Software options for Tuning

**durwood** · 12-03-2006, 11:47 AM

Here are some measurement microphones that can be used for RTA.

http://www.bksv.com/3032.asp

**addissimo** · 12-03-2006, 11:30 PM

durwood-

Where are you getting the specs for the 2.5v output on the Prodigy? I thought I remembered reading it too, but can no longer find it. Have you found any good literature on Directwire or NSP? I've only found this: http://audiotrak.net/advancednsp_tutorial1.htm. It seems like a pretty solid soundcard if we can tweak the ouput chanel signaling through directwire.

I have also been looking for a simple vst based highpass filter so I don't have to go to the trouble of finding crossover modules for my old xtant amp. Anybody know of anything like this? I realize that Allocator will do this, but it seems to be 99% more complicated than it needs to for my use.

Thanks for your help

-Addis

**addissimo** · 12-04-2006, 01:23 AM

According to this converter, the Prodigy is more like 3.1+vrms output based on the 10dbv that the user manual supplies.

http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-db-volt.htm

Anybody have a user manual for the directwire feature?

-Addis

**durwood** · 12-04-2006, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by addissimo

According to this converter, the Prodigy is more like 3.1+vrms output based on the 10dbv that the user manual supplies.

http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-db-volt.htm

Anybody have a user manual for the directwire feature?

-Addis

Actually I never read anything about 3.1V but I remember converting a value somewhere with that same link you provided. I might have been looking at a Prodigy lt which had 8dbV. I looked at a ton of cards and I don't remember now. If it has 3.1 that is even better. I will measure it when I get the card so we know for sure.

The directwire feature is really cool. That is one of the other reasons why I was looking at it. From what I have read about the directwire, you can use it to "wire" the soundcard to the ASIO outputs so that programs that don't use ASIO (such as Power DVD, Win DVD ) will still pass the audio stream off to any vst plugin in ASIO. When I receive the card I will will do my best to answer questions about the Directwire. This is all I could find for now:

http://www.esi-pro.com/getFile.php?t...wt192M_2nd.pdf

Another option to the Prodigy HiFi is the ESI Waveterminal192M. Pretty much has the same features. It was second on my list of soundcards I wanted to buy after I ruled out the Auzentech X-Meridian

You could use the Allocator lite for crossovers. I know its overkill but for $60 that is a huge bargain. Otherwise I think you might be able to find a "filter" vst on http://www.kvraudio.com

**Iceman_jkh** · 12-06-2006, 05:58 PM

Prodigy 7.1 LT output voltages are 1V (0.99V) at full output (ie: full volume 60Hz pure sine wave).

I have one.. I measured it

**Iceman_jkh** · 12-06-2006, 06:01 PM

Possible alternate card choice to the Auzentech (which I think is superior but more $$):
http://www.sondigo.com/inferno

ASIO4ALL will need to be used with these cards unless they have specific drivers written to CAPTURE the audio streams from within windows (MME and WDM streams) and route them directly into the ASIO input buffers.

One benefit of the AudioTrak cards is the DIRECTWIRE 3.0 driver, which does that exact audio stream capture into ASIO.

Perhaps check with the manufacturer before purchasing.

**durwood** · 12-07-2006, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Iceman_jkh

Prodigy 7.1 LT output voltages are 1V (0.99V) at full output (ie: full volume 60Hz pure sine wave).

I have one.. I measured it

Audiotrak really dropped the ball on this one. At least your has an output voltage of 1V. Is that peak or peak to peak?

I measured the Audiotrak Prodigy Hifi at 0.6Vp-p or 0.3V peak.

Possible alternate card choice to the Auzentech (which I think is superior but more $$):
http://www.sondigo.com/inferno

Has a good signal to noise ratio, but it doesn't list output voltages and does not have swapable opamps. It does say it is ASIO compatible though.

**Iceman_jkh** · 12-07-2006, 05:39 PM

Durwood> Pretty sure its 1V peak/amplitude (not peak-to-peak).

The Inferno card doesnt have swappable opamps, but the ones it uses are pretty darn good. Same as the stock Meridian card I think.

Might look at getting the X-Meridian. Question is.. does it have drivers similar to DIRECTWIRE - which capture ALL windows audio streams into ASIO and will it be a sufficient (read: audible) improvement over the Low Profile Prodigy 7.1LT that I have currently.

**durwood** · 12-07-2006, 06:05 PM

Well I didn't trust my DMM yesterday since its pretty beatup, so I brought the soundcard into work today and connected up an O'scope. 0.3V peak using a program called TTG to generate the pure tone Sinewave at 0dB. The Lynx soundcard that everyone rants about has about the same analog output level so I guess its no big deal. I just know its going to be easy to pick up noise once the signal leaves the card.

The Prodigy HiFi uses JRC 4580 opamps which I believe is the same as the X-Meridian. I knwo Auzentech doesn't have Directwire or doesn't have anything like it. That is an ESI/Audiotrak/EGo Systems thing. I just need to figure out how easy it is to switch between different direct wiring schemes or if everything can be wired up at once. ALso here is what I was told at Thunea about the Auzentech.

http://www.thuneau.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=91

**RedGTiVR6** · 12-08-2006, 09:55 AM

I got paid today, purchased the True RTA software, am purchasing the RCA ends, and hopefully the mic and preamp as well. We'll see how much I have left as to if I want to go for the Allocator as well right now.

After reading that thread, I'm glad I went with my Pentium D. However, I'm hoping that once I get everything up and running I'll be able to better pick a processor for the car....

I'm going to see what I can find out about the ASIO drivers. I'm waiting on an email back from Auzentech right now. Once I get it I'll ask about ASIO.