Soundcard Calibration question/confirmation

[JulianDelOro]

Hi, first time submitting to this forum! I am currently trying to measure out my room and starting first with calibrating my sound card. I have the Focusrite 2i2 3rd gen. I currently have the 1/4 inch cables connected in a loopback figuration. Right output to line input 2. When the calibration was finished I was surprised to find it not as flat (after smoothing it out at 1/6). Should this be of concern when calculating the SPL calculation and room calculations? I will add the graphs below and would love to know if it would help to share more info on my settings. Thanks, ORO

 

[sm52]

Something didn't work out for you. The graph shouldn't be like that. It should look something like this. https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/sound-card-calibration-and-impedance-circuit.6810/post-50723

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

A graph generated for a sound card calibration typically is scaled at +/- 3 dB.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[JulianDelOro]

A graph generated for a sound card calibration typically is scaled at +/- 3 dB.

Regards,
Wayne

Hi Wayne, could you explain this for me. When calibrating the input level on my soundcard it wasn't able to reach the -12db. Here's a screenshot of my preferences

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

So using both REW’s level controls and the ones on the Focusrite, you still couldn’t get the level you wanted?

Regards,
Wayne

 

[sm52]

Right output to line input 2.

You have specified output as output 1 in the measurement panel. Change this to 2 in the measurement panel. And it seems to me that you have not the newest version of REW.

 

[JulianDelOro]

So using both REW’s level controls and the ones on the Focusrite, you still couldn’t get the level you wanted?

Regards,
Wayne

Not sure how to enable REW level control, am I missing something?

 

[JulianDelOro]

You have specified output as output 1 in the measurement panel. Change this to 2 in the measurement panel. And it seems to me that you have not the newest version of REW.

Ok updated the software and changed the output. I am now having trouble (mentioned above with Wayne) with the input levels not reaching the -12dpfs

 

[JulianDelOro]

Hey so I tried the test again. This time by using the monitor control to push it up (with input gain all the way up) to reach -12db. This is the graph I got this time, does this look good?

 

[sm52]

Almost good. But something gets in the way of looking really good. Ideally, the line should be thin, even without smoothing. Your line thickens from 200 Hz. Check in windows soundbar that your Focusrite is the default device in recorders and playback devices. In the same place, the playback level is 100%, and the records are 0. On the 'advanced' tab there should be a checkbox 'allow applications to use the device in exclusive mode'. Close programs that might load the processor or use audio devices.

 

[JulianDelOro]

Almost good. But something gets in the way of looking really good. Ideally, the line should be thin, even without smoothing. Your line thickens from 200 Hz. Check in windows soundbar that your Focusrite is the default device in recorders and playback devices. In the same place, the playback level is 100%, and the records are 0. On the 'advanced' tab there should be a checkbox 'allow applications to use the device in exclusive mode'. Close programs that might load the processor or use audio devices.

Well I have made the focusrite the default in both places. and made sure the levels where at 100% and 0% as well as check the boxes. here is what I got. Still the same. is this a massive problem or should I take into account the added thickness

 

[sam_adams]

Did you install the Focusrite Control app and the drivers?

If you did, did you set the sample rate in in the Focusrite ASIO Control panel so that the rates in both the 2i2 and REW are the same?

Did you set up the routing and the input settings (line in not INST and Air off) for the 2i2 in Focusrite Control?

Are you using balanced TRS cables not XLR to TRS or TS?

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Really, the sound card does not need a calibration file. Its native frequency response is pretty much flat. The only reason for a sound card calibration is if you need it as a timing reference for certain acoustics measurements.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[sm52]

is this a massive problem or should I take into account the added thicknes

You can stop at this. You will work with REW for a while, try to improve it. Save this measurement as a sound card calibration file and move on.
This is my Audient iD14.

 

[JulianDelOro]

Did you install the Focusrite Control app and the drivers?

If you did, did you set the sample rate in in the Focusrite ASIO Control panel so that the rates in both the 2i2 and REW are the same?

Did you set up the routing and the input settings (line in not INST and Air off) for the 2i2 in Focusrite Control?

Are you using balanced TRS cables not XLR to TRS or TS?

Yes to all of this, thanks for all the help but i'm sure this is ok.

 

[JulianDelOro]

Yes to all of this, thanks for all the help but i'm sure this is ok.

Thank you, and thanks to everyone on this thread for all the help!

 

[sam_adams]

I don't think that your issue is resolved. The calibration sweep should not show the noise, spikes, and drop in level in the response that you are getting unless there is someting radically wrong with the 2i2. If everything is setup and working correctly on the 2i2, the cal sweep should be a flat line from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with minor deviations of—at best—a few tenths of a dB at the extreme ends of that range.