EQ for Mixing/ Mastering Studio!!!

[Tlepsh]

Hello,
I acoustically treated my room as much as possible; however, now is the time to EQ a little.
I'm having difficulty choosing or finding an EQ that would accept REW's export filter settings for the corrections.
I don't mind investing in an external EQ, like for the Behringer DCX2496 Ultradrive Pro.

My first question is - is it suitable for mixing / mastering studios? It seems like it's more ideal for live.
I'm considering it because I like the idea of connecting my RME 802 AES digital out into its AES digital in.

My second question is - is there a plugin that can accept the text file filter settings? or any other digital solution, for that matter?
ADA PEQ is for PC only, and Apple AU N-Band EQ seems to be for Logic Pro only.

Sonarworks Reference ID, along with its Microphone, seems to be the whole solution, but I kinda like the REW ecosystem.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice you might give.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

The 2496 will work fine for equalizing monitor speakers, even if it's capable of a lot more.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[skid00]

I play FLAC thru a laptop. I use EQapo to equalize my speakers. I export text files generated by REW's EQ function. I put the files in .txt files, and put the names of those .txt files into EQapo's default .txt file in the EQapo directory. (I can't remember the name of the default file ATM...)

I have several .txt file names in the default .txt file. These show up as separate selections in the EQapo GUI, so I can toggle them on/off at will.

 

[ddude003]

It would be helpful if you would tell us about your entire kit including the computer you might be using for tracking/mixing/mastering and digital audio workstation software...

I would approach this in two ways... One would be room correction being room treatments and DSP hardware or software to create a pretty flat studio monitor environment... Pretty sure the Behringer could do that part... Or REW creating FIR filters for software convolution... You set this up once per speakers used for monitoring...

Next would be how to EQ the tracking/mixing/mastering... In the box with VST plugins and/or outboard EQ hardware from someone like Rupert Neve, Solid State Logic, Manley, George Massenburg Labs, etc... You may change this part (EQ and/or HW box) with every track/mix/master... Not confident that the Behringer is best for this task as ease of use and workflow is pretty important here...

 

[Tlepsh]

It would be helpful if you would tell us about your entire kit including the computer you might be using for tracking/mixing/mastering and digital audio workstation software...

I would approach this in two ways... One would be room correction being room treatments and DSP hardware or software to create a pretty flat studio monitor environment... Pretty sure the Behringer could do that part... Or REW creating FIR filters for software convolution... You set this up once per speakers used for monitoring...

Next would be how to EQ the tracking/mixing/mastering... In the box with VST plugins and/or outboard EQ hardware from someone like Rupert Neve, Solid State Logic, Manley, George Massenburg Labs, etc... You may change this part (EQ and/or HW box) with every track/mix/master... Not confident that the Behringer is best for this task as ease of use and workflow is pretty important here...

Hello, thanks for replying.
At the moment im only concerned about acoustic treatment by apply an EQ, whether it be through a plugin or a hardware EQ. So I don't know how mentioning what my computer is helps, however, here it is:

Mac > RME Fireface 802 > Adam A7x Monitoris
The studio is Treatment with Bass traps I made and Auralex panels.
I have an SSL Stereo Compressor, besides that, my processing is mostly digital.

Its pretty flat as it is. Im happy with it. I attached a photo of it.
I did some notches with my RME EQ however, it only has 3 bands, which is not enough.

You said something about creating an FIR Filter for Software Convolution... From what I understand, your saying to create an impulse response, from the filters, to put it in a convolution reverb to load it, so that itll act as an EQ?

I might be completely mistaken, but from what you said, thats what I understood. Please emphasize as much as you can.
Again, I'm looking for a solution to correct room errors with an EQ.
Thanks in advance

 

[Tlepsh]

I play FLAC thru a laptop. I use EQapo to equalize my speakers. I export text files generated by REW's EQ function. I put the files in .txt files, and put the names of those .txt files into EQapo's default .txt file in the EQapo directory. (I can't remember the name of the default file ATM...)

I have several .txt file names in the default .txt file. These show up as separate selections in the EQapo GUI, so I can toggle them on/off at will.

Ya that seems to be like the best approach to this, but EQapo is only for windows.... which is ridiculous as many studios utilize mac computers as well.
If only Fabfilter Q3 accepts text.

 

[Tlepsh]

The 2496 will work fine for equalizing monitor speakers, even if it's capable of a lot more.

Regards,
Wayne

Ya it seems soo.
I don't know why you don't see such solutions in studios. to me it seems like a no brainer.
Room EQ does seems to be as popular as I thought it would be.
I mean, ya you need to treat it, but itll never be super flat unless you EQ it.

 

[ddude003]

@Tlepsh, essentially you are on the right track... I had used LiquidSonics products for convolution room correction in the past... Now I use the Hang Loose Convolver... I would invite you to review this video which gives a great presentation on DSP room correction...

There are several products and methods that can be used to create FIR filters for room correction and several convolvers which will implement the room correction filters, injecting the correction into the signal path...

BTW here is a review of Behringer... https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/behringer-dcx2496-eq-review.38879/
Some convolvers... https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/a-comparison-of-convolution-engines.43290/

Add room correction DSP plugins to the Monitor FX DAW chain...

 

[Ofer]

Some top RME models have incorporated room correction in the latest firmware. Your unit is pretty new maybe it has or will soon have this feature.

Room EQ and Crossfeed - Preview for UFX+, UFX II and UFX III owners (Page 1) — TotalMix FX — RME User Forum

Room EQ and Crossfeed - Preview for UFX+, UFX II and UFX III owners (Page 1) — TotalMix FX — RME User Forum —

forum.rme-audio.de

 

[deercreekaudio]

We believe it's always best to stay in the digital domain all the way untill your final DAC(s): see our video: The Best Ways to Avoid Unnecessary Digital & Analog Conversions

The miniDSP SHD Studio is great way to add REW and Dirac Live capability and stay in the digital domain. The Flex Digital is a more affortable approch to this.

Deer Creek Audio is an authorized miniDSP dealer

 

[ddude003]

@deercreekaudio, I would be interested to know what the miniDSP SHD Studio has to offer, other than Dirac, that the OP's RME Fireface 802 can't do, only better...

In my humble opinion, if one wanted to stay in the digital domain and in the box with a DAW, then software room correction DSP via convolution _is_ the way to go...

Kind of like this...

 

[Tlepsh]

, I believe that update missed my interface version, which would've been helpful.
I just updated the driver and it didn't have it...
Thanks for the suggestion tho.

 

[Tlepsh]

We believe it's always best to stay in the digital domain all the way untill your final DAC(s): see our video: The Best Ways to Avoid Unnecessary Digital & Analog Conversions

The miniDSP SHD Studio is great way to add REW and Dirac Live capability and stay in the digital domain. The Flex Digital is a more affortable approch to this.

View attachment 68360

Deer Creek Audio is an authorized miniDSP dealer

Seems great, if only it had analog outputs though.
I need to connect it to my Adam A7x

 

[deercreekaudio]

@deercreekaudio, I would be interested to know what the miniDSP SHD Studio has to offer, other than Dirac, that the OP's RME Fireface 802 can't do, only better...

In my humble opinion, if one wanted to stay in the digital domain and in the box with a DAW, then software room correction DSP via convolution _is_ the way to go...

Kind of like this...
View attachment 68371

I would think of the SHD Studio as a complementary companion to the Fireface 802, as they each fill very distinct roles.

I'm suggesting that the SHD Studio be placed in the digital AES-EBU I/O loop of the Fireface 802 where it can provide REW generated room correction, and most importantly full bandwidth Dirac Live room correction.

Dirac Live is unique in that its DSP-based room correction technology operates in the time domain. This is how Dirac corrects for room modes, nulls and peaks in the listening room. Dirac Live not only corrects the frequency response, but also the impulse response of the loudspeakers in a room, yielding improved imaging and timbre, better clarity, tighter bass and less early reflections, as well as reduced resonances and room modes. It’s a game changer.

Deer Creek Audio is an authorized miniDSP dealer

 

[deercreekaudio]

Seems great, if only it had analog outputs though.
I need to connect it to my Adam A7x

The miniDSP SHD adds balanced analog I/O, in addition digital I/O.

 

[DanDan]

A single graph of Frequency Response is a bit suspect. Unless the mic is perfectly central in a perfectly acoustically symmetrical room, there will be HF comb filtering. Flat is tilted about 6dB brighter than the average measured listeners room.

 

[deercreekaudio]

A single graph of Frequency Response is a bit suspect. Unless the mic is perfectly central in a perfectly acoustically symmetrical room, there will be HF comb filtering. Flat is tilted about 6dB brighter than the average measured listeners room.

I 100% agree, it is a good to take several measurments and then average them, here is an image of possible microphone placements. Note that it's a cube centered the head.

 

[DanDan]

I love Dirac, use it every day in the Studio. But for Measuring REW. Here is what happens when the Measuring Mic is not precisely central. Comb filtering destroys the HF.

 

[ddude003]

I would think of the SHD Studio as a complementary companion to the Fireface 802, as they each fill very distinct roles.

I'm suggesting that the SHD Studio be placed in the digital AES-EBU I/O loop of the Fireface 802 where it can provide REW generated room correction, and most importantly full bandwidth Dirac Live room correction.

Dirac Live is unique in that its DSP-based room correction technology operates in the time domain. This is how Dirac corrects for room modes, nulls and peaks in the listening room. Dirac Live not only corrects the frequency response, but also the impulse response of the loudspeakers in a room, yielding improved imaging and timbre, better clarity, tighter bass and less early reflections, as well as reduced resonances and room modes. It’s a game changer.

Deer Creek Audio is an authorized miniDSP dealer

Of course a well designed FIR filter will address the frequency and time domains...

If your a fan for Dirac Live I suppose you could get the software and add it to a Monitor FX path or even a VST Host program available from @Mitchco at https://accuratesound.ca/hang-loose-host-hlhost/ without any additional hardware... Choices are good...

 

[Tlepsh]

@Tlepsh, essentially you are on the right track... I had used LiquidSonics products for convolution room correction in the past... Now I use the Hang Loose Convolver... I would invite you to review this video which gives a great presentation on DSP room correction...

There are several products and methods that can be used to create FIR filters for room correction and several convolvers which will implement the room correction filters, injecting the correction into the signal path...

BTW here is a review of Behringer... https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/behringer-dcx2496-eq-review.38879/
Some convolvers... https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/a-comparison-of-convolution-engines.43290/

Add room correction DSP plugins to the Monitor FX DAW chain...

Thanks to your link, I've been in a rabbit hole. Mitch Barnett info is definitely helpful.
Its quiet a lot to dig into, but I've been obsessing on it since your posted.
I guess Hangloose Convolver software is the answer.

 

[Tlepsh]

I would think of the SHD Studio as a complementary companion to the Fireface 802, as they each fill very distinct roles.

I'm suggesting that the SHD Studio be placed in the digital AES-EBU I/O loop of the Fireface 802 where it can provide REW generated room correction, and most importantly full bandwidth Dirac Live room correction.

Dirac Live is unique in that its DSP-based room correction technology operates in the time domain. This is how Dirac corrects for room modes, nulls and peaks in the listening room. Dirac Live not only corrects the frequency response, but also the impulse response of the loudspeakers in a room, yielding improved imaging and timbre, better clarity, tighter bass and less early reflections, as well as reduced resonances and room modes. It’s a game changer.

Deer Creek Audio is an authorized miniDSP dealer

oh nice, yes I see your point.
Interesting. Im considering this option as well.
Would you say it does more than the Hang Loose Convolver plugin?
Cheers

 

[Ofer]

Hang Loose Convolver is a way to implement filters that are created by other apps. Mainly FIR filters from Audiolense, Accurate and others. You could also implement REW filters but it is not by importing the text file. Haven't done it myself though. The advantage for someone who works with a DAW is that it comes as a VST plugin like you see in post 11.

 

[ddude003]

One can use free tools like REW and rePhase to create FIR "filters" to be used in convolution engines like the Hang Loose Convolver, CamillaDSP, Roon and many others... Also there are commercial apps like Audiolense, Accurate and many others... And services like that which Mitch provides...

Here is one example of using REW...

Process boils down to room and speaker measurement(s), FIR file(s) creation, and using/running a convolver to load the FIR file(s) to realize the room correction imparted into the signal chain...

The upside of using Dirac is that the above process is all done in one app/vst plugin...