RTA: PC based or STANDALONE units?

[BodegaBay 10+ year member]

I was thinking about getting a RTA to meter the peaks and valleys of my car and home systems.

I've seen the threads showing usage of both PC based units (ie. software, soundcard, mic) and standalone units but am unsure what is the better system of the two.

Cost for both should be around the same when one adds it all up but I'd like to see if any one has opinions here which is better for portability and ease of use.

For PC Base

1. Software

2. Condenser MIC

3. Soundcard + Phantom power unit or combo unit

For Standalone

1. Condenser MIC

2. RTA such as Behringer ULTRACURVE PRO DEQ2496 or Behringer ULTRA-CURVE PRO DSP8024

Thanks.

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[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Pro's and con's to both. If you went with a full MLS system for the PC based, it'd be far more flexible than most RTA's that I know of.

If you haven't already, give this a read through: http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1

 

[BodegaBay 10+ year member]

Squeak,

Thank you for the link. Some of the software is looks to be very easy to use.

In the end, I just want portability (without spending ridiculous amount of $) for just a RTA. I thought I could just get away with a RTA such as the Behringer 8024 that powers a Behringer MIC vs. a laptop + software + combo audio card/phantom power supply + MIC.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

If all you want is a simple RTA; nothing more, nothing less....then you would be better off with the stand alone units such as something from Behringer or the like.