Subwoofer Calibration W Behringer Feedback Destroyer DSP1124p

[Twitch9]

With all due respect to Twitch9, this part is added by Big Daddy.

Helpful Threads:

1. Guide on using the Behringer DSP1124 for subwoofer equalization.
2. Guide on using the Room EQ Wizard (REW) program.
3. Room EQ Wizard (REW) Information Index
4. REW V5 Beta feedback
5. Frequency Response of Speakers & Subwoofers. Post #2 of this thread has useful links and information.
6. A Guide to Subwoofers (Part II): Standing Waves & Room Modes.
7. A Guide to Bass Management

Alternative Options to REW & Behringer DSP1124:

1. Velodyne SMS-1 Equalizer/Analyzer.
2. SVS AS-EQ1 Sub EQ.
3. DEQX: http://deqx.com/
4. The Audyssey Subwoofer Equalizer.
5. Elemental Designs eQ.2 Equalizer.
6. Anti-Mode 8033 Automatic Subwoofer Equalizer
   Reviews: http://www.dspeaker.com/en/home.shtml
   You can buy it for $350 plus free shipping: http://www.simplifiaudio.com/online_store/store.html#

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The following post is by Twitch9:

Well i was sick and tired of my room amplifying 25hz to 30hz range, i have tried everything to suppress the frequency with bass traps and moving the sub to different locations in the room. I was having a 20db increases in that range so instead of getting a new Paradigm sub with the PBK to EQ the room and fix the problem i went out and purchase a Berhinger Parametric EQ DSP1124, i found a lot of people using this for the very same reason i am. I also purchased a Berhinger ECM8000 condenser mic to troubleshoot the room frequency, a SPL meter would not work for my problem for the frequency was lower than most meters will read, the radio shack starts at 30hz where the mic i got will go as low as 15hz. I used a macbook with an m-audio firewire 410 to get the audio into the mac and as for software i used Spectre, Fuzzmeasure and REW to determine and fix my problems and make the bass as flat as possible in my room.

Well unless you have any experience with recording gear and EQ's don't try this until you do some research on how to do it. I have 10 years of recording studio experience and live shows and have used both before in many situations.

Well was it worth it you ask, YES i can finally turn the sub up and not rattle the entire house with the extended low frequency problems i was having, this was killing me i had to turn my sub down so much to fix the problem i was missing out from 30hz to 80hz range because it was so low.

the total cost for this upgrade was $110 for the EQ and $60 for the mic.

Anyone else using this method to fix sub problems i would love to hear what you think about it.

[GAWD]

REW and the 1124 are incredible. I haven't calibrated my new sub but I was having problems like you where I had to always turn down my sub. I used to have the sub at 10% and my Receiver at -9.5 and it was still boomy and loud. Once I got the 1124 I'm literally at +5.5 on my receiver and 40% power on the sub and it's just perfect.

I took the plunge and spent the 150$ for the 1124 and it was well worth it.

[ShockWave]

Yes, I am on my way to doing the same thing. I got the SMS-1 and my new subs should be here in about two weeks.

I have REW, I have an spl meter and I am going to use the SMS mic to run REW. I am also going to be building my own acoustic panels to get my room dialed in properly. I can't wait to get my graphs going.

[Twitch9]

I can tell you guys it's so fun dialing in your sub, but as i have found it's a never ending process to get it just right, i have crated 3 different channel setting and will keep adding more to A-B them to find the one i like the best. It's nice to have fellow gear nuts to chat with.

[ShockWave]

Yeah, this is pretty fun. I hear you, I know a guy who built his HT around the proper sub placement and he is like you. Always trying to still get it right. I know I am going to drive myself nuts doing the same thing.

What are some inexpensive usb external sound cards with in and out stereo?

[Twitch9]

I like the M-Audio stuff i have had the firewire 410 for about 5 years and have used other M-audio gear and have never had a problem, i believe they make a usb version for less than the 410.

[Twitch9]

Oh yeah also just wanted to mention that i finally took the plunge and the projector and screen should be here later this week. Panasonic PT-AE4000 and Elite fixed frame 100" screen. Can't wait to start tinkering around with it.

[ShockWave]

Originally Posted by Twitch9

Oh yeah also just wanted to mention that i finally took the plunge and the projector and screen should be here later this week. Panasonic PT-AE4000 and Elite fixed frame 100" screen. Can't wait to start tinkering around with it.

!!! Let us know how it works out!

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Twitch9

Oh yeah also just wanted to mention that i finally took the plunge and the projector and screen should be here later this week. Panasonic PT-AE4000 and Elite fixed frame 100" screen. Can't wait to start tinkering around with it.

Congrats twitch! Your room looks just right for a projector. I have been toying around with the idea of the SMS-1 myself, but haven't pulled the trigger yet....

[Twitch9]

Hey Fors i was looking at the SMS-1 but it's essentially the same thing i got with the mic and the EQ but i paid less than half the price of that unit. If you look up reviews on the Berhinger stuff it's very highly recommended, Ethan Winer from Real Traps suggested this mic on his site and did tests comparing it to a much more expensive mic and the results were almost identical. I paid total for the mic and the EQ $190 Canadian both were brand new. Good luck and keep me posted if you do end up getting 1 of the systems to dial in the sub. I can tell you it was the best $190 i have spent on my sound, it brought the speakers and room to life.

[petew]

I've got my eye on a BFD at some point. I'm still getting a grip on REW software using my ratshack meter and a basic Behringer audio interface.

I'm in a bit of a quandry about exactly what order to do things. My next task is to build the acoustically transparent screen and get the center channel up off the floor.

Then I'm thinking about getting a new prepro (Onkyo 5507 is the top condender)

Ultimately I plan to get (build) a couple of Rythmic 5se subs with the XLR amps.

What I don't know is if I can properly treat my room before I have the subs? If room treatments and Audyssey can't fix things, I'll certainly add the DSP1124 to the rack.

Any advice or opinions are much appreciated.

Pete

[GAWD]

PeteW if you go through the REW FAQ the process is so simple and it works! That's the crazy part it freakin works. Most of the stuff with placement and traps and so on it's a hit or miss. With the 1124 and REW it's a hit everytime and best of all you can see the measured results.

This time around I'm listening to the fashion police and just placing my SVS in the corner. I've had my other sub all over the room trying to get the sweetest sound. The changes were minimal so in the corner it goes.

Fors 1124 and REW is pretty sick. The only problem is that you're going to spend too much time trying to get the perfect sound lol because in our heads it can always get better.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Twitch9

Hey Fors i was looking at the SMS-1 but it's essentially the same thing i got with the mic and the EQ but i paid less than half the price of that unit. If you look up reviews on the Berhinger stuff it's very highly recommended, Ethan Winer from Real Traps suggested this mic on his site and did tests comparing it to a much more expensive mic and the results were almost identical. I paid total for the mic and the EQ $190 Canadian both were brand new. Good luck and keep me posted if you do end up getting 1 of the systems to dial in the sub. I can tell you it was the best $190 i have spent on my sound, it brought the speakers and room to life.

Do you have a link? You have tweaked my interest. I did REW once before and I was happy with the results, but I have since done so much to the room and added another PC12 sub, that I need to think about doing a better job with the sub EQ.

[Twitch9]

Originally Posted by GAWD

PeteW if you go through the REW FAQ the process is so simple and it works! That's the crazy part it freakin works. Most of the stuff with placement and traps and so on it's a hit or miss. With the 1124 and REW it's a hit everytime and best of all you can see the measured results.

This time around I'm listening to the fashion police and just placing my SVS in the corner. I've had my other sub all over the room trying to get the sweetest sound. The changes were minimal so in the corner it goes.

Fors 1124 and REW is pretty sick. The only problem is that you're going to spend too much time trying to get the perfect sound lol because in our heads it can always get better.

I agree with everything you said, as soon as i'm finished with the EQ i sit back and listen with amazement on how much better it sounds, the next day i'm creating another preset doing the thing all over again thinking i can make it sound better.

[GAWD]

Originally Posted by Fors*

Do you have a link? You have tweaked my interest. I did REW once before and I was happy with the results, but I have since done so much to the room and added another PC12 sub, that I need to think about doing a better job with the sub EQ.

Link for?

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Twitch9

Hey Fors i was looking at the SMS-1 but it's essentially the same thing i got with the mic and the EQ but i paid less than half the price of that unit. If you look up reviews on the Berhinger stuff it's very highly recommended, Ethan Winer from Real Traps suggested this mic on his site and did tests comparing it to a much more expensive mic and the results were almost identical. I paid total for the mic and the EQ $190 Canadian both were brand new. Good luck and keep me posted if you do end up getting 1 of the systems to dial in the sub. I can tell you it was the best $190 i have spent on my sound, it brought the speakers and room to life.

Originally Posted by GAWD

Link for?

The bolded part above......

[GAWD]

here's the mic review:
http://www.realtraps.com/art_microphones.htm

the 1124 stuff is pretty much everywhere REW is mentioned.

[petew]

Thanks for the encouragement. I think I'll order an 1124 and play with it. Only $100. I can blow that at Costco before I make it 50 feet inside the front door.

update:
Ordered from B&H for $99. Here next Wednesday

[Twitch9]

Here is a few pics of the graph before and after EQ

Any tips are welcome and i'm still working on it, i think i'll always be tweaking this
Before



After

[ShockWave]

Whats nice is REW has the files that calibrate your Mic and your sound card. Which makes it just like a high dollar piece of equipment.

The nice thing with the SMS is the on screen graph. But yeah, you can pretty much get the same thing for about 150 dollars less. I only paid 350 for my SMS.