Setting Up a Subwoofer in Your HOME STUDIO with SONARWORKS

[@avationmusic]

My whole life I’ve always avoided subs for the same reasons as you, even thinking they’re one of the last things you should add to your studio. I started audio college a few weeks ago and used theirs, it’s now the top of my wishlist! Nice video man :)

[@PunkRockVibes]

Great video. I’ve been playing around with my subwoofer replacement. And I think I saw a video with you and Andrew masters. I watch his videos all the time.

[@JustinTutor]

Thanks for checking out the video! Andrew is a good friend of mine!

[@DystinctMusic]

Great video Justin! Your storey sounds just like mine 😆. I landed on the Mackie 824 MK1's myself and calibrated them with SoundID but I still wasn't happy with the bottom end so, I added a little 1.5db boost to the lower frequencies between 20 to 180Hz using the already calibrated file within Sonarworks and, as soon as I did this, I was much happier with the playback of my favourite music and was able to mix a lot quicker in general. I'm just about to purchase an SVR SB1000 Pro sub woofer and I was interested to see how other people have set subs up using Sound ID. Yours was the first video I came across.😉BR, Luca.

[@the_nondrive_side]

I don't do anything studio work.. but i use a focusrite to M Audio BX5a with a Denon mini integrate amp as alternate.. running some tiny energy take 2 and a JVC subwoofer right on the desk wall loaded just like the other speakers... works in this room bonus it's aligned and I can run it really low level and fairly wide Q

[@dylanschweitzer18]

My sub comes in the mail tmrw 🥰

[@itsa_chronic]

any update?

[@andrescuriel4531]

Hey where can I find that sound you played for measuring the room?

[@LongshanMusic]

He’s using Sonarworks calibration software.

[@bobbyblueflame]

Thanks dude I just got sonar works and I wondered if my sub would be checked as well.

[@raphabmroque]

I just got a sub and my speaker's curve inside sonarworks was very similar to yours (without the sub). I'll try with the sub and come back with more information. Thanks for the video. Great work.

[@elninolaspistastv]

What were the results of subwoofer+monitors’s calibration?

[@raphabmroque]

@@elninolaspistastv I’ve changed my monitoring system about 2 times since I wrote that comment… but now I am using one of my HS8 as a sub and I calibrated the 3 speakers together (I use the LP6 as my “upper” monitors and HS8 on my foot as sub). Now I use the ARC 3 to calibrate. Sounds amazing and everything sound pretty close in other systems.

[@elninolaspistastv]

@@raphabmroque thanks for the reply! Yesterday I tried Sonarworks with Focal Shape 50 and a Focal Cub 2 Subwoofer (I use it with my Home Cinema, but I want to check if this sub is useful for my purposes). Calibration with Sonarworks is extrange, cause it detects subwoofer aligned to L, althought it is centered... I use Yamaha 01v96i: Monitors are in L-R outs and Sub in Omni out. All outs are filtered (HF for monitors and LF for Sub) So I have doubts, because I don't know if I need to calibrate monitors with Sonarworks and then to join the subwoofer to the system... but maybe it generates a bass frecuencies problem... I am going to investigate ARC 3, but I would appreciate some help to calibrating 2 monitors and 1 subwoofer. Thanks a lot!

[@elninolaspistastv]

Well, I tried ARC 3. During calibration process I noticed that the subwoofer only sounded when listening to channel L. So I fixed the problem. I made a new calibration. Both, Sonarworks and ARC 3 detected a bass upgrade. Nothing more. I could compare Sonarworks and ARC 3, and I feel ARC 3 sounds more natural... I need to try mixing same track with both systems to learn more conclusions. I hope my experience can help anyone. Cheers

[@raphabmroque]

​@@elninolaspistastv I don't understand too much about this Yamaha 01v96i, but i've worked with it already. So I can't help about this topic... However, yes, ARC 3 sounded more natural for me too! And its EQ for adjusting to your taste is amazing, I use it and am very happy with the results. When I calibrate my system, I route my sounds thru 2 different outputs of my interface (iD14). I do the same as you said, LPF on Sub and HPF on the "upper" monitors, but internally (via DAW) and route it to the external outputs. So it goes like this: All my sound system -> loopback (iD14) Loopback -> Channel 1 on DAW (here is where I put ARC 3 after calibration is done) OUTPUT from Channel 1 -> channel 2 (HPF filter) -> Output 1-2 -> Upper Monitors OUTPUT from Channel 1 -> channel 3 (LPF filter) -> Output 3-4 -> HS8 (But only the output 3 from my interface has a cable directly to my sub) Because the HS8 has only one input, I have to mono the signal before sending it. Otherwise, when calibrating, the calibration software understands only one side has a LOT OF SUB and the other side, has none. Before starting the calibration, try flipping the polarity of the sub and hear what is the best sounding for you (I usually prefer when I can hear more of the sub working) If you are having an enormous amount of sub after all of this (on the graph after calibration is done), try turning the volume of the sub speaker down about 6 or 12dB. It'll help the calibration software to make easier curves. I think that's it... hope I could help with these tips, even if you've already fixed the problem earlier. Let us know about the mixing test you said you'd do. =)

[@joeychavez8318]

That story about you and your friend each buy a single monitor made me laugh cuz that's totally something I would have done when I was younger. Anyway, I just got the newest version of the KRK 10" sub and it rocks! I have it sitting off to the side, not under my desk in the center and it still sounds great.

[@cnkosm6536]

Thanks for the video. I also have Focal Alpha 65 and I would like to add a sub (for listening to music, no mixing). But I don't know how to connect it! Currently I'm using my DAC/Preamp's XLR outs to drive the Focals. The preamp also has RCA outs. If I add a sub, should I use the RCAs to connect these two devices OR should I use the XLRs from preamp into subwoofer and from there to the Focals?

[@JustinTutor]

Hey thanks for checking out the video! I don’t actually have any experience using the RCAs out, so I’m not sure I could recommend for or against that. However, I currently have my XLRs going into my sub then I’m using the balanced TRS out from the sub to speakers with no issues at all.

[@pattames541]

How did you setup your crossover point ?

[@JustinTutor]

Hey Patricio! I’m not sure if this is absolutely correct, but I’ve always heard to just set the crossover about 10hz above the lowest frequency your speakers can reproduce, so that’s what I did.

[@mpasistasyalanci]

I ve bought a pair of used focals like the ones you have, the alpha 65, some weeks ago. I had the m audio bx-8 a, i prefer everything in the focals, it is a step up for mixing, a more fast and analytic speaker, but i miss the low end extension of the 8 inches. I was thinking to buy a sub, for the extension and also for the 6,5 inch cone of the mains to move more freely. Whats is your opinion of the combination with the krk? do you thing the 8 inch may do the job in a small bedroom, instead of the 10?

[@JustinTutor]

I’ve been thinking about going back to my Focals just because I love them so much. I’d definitely recommend a sub. My 10” KRK hasn’t seemed to be too much for my room, and you can always turn it wayyyyy down if necessary. I think a sub with the 6.5” speakers is a must if you’re trying to be really critical with the low end.

[@jakemccall1122]

Will you come measure the frequency response in my apartment when I set one up?

[@JustinTutor]

For a small fee of…one million doll hairs

[@rukkuskeylow916]

When you say that your sub decreases a lot, did that mean that it was in phase or did you switch it back?

[@JustinTutor]

Whenever I flipped the phase 180 degrees, the sub decreased pretty dramatically, so I just left it on 0 degrees.

[@rukkuskeylow916]

@@JustinTutor Thanks

[@savoirfaire8979]

From my research and experience, many regular monitors are too large. 8” monitors are problematic in small rooms because they are designed for mid-field applications. 5” are more appropriate for near-field, and this is better with a subwoofer.

[@TeionSimmons]

get the kali IN-5 and its ball game TRANSLATION to the car and everything else

[@eldhoka1]

Maybe spent the same amount of money on acoustics next time around instead of any other monitors. And please only go for the rockwool or glasswool insulation material, atleast 6inchs thick on your first and second reflection points. And in corners of the room for bass control. Sonarworks works well when you control your room first so that the software has to do less processing to the signal. And most engineers clams they find sonarworks works well then it has to do less than 6db of shaping. Enjoy🙂👍

[@JustinTutor]

Thanks man, and thanks for checking out the video!

[@JayfkProductions876]

Thanks dewwwwd

[@JustinTutor]

Thanks for checking out the vid dewwwwwwd

[@stellarsoundlabs4658]

Zero acoustical treatment and you think the problem is the monitors...tisk tisk

[@JustinTutor]

Could always use more treatment. You’re absolutely right. Thanks for checking out the video though man.

[@chriskread7445]

Doesn't it go on the ground? lol

[@JustinTutor]

Lol totally does!

[@soldfaith]

Or just get a pair of professional studio monitors that have a very wide frequency response, from 30hz to 20.000hz and you won't need a subwoofer. Plenty of awesome brands make them, like Adam Audio, HEDD, Genelec. You just need lots of cash.