There really is no simple answer to this. Tuning a
system could involve
speaker placement,
speaker delay, EQ, and more. It all depends on the
level of complexity of the
system, and what equipment you have to work with. Real-Time Analyzers such as
SMAART can be used to make a
system flat, but often you need to use your ear to really decide what sounds good.
A good synopsis, but a couple of details are that
SMAART (or SysTune, Praxis, EASERA,
etc.) is capable of much greater analysis than a
real time analyzer or
RTA, especially in that these analysis methods allow you to consider time while an
RTA is 'time
blind' analysis. They are also not limited to creating a
flat response, they can be used to analyze many aspects of a
system and to adjust it to any desired response. You are correct that these are tools, they can assist greatly in understanding why you are hearing what you hear and to
point to potential issues but in the end your ears are the analyzer that really matters.
I view it that in general tuning consists of three basic elements: knowing what to listen for, being able to use the tools available effectively and understanding what solutions to apply when. You really need all three components in order to develop effective solutions. Probably the best example is that something like
Smaart will show you what you have but it will will not tell you what sounds 'good' or how to get there, those involve the other two components. Similarly, one can know where they want to end up and have a good understanding of how things work, but may not effectively get to the desired result without being able to put the tools available to good use. That is one reason why it is not so simple, even if you learn how to use the tools you are only part way to doing anything useful with them.
