Waterfall graph evolution....think Im finally getting somewhere.

[DanDan]

Graphs/Waterfalls are always ugly. Frequency response rarely shows much improvement while the Waterfalls do. BIR is not affected by traps unless they are in the right place and of course many. The improvement looks dramatic to me, and I bet it sounds so. Particularly the vanished null in the musically critical 70-80Hz region. The lower frequencies require absolutely massive treatment which is probably not possible... space and money.
I would play a 60Hz sine wave to examine the location of that anomaly. May I suggest Eq for the lowest 35Hz issue. Many of us have to do that.
DD

[JLiRD808]

Thanks DD!!

When running a 60hz tone I found a lot of it down by my feet and floor/wall corners flanking the desk. Do I need to get a tuned pressure absorber to soak that up though? I put a 4'x2'x6" 705 trap at the floor/wall corner behind my desk and it didn't seem to do much. I could build a couple more of those, but am running out of room FAST lol.

Interesting that u mention using EQ to pull down that 35-40hz ringing. The only EQ I have available is a BFD DSP1124p:

BFD Parametric Equalizer for Home Theater Systems

A lot of home theater guys use it to tame their subs, but I've heard its not ideal for full-range use. I guess they think that it alters sound quality enough to make it detrimental to mids/highs. I would have to put it between my DAW and my HS80m's....what do u think?

THANKS!!!

[JLiRD808]

OMG my bad....ok, so there is SOME EQ on the output of my interface! I forgot! EDITED* my original post.

I use Patchmix DSP, the onboard DSP mixer for EMU interfaces. And yes, I have a few filters setup, one specifically at 80hz as u noticed.

Well I guess I'm kinda cheating lol. But Patchmix only lets me EQ down to 50hz, so I still cant address that 35-40hz.

[DanDan]

Interesting. It would be nice to see the result with the Eq bypassed.
Something or both are doing a good job here.
You will have to trust your ears with the BFD.
I hate Behringer but some of their products do actually sound OK.
I am told by my DSP guru that REW's recommended filters are worth overseeing and manually intervening if necessary. Also that the Behringer Algorithms are not amazing.
Perhaps you can go Digital I/O to by pass the converters on the BFD?
I am currently liking Dirac Live. I have seen very good reports on AudioLense.
Also take a look at MiniDSP.com
DD

[JLiRD808]

Thanks DanDan...

Just looked into those EQ solutions.

Correct me if Im wrong:

1) Dirac Live = measurement tool + EQ = ~$600
Dirac RCS | Dirac Research

2) MiniDSP = USB "interface" style outboard EQ box. Balanced version with studio i/o's = ~$500
miniDSP 4x10 Hd | miniDSP

3) Audiolense (Juice Hifi?) is a program similar to REW but it has an EQ function that u can enable and PLUG IN as a VST or in Windows Media Player, etc via "Convolver"? I think its ~$250, depending on which version u get based on what features u want.

To be honest, if REW had its own EQ style effect, that would be all I need. That, and to be able to have that EQ set on my output with as little CPU usage as possible :P

[DanDan]

Interesting info thanks. I don't use a PC and saw AudioLense highly recommended with evidence. I didn't realise it needed add-ons.
REW will generate recommended Eq's and can send them to MiniDSP chips I believe. You can also use an outboard Eq, Digital or Analogue.
The Meyer parametrics can sometimes be found quite cheap on the secondhand PA market.

I am having good luck with Dirac which is a full stand alone. Even though it won't talk nicely to ProTools HD hardware, I have taken an Optical SPDIF from PT back into the Mac for Dirac processing. The Mac Optical out then sends the Eq'ed audio to a Cambridge DACMagic.

DD