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Auto-EQ without RTA Mic?

DaHamDaHam Posts: 8
edited July 2010 in DriveRack PX
I am a newbie but have looked around and haven't found this question answered on this site or in the manuals. We were given a PX but not the RTA mic. Is it pointless to do the auto-EQ with another mic? We have several Sennheiser e835s, and when we were messing around with the setup we used this for the auto-EQ.

We'll be using the system in a small bar for live bands. None of us have much sound tech backgrounds, so the auto-EQ route is much more attractive then manually customizing the settings. To be honest, I can't remember the exact models of the speakers and sub we use, but they were listed in the PX.

Comments

  • DraDra Posts: 3,777
    It has been asked here, but probably not easy to search.
    The answer is ..... NO.
    Using the auto-EQ in an establishment is not going to yield good (reliable) results anyway.

    What is your set-up?

    DRA
  • DaHamDaHam Posts: 8
    Dra wrote:
    It has been asked here, but probably not easy to search.
    The answer is ..... NO.
    Using the auto-EQ in an establishment is not going to yield good (reliable) results anyway.

    What is your set-up?

    DRA
    Two QSC HPR152i's with a JBL sub, can't remember the specific model. What would you recommend as a simple quick setup for tech noobs?
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    The auto EQ requires a ruler flat response measurement mic... not one that has "voicings" like the E835 or the venerable SM58, or even the Neuman U87 multi thousand dollar mic..

    Set up a 2X3 (for mono subs) or A 2x4 for stereo subs
    xover setup:
    Sub:
    HPF 30hz BW18 (assuming a powered sub)
    HPF 90hz LR24
    tops
    HPF 90hz LR24

    That will get you started... then we'll talk...
    Gadget
  • DaHamDaHam Posts: 8
    Great, this is very helpful. I'll report back if I have any issues.
  • DaHamDaHam Posts: 8
    To clarify, are you suggesting that I should modify the preset I created with the mic to these settings, or are you suggesting that I should start over with a new preset and skip the wizards and manually input the settings you suggested?
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    That's the way I do it..then I know exactly what I have. Wizard setup is a breeze, then press the [preset] button (kind of a "home" key if you will that always takes you to the same spot) then press the xover button and manipulate the xover points as I specified. Remember to save the setup with three presses of the store key (answer the questions.. as you go)"Name the preset", "where do you want to store the preset", "Are you sure you want to replace _____preset?"

    Gadget
  • DaHamDaHam Posts: 8
    Sorry, I feel daft but I'm a little confused by your response. Are you saying you like to do a new preset while skipping the auto-EQ setup step?

    Also, I forgot to ask about the auto-level. Did my use of a non-RTA mic render the auto-level useless as well?

    And finally, I misspoke on the model of the QSC. We have two HPR122i, not 152is. Let me know if that changes the crossover settings you recommended.
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    Sorry...to make it as clear as possible...
    1. I like to do a custom setup in the wizard...
    2. I usually skip the auto balance step because I use mono left 1X2 tops and subs out of the left outs, and a mono monitor send form the right input and right mid output... this means I need a dual mono system so that the auto EQ will need 2 passes... One for the left channel (always first) and two for the right channel and a monitor mix.
    3. In your case, yes skip the auto level it too is null and void with the wrong mic...
    4. I do like a new wizard preset even if I don't get an auto eq run...even if I just set up the crossover and rough in the gains (and I do it with my ears... not the auto level feature...YMMV..
    5. yes, I would raise the crossover point to at least 100 hz LR24, possibly 118hz and see how it sounds. The reason is the midrange vocal sound...with a higher hipass frequency the midrange should be smoother.
    Gadget
  • DaHamDaHam Posts: 8
    Great, I followed all that and it makes sense. I'm assuming in the custom wizard I should still tell it the speaker models I'm using, yes? Also, keeping in mind that I'm a total newbie at this, what do you mean by "roughing in the gains" as opposed to running the auto-level.
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    Also, keeping in mind that I'm a total newbie at this, what do you mean by "roughing in the gains" as opposed to running the auto-level.

    I got the part about you being a newbie..what I mean is, as in the gain structure setup thread here:
    viewtopic.php?f=61&t=959
    I like to rough in my amps and speakers .. say that the sub amp and mid amp are the same watts wise, but the mids are 99 db efficient and the subs lets say 94dB..that's a 5 dB difference I usually make up in the xover gain.. BUT I usually tell novices that it's easier to (in in the long run makes no difference one way or the other) to just use the gain controls on the amps/speakers themselves. It's just easier.

    Gadget
  • DaHamDaHam Posts: 8
    I see, that's actually what I thought. The gain structure is actually one of the few concepts that seems pretty intuitive to me, just because I am a guitarist and have experience with solving gain issues that crop up with guitars, pedals and amps. I appreciate your help, this has been extremely useful.
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