If you are ready to take your mix to the next level, it is time to EQ your room. This is
also a great way to solve feedback problems.
Although this technique is somewhat of an advanced tip, I am going to break it down
in a way that is easy to understand.
Once you have some basic EQ parameters set to compliment your room, it is going to be
much easier to create a great mix.
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To properly tune your room, you will need a reference microphone. The one I use is the
DBX RTA Microphone.
Reference microphones have a flat frequency response so they can be used to effectively
‘hear the room’ without bias.
If you have an iPad connected to your X32, it is extremely helpful during this process,
although not required.
Alright, let’s go through the process step-by-step.
Step 1: Level your main mix EQ.
We will be using the main mix EQ to tune the room.
So, if you already have EQ parameters set up for your main mix, you will need to level
them out.
To do this, press the Main mix SELECT button and then hit the view button under the equalizer
section.
Then, push the button to reset all.
Keep in mind, you want to make sure the Equalizer is activated because we will be using it later.
Step 2: Change a few settings on the X32s built-in RTA.
To do this, press the METERS button next to the X32’s screen and page over to the ‘rta’
tab. Use the following settings:
Peak Hold: 3s
Decay: 1s
Auto Gain
Step 3: Set up reference microphone in the middle of your listening area.
The microphone should be pointed to the stage, parallel with the ground, and at ear level
(~ 5 feet off the ground).
Connect the microphone to an open channel on your X32, select the channel, and use the
following settings:
Activate 48V phantom power (under the gain knob)
Make sure Low Cut, Gate, Compressor, and Equalizer are all deactivated
Hit the View button under the BUS SENDS section of your mixer and make sure all busses are
turned off for this channel
Under the ‘MAIN BUS’ section of the X32, make sure Mono Bus and Stereo Bus are both
deactivated
Step 4: Set the gain for your reference microphone.
To do this, you first need to generate the noise we will use to tune the room, which
is called an oscillator.
Here’s how you do it:
Click the View button towards the top right of the X32 under the Talk A & B buttons
Page over to the ‘oscillator’ tab
Set Oscillator Type to ‘Pink Noise’
Set Destination to ‘Main L+R’
Turn the oscillator on by pressing the knob labeled ‘Generate’
Use the same knob to set the level so that the sound fills the room (similar to what
your regular service is like)
Now, select your reference microphone channel and set the gain so that the level meter’s
-18dB mark is mostly solid.
Step 5: It’s time to EQ your room.
With the oscillator still going, select your reference microphone channel and hit the view
button under the Equalizer section.
On the X32’s screen, you can now see what the reference mic is hearing.
You want to look for the little yellow bars that are hanging out significantly above the
rest. These are the frequency ranges that stick out in your room.
EQ should be applied to your Main mix to cut these frequency ranges and provide a more
even frequency response.
If you have an iPad handy, pull it out and navigate to the EQ for your Main mix.
Now you can adjust the Main mix EQ on the iPad while watching the RTA on the X32.
If you don’t have an iPad, you’ll just need to navigate between the reference mic
channel and the Main mix using their SELECT buttons.
So, you’ll make an adjustment on your main mix EQ and go back to the reference microphone
channel to see if it fixed the problem.
This is the part where you get to have fun, using EQ on the Main mix to create a more
even frequency response, measured by your reference mic.
Of course, every room is going to be different, but let’s go over a few guidelines as you
set EQ.
First, focus on areas where frequencies need to be cut. When EQ'ing a room, boosting frequencies
is usually not the right strategy.
Next, use PEQ filters only. There is no use for high cut, low cut, or shelving filters
when tuning a room.
When it comes to the Q value, start around 4 and then find the highest Q value that achieves
the desired result.
Here’s another tip. You most likely won’t need huge adjustments when tuning the room.
If your EQ gain is set lower than -6dB, you may be a little too aggressive.
And this one is important. Don’t obsess over perfection. You are simply looking to
fix frequency ranges that are significantly out of line.
If you prefer a warmer, punchier sound, then frequencies around 400Hz and lower should
be registering a bit higher than those above.
Finally, don’t forget, you are adjusting EQ on the main mix, not on the reference microphone.
It can be easy to get them mixed up, especially if you are not using an iPad.
Once you feel like you have solved the major EQ problems in your room, play your favorite
song through the sound system and toggle the Main mix EQ on and off to hear the difference.
You’ll also want to try the same thing when the band is playing.
If you are struggling to get it right, level out your Main mix EQ and try again. Don’t
give up! It takes a little time to get it right.
I know this was a lot. So, if have questions, drop them in the comments. I’d be glad to
answer.
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I’ll see ya next time.