Helix RTA & Auto EQ - A Car Audio Junkies Exclusive

The virtual channels feature is not available on all ACO-based DSP's. It's not available on the mini or the DSP.3. Only on the Helix Ultra and I think one of the newest DSP+Amp combo devices.

So you cannot use virtual channels on the DSP Mini (even though it's an ACO-based DSP).

However, the "FX" options *are* available on ALL of the ACO-based DSPs. So you *can* use features like Augmented Bass Processing, Real Center, etc on the DSP Mini.

Hope that clears things up.

FYI: My V Eight MK2 has virtual channels. So does the V Twelve. P6 MK2 does not. However, a P6 MK3 is about to be released and it does.

This news is straight from Dobs...

Ge0
 
Am I just an idiot or am I missing something? I have a Helix V Eight. I dabbled with auto-tune in SW 4.65. I created my own house curve. I loaded my mic's CAL file in the AF directory. It did an OK job but I was not happy with the way I did it.


I auto-tuned the Left, Right, Center, and Subwoofer virtual channels separately. I then went to the output section, linked all channels, and did a final auto tune. This was a good base to start off for manual tune. But, I suspected I could do better with less filters and boost / cut.


A few days ago I upgraded to Software 4.70a. I set everything up like before. Drivers, mic cal file, house curve, etc. However, today I was going to tune differently. I have each driver tuned flat separately in my output section. The only exception is the sub channel which gets a rising frequency response.


My idea is to leave the tunes for the individual drivers alone in the output section. They are dialed in. Crossovers sum properly. L&R sum properly. I was going to use auto-tune to correct response to meet my house curve in virtual channels per Dobslobs recommendation.


1.) I linked Left, Right, Center, and Subwoofer virtual channels together.
2.) Started the Helix RTA.
3.) Loaded my house curve.
4.) Started my Periodic Pink Noise.

5.) Started the analyzer.
6.)Started measurement.


Everything looks good.


7.) I made minor adjustments to the offset sliders so measured signal would perfectly overlap the house curve.
8.) I hit Autoset.


The typical box opened letting me know what was linked and if i wanted to proceed.


9.) I clicked yes.


AND the dang thing just sat there. The software made no attempts to make any adjustments what so ever. After a few minutes the message popped up saying it could not reach the desired curve.


Well, no shit. The software made no attempts to make any adjustments.


I tried everything I could think of to get this to work. I un-linked all virtual channels and tried doing just one at a time. No go. Autoset will not even attempt to make a correction. It just sits there and times out.


I know the software is seeing strong signal. I see it on the RTA. Level is green. What is going on? Why won't it auto-tune anymore?

Edit: I forgot to mention that FROM BAND was set to 25Hz. TO BAND was set to 20KHz.

Ge0
 
Am I just an idiot or am I missing something? I have a Helix V Eight. I dabbled with auto-tune in SW 4.65. I created my own house curve. I loaded my mic's CAL file in the AF directory. It did an OK job but I was not happy with the way I did it.


I auto-tuned the Left, Right, Center, and Subwoofer virtual channels separately. I then went to the output section, linked all channels, and did a final auto tune. This was a good base to start off for manual tune. But, I suspected I could do better with less filters and boost / cut.


A few days ago I upgraded to Software 4.70a. I set everything up like before. Drivers, mic cal file, house curve, etc. However, today I was going to tune differently. I have each driver tuned flat separately in my output section. The only exception is the sub channel which gets a rising frequency response.


My idea is to leave the tunes for the individual drivers alone in the output section. They are dialed in. Crossovers sum properly. L&R sum properly. I was going to use auto-tune to correct response to meet my house curve in virtual channels per Dobslobs recommendation.


1.) I linked Left, Right, Center, and Subwoofer virtual channels together.
2.) Started the Helix RTA.
3.) Loaded my house curve.
4.) Started my Periodic Pink Noise.

5.) Started the analyzer.
6.)Started measurement.


Everything looks good.


7.) I made minor adjustments to the offset sliders so measured signal would perfectly overlap the house curve.
8.) I hit Autoset.


The typical box opened letting me know what was linked and if i wanted to proceed.


9.) I clicked yes.


AND the dang thing just sat there. The software made no attempts to make any adjustments what so ever. After a few minutes the message popped up saying it could not reach the desired curve.


Well, no shit. The software made no attempts to make any adjustments.


I tried everything I could think of to get this to work. I un-linked all virtual channels and tried doing just one at a time. No go. Autoset will not even attempt to make a correction. It just sits there and times out.


I know the software is seeing strong signal. I see it on the RTA. Level is green. What is going on? Why won't it auto-tune anymore?

Edit: I forgot to mention that FROM BAND was set to 25Hz. TO BAND was set to 20KHz.

Ge0

Easy fix. Reset your PC and amplifier. Auto-tune came back after a hard re-boot on each device.

Ge0
 
Last edited:
Re: Helix RTA & Auto EQ - A Car Audio Junkies Exclusive

When you guy's are using this method are you having success above 8-10K with the RTA tuning to your target curve.

I am using a UMK-1 USB mic and it seems to work fine however I am finding the auto eq is not as effective above the 8-10K range and in effect does not cut to the target curve. It sort of bounces between cut and boost between the 7s cycles (Autoeq) and ends up mostly boost to a flat curve as opposed to a trebles downward slope curve that I want.

I am using the mic in 90 degree (orthogonal) mode and copied that calibration file to the cal file as shown.

Just using the RTA manually works well also. REW not really required.

Thoughts and experiences welcome?

Hy i encountered the exact same Issue today when trying the AutoEQ.
Exact same setup, same cal 90 deg file, exact same setup as you.
Mine boosts 20khz to full boost every time, no matter what house curve.

software bug or human bug?
 
Re: Helix RTA & Auto EQ - A Car Audio Junkies Exclusive

Hy i encountered the exact same Issue today when trying the AutoEQ.
Exact same setup, same cal 90 deg file, exact same setup as you.
Mine boosts 20khz to full boost every time, no matter what house curve.

software bug or human bug?
Mic not picking up 20k for one reason or the other. Its actually somewhat common. Might just be cancelation in your system, or its the mic itself. Idk, but this does seem to happen a lot

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
Re: Helix RTA & Auto EQ - A Car Audio Junkies Exclusive

its very strange, because on the RTA‘s live measured frequency response 20khz is minimum 2db over the level of the set house curve. But AutoEQ boosts it anyway. So for me it seems like my mic see‘s or hear‘s the 20khz but AutoEQ doesnt perceives it.
FYI i have two Umik-1 both are calibrated and the calibration file shows „loaded“ in AutoEQ.
Same behavior on both
 
Re: Helix RTA & Auto EQ - A Car Audio Junkies Exclusive

Hy i encountered the exact same Issue today when trying the AutoEQ.
Exact same setup, same cal 90 deg file, exact same setup as you.
Mine boosts 20khz to full boost every time, no matter what house curve.

software bug or human bug?

This is strange. I have a significant downward slope at 20KHz due to roll off on my tweeters. AutoEQ doesn't even touch the last two sliders. If I want them adjusted I need to do it myself.

Ge0
 
Last edited:
Hey all,
First thanks to Nick and this video as well as him being active in the CarAV discord. I just `tuned` my setup with this guide, and am also noticing a sharp dropoff in measurement with my UMIK-1 using the 90Degree calibration file. There doesn't seem to be a proper fix for this does there. You can see the Helix trying to figure that out here...

View attachment 13658
 
Hey all,
First thanks to Nick and this video as well as him being active in the CarAV discord. I just `tuned` my setup with this guide, and am also noticing a sharp dropoff in measurement with my UMIK-1 using the 90Degree calibration file. There doesn't seem to be a proper fix for this does there. You can see the Helix trying to figure that out here...

View attachment 13658



Hey Guys,

I wrote Patrick Hegener from ATF about the issuse.

They found the issue in the programming.

so it is a Software Bug.

Will be fixed in the next release which coming up in the next week or so.
 
Just had my first run at this and extremely impressed. Only gripe is my image is centre wheel now instead of centre dash like i prefer. Just got an easy question, with my UMIK 1 not sure what to have the windows microphone setting to.

unknown.png
 
Hey Guys,

I wrote Patrick Hegener from ATF about the issuse.

They found the issue in the programming.

so it is a Software Bug.

Will be fixed in the next release which coming up in the next week or so.

The Software fix is now Online.
4.72a is the actual Software.

Patrick Hegener didnt explained me in detail what they fixed now.

Maybe they will write it to the Changelog
 
Got a question in regards to what frequencies for it to auto eq. In the video Nick didn't auto eq close to the crossover frequencies. Eg he did from 0 to 63hz on the sub then at the mids he started at 100hz. He said he waited for the overall EQ to do the entire range.
Is there a benefit of leaving those frequencies alone until the final overall EQ or did i mess up by eq'ing 0-80 on the sub then 80-20k on the fronts.
 
Got a question in regards to what frequencies for it to auto eq. In the video Nick didn't auto eq close to the crossover frequencies. Eg he did from 0 to 63hz on the sub then at the mids he started at 100hz. He said he waited for the overall EQ to do the entire range.
Is there a benefit of leaving those frequencies alone until the final overall EQ or did i mess up by eq'ing 0-80 on the sub then 80-20k on the fronts.
Crossover rolloff

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
4.72 seemed to nail the target curve in the software using auto rta with the very first adjustments for me, whereas 4.70 had BIG issues doing it. I have some listening to do though on the way to work tomoz to decide if I am happy with it, before with the auto eq it just sounded kind of meh.
 
Upgraded to 4.72, still trying to figure out the reference level to put the helix rta at. I’m using an audiofrog mic. Last time I did the auto eq the volume was incredibly low afterwards. It’s like it’s not picking up the mic. Successfully did auto ta and it picked up the mic just fine. Used delay function and it didn’t adjust subwoofer delay at all. I need help guys, this auto eq is getting frustrating!
 
Just had my first run at this and extremely impressed. Only gripe is my image is centre wheel now instead of centre dash like i prefer. Just got an easy question, with my UMIK 1 not sure what to have the windows microphone setting to.

unknown.png

you likely have reflection issues, auto ta will put the centre between the left and right equally, if your stage reflects into the side window on the drivers side and for example have cross firing/badly positioned mids there is every chance the centre of between the places your brain identifies as Left and right is exactly where it should be...
 
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