I've made comments several times re setting up devices like the DriveRack
etc and thought I might expand on it just a
bit.
At one time, people simply used a reference mic, set it up in the room, did a
pink noise test and altered the eq to "flatten" the response. This has proven to have poor results. There are several reasons, mainly that the position of the
RTA mic is from only one position, is subject to the room reflections and really does not work in practice.
Instead, typically what is now done, is to use a program like
Smaart, and compare the signal from the source, (could be pink or what ever) and what the mic is picking up but with the mic placed in such a way as to not get the room sounds, but to correct for the response curves from the program source
thru the complete chain and out the speakers. So you are tailoring the response of the
system, not the room.
Most of the alterations for the room are really for placement for time alignment
speaker placement.
Lastly in most cases when you then use the
rta mic in the room, you are moving it around, trying to detect problems with
reflection/absorption, and then correcting it with placement and direction (for instance the main reason for the
line array success was to be able to have the sound dispersion
pattern be more focused and to reduce the "room
effect".
We have moved along quite a
bit from the old days of the massive pile of speakers stacked on each side of the
stage pointing right out at the back wall, sending sound out not just to the audience area but the side walls, ceiling
etc.
It is amazing what proper placement of the speakers, choosing the right dispersion
pattern and use of some room treatment can do to dramatically improve the room
effect.
Sharyn