Outdoor auto-eq questions

aborgman

Getting ready to auto-eq our setup and had a few questions:

1) Our setup is stereo tops and mono sub. Auto-eq a single top with or without the sub?

2) Indoors the auto-eq results are only good ~150Hz-700Hz. What range is safe to consider accurate when auo-eq'ing outdoors?

Thanks,

Dra

#1) I would do with the sub.
a) Have you established you max amp levels for gain structure to prevent clipping? If not do so as described in the start here section.
b) Play some typical music for your style.
c) Balance the sound by turning down the appropriate amp. Don't turn either amp up. That will cause clipping.
d) You probably turned down the highs' amp. If you happened to turn down the sub's amp, be sure to note wear it was before. We'll address this later.
e) Now do the Auto-EQ.
f) Re-check the balance, one last time. Turn down the too-loud speaker at the amp. (Same note as before if it was the sub.)
g) Because you will be adding approximately 3db by adding the 2nd high box, decrease the amp another 3db (if they are calibrated to 1db per position), or decrease the high's gain in the x-over module -3db. The actual amount of reduction can be re-tweeked at the venue.
h) Now, if you happened to decrease the sub's level at the amp earlier, we need to get it's potential back to wear it was after the gain structure max (if possible). Remember, for your 1 over 1 level testing, the balance found the has to be adjusted down 3db on the highs when you add the 2nd speaker. Also, neither amp can end up higher than the previously established max (unless you lowered the gain in the x-over after the fact). Finally, I know this last instruction (h) is probably not even necessary, since (normally) the sub is not the too-loud one). So, no complicated gain increases / decreases are not required.

Anyway, hope this helps.

DRA

PS - (#2) The reason for the limited bandwidth trust indoors is because of cancellations and summings cause by walls, ceiling, etc due to reflections, comb filtering, etc. Outdoors, (no buildings, etc) in a totally open area, readings can be trusted to be much more reliable. You'll want to transfer the data to the output PEQs. Once set, these should NEVER be adjusted. Use the GEQ for room corrections and feedback.

If you have more questions, feel free.