the FAQ section of this product.
Swez
Ash on 01/1/2007 11:09:39
Thanks.... The FAQ go into great detail. Looks like this company has a good support program. That's a major plus.
One question though, how often would the mic need to be calibrated? A one time deal, once a year, after so many hours of use, etc?
The parts seem to be very reasonable in price and setup. I've already picked a few to utilize and a budget that all will fit in. I hope it will produce good results for the money. Of course it will help to have a decent knowledge of what is going on, but I believe I am capable to some extent.
The main portion I might have to take some time in finding is a suitable laptop. Not that it requires a extreme hi-tech one. I just want to make sure that the one I choose isn't limited to what I can connect to it or it's capabilities. I might even be able to find a used one in decent shape for a good price just to get started. I don't think it will be used for much more other than browsing the net maybe. Just mostly as a compact portable lab.
swez on 01/1/2007 15:23:52
Chances are good that mike calibration is only needed once. Other than that, if it was dropped or damaged in some mishap, it should be good to go. From the factory, it's probably well within tolerances.
One can do a diagnostics test using Pink Noise and a "reference" full range speaker. As long as the test conditions are the same, you should get the same results every time. (Use a quality Hi-Fi speaker as a reference, not a cheapo computer speaker here)
Computer wise, I would think an older Pent-III would be more than adequate and a decent sound card. Would not need much RAM, (256) or a huge HDD, (10 Gig max) either. So, a good used Laptop for under $300.00 should suffice.
I would suggest asking about sound card recommendations before you buy any software package. They seem to like the Beringer mike and that's what my brother uses too. He uses a calibrated RTA in a rack for live sound, but could easily adapt to a laptop if required. This program is not that complex, so an older laptop should be more than adequate.
Finally, this is not an exact science type thing. RTA's are a very good tool for Pro Sound and high end HT techs. Interpretations of the display are the key as no, speaker, room and transfer fuctions are perfect or identical. Here, we try to optimize speaker characteristics to the room acoustics. (Reflections, phase alignment boost/cancellations and other anomolies are what we are after) Am sure you know that already or will soon find this out with time and experience.
Swez
Ash on 01/1/2007 16:15:28
Correct.. That is exactly what I want it for. Building the speaker to fit a specific environment (particular room, vehicle being worked on, etc).
I know it's probably quite a bit of work or time consuming, however, this is the missing link to my kooky ideas. It's a must have if I plan to make them real and take it up a notch.
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