all that technical stuff

[The Camry]

So for those of you who truly know how to tune like @trumpet. How did you learn all that? I've learned bits of pieces from here and using google but is there a resource you learned from or a site that really breaks down everything. I'm talking things like how t\a effects phase and reflections and how they actually work. Or say how the parameters of diff speakers effect diff things.

Idk. I'm just willing to learn and its such a broad spectrum of things that its hard to know where to start.

Click to read more...

 

[fly_marlin]

[quote name='The Camry']So for those of you who truly know how to tune like @trumpet. How did you learn all that? I've learned bits of pieces from here and using google but is there a resource you learned from or a site that really breaks down everything. I'm talking things like how t\a effects phase and reflections and how they actually work. Or say how the parameters of diff speakers effect diff things.

Idk. I'm just willing to learn and its such a broad spectrum of things that its hard to know where to start.[/QUOTE]

Talked to Arc for a bit, one of the things he mentioned is that it doesn't need to be complicated. Here're some steps to get you started:

1. Turn off the sub stage. Set everything to flat.
2. Get pink noise, I believe, CD and align 3 speakers to the furthest one. It's when the "pop" is in sync across all speakers.
3. Turn sub stage back on and RTA.
4. He mentioned there are 2 likely peaks, forget which. EQ those down.
5. RTA again, make any additional adjustments if needed.
6. You also want to cross the tweeters lower, this should give you a raised sound stage. You'll need to find out how low the tweets will play.
7. He advised not to cross anything at 5kHz as it's a pretty important area.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

I'm flattered that out of all the people on this site who are capable of answering this you tagged me. The way it came about for me was a solid foundation of learning the basics from my dad and my uncle when I was working at Easy Way Electronics as a teenager. Most people don't need a system that's tuned to a fine point, but it takes understanding and skill to impress the average person with a solid sounding basic system. As many will say, there is nearly any kind of information available for free with Google today. The information alone is nothing without knowing how to apply it. I don't think anything tops a good mentor, but you must not be afraid of making mistakes and wanting to constantly get better. That means challenging yourself, whether the motivation comes from your boss, wanting to enter a competition, starting a build log on caraudio.com, one-upping your buddy, etc.

Never forget the basics, it can save your butt and make you look like a hero when your vehicle sounds better than the next guy who can't understand why his vehicle sounds off, he's blowing speakers, whatever the case. Proper wiring, including termination and polarity, is so often messed up. Learn different methods of setting amplifier gains.

Learn what natural voices and unamplified instruments sound like. You don't have to learn a musical instrument, but it helps. Get yourself in front of musicians, and don't limit yourself to your comfort zone of genres. One thing that is never going to be in short supply is music.

If you ask "Why?" instead of taking something at face value you will want to find the truth. For car audio I mean take a second look at any rule of thumb you may have been told or read about. Sometimes rules are good, but they may lead you astray.

 

[big scott]

is there a cheap rta ?

does that even exist ?

i would love to get my system tuned and going to get...

dso nano v3

good true rms clamp and dmm

dd1 and cc1

im-sg

and a rta .

i want to start my own business doing installs and fine tuning...

im good with all the install, and custom stuff. and can set a system by ear but what to do it right.

and i to like your posts trumpet...

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

is there a cheap rta ?does that even exist ?

i would love to get my system tuned and going to get...

dso nano v3

good true rms clamp and dmm

dd1 and cc1

im-sg

and a rta .

i want to start my own business doing installs and fine tuning...

im good with all the install, and custom stuff. and can set a system by ear but what to do it right.

and i to like your posts trumpet...

There is decent free RTA software online. All you need is a PC and one of the Dayton USB mics on parts express. I use TrueRTA. https://www.trueaudio.com/rta_abt1.htm

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

is there a cheap rta ?does that even exist ?

Laptop, USB mic, Room EQ Wizard

i would love to get my system tuned and going to get...
dso nano v3

good true rms clamp and dmm

dd1 and cc1

im-sg

and a rta .

You don't need all that stuff. If you're going to spend that much money put it into a TPI 440 or a dual channel scope with an optional battery pack, a decent true RMS multi-meter($100 plus a variety of leads), reference CDs(Autosound 2000 disc 104, Focal JM Labs discs, IASCA discs, etc.) and a laptop or tablet RTA setup. You may want to pick up a speaker phase tester kit. A high current clamp meter is in my tool set but it doesn't get much use.

 

[The_Quiet_One 10+ year member]

As far as USB mics I would suggest a calibrated one from cross spectrum. It may not make much difference, but I sleep better even if it means spending a tad bit more.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

As far as USB mics I would suggest a calibrated one from cross spectrum. It may not make much difference, but I sleep better even if it means spending a tad bit more.

I have a feeling we briefly discussed this recently on Facebook. Maybe it was someone else, but I've never seen more than 2 references to Cross Spectrum.

 

[TreyE 10+ year member]

Basic Car Audio Electronics

 

[The_Quiet_One 10+ year member]

I have a feeling we briefly discussed this recently on Facebook. Maybe it was someone else, but I've never seen more than 2 references to Cross Spectrum.

It wasn't with me. I barely fool around with Facebook much less car audio on pages on Facebook. it wasn't too strong a plug as I truly can't say whether or not the extra $20 or so for a calibrated mic is worth it. That's up to each individual buyer to decide. The variances between mics of the same brand and type may be neglible, but as I said it makes me feel better about things even if it is a placebo. I don't even remember where I ran across cross spectrum...likely one of those many restless nights chasing a caraudio topic down a rabbit hole.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

It wasn't with me. I barely fool around with Facebook much less car audio on pages on Facebook. it wasn't too strong a plug as I truly can't say whether or not the extra $20 or so for a calibrated mic is worth it. That's up to each individual buyer to decide. The variances between mics of the same brand and type may be neglible, but as I said it makes me feel better about things even if it is a placebo. I don't even remember where I ran across cross spectrum...likely one of those many restless nights chasing a caraudio topic down a rabbit hole.

Ok, I'll give the cliff notes. This fellow was saying Cross Spectrum sells a Dayton UMM-6 with additional calibration files above and beyond what Dayton provides. 45 degrees and 90 degrees off axis, and the benefit is at high frequencies. I was replying on my phone and I went out to tune my car and forgot about the discussion until today. My opinions are a) get a calibrated mic and use the calibration file b) the shape of the treble response is much more important than the resolution c) someone much wiser than I suggested looking at treble on an RTA at 1/3 octave so I don't see the need for a "special" calibrated mic such as the Cross Spectrum mic, for the car.