I'm just so pleased and proud that I finally went to the local RS and bought one of their digital Sound Level Meters. Actually seems pretty snazzy and a pretty fair price(Even RS has gotten it somewhat right, at times, over the years, despite being an easy target of complaints -- yes, the guy did ask me if I needed a cell phone - so what? Maybe I do? If I didn't ask, beg, plead, cry - ALL THE TIME - if someone needs voiceovers, I'd never get any...). Anyhow, I did a few tests, using the .mp3's from the Real Traps sight NOT the complete series, yet(I will, give me time!), but, I need to ask a question:
So, I set the level - NO, first ---:
So, must I make a CD from the files? Why can't I play them "direct" with Windows Media Player? I mean, I did just open the zip file, click on them, as desired and they "play"(Some serious clicks and pops, but they play - OK???)... I will put them up on Wavelab, and see if those clicks and pops are really there..? If so(Not just another "fault" in WMP), I'll maybe take some time to edit out the BANGS, so I can bumpup the level without popping a driver or my eardrums OUCH!!! Still, no prob, at "normal" levels no prob at all.
Anyhow, The idea is to set the level of playback so the meter is at around 70dB? Or any dB that seems to "fill the room"(Well the "room" around the "mix/listen/meter position") without blowing up speakers or whatever(Neither too low nor too high - OK..?). So, I set the level at 77db with the pink noise. NOW, is the idea to see "how far away" from 77db +/-, the rest of the levels are - adjusting the range of the meter as needed?
So far, just fooling around, I set 77db with pink noise then, like, NOTHING below the 49 cycle(Hertz) level, as my little Yammie's just don't go there(OK with me, I "Cut" my inputs at 80 cycles.). At 55 cycles it's about even with the pink noise - 77 dB. After that, as I go up, it gets higher and higher above 77, almost linearly? So, by 109 to 118 cycles(Far as I've gone) I'm at 95 to 98 dB..!?!? 21 dB higher than the original pink niose level of 77dB... Is this right? I mean is the test proceeding properly? Is this the way to do it? Just doing the 7 ranges, so far, it's ALL headed "up" nothing "down" - which I BELIEVE makes sense, as I've done NOTHING to diminish these extreme lows in my room.
Anyway, there you go. I think I've got "corners" for about 12 Real Traps? Maybe I'll buy them one at a time? I DO have the "stuff"(Sort've) to try to roll my own for a few? Don't know? Couldn't find the "real stuff", locally, as mentioned on the RT site(I read about it maybe 3-4 years ago? I plan to use Luan plywood, 1/8" Masonite and an "interior" of Armstrong 2x4 ceiling panels, along with some silicone sealant. NO IDEA how it will work? No idea of whether it's even worth trying? But, as I likely WILL have the time(That's sad...) and the materials, I probably will. At least maybe I can try to measure ANY difference, now???
Here's something I hesitate to admit, as it must be HORRIBLY WRONG to do. My room is setup corner to corner - there, I've said it(I feel sooo much better.). My computer desk from the office place is the "corner" type, so my computer monitor and speakers are facing the opposite corner of the room(Where the draped, stuffed-with-clothes, closet is). The speakers, on either side of the monitor are angled "in" to face my ears, with the tweeters at "ear level", perched on their "custom made" blocks of 2x4, painted flat black, of course, and then with Aurelex Mopads sitting on them and the speakers sitting on them. The speakers, at "normal" sit, are about two feet from my old, tired, barely functional ears. Sounds SOOO much better than my old, tiny speakers that I also hesitate to complain, but, I know things could be better. Playing a low frequency tone, when I "go to a corner" my head is about imploded by the bass buildup... not good...
Comments? Suggestions? Any "scratch and dent/bents n' bumps" RT's???
Thankx! You guys checking-in is WONDERFUL! LOVE your videos Ethan! All this PRO commentary helps me feel as though even I have a chance.....
TG