Sound card & microphone fixes

[juicehifi]

Getting valid measurements is the biggest challenge for us who support new users. Usually we find a way, but we struggle to keep up with what works with which gear.

If you had problems getting a good measurement and found a solution, please share.

 

[whoareyou]

Exasound + UMik1 -
ASIO is only option for Exasound DAC
UMik1 WASAPI driver does not work with this combo. AL accepts the Exasound ASIO / UMik1 WASAPI combination and measurements seem ok, but timings are consistently out of whack.

For my configuration, only thing that works is direct mode for UMIK1. I always disable WASAPI.
This provides consistent results.

 

[2234rew]

My DAC is actually my old Denon AVR 4520. I run it in "Pure Direct" model using it as 8 channel DAC and 8 channel amp - with a remote control for volume.

It is 2 x DIY 3-way speakers plus 2 subs.

Audiolense handling digital crossover and speaker/room correction.

AVR on Windows can be a nightmare with getting channel mapping to work correctly with Audiolense

I use a Focusrite Solo 3rd Gen + Earthworks M23 mic, so I use ASIO4ALL for measurements

With previous Audiolense 6.17 I used the clock drift compensation without problems.

But with recent AL 6.19 update (and ASIO4ALL update to 2.15) I was getting a 0.7 second delay on my right side drivers and sub.

Measurements looked fine by I lost my phantom center completely. Sound was coming from left and right speakers only. I repeated measurements multiple times and even rolled back ASIO4ALL version.

So finally i disabled clock drift compensation this time and now left and right were under 0.1s difference and phantom center returned.

I lost a couple days trying to solve why the sq was negatively affected, but now am very happy with how it all sounds.

If using a pro audio multichannel interface (Mic input and DAC outputs) and it's ASIO driver you won have any of these issues,

But using an AVR like this is cool - all in 1 box and remote control for volume.

The Denon volume control is actually analogue (IC), even thought it shows volume on digital display

 

[Marcus DiBenedetto]

Exasound + UMik1 -
ASIO is only option for Exasound DAC
UMik1 WASAPI driver does not work with this combo. AL accepts the Exasound ASIO / UMik1 WASAPI combination and measurements seem ok, but timings are consistently out of whack.

For my configuration, only thing that works is direct mode for UMIK1. I always disable WASAPI.
This provides consistent results.

Hi. I will be using Audiolense XO to analyze my surround system (5.2) with my ExaSound S88 DAC. I have the UMIK1. I would like to draw on your experience to save me from similar issues.
-- Music server to S88 via USB.
-- S88 to Parasound A52+ via XLR.
-- Front three speakers are full range and each includes a powered subwoofer.
-- UMIK1 to music server via USB.

Screenshots:
1. Audiolense XO Setup
2. Current Measurement Setup. I get sweeps through speakers.
3. Measurement Setup Choices. I do not see "direct sound" as an option.

Your Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[whoareyou]

Take a look under advanced settings, and you should see an option to enable the direct sound option.

 

[juicehifi]

What he said, and it is sometimes a matter of trial and error, especially with the two components you are using. Do several measurements and look for consistent timing differences between tweeters. Ideally these differences should only vary by max 2 samples.

 

[mccarty350]

Heads up, this is all on my side as theorized, the minidsp UMIK only supports 48khz recording. This is NOT an audiolense issue.

 

[juicehifi]

I am just about to delete those two posts, mc350. I want this thread to contain solutions only. No pun intended. And soon this post will be gone too.

 

[2234rew]

Do several measurements and look for consistent timing differences between tweeters. Ideally these differences should only vary by max 2 samples.

So for 48kHz measurement:

2 samples = 1000 * (2/48000) = 0.05 ms ?

So tweeters should not vary by more than 0.05 ms?

0.1 ms is too much?

 

[juicehifi]

Ideally, yes. But while a larger variation than this is indicative on some inconsistency in the measurement process, the drift is likely to be inaudible.