When you're runnings some room tests with pink noise or tones [say, at the mix position], how many mic positions do you use? Just one or more so you can average the results? Do you go to the point of using a grid?

As many as you like?

I suspect it depends on how many people are going to be monitoring, and where they are going to sit. In my small studio I was mainly interested in the response at one position (where my head normally is), although I also measured at all sorts of different positions around the room to get a feel for where the problem areas where (highlighting particular modes for instance). The software I use (ETF 5) has an auto-update mode so you can march around the room with your mic and see how the acoustics vary, but I still think the most important mic position is the one at the engineer's head.

However, those who regularly have several people sitting side by side will need several plots, while those with 'client sofas' at the back of the room will need measurements there, and of course ideally you should have a good response (as far as possible) in most places in the room, although this will require lots more acoustic treatment.

A grid may be good when you're trying to find the optimum positioning for speakers, since you may be moving them a few inches at a time, but the listening positions generally stay the same. Other people may have different techniques though.


Martin

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YewTreeMagic

Quote archdake mkII:

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When you're runnings some room tests with pink noise or tones [say, at the mix position], how many mic positions do you use? Just one or more so you can average the results? Do you go to the point of using a grid?

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What Martin says, but to add....

You should take a few measurements at different positions at and close to the main listening position and mentally average those out. IN particular measure each speaker individually as firingtwo speakers at once can cuase cancellations of HF due to small path legnth differences between the mic and each speaker.

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Pauls Studio Build Diary at http://forum.studiotips.com/viewforum.php?f=1

@Martin: My main concern with using one position [and I mean a position relative to the engineer's head] was the accidental placement on a trouble or sweet spot that doesn't represent the general trend of the area. That auto update looks good though.

@Paul: But how about the bass response of 1 speaker VS 2?

Edited by archdake mkII (31/03/06 12:01 PM)

I'd definitely agree that moving the mic around a bit in auto-update mode is important to flush out any localised problems, but as long as you have side and ceiling traps to mop up mirror-point reflections the response ought not be vary radically in the area that your head is likely to move about during a mix. If it does you need more local treatment (of the acoustics that is )

You may well find a difference between the two individual speakers at the bass end anyway, due to a non-symmetrical room (door in one corner, window on one side, and so on).


Martin

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YewTreeMagic

Quote Martin Walker:

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I'd definitely agree that moving the mic around a bit in auto-update mode is important to flush out any localised problems, but as long as you have side and ceiling traps to mop up mirror-point reflections the response ought not be vary radically in the area that your head is likely to move about during a mix. If it does you need more local treatment (of the acoustics that is )

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yes exactly. The acoustic treatment ( especially bass trapping ) flattens the response through out the whole room, not just at the listening position.

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Pauls Studio Build Diary at http://forum.studiotips.com/viewforum.php?f=1

Cheers guys!