Back to basics - how to EQ by ear - tuning with D4S EZY DSP

[@kewlbug]

The first half of this is crucial for any newbie. Other channels seem to make it a point to talk down to people that have yet to understand or hear these concepts. That making a video about it is somehow beneath them. Props

[@bennyblanco14]

Bro, you just amazed me with how informative you are ...

[@ril5797]

All the videos I watched from this guy are excellent and geared towards a novice such as me! Please keep out up a good work!!

[@youngmarioyoung1]

Really good video. Your explanation made it so easy to understand

[@bbfoto7248]

@RAW-CAt Nice breakdown of your "Tuning by Ear" process. 👍 A few things I might suggest: 1. I suggest that viewers BEGIN by EQ'ing the individual MIDRANGE (in a 3-way) or MIDWOOFERS (in a 2-way) drivers BEFORE moving on to the Tweeters. I just feel that its an easier and better place to start in order to "develop an ear" for what to listen for, or to more easily hear & adjust the relative levels. 2. I find it is easier to use 1/3rd Octave Band-Limited PINK NOISE for this process. But you might try doing it with the 1/3rd Octave Sine Wave Tones and then ALSO try Pink Noise to hear if they seem similar. 3. First go through and Level the overall amplitude of Each Driver through its Passband (bandpass). Then EQ Left vs Right driver pairs to the one that sounds most "full" which is usually the Passenger side (so try to correct the EQ of the Driver's Side speaker to the Passenger side). If you will allow an Internet HyperLink, your viewers can DOWNLOAD a set of 1/3rd Octave Band-Limited PINK NOISE Tracks & Soundstage Position Tracks at the following LINK shown below. Ideally, you should put them on a USB Thumbdrive or burn them to a CD-R disc to play them. Or put them on you Smartphone or Tablet and use a stereo 3.5mm analog cable from your playback device to the AUX Input of your head unit or DSP. Using Bluetooth (or using Lossy Files such as MP3) can create artifacts or apply a HPF or LPF to some Test Tones. The Password is the actual First Name of our gracious host, "RAW-CAt": 1drv.ms/f/s!AmW70ymwG0gjx2_d3wBLGGKHcwCZ?e=ceQem6

[@sibusisomasina753]

Thanks man, for these videos, there is a lot learned on these and they will surely help most of us that are still learning this car audio game.

[@kostas133kostas]

There is always something new to learn from your videos! I just used this freq generator app and I found out that there are so many frequencies that are not centered in my "centered" tune 🤣🤣🤣

[@kjata77]

Perfect video. Firstly, the custom dash unit looks really good... I wasn't a fan it from the fabrication video with that material but it blends in & looks really sharp with the perspective of the entire front cabin :) After almost 30 years in car audio (not a shop pro) I can't hear above 16kHz and some other frequency bands very well... 'occupational hazard', lol. Especially when young, I tuned systems by ear or with a rigged sorta mic & spectrum analyzer set-up because RTAs were so expensive back then and not worth it now to do a single system, IMO. The point is that even now I have to tune-to-ear BUT also tune to RTA so that I can tune to my likes and then tune to passenger enjoyment also. That's the one thing I would add to the video (unless I missed that point)... having an overall tuning saved for the driver's taste and then a flat, "all seat" tuning. Like you said, even one of our ears "hears" differently than the other for most of us. On that point, when tuning your systems via DSP, guys & gals, remember to have your head unit's EQ set to "Flat". The DSP's EQ is to "flatten the sound" then the head unit's EQ is to further shape the sound for various music types or songs, or audio books. Lol, I truly listen to everything and you don't want the the same head unit EQ preset on while listening to James Earl Jones reading the Bible as you have while listening to EDM, Metallica, or Techmaster P.E.B. :D

[@19rc69]

When are we gonna get to videos explaining the intricacies of phase as it pertains to FIR filters and IIR filters? Ha j/k Nerijus 😂 You’re doing an excellent job on these introductory videos and I’m really enjoying them. We all have to start somewhere and there is nobody else that I know of making such detailed and informative videos from beginner to advanced. Thanks

[@Smokeey409]

Drew Jones is supposed to put out a guide for that

[@kewlbug]

There are a few "top" cars out here on the west coast using FIR.. and I gotta say, I'm not 100% sold. They have succeeded in removing the environment from the sound. You lose a lot of what we like about the sound in a car. It sounds "too perfect" and it's weird. To give further example, like a room that has too much sound treatment, It will become weird and unnatural, even though technically correct.

[@RAW-CAt]

​@@kewlbug the word you are looking for is "dead".

[@kewlbug]

@@RAW-CAt Dead is definitely how I would describe the home situation. It was just an example of a weird overcorrection. I'm not sure what to call this phase correction effect. I would liken it possibly to taking a video with a fish Eye lens and using software to correct it. The sound does not match what you are expecting to hear. And to who mentioned Drew jones.. LOL

[@TheSFFV]

Damn, you came in hot. Yes a proper speaker by speaker tune takes a long time. Also agree that gains come last. Also sometimes at the crossover frequency you may get a slight bump when both drivers are playing. Very important to tune one speaker at a time then groups to determine if any other issues come up.

[@speedpros]

Excellent break down as usual and great problem solver using the frequency sweep app to get dialed in. I hate that REW only saves in text because my dsp only upload to eq in IDSP anyways great tutorial. I said a long time ago the manufacturers would sell more dsp if they had proper people explaining wut everything does and how to use it. Gotta high dollar zapco still haven't gotten a real grip of the use

[@RalphMercuroMusic]

This technique is very dependent on the tuners hearing. My hearing has a good dip at 4k. Listening to a frequency sweep on any device, I hear a noticeable volume drop from 3.5-4.5k.

[@RAW-CAt]

Yes, that is true, that is why in the other videos I demonstrate how to use RTA.

[@HillbillyRefrigeration]

I think I’ll buy one of those. Currently using audiocontrol DM810. You have “peaked” my interest !!

[@Gworksdesigns]

dm810 smokes this.

[@jacquesbolduc1070]

WoW ,très bonne explication merci 🙏

[@dahack1]

Thumbs up for Significant other album by Limb Bizkit playing on the head unit 😊

[@markbest4230]

GREAT VIDEO! I don't trust my ears... I'm using the microphone 🎤! 💯

[@jasonh1244]

Thank you for all the time and hard work you put into these videos - they're always informative and enjoyable. After working with the d4s dsp for a while, do you still think it's the budget king? Considering one for my work car.

[@RAW-CAt]

Yes. i have not encountered any problems with it. It does what it's told with no bugs discovered so far. The only issue I have with it is the temporary lack of controller. But it is coming later in the year.

[@jasonh1244]

Thanks!

[@jonesaleroy]

The problem with eqs is if most people don't understand how it compresses or expends the layers of signals at what ever band your tuning. So this can cause issues with imaging and sound stage. You can end up with a flat or bright area that you cannot fix. This is the downside of stock locations and all the cancelations in a vehicle.

[@Jt19702]

So EQuing first then gains last, the gain level is turned full left (lowest) and then make adjustments as needed to reach optimal listening levels?

[@RAW-CAt]

Yes. I will make a video about level matching the whole system.

[@zzz2496]

Hi Nerijus! Great Video! I would like to add an information to your video: WHY do we set the "Frequency Response" graph to "FLAT"? The answer is simple and very obvious: Because we use a sound source with flat frequency response as the input. Sine sweep is flat in Frequency Response graph, and pink noise too. So if the input is FLAT so does the output SHOULD BE. A well tuned system will always produce INPUT = OUTPUT, if the input is FLAT, so the output should be FLAT (or as flat as it can be) as possible.

[@fretflyer1]

I heard that flat 20-20k is not really correct, because even the flattest studio driver put into a normal room will have: 1. boosted lower frequencies because they bounce and reflect easier, and they are hard to attenuate 2. attenuated higher frequencies because they are easy to absorb with furniture and that kind of stuff That's why house curve with boosted bass and attenuated high end sounds more like what we are used to.

[@zzz2496]

@@fretflyer1 True, but what can you use as a guidance if not a signal with flat frequency response? And in the case of flattest studio driver are tuned (when properly tuned) in an anechoic chamber so that the tuner only hears what the drivers are doing, not from the room that will ruin the tune.

[@fretflyer1]

@@zzz2496 a ~flattish house curve but with raising bass and rolling off highs - that corresponds to a speaker that's 100% flat in anechoic chamber put into a nice sounding room. So 100% flat should be only if youre measuring in an anechoic chamber. I found that true when I always tried tuning to 100% flat highs, but then found that rolling off highs is what made my speakers go from sounding harsh to best speakers I ever heard.

[@D4S-JAKE]

love it !!!!!

[@darrylperks6730]

It'll be interesting to see how, if tuning by ear using sine tones, the 'flatness' comes out compared to the Fletcher Munson curves?

[@trkz28]

I'm still waiting the verdict if it's worth of buying, or pass and get a helix mini dsp mk2... Great videos !

[@Gworksdesigns]

this doesn't even compare to the Helix.

[@mattroadfeldt9012]

So my question is how do you deal with center image? Great info as usual. Helps me to understand some things better.

[@RAW-CAt]

Imaging will be covered in the future😉

[@mattroadfeldt9012]

@@RAW-CAt Awesome! It's something I am trying to better understand.

[@oagbujuokunye1879]

​@@RAW-CAtHi I found another way that you could do sound alignment with out measuring Mic and expensive tools and it kind of simple may not be the absolute perfect but a could get you running all you need to do is to set your head unit to play mono signal and then you play a tune that that covers all the frequencies and the trick is to balance left and right channel so that you can't tell the position of the speaker from the listening to your tune/music, and tune tweeters separate from mid range and separate from mid base. Hope this makes sense, but I couldn't tell how to balance between mid base and subs and between midrange and midbase

[@DJPapiatl]

Damn I wish you was in The USA

[@jasonmcmaster3939]

Good stuff as always! I find both male and female vocals are sometimes too "in my face" in my set up...any suggestions on area's to focus on?

[@RAW-CAt]

That will be your main midrange region around 300-800Hz. Try to experiment and pull down by a few dBs very wide Q-0.4. alternatively, if you have a 3way, just pull down the channel gains on your midranges.

[@jasonmcmaster3939]

@@RAW-CAt Makes sense, Alpine type X 6.5"'s can be a little shouty in the midrange area...thankyou sir!

[@defaultdriftco00]

Question for a physical damping on those tweeters, like thin foam or batting? Say at the edge facing the glass

[@RAW-CAt]

That depends on the frequencies youn want to tame. Thin materials might work for very high frequencies, but anything lower in frequency will require thickness of material that is not practical.to.use in that scenario.

[@mrgokarcik1084]

thank you for this great video again

[@RAW-CAt]

The measurements should be taken in the same conditions as you would be listening to music. So if you want a preset with the roof down, take the measurements with the roof down. For the other preset measure with the roof off.

[@Randy_G]

Awesome

[@lucksin]

This is addiction!!

[@kisse68]

like your things old man iam done best of autosaund 90:s win few competions but newer trusted meters,these days i had coustic rta-33 for measure and multimeter , and super old oscilocpope still i like sound even idont like sound new sond modern hifi cars ,still like ab or a amp sound better they have up and fault but in my ear sound good, btw my car amps arsenal are some alpine mrv amps 305 and 405 and infinity amps nowday iam using 2,5-way front and sub and thats fine for me and iam using old amp audison av5.1 using my system fine i like sound biased a but noproblem in bass using d clas, my home audio consist GENELEC 1031, INFINITY KAPPA, WHAFEDALE,HARMAN CARDON, YAMAHA style audio, Also done that audio since 1986 for hobby and living

[@jadsholloway]

Feel like the next video with a RTA will make this video have an Ahha moment....

[@RaikouTch]

One thing I haven't fully understood - are the speakers supposed to sound totally flat to our ears or just to a measurement mic? I seem to hear the 3KHz range quite a bit louder on pretty much any system which I assume is ear canal resonance. Do I leave that alone or EQ it so it sounds even to me? Like if things in real life sound louder at 3KHz then I suppose the speakers should too..?

[@RAW-CAt]

That specific 3kHz range is tricky. It all comes down to personal preference. I like it flat on the RTA and it's a bit pronounced if checked by ears, but that range gives some bite to instruments and attack that I personally like. Someone that prefers a more mellow sound, might want that range to be reduced.

[@nelsonlopes3500]

What is your opinion when using the Alpine f1 status spx Z15m splits which have a very complex crossover network with many options and settings? Would a dsp be worth it?

[@RAW-CAt]

DSP is always gonna be better than passive crossovers. No matter how much adjustability the passives have. Just because you can individually time align the drivers.

[@ssjdavid]

Would I be able to use a kicker keyloc into this? Want to send a flat signal because my factory radio sucks

[@RAW-CAt]

Yes, you can.

[@ssjdavid]

@@RAW-CAtoh my goodness this might just be the budget move now 👀👀👀

[@nileshudson2185]

Sup, I have the little brother to your ezy dsp, I was wondering, the voltage reading is it the input of the source or it the output of the dsp. (I.e the voltage reading beside the channel listed)

[@RAW-CAt]

That is the output voltage of the RCA.

[@nileshudson2185]

Ok thanks

[@DIYAudioGuy]

🔥🔥🔥🦾🔥🔥🔥

[@bluedemon7601]

Can you do a video on how to intsall the app on Android devices please

[@RAW-CAt]

Follow the instructions on D4S website, it's explained in detail.

[@davorinmilinovic3164]

So if you have hearing problems you are actually EQ-ing your hearing also. 😅

[@RAW-CAt]

Indeed. As the goal is to make the system sound nice to you. It is your system after all. A personalised system may not be the most accurate one. Now if you are tuning for competition, that is a different animal. In that case it doesn't really matter what YOU like, it's all about being correct and accurate for the judges.

[@kisse68]

Iwas bush in autosound abouth 20yrs but now iam back show to new friends that I have some knowlege left , i like your style but my style maybe bit brutal to you , making good sound maybe cause i have done some live mixing bands in my youngage (ALSO maybe eardamage;))

[@minus3dbintheteens60]

Pop, rock, metal etc everything is recorded with no dynamic range what so ever, so yeah, adding 3dB to 1K playing your crappy pop music MP3 over BT WILL clip. Try it

[@kisse68]

hope to phone sometime

[@BrianBlaney-c9d]

I wonder what the distortion levels would look like on this cheap-amp? Too bad it didn’t make it through Mr. Meade’s tests. It would have been cool if it made it through test and sent it to you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g161k6ipZ9h-bJIsi=XCL39v1jtzWnvogW

[@dediervan8477]

Could you please, next video use mic array?

[@RAW-CAt]

Mic aray is way too advanced for beginners. However that video is coming. Just not next.