Topic by davidizquierdo82

  • Avatar
  • davidizquierdo82
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 11-02-2015
  • Posts: 309

Topic: (ARC) Acoustic Room Correction software options

I'm using self calibrating IK MTM speakers, I like them and how pianoteq sounds through them.

I'm considering the option of a more sofisticated frequency response correction for my home studio.

I cannot use foam panels, acoustic isolation whatsoever, so options are IK ARC4 (software only) of Sonarworks sound ID

My concerns are, is it possible to use them as stand-alone programs or do I necessarily need a DAW? Do they add any latency (besides daw's if needed)?

There's listo the X-Monitor option that's available for the high end lineup of IK speakers, now including their all new iloud MTM mk2 but I'd need to stick to this model then..

Anyone who's familiar with these systems and who's able to properly asses?

Thanks,
David

P85>Kawai CA97>Numa XGT>FP90X>LX706
Pianoteq 8 Pro (all instruments) + Organteq 2
i7 4790K W11 64bits + UMC1820 + MTM + DT770 pro X
http://youtube.com/DavidIzquierdoAzzouz

davidizquierdo82's Website

Reply by Coises

  • Avatar
  • Coises
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 06-12-2019
  • Posts: 89

Re: (ARC) Acoustic Room Correction software options

davidizquierdo82 wrote:

I'm using self calibrating IK MTM speakers, I like them and how pianoteq sounds through them

I have no answer to your question, but if it’s OK, I would like to ask you how you connected those speakers and if you have any difficulties with latency? I use only headphones now, with a Roland Quad-Capture audio interface. I’ve been thinking about speakers, but so many of the practical options, especially for my small, untreated space (which will almost certainly remain untreated), incorporate digital signal processing, and I’ve feared that latency will be troublesome because of that.

Reply by marcos daniel

  • Avatar
  • marcos daniel
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 02-09-2014
  • Posts: 280

Re: (ARC) Acoustic Room Correction software options

I used to play PT through a miniDSP 2x4HD, which can function as a digital equalizer. It has ASIO drivers, and the latency was acceptable (it accepts analog signals but also works as external sound card). However, to configure it, you also need a measurement microphone; I believe the software to configure everything was included. In any case, I remember using the free software REW to measure/generate EQ files (then the proprietary software to upload it to the DSP). No extra items were necessary; my setup was Piano > Laptop > miniDSP > Speakers (miniDSP shows up in Pianoteq device selection menu).
I'm not sure if latency increases with the number of filters added, I guess it does.
After some time, I stopped using it because, at the end of the day, unless you have a very good and fine sense of hearing, the truth is that there is no a magic formula. Good speakers (usually expensive) = nice sound, bad speakers = poor sound.

Reply by davidizquierdo82

  • Avatar
  • davidizquierdo82
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 11-02-2015
  • Posts: 309

Re: (ARC) Acoustic Room Correction software options

Coises wrote:
davidizquierdo82 wrote:

I'm using self calibrating IK MTM speakers, I like them and how pianoteq sounds through them

I would like to ask you how you connected those speakers and if you have any difficulties with latency?

I'm happy with these set of speakers so far, it's been a year now and I wouldn't change them, I have them calibrated to my room and they exclusively serve the purpose of playing Pianoteq through them.

The correction filter is applied within its brains (processor) so it produces no latency theoretically, I didn't notice any while A/B with and without calibration.

You may have some sound-interface latency though but that's known already.

P85>Kawai CA97>Numa XGT>FP90X>LX706
Pianoteq 8 Pro (all instruments) + Organteq 2
i7 4790K W11 64bits + UMC1820 + MTM + DT770 pro X
http://youtube.com/DavidIzquierdoAzzouz

davidizquierdo82's Website

Reply by Coises

  • Avatar
  • Coises
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 06-12-2019
  • Posts: 89

Re: (ARC) Acoustic Room Correction software options

davidizquierdo82 wrote:

I'm happy with these set of speakers so far, it's been a year now and I wouldn't change them, I have them calibrated to my room and they exclusively serve the purpose of playing Pianoteq through them.

The correction filter is applied within its brains (processor) so it produces no latency theoretically, I didn't notice any while A/B with and without calibration.

Thank you for the report. That’s helps push them toward the top of the list of things I might try.

Last edited by Coises (10-07-2024 00:30)

Reply by doctae

  • Avatar
  • doctae
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: New Orleans
  • Registered: 01-07-2023
  • Posts: 4

Re: (ARC) Acoustic Room Correction software options

Coises wrote:
davidizquierdo82 wrote:

I'm happy with these set of speakers so far, it's been a year now and I wouldn't change them, I have them calibrated to my room and they exclusively serve the purpose of playing Pianoteq through them.

The correction filter is applied within its brains (processor) so it produces no latency theoretically, I didn't notice any while A/B with and without calibration.

Thank you for the report. That’s helps push them toward the top of the list of things I might try.

Digital Room Correction (DRC) can be a deep dive w/a big learning curve.
Here is what I do:
1.  purchase a microphone that comes with a correction profile
2.  https://www.audiovero.de/home.php: purchase this software - this allows you to measure room response at your listening position and then build custom digital convolution filters that correct timing and frequency.  There are a lot of tutorials out there I could direct you to.
3.  use https://accuratesound.ca/hang-loose-convolver-hlc/ - to host your digital filters - this allows you to cycle through different convolution filters in real time to compare the results.  I also load headphone correction filters in this.
4.  HLConvolver can be set up so that your PC's system output goes through it and the convolution filters, or it can be inserted on the master bus in your DAW as a VST.
The results are pretty stunning.
ARC is easy, but these are less detailed filter and do not allow the customization and control that Acourate allows.  Another correction program is Audiolense.