How to take advantage of the nwwm1m2's native EQ in a pragmatic way?

[ruidito]

Hello everyone.
I have a Sony NW WM1ZM2.
I recently started using AutoEQ. I downloaded pre-made profiles for various headphones so I could get the best possible sound without wasting time learning and practicing something I'm not interested in mastering. That works for Qobuz, for example, but not for the Walkman's native EQ player.
How can I configure the Walkman's native EQ similarly to AutoEQ so I don't waste time? Thank you very much.

 

[staticV3]

Is this the equalizer that you're working with?


If so, the steps would be:
-Export measurement sweep .WAV file using the Room EQ Wizard Generator window.
-Load the sweep onto your Sony
-Record the sweep with various equalizer parameters
-Import into REW using File->Import->Import Sweep recordings
-Open the EQ window in REW to figure out the precise frequencies, gain range, and Q value that Sony's equalizer is using
-open https://autoeq.app/, choose a headphone and select "Custom Parametric Eq"
-Copy the frequencies, gain ranges, and Q value that you've figured out previously into AutoEQ

->Now AutoEQ will compute EQ presets tailor-made for your Sony, ensuring that the EQ response actually matches your headphones to your target.

If it's a bit too complicated for you, then I can do the steps after you've recorded the sweeps for you.

But I cannot make the recordings as I don't have a Sony NW WM1ZM2.

For clean, usable data you'd have to avoid going through a speaker and microphone for the recordings.

Either plug the Sony's analog output into a motherboard, audio interface, or field recorder (Line in), or if the Sony supports digital audio output, it may be possible to use a DDC like the HiFime UR23 for recording.

Here are some previous examples where I did this:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-speaker-how-not-to-do-fletcher-munson.64243/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...er-hd560s-review-headphone.29603/post-2008356
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...alizer-preset-for-deadbeef.55651/post-2025577

 

[ruidito]

Is this the equalizer that you're working with?
View attachment 477671

If so, the steps would be:
-Export measurement sweep .WAV file using the Room EQ Wizard Generator window.
-Load the sweep onto your Sony
-Record the sweep with various equalizer parameters
-Import into REW using File->Import->Import Sweep recordings
-Open the EQ window in REW to figure out the precise frequencies, gain range, and Q value that Sony's equalizer is using
-open https://autoeq.app/, choose a headphone and select "Custom Parametric Eq"
-Copy the frequencies, gain ranges, and Q value that you've figured out previously into AutoEQ

->Now AutoEQ will compute EQ presets tailor-made for your Sony, ensuring that the EQ response actually matches your headphones to your target.

If it's a bit too complicated for you, then I can do the steps after you've recorded the sweeps for you.

But I cannot make the recordings as I don't have a Sony NW WM1ZM2.

That's the one I'm talking about, and I didn't understand a single thing you wrote to me
But I thank you from the bottom of my heart anyway, because I'm going to follow your lead, figuring out what I don't understand. Thank you very much.

 

[staticV3]

That's the one I'm talking about, and I didn't understand a single thing you wrote to me
But I thank you from the bottom of my heart anyway, because I'm going to follow your lead, figuring out what I don't understand. Thank you very much.

Please don't hesitate to ask if you're getting stuck somewhere. I'm always happy to help out!

Also see the edits to my previous message.

 

[ruidito]

I saw the edition, thank you so much. And thank you so much for offering your help if I can't make progress. I'm truly grateful.
Today I have a busy day, but during the week I'll use your instructions and get started. So during the week, if I get stuck anywhere, I'll write to you. Thank you so much.

 

[ruidito]

I thought I'd ask you a few questions, but I didn't think I'd start with the first thing you wrote to me. What is "Export measurement sweep .WAV file using the Room EQ Wizard Generator window"?

Is this the equalizer that you're working with?
View attachment 477671

If so, the steps would be:
-Export measurement sweep .WAV file using the Room EQ Wizard Generator window.
-Load the sweep onto your Sony
-Record the sweep with various equalizer parameters
-Import into REW using File->Import->Import Sweep recordings
-Open the EQ window in REW to figure out the precise frequencies, gain range, and Q value that Sony's equalizer is using
-open https://autoeq.app/, choose a headphone and select "Custom Parametric Eq"
-Copy the frequencies, gain ranges, and Q value that you've figured out previously into AutoEQ

->Now AutoEQ will compute EQ presets tailor-made for your Sony, ensuring that the EQ response actually matches your headphones to your target.

If it's a bit too complicated for you, then I can do the steps after you've recorded the sweeps for you.

But I cannot make the recordings as I don't have a Sony NW WM1ZM2.

For clean, usable data you'd have to avoid going through a speaker and microphone for the recordings.

Either plug the Sony's analog output into a motherboard, audio interface, or field recorder (Line in), or if the Sony supports digital audio output, it may be possible to use a DDC like the HiFime UR23 for recording.

Here are some previous examples where I did this:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-speaker-how-not-to-do-fletcher-munson.64243/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...er-hd560s-review-headphone.29603/post-2008356
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...alizer-preset-for-deadbeef.55651/post-2025577

I thought I'd ask you a few questions, but I didn't think I'd start with the first thing you wrote to me. What is "Export measurement sweep .WAV file using the Room EQ Wizard Generator window"?

 

[staticV3]

I thought I'd ask you a few questions, but I didn't think I'd start with the first thing you wrote to me. What is "Export measurement sweep .WAV file using the Room EQ Wizard Generator window"?

1. Download and install Room EQ Wizard: https://www.roomeqwizard.com/index.html
   (Beta is fine as well, for the latest bugfixes: https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/rew-api-beta-releases.12981/)
2. Open the Generator:
   
   
3. Copy the parameters from here:
   
   
4. Click on the WAV button and transfer the file to your DAP

 

[ruidito]

Does the DAP need to be connected when I open the generator, or do I just copy the values from your image to my generator? What's the point of this if you don't mind me asking (this is how I learn)?

1. Download and install Room EQ Wizard: https://www.roomeqwizard.com/index.html
   (Beta is fine as well, for the latest bugfixes: https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/rew-api-beta-releases.12981/)
2. Open the Generator:
   View attachment 477732
   
3. Copy the parameters from here:
   View attachment 477736
   
4. Click on the WAV button and transfer the file to your DAP

Does the DAP need to be connected when I open the generator, or do I just copy the values from your image to my generator? What's the point of this if you don't mind me asking (this is how I learn)?

 

[staticV3]

Does the DAP need to be connected when I open the generator

No. The DAP need only be connected to transfer the resulting WAV file.

or do I just copy the values from your image to my generator?

you just copy the values and create a WAV file with the WAV button.

What's the point of this if you don't mind me asking (this is how I learn)?

to characterize the equalizer built into your Sony DAP.

Only once we know how the equalizer behaves, can we use it for response correction.

 

[ruidito]

Hello again Static. I need more help please:

-Record the sweep with various equalizer parameters

How do I do this?

 

[staticV3]

Hello again Static. I need more help please:

-Record the sweep with various equalizer parameters

How do I do this?

Plug the DAP's Aux output into an audio interface, field recorder, or the Line in port on your motherboard.

Start a recording using e.g. Audacity

Play the measurement sweep once with the Equalizer and all other processing disabled, then stop the recording and save as .WAV

Turn the Equalizer on, set the first slider labeled "31" to Max, then start another recording and play the sweep. Stop the recording, then save as .WAV

Set the first slider to Min, then repeat.

In the end, you want separate recordings of every band at Min and Max, plus for one of the bands (e.g. 1K), recordings for a few different slider positions (ideally every position, but that's 20+ recordings if I've counted correctly. Might be overkill)

Make sure you label each recording clearly with the used EQ parameters (e.g. "500 Max" or 4K -4")

 

[ruidito]

Plug the DAP's Aux output into an audio interface, field recorder, or the Line in port on your motherboard.

Start a recording using e.g. Audacity

Play the measurement sweep once with the Equalizer and all other processing disabled, then stop the recording and save as .WAV

Turn the Equalizer on, set the first slider labeled "31" to Max, then start another recording and play the sweep. Stop the recording, then save as .WAV

Set the first slider to Min, then repeat.

In the end, you want separate recordings of every band at Min and Max, plus for one of the bands (e.g. 1K), recordings for a few different slider positions (ideally every position, but that's 20+ recordings if I've counted correctly. Might be overkill)

Make sure you label each recording clearly with the used EQ parameters (e.g. "500 Max" or 4K -4")

Thanks Static but this is too complex for me. Is there no other simpler way?

 

[staticV3]

Thanks Static but this is too complex for me. Is there no other simpler way?

You either determine how the EQ behaves, or you assume its behavior, hope for the best, and live with the possible response mismatch.

For the latter, you can simply select the 10-Band Graphic EQ preset in https://autoeq.app/ and it will give you dB values for each band, which you'll have to round to the nearest .5dB since your Sony doesn't support .1dB input.

That preset might use a different Q-factor than what's built into your Sony, leading to a response error between what AutoEQ calculated and what your Sony ultimately produces.
Without measurements, it's impossible to tell.

 

[ruidito]

You either determine how the EQ behaves, or you assume its behavior, hope for the best, and live with the possible response mismatch.

For the latter, you can simply select the 10-Band Graphic EQ preset in https://autoeq.app/ and it will give you dB values for each band, which you'll have to round to the nearest .5dB since your Sony doesn't support .1dB input.

That preset might use a different Q-factor than what's built into your Sony, leading to a response error between what AutoEQ calculated and what your Sony ultimately produces.
Without measurements, it's impossible to tell.

I'd love to do it the right way, which is how you're explaining it to me. It's also something that doesn't have to be done every day, but rather just once. Do you dedicate yourself to doing this?

 

[staticV3]

Do you dedicate yourself to doing this?

Do you mean dedicate myself to doing EQ parameters? Not particularly no

 

[ruidito]

Do you mean dedicate myself to doing EQ parameters? Not particularly no

Hahahahaha, I imagine you couldn't pay your bills or save by setting up EQ, hahahahaha
I mean, maybe you do it once in a while, as a side hustle, a little extra cash.
I could really use the help.