Room correction advice: Wiim Ultra to RME Adi-2 Pro FS R

[pat355]

Hi,

I'd like to set up room correction on an RME ADI-2 Pro FS R that is fed via USB from a Wiim Ultra and outputs via AES/EBU to active speakers.
My intention is to target room EQ only up to ~400–500 Hz, and to apply any correction on the RME’s parametric PEQ, not upstream in the Wiim. I plan to use REW with a measurement mic (UMIK-1) and learn REW from the guides for dummies here.

Before I dive in:

1. Is REW + a calibrated mic and then manually entering the filter values into the ADI-2 PEQ the best workflow for what I want to do?
2. Is there any easier way to get REW measurements into the RME PEQ (e.g., an export/import process), or is manual transfer still the standard?
3. Any tips on limiting correction to just the low frequencies without over-EQing the rest of the spectrum?

Thank you!

 

[Mort]

Any tips on limiting correction to just the low frequencies without over-EQing the rest of the spectrum?

You can limit the eq range in REW. 500 isn't considered too high but some folks limit only to 300hz. It'll be very situational so you might have to experiment between 300-500hz.

 

[pat355]

You can limit the eq range in REW. 500 isn't considered too high but some folks limit only to 300hz. It'll be very situational so you might have to experiment between 300-500hz.

thanks - and is the workflow I suggested the easiest way to go about it?

 

[JeremyFife]

Why not use WiiM's RoomFit features, limiting the frequency range as you like, to generate an initial set of filter values. Use a calibrated mic. If you like the sound, you can move them over to your RME and analyse / edit in REW to your heart's content. It's a quick way to get started, RoomFit is improving all the time, and you are not tied in to the WiiM at all. Worth a shot.

 

[Mort]

thanks - and is the workflow I suggested the easiest way to go about it?

I'm pretty sure yes, but I don't own the rme. There are a few manufacturers integrating REW like minidsp but I have not heard that about rme.

 

[pat355]

Why not use WiiM's RoomFit features, limiting the frequency range as you like, to generate an initial set of filter values. Use a calibrated mic. If you like the sound, you can move them over to your RME and analyse / edit in REW to your heart's content. It's a quick way to get started, RoomFit is improving all the time, and you are not tied in to the WiiM at all. Worth a shot.

indeed, I could do this with RoomFit to get started. But I have to manually enter the values into the PEQ of the RME, right? I can't simply export a file and import it into RME Adi-2?

 

[Mort]

indeed, I could do this with RoomFit to get started. But I have to manually enter the values into the PEQ of the RME, right? I can't simply export a file and import it into RME Adi-2?

The Wiim would be phone app only and might be easier or might be harder to export. I would prefer REWs quality over Roomfit but Wiim is improving quickly.

 

[staticV3]

Is REW + a calibrated mic and then manually entering the filter values into the ADI-2 PEQ the best workflow for what I want to do?

IMO, yes.

Is there any easier way to get REW measurements into the RME PEQ (e.g., an export/import process), or is manual transfer still the standard?

None as good as full manual, copying the parameters takes just a minute or two anyway when you use ADI Remote.

Any tips on limiting correction to just the low frequencies without over-EQing the rest of the spectrum?

As you said, simply don't make any corrections above ~400Hz or so. You're in control.

To take the measurement, it's highly recommended that you do the Moving Microphone Method with these settings (everything important highlighted):


Move the mic slowly (<30cm/s) and keep going until you hve some 100-200 AVGes, shouldn't take too long.
Load the 90deg cal file for your UMIK.
While taking the measurement, you can point the mic pretty much randomly into the room.

When you're done, stop the RTA recording and click Save current at the top (Alt+S). No need to apply additional smoothing to the measurement.

Also, in the Preferences, make sure that you use Driver type: Java and select the EXCL versions of your DAC and UMIK:


Sample rate I'd set to 48kHz.

The result should look something like this:


(Green: stock, Blue: predicted response after EQ)

 

[pat355]

IMO, yes.


None as good as full manual, copying the parameters takes just a minute or two anyway when you use ADI Remote.


As you said, simply don't make any corrections above ~400Hz or so. You're in control.

To take the measurement, it's highly recommended that you do the Moving Microphone Method with these settings (everything important highlighted:
View attachment 504604

Move the mic slowly (<30cm/s) and keep going until you hve some 100-200 AVGes, shouldn't take too long.

Also, in the Preferences, make sure that you use Driver type: Java and select the EXCL versions of your DAC and UMIK:
View attachment 504605

Sample rate I'd set to 48kHz.

brilliant, I have everything I need now. I will follow this method as I had something similar in mind (minus all the settings you are kindly sharing).
One question, why set the sample rate at 48 kHz and not higher?

 

[JeremyFife]

indeed, I could do this with RoomFit to get started. But I have to manually enter the values into the PEQ of the RME, right? I can't simply export a file and import it into RME Adi-2?

As far as I know (I don't have an RME DAC, unfortunately!!) you'd have to enter values manually, either from the WiiM or from REW. It's only got 5 bands so not massively onerous.

(edited to add the number of bands on the RMS as 5)

 

[staticV3]

One question, why set the sample rate at 48 kHz and not higher?

24kHz is the highest frequency of interest as you're not a bat.

Using higher sample rates will just make the measurement take longer (while keeping measurement resolution equal), with zero differences in the final measurement below 24kHz.

Also, 48kHz is the highest sample rate that the UMIK-1 can do

 

[pat355]

24kHz is the highest frequency of interest as you're not a bat.

Using higher sample rates will just make the measurement take longer with zero differences in the final measurement, below 24kHz.

Also, 48kHz is the highest sample rate that the UMIK-1 can do

got it thanks a lot

 

[Crook]

I do similar but use the roomfit in Wiim, running 2 sweeps. Up to 500hz at sweet spot and 500-20,000hz nearfield. I end up with 20 PEQ suggestions this way.
I only have 3 PEQ on my subs, 5 PEQ on the RME DAC and a bass and treble shelf, so my measurements (20) do not match up to the sub/RME bands (10).

I then need to try to interpret the 20 measurements and boil them down to 10.
I do this by concentrating on cuts to 500hz first, unless I have a big hole that needs filling (I have one at 70hz).
I also ignore the high Q measurements (likely inaudible), so work with the low Q.

I'll use RME bass shelf, 3 PEQ bands on subs and 4 PEQ bands on the RME up to 500hz.
I am left with 1 PEQ band over 500hz and a treble shelf on the RME for very broad mids/high adjustments.
I'd note that in the RME some of the higher bands on the plot are frequency limited and can't be adjusted down lower than the mids, so that is a limitation.

I have not tried to load anything, I enter them direct on the unit. Once you've done it a few times, it is super quick.
Finally I adjust by ear, as most of my measurements are bass cuts, but the cut can be too large for me sometimes, where I want just a bit more than suggested.

Results are considerably better than no EQ, as in my system/room (F206 & x2 Arendal subs) it is very easy for bass to overwhelm everything.

 

[Audionaut]

But I have to manually enter the values into the PEQ of the RME, right?

Yes, but that's only 10 bands with three values each, it takes 5 minutes.

 

[janbth]

I also ignore the high Q measurements (likely inaudible), so work with the low Q.

In the bass region, high Q dips may well be inaudible, but high Q peaks can be dominant. These are likely room resonances, and produce boomy bass. I would EQ those first.

 

[Crook]

In the bass region, high Q dips may well be inaudible, but high Q peaks can be dominant. These are likely room resonances, and produce boomy bass. I would EQ those first.

Thanks for the info. I will try this and see if I can get an improvement. Appreciated.

 

[Purité Audio]

You can ‘eyeball’ where the rooms transition frequency is, literally where the measurement plot becomes less wiggly, it will be in the low hundreds Hertz.
Keith