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[keep_hope_alive]

I have been using my Behringer 8024 with the ECM8000

it has a 1/3 oct RTA and can autodetect and autoEQ.  However, i haven't been happy with the results of any autoEQ - I just view them to see where major peaks and valleys are.

but I plan on comparing that device with True RTA using my 8024 as my mic input/phantom power.  I also have the correction file for the ECM8000.  I can carry my desktop out to the garage - using my M-Audio 24bit 96khz sound card.  I would prefer using a laptop for obvious reasons.  My concern with the laptop is using any part of the factory sound card.  I would prefer an external sound card - a USB2.0 interface sounds intriguing.   That MobilePre looks like a slick unit.

I like the flexibility of software, the ability to save results, etc.  I'd also like to do some attack/decay measurements.

[keep_hope_alive]

FYI - the ECM8000 correction file is available here:
http://cid-9be5812ab35e1d9e.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Behringer%20ECM8000%20Correction%20File?authkey=z7Vuds*ghlk%24 

i just went ahead an uploaded it to Windows Sky Drive for all the world to enjoy.

[DanMan]

Can some body tell me if the ECM-8000/MicMate combo using TrueRTA is plug and play or do I need to calibrate the mic and/or soundcard?
                I am really just concerned with relative measurements within the spectrum not necessarily accurate SPL overall.

                                                        Thanks.

[Ttowncls]

It's a plug and play operation using the cal file listed.

I have compared the TruRTA using the ECM8000 with mic mate and the built in sound card of a Dell D830 side by side with the Audio control RTA. They were identical as far as relative differences in frequency response. We didn't pay much attention to the SPL levels. Speed and accuracy were both excellent with this laptop.

There are pros and cons to either set up. To use the Laptop RTA, you need a pretty powerful laptop with lots of ram. I have 4 gig in my setup. I've seen some slower laptops struggle running the rta programs. If you're pretty computer savvy, you may be able to create a RTA profile on the laptop that would help it run faster. The nice thing with the audio control unit, is it does what it's built to do and is very simple to set up and use. If you consider the cost of a Dell D830 with 4G of ram, then throw in the cost of the mic/micmate and RTA software, it's a very expensive setup, but it's also capable of 1/24th octave measurements.

[bikinPunk]

Robert,
FWIW, I use my wife's laptop with 1gb ram, running XP pro.  Core 2 Duo 1.83ghz.
Previously I used my old dell 5000 series with 512mb ram and Pentium Centrino Mobile. 
I've used smaartlive, truerta, and arta.  none have given me any issues to speak of. 
I believe Chad on DIY uses a laptop with no more than what I've got when he sets up his rigs, but I'd have to double check with him to be sure. 

Were you running Vista?  If so, that could be the issue; my standard rule of thumb with that crap is 2gb ram or don't bother. 


You are dead on about setup.  There's a few more cables and sometimes setup can be a pita.  But, I guess there's probably not that many more cables with a laptop than there would be an AIO unit. 

[sssnake]

If you go with a laptop, one thing that you will need to ensure is that the soundcard isn't adding any level dependant EQ.  Mine was even though the driver settings indicated it wasn't.  Now I have a new USB based system and things are working well.

[BigRed]

anybody interested in changing out their batteries for the audio control, they are $12.99 x 2 at batteries plus.