My room is 9,1.4. The output my converter (Aurora Lynx) feeds 1/3 octave analog eq on every channel. (I’m old school). The Eq’s feed two Emotiva 8 channel home digital audio processors (bought them used on ebay, great sound very transparent, pro converters).
With -20 DbFS coming from my system I set each speaker to 85 DbA SPL (slow) on a Radio Shack sound pressure meter.
I do have external wide range Logitek LED (70 dB) meters on the system where 0’ is -20 dbFS)
The room is now aligned for the Doby specifications.
On my DAW I have a master fader set to zero. If I need more or less level for and reason I can raise or lowered it. I always know where Dolby prescribed level is. I never touch the level controls on the Emotivas…s
A nice system, though probably on the other end of the spectrum of the original poster. He was looking for lowest cost way of getting from stereo to 5.1 to satisfy request from clients.
No doubt, if you can build a nice room like yours, it’s never a bad idea
First if you are in the business of attracting clients and satisfyingly them so they will return you need to put your best foot forward sonically and operationally.
What I suggested was not expensive especially when compared to the cost of an N12 package and a machine to run it on.
So I looked up some of the individual items I mentioned on ebay.
You can first eliminate the outboard 1/3 octve eq and meter as those are contained in N12.
Here is the sound processor I uses (which also has speaker eq on ebay:
Unless you are proposing a boom box I don’t know how much cheaper you can go than that…
Here is and idea for surround and ceiling speakers each pair come with their own sub - Logitech - Z313 2.1-Channel Speaker System (3-Piece) - Black/Silver - 59.99 - Is that expensive?
PS if you want to use and outboard e.q Rockville REQ231 Dual 31 Band 1/3 Octave Graphic Equalizer With Sub-Output! - 134.95 NEW I have one and it works and sounds great:
Not missing anything. The way I interpreted (always dangerous) the original post was that he was looking to spend $600 on the audio interface and speaker upgrade to 5.1 and that was the extend of the budget.
In your setup you also need to include the Lynx or other audio interface in the list.
Where it’s diverging is on one hand the absolute minimal workable configuration and on the other hand a very nice calibrated 9.1.4 Atmos room.
If we’re just talking specific components, sure, that makes sense. Separate that from what type of room he maybe able to achieve on that budget.
Totally agree that you should get the best you can afford to serve your clients and market yourself well. What that ends up being differs by circumstance.
We all had our start out days with limited budgets and big dreams. One useful strategy to consider is an equipment lease. It allows you to build out a little faster than a pure operating cash situation might allow you and speed up transitions. I did this at various times strategically. But you have to have a good plan and confidence in it.
Spencer already has an interface with 8 outputs that’s recognized by Nuendo. I don’t understand why there’s a need to hook up to a receiver. Just get the 5 speakers and a sub and be done with it. No need to complicate matters.
For the $600 it’s very close to getting 5 decent low-budget 6-inch monitors. Say the Kali LP6 or equal where I’m guessing it’s possible to find them on sale, get a deal on buying 5, or used. Sub? Get a cheap one for another 100. That should be about 6-800.
My point is with shopping on ebay or dealers that take in used gear like Vintage Kings you will always find good deals.
My system (in the family room) is just for example. It started out as a simple 5.1 home theater and grew like Topsy from there.
When we moved out of LA I did have my old PT HD-TDM so why not install it in the home theater?
As for a/d for more channels just add a second one. I bet he can find a good deal on a used one of what he has now.
I just bought a used Digidesign 192 I/O Digital Audio Interface MM192-D for $69.00 on ebay including shipping to have as a backup or to expand my PT. When I saw the price I couldn’t resist…
You can build a very nice and acceptable Atmos room on a budget. Just shop around…
Spencer - sharing/networking is the best thing we all can do for each other in a forum like this.
Our individual experiences with equipment can point one in the right direction or prevent a big mistake. Reinventing the wheel is a useless task unless one can make an improvement on it.
A member here (thank you Matthias) kick started my Nuendo journey. A warning from a salesperson saved me from buying a not so great piece of gear (even though I had to spend a little more.).
Some people aren’t inclined to share as they believe that someone will surpass them, take their business. I believe a rising tide lifts all boats…steve
I just figured out how to get my USB controller to control the Control room. Soooo happy i was trying to find it in the Functions Browser with no success (probably didn’t know the name they call it by) but it turns out when I’m in the assignment window, I can left click on the Control Room Volume knob and assign it that way.
Is there a way to assign things like zoom in and out to one knob/fader so that going in one direction zooms in and going the other zooms out? I see how I can assign zoom in to one fader and zoom out to another, but not zoom back and forth on one fader. It would be SOOOOOOO convenient for editing.
Ok, here’s something… If I am using 6 individually powered speakers - each with their own built in amp, how do I power them up and down without popping or having to reset the volumes every day?
You should have all the speakers on a power strip - if you use different outlets you can get ground loops,
Speakers should always powered down when booting up else you can blow them.
Never power up or down with them on. Even Nuendo. (pro tools is the worst!)
I don’t understand why/how the gain would change? What speakers are they? My fronts and surrounds are all powered. Two Berringer’s drive the ceiling.
They are all on a master switch. Studio wiring is very important, for the sake of your equipment and your ears.
Have you checked your tuning? It is easy with N12 and you can use a cheap mic. There is a N12 RTA plug-in. You want to make sure you haven’t blown a driver…s
