How loud RTA

StephanC

I know this has been discussed before. I did search the forum for this subject, and found no real clear answer (other than show volume levels) My concern is that I may have a good idea how loud something is listening to cds but not listening to pink noise (it instantly sounds too loud) ( I have to agree w/ others any thing produced by Hugh Padham is a good test for drums i.e Police.) the manual states (I believe , its not in front of me) as loud as you will do the sound during the show. but ....How do you folks measure that ? I just used the cheapie RS SPL meter and stood a few feet back and cranked up the volume. How do you decide, measure how loud you should rta ? I am thinking that if you don't crank it up loud enough it won't be that accurate if you do turn it up louder than you rta'd during the show. Basically how far should i measure with the spl meter (right where the rta mic (is I think that would be most accurate.) is or closer to the speaker. :oops:

Dra

You could use your \"activity\" LEDs on your amp, or set up a condensor (SM81 set flat for example) and use your board outputs to \"monitor\" the CD level vs the Pink level. I'd unplug the board outputs when pinking, just to be safe. Remember that the only useful info from the auto-eq is in a very small low-mid to mid band (around 160-700hz if I remember right). All else is totally unreliable. Most connect only 1 side (stack) and put mic off axis a bit and toward the center of the rom

DRA

StephanC

I do have the dbx RTA mic and will be doing this outside. Even though its cold in Maine this time of year ( I know G can relate) I also understand that the lower , and very high frequencies will need to be adjusted by \"ear\" with a quality cd playing. I'm just not sure how loud to crank up the pink noise during the test. I have good results indoor, (which did suprise me, I got lucky I'm sure) but would like to try again outdoors. :oops: I forgot to say I will just be doing one side with the EQ linked for now i.e same eq on both sides, that works fine for me.

Dra

I assume then that you are getting a baseline (flattening out your speakers / systems response) and tweeking the PEQs until the Auto-EQ yields a flat response.
Place the mic 8-20' from the stackand bring up the Pink until it is at the volume of the music that you will play. I would not go any higher than about -0- on the DRPA scale (for sure do not turn up until it clips the input).
Does that help?

DRA

Gadget

Not sure if you guys saw the FAQ but I did have some success with a \"between the speakers\" Auto EQ that had the mic in PZM style on the ceiling, just back of where the horns output met. This is a great room though and I did have one spike at 1khz that matched a reflection off the device used to hang the mic there. If you get much farther than 8 feet back the nearfield will no longer be enough to mask the reflected sound.

A bit louder would be better than softer for RTA and Dra has good suggestions, but it's still a bit subjective, the DRPA won't let you do it too soft, or too loud I don't think.. as I recall there is a meter that displays the volume on the front panel.

Ya Stephan.. I can relate.. It's been 2o-30 below with wind chills of 50-60 degrees BELOW -0- :shock: canceled school two days ago it was so cold, and that just doesn't happen here.. I guess it's Global Warming...Go DEMOCRAPS!

:evil:

G

Dra

We've hit the mid to upper teens acouple of times and highs of about 30, which here is bitter cold. The coldest I've experienced here in bama is +5, which with 90% humidity any exposed skin aches in under a minute. I been in mountain west winters and as far as comfort goes, they are not that bad. I bet Great Lakes area winters are a mix of the 2, raw temps and humidity in the 60's. Brutal.
We hit mid 60's a couple of days ago, with sun and blue skies.
I do my part with global warming. Make it worse, that is. I love Mexican food.
Stephan, don't shatter your cones in that cold.

DRA