with 13 band graphic EQ, diff. to use RTA?

[frankiebones 10+ year member]

after my o-scope comes and i get all my gains set at max unclipped outputs, i want to use an RTA to smooth out my response curve. i have an easy enough time (given my level of experience) tuning the low end frequencies, but not an easy time on top.

with the 16 band EQ i have on my pioneer 7800, can an RTA be utilized effectively?

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[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

It should be easy enough, of course the quality and the Q of the EQ will have a lot to do with it. Realize that an RTA is best used to get you in the ballpark and then final tuning is done by ear. Cars with a ruler flat frequency response typically sound unrealistic. There was a reason that the best SQ comp cars had either 2 EQs that could be switched in or out or a digital model with 2 curves in memory (one for listening tests and one for the RTA portion of the comp).

 

[nauc 10+ year member]

what scope you gettin

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

with an eq set on flat is a good way to test your hearing especially the highs

 

[frankiebones 10+ year member]

what scope you gettin

either this one bc its cheap,

http://www.amazon.com/Oscilloscope-Velleman-Personal-Scope-Hps10/dp/B0007ZPNH8/sr=8-1/qid=1165734312/ref=pd_bbs_1/105-6923523-3546004?ie=UTF8&s=hi

or im going to get some equipment and software to use my vaio notebook as an RTA/scope. i was reading the manual for this program called TrueRTA.

http://www.trueaudio.com

 

[T3mpest 10+ year member]

I'd use a computer version. Heck, If I was going to the trouble of using a computer for tuning, I'd get MLS instead of a RTA. Much more tuning ability. 2 main things to remember when Eq'ing in a car using software. First off, find your dead areas. Some areas on your EQ will not respond directly to the EQ. A 2db increase on your EQ may not actually increase your RTA reading. If that's the case, tune it in by ear. Second thing to remember , it's almost always better to boost than cut. If you have an area that doesnt' respond, lower the areas that do to match it, dont' raise it a bunch to get a 1db increase in that area. However, you may need to lower the other areas quite a bit, or maybe not at all, a dead area almost always needs to be tuned BY EAR. At the end of the day, if it sounds bad to you, it doesn't matter if you think it's correct, your not competing.

PS. Swirl your mic around your head area when it's taking a reading, you need to get an average of the area. The RTA, due to reflections and what not- can be quite different from within 2 inches of each mic plament!

 

[nauc 10+ year member]

either this one bc its cheap,
http://www.amazon.com/Oscilloscope-Velleman-Personal-Scope-Hps10/dp/B0007ZPNH8/sr=8-1/qid=1165734312/ref=pd_bbs_1/105-6923523-3546004?ie=UTF8&s=hi

or im going to get some equipment and software to use my vaio notebook as an RTA/scope. i was reading the manual for this program called TrueRTA.

http://www.trueaudio.com

go with the software, i found one that was pretty cool, forgot what it was

tho i do have that Velleman scope and love it

 

[Duke 10+ year member]

Its on the tip of my brain... whats an RTA?

 

[nauc 10+ year member]

Its on the tip of my brain... whats an RTA?

Real Time Analyzer, it can tell you if a speaker or amp etc, reproduces frequencies louder or quiter relative to other frequencies

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

and put it on a graph for ya so you can see the peaks and valleys right? and what you need to fix for a smoother response?

 

[nauc 10+ year member]

and put it on a graph for ya so you can see the peaks and valleys right? and what you need to fix for a smoother response?

yep..................

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

thought so...

 

[Duke 10+ year member]

Word, thanks.

 

[nauc 10+ year member]

having a flat frequency response can help you to hear the music how the producer/artist intended. if your equipment causes peaks or valleys, the cymbals for example, might sound like they're down the street or an inch from your ear...

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

and some parts when boosted can scare ya