Session: Room Analysis and Tuning at DTRC Studios

DTRC Studio Room Analysis and Tuning Session

Resources

Platform: Pro Tools

Medium: Pink Noise

Analysis Microphone: Bruel & Kjaer 2235

Preamp: Jeff Steiger CAPI VP 26 API Style preamp

Monitor Chain Equalizer: White 4400

Analysis Plugin: Waves PAZ Analyzer

 

Studio

Oct 18, 2018 Michael Tudor’s DTRC Studios

Setup

Bruel & Kjaer were quick to send me a PDF of the 2235 manual when I requested it on their web site support portal: https://www.bksv.com/en. This also included calibration info.

2235 placed in the optimum listening position in the room. Volume was set to my preferred listening level so as to be pertinent to my listening habits

White EQs are inserted between the Dangerous Monitor Section and the Focal Studio Mains. Not inserted on feed to Dangerous Monitor because I did not wish to have it color all my listening buses, such as headphones and alt monitoring.

Execution

Produced pink noise with Pro Tools signal generator at -18db. Set gain levels for optimum input on the B&K mic, the VP26 preamp and the input to PAZ Analyzer. I set the PAZ low frequency resolution to 10Hz and the Detection to Peak. The goal is to flatten the frequency response in the room. I manipulated the White 4400 Monitor Bus Equalizer to push frequencies that were being eaten up by the room and also pull down frequencies that were overly resonant in the room. On the PAZ Analyzer I utilized the Peak Hold mode and reset it every time I made an adjustment so it would reflect the equalization. I utilized all the frequency weighting curves at my disposal in order to give myself a wider reference. These included “A” (human ear), “B” (A with more lows), “C” (high and low filter), and “Z” (linear). The equalization I arrived at was a balance between the weight curves.

Reference

I then listen to a variety of musical programs that I am familiar with so as to make any final tweaks to the White 4400 equalization using the my own subjective taste. I utilized the EQ in and out switches on the 4400 to better understand the direction the tuning was going.

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