Old 10-19-2017, 05:57 AM   #1
tunelyst
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Default Room Control -4dB under 500hz

Hi,

My Yamaha Monitors have a 'Room Control' feature that reduce lower frequencies from around 500hz and lower by either 0dB, -2dB, or -4dB.

I have turned this -4dB since I moved house since my new flat and only available placement of monitors is less suitable, things sounding were more boomy and bassy/low-middy. I have tried my best and put a bass trap in the worst offending corner and a limited amount of cheapish acoustic foam in sensible places, but due to my life needs for the flat and the fact this is only a hobby it's the best I can do.

My question: Since moving from a nicer sounding room, what things must I consider when mixing and referencing now I have turned this switch (see picture attached) to -4dB?

I'm guessing that I should compare how bass and mids sound on headphones/other speakers/other rooms more often. I must emphasise that I am a very amateur hobbyist and still after a good few years have no idea what I'm doing, in the big picture.

Thanks in advance for your replies, I look forward to reading what you more experienced folks have to suggest.
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Old 10-20-2017, 02:02 PM   #2
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Measure the room with tools first. Your ears are going to give you a subjective view of how the room responds. Actual measurements will tell you what those things actually are, so you can train your ears for what to listen for.
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Old 10-20-2017, 02:20 PM   #3
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Measuring is best but if the monitors are say on the desk and near the wall (2 boundaries), keep it at -4 due to space loading (still should be more IMHO but likely -4 since it goes up to 500 Hz).
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Old 10-21-2017, 10:02 AM   #4
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Sure. If the monitors are near the wall, that is where you should measure. Place the mic where your head is and run your test tones.

I'm about to move my mixing desk into the worst possible corner of the house. I'm not mixing anything until I've got a decent idea of how bad it really is.
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Old 10-21-2017, 10:48 AM   #5
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Those switches sometimes correspond directly to how many boundaries they are near as you get +6 dB in lowend per boundary (IIRC). So set the switch to match the boundaries regardless because you are getting that ~6dB per regardless of the room you are in, then measure the monitoring position and see where it lands.

But I think 6dB is in an ideal space so can't say much about the ones on these monitors - the Yamaha manual is more like, "just change these if too much bass" where my monitors notate the switches as whole/half/eighth space loading.
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Old 10-22-2017, 04:14 AM   #6
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One way to tell with the powered yamaha monitors for most models, whether you need to switch that low mid and under switch in is to listen to a distorted guitar thru them. If it needs to be turned down, it will often sound like there's a SERIOUSLY resonant wah wah on, with the wah in the lower range on long notes or the pick attack of lower chords
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Old 10-24-2017, 07:35 AM   #7
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Thanks for all the advice. It is really appreciated,

I'll do some experiments with test tones, microphones and such. I'm sure to find guides on doing this properly through Googling.

Thanks again for the help and sorry about this late reply.

John
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Old 10-24-2017, 07:38 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tunelyst View Post

I'll do some experiments with test tones, microphones and such. I'm sure to find guides on doing this properly through Googling.


John
Behringer ECM8000 + Room EQ Wizard.
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Old 10-25-2017, 10:27 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by karbomusic View Post


That...
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Old 10-25-2017, 10:51 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jerome_oneil View Post


That...
You done, done it now...

http://pointerpointer.com/
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Old 10-25-2017, 12:04 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by karbomusic View Post
You done, done it now...

http://pointerpointer.com/
Now THAT'S funny!
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Old 10-25-2017, 04:08 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by karbomusic View Post
You done, done it now...

http://pointerpointer.com/
I'm going to waste way to much time on that.
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Old 12-14-2017, 05:12 AM   #13
tunelyst
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Thank you Karbo and everyone for the great advice.

I'm a bit short on funds, so will have to wait a while before getting that reference mic and sorting everything out.

However, I made a discovery that might help other people experiencing problems with these monitors (Yamaha HS8):

I turned down the 'level' dial on the back of the speakers quite a lot (it was only half way before, now it only turned up a little bit). Then turned up the 'Software Playback' slider on RME TotalMix to compensate. Either I'm going mad or this has really, really, helped a lot.

So if anyone reading who is having trouble with Yamaha speakers. Try turning the level down well below half way and turning up your Audio Interface. It's obviously not perfect still, so still take Karbo's advice if you want to truly get things right! It is a lot better now though.

Phew!
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Old 12-14-2017, 06:58 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by karbomusic View Post
You done, done it now...

http://pointerpointer.com/
Lol, didn't expect that.
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Old 12-14-2017, 12:04 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tunelyst View Post
I turned down the 'level' dial on the back of the speakers quite a lot (it was only half way before, now it only turned up a little bit). Then turned up the 'Software Playback' slider on RME TotalMix to compensate. Either I'm going mad or this has really, really, helped a lot.
Of course. That's true for almost any active monitor on the market.

Our interfaces can easily reach an output of +17 dB. Most monitors' inputs are way too sensitive. There's a recent thread about passive attenuators for monitors that don't have level controls on the RME forum. Just a few days old...
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