Due to the recent increase of interest from Mac users and some current Windows users for REW for macOS, I decided to share my experience and some basic steeps that would lead you to properly setup your MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini or iMac to run REW. To be honest, there is not too much to be said if you are a Mac user like me but if you are a Windows user thinking on switching to Mac ecosystem or wants to experience REW for macOS, then this guide can help you through the configuration process.1.- Hardware:If you are planning on purchasing a Mac computer on the used market to only run REW, make sure you check the “Vintage and Obsolete” Apple list before making any purchase. Apple does not bring support to any hardware after they are part of that list. Meaning, the latest macOS won’t run properly on those models.Personally, I would recommend any 13” or 15” MacBook Pro Retina from 2013 to 2015 as those have HDMI output and USB ports so docking hubs or adapters are not necessary.
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Same if you have a Mac mini as they have HDMI out and USB ports. If you have a MacBook or MacBook Air, then you would need a Thunderbolt 2 or USB–C hub (depending on the year model) that converts the Thunderbolt 2 or USB-C port to HDMI and USB ports. Same apply for any MacBook Pro 2016 or newer as they only have Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports. For those models, a hub would be necessary.For Macs with Thunderbolt 1 or 2 port, you can get this adapter to convert the Thunderbolt port to HDMI out:Most Macs with Thunderbolt 1 or 2 port, have at least one USB 2.0 or 3.0 port that you can use to connect your UMIK-1 mic. In case your Mac has not USB port, but it has Thunderbolt 1 or 2, then get this hub:For Macs with Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C ports only, these include MacBook Pro late-2016 with Touch Bar, you can get this hub:If you have an iMac from mid-2011 to late-2015, then you would need a Thunderbolt 2 to HDMI adapter like the one posted before as iMacs don’t have HDMI out.
Thesycon ASIO Win driver provided with support for Win10 (signed drivers) Driverless support under Mac OSx. Sound card aggregate mode allows combining of multiple units; Linux compatible with ALSA 2.0 drivers; Toslink (optical) transmitter and receiver; Flexible board powering option: USB powered or External DC input power; Product Downloads. MiniDSP 2x4, a low cost Digital Signal Processor for audio applications. Great sound in a tiny package. The miniDSP 2x4 in a box is a flexible pocket size DSP processor with 2 x analog IN, 4 x analog OUT. Combined with a plug-in software for programming, one can configure the on board Audio processing filters real time from a PC or Mac environment.
If your iMac is from 2017 and up, then you would need a Thunderbolt 3/USB-C to HDMI adapter like this one:Some Macs before 2010 have DisplayPort which looks the same as Thunderbolt 1 port. These Macs with DisplayPort do not carry audio over HDMI so they won’t work with REW.Sometimes you can find very good deals buying a Refurbished Apple Mac directly from the Apple Online Store. Check this link if you are looking for Refurbished or on Clearance Apple Macs:2.- REW for macOS Version and additional drivers/software:If your Mac is running 10.8.3 OS X Mountain Lion to 10.13 macOS High Sierra, then download REW for macOS 5.19 latest version. You can download it directly from here:If your Mac is running 10.14 macOS Mojave, then download REW for macOS 5.20 from AV Nirvana Forum.
You have to sign up on AV Nirvana in order to be able to download REW V5.20.REW for macOS does not need any drivers or additional software. The proper version of REW for macOS is all you need in terms of software to get REW running in your Mac.3.- Setting Up your Mac and “Audio Midi Setup”:The beautiful thing about REW for macOS is that it’s truly Plug and Play.
After you download the proper REW for macOS version and finish the installation, basically that is all you need to do in terms of software installation. As a safe protocol, after the installation of REW for macOS is done, I would recommend checking a few things before start measuring with REW.For this tutorial, I'm using a 13' MacBook Pro Retina mid-2014 running macOS 10.14.5 Mojave (latest macOS update)3.1.- Plug your miniDSP UMIK-1 mic in the USB port of your Mac and connect the Mac HDMI out with a HDMI cable into your receiver or processor designated HDMI input. If you are a Mac user, you will know if your Mac recognizes the receiver/pre pro and UMIK-1 mic. 4.- Setting up REW for macOS Preferences.Now that we have the Mac recognizing the receiver/processor and the UMIK-1 mic and it's totally configured audio and video wise for REW, we need to configure REW Preferences accordingly.As of today, the latest version or REW for macOS Mojave is 5.20 Beta 13 and that is the version I'm using for this tutorial.After REW for macOS is installed, as soon you open it, it should detect your UMIK-1 mic and it's going to ask you if you want to use it as a measurement device.
A window like this will pop up:Then it will ask for the UMIK-1 calibration file:Look on your Mac for your calibration file and select it. Make sure it's stored in your local SSD or HDD and not on a USB memory stick:Now that the UMIK-1 is selected, go to REW Preferences to configure OUTPUT and INPUT devices. In this window you can see that the rate is 48KHz, which match with what we selected previously on Audio Midi Setup. For the OUPUT DEVICE select HDMI if your Mac has HDMI port or DisplayPort if you are using an external hub or Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter.For the OUTPUT select SPEAKER:If you open the SPEAKER drop down menu, you will see your 7.1 speakers available if you have a 7.1 speaker setup.
They will show up labeled by name and not by numbers like they do on REW for Windows.For 'Timing Reference Output' you can use any speaker you want, not the subwoofer (LFE). Most people uses one of the Surround speakers. I always use Main Left (L).
Always use the same speaker for all measurements as this is very important at the time of checking Impulse Response overlays.For the INPUT DEVICE, select UMIK-1 mic from the drop down menu:This next steep is very important. For the INPUT, you have to select MICROPHONE and NOT Default Input. If you select Default Input, even if in your Mac Preferences Audio settings UMIK-1 is selected as Default Input, the readings from the UMIK-1 mic will be off by about 40dB. This bug only affects Macs running macOS 10.14 Mojave and REW 5.20.As a last checking steep, go to Preferences 'Mic/Meter' and make sure you calibration file shows up:At this point you are ready to take measurements with your REW for macOS gig. Open Measure window and you will see the window where you can select the speaker you want to measure, the frequency range, and all the common settings we have been using in other versions of REW.I hope this tutorial help others Mac users or Windows users that want to experience REW for macOS.
Please, feel free to post your comments and suggestions to improve this tutorial. I switched from using REW on windows to Mac a couple years ago and found a similar experience. It was so much easier to set up I thought I was missing something. The only thing I have found is that I have to keep master volume a bit lower than in windows as my umik clips easier. Anyone else find this? Should I decrease the input gain on mic?To be honest?
I have never used REW on Windows so cannot tell but I have the input gain set at -12dB on REW and Master Volume on my Denon X6500H and Emotiva XMC-1 around -25dB, sometimes up to -22dB. I've ordered a MiniDSP and UMIK-1 and want to try REW this weekend. This tutorial is going to be amazingly helpful, thank you.I'm a little confused on the process, I'm picturing scenarios like this:SCENARIO 1:1. Turn off Audyssey (or any other processing)2.
Run REW and collect measurements3. Run Audyssey4.
Run REW again to see what Audyssey didSCENARIO 2:1. Turn off Audyssey (or any other processing)2. Run REW and collect measurements3. Make corrections in MiniDSP4. Run REW again to see how you didSCENARIO 3:1.
Run REW and collect measurements2. Adjust phase on one subwoofer3.
See if things got betterDo I have this roughly right? I've ordered a MiniDSP and UMIK-1 and want to try REW this weekend. This tutorial is going to be amazingly helpful, thank you.I'm a little confused on the process, I'm picturing scenarios like this:SCENARIO 1:1. Turn off Audyssey (or any other processing)2. Run REW and collect measurements3. Run Audyssey4. Run REW again to see what Audyssey didSCENARIO 2:1.
Turn off Audyssey (or any other processing)2. Run REW and collect measurements3. Make corrections in MiniDSP4. Run REW again to see how you didSCENARIO 3:1.
Run REW and collect measurements2. Adjust phase on one subwoofer3. See if things got betterDo I have this roughly right?Here is the way I do and the way I do recommend to do it:1.- Turn OFF Audyssey and take measurements.2.- Run REW auto filters, import into miniDSP and take measurements. Usually REW takes about 2 to 4 filters depending on how bad the room response is.3.- Fine tune the response with remaining miniDSP PEQs manually to flat the response.4.- Run Audyssey 8 points and take measurements with REW to check the response.Doing this way, my response went from this:To this.
Here is the way I do and the way I do recommend to do it:1.- Turn OFF Audyssey and take measurements.2.- Run REW auto filters, import into miniDSP and take measurements. Usually REW takes about 2 to 4 filters depending on how bad the room response is.3.- Fine tune the response with remaining miniDSP PEQs manually to flat the response.4.- Run Audyssey 8 points and take measurements with REW to check the response.Doing this way, my response went from this:To this:Ah okay, so Audyssey will still correct later, but since you already flattened things in LFE it will be much less of an adjustment done by Audyssey down there? I imagine when you fine tune you just do cuts with maybe some couple dB boosts here and there depending where it is?
Is REW smart enough not to try to boost a null?I'm running ported subwoofers, I'm pretty sure Audyssey tries to boost them below their port tuning. Should I high pass a few Hz below the port tuning? Ah okay, so Audyssey will still correct later, but since you already flattened things in LFE it will be much less of an adjustment done by Audyssey down there? I imagine when you fine tune you just do cuts with maybe some couple dB boosts here and there depending where it is? Is REW smart enough not to try to boost a null?I'm running ported subwoofers, I'm pretty sure Audyssey tries to boost them below their port tuning.
Should I high pass a few Hz below the port tuning?REW auto filters does not boost, only cut. I do boost using manual PEQs. Usually no more than 6dB is recommend for boosting a null but I have done up to 12dB without any issues.
Of course, all this depends on how much subwoofer headroom you have which is also room size dependent. I'm new to REW and am about to try and take some measurements. This is correct!!!I have a 15-Feet USB 2.0 A to Mini-B from Monoprice and it works perfectly. Mostly, any HDMI cable works as you will be passing 1080p/8ch audio. The USB cable that comes with the UMIK-1 mic is only 6ft long.
A mic stand with boom is also needed and if you can get a butterfly clip for the mic, much better.1.- USB Cable:2.- Mic Stand:3.- Mic Clip:If you want to use the mic stand with Audyssey mic, which I strongly recommend, then get this adapter:Thanks, I'm glad meak asked the question. I added the adapter for the Audyssey mic and bought a long USB cable. What an age we live in where that stuff will get delivered in a day.
I remember being a lad when everything I ordered was at least a week, especially anything computer related. Things seem to be working well other than my umik reads 20db higher than my handheld meter (38 vs 58 in quiet room). I have OS 10.11.6 and REW 5.19. Does it matter that it reads high? I think I had everything set properly but hard to tell since my Mac is older than yours and things look a little different. Looking at my graph it looks ok other than the monster dip around 58hz.Make sure your handheld SPL meter is set on C-Weighted and Slow.Also, as explained before there is bug that affects Macs running Mojave and REW 5.20 and it's related to the UMIK-1 configuration.
When I posted about this issue over AV Nirvana, John said to me that the bug was only present with that particular OS/REW version configuration but you can try if the fix I mentioned above applies to your configuration as well.This next steep is very important. For the INPUT, you have to select MICROPHONE and NOT Default Input.
If you select Default Input, even if in your Mac Preferences Audio settings UMIK-1 is selected as Default Input, the readings from the UMIK-1 mic will be off by about 40dB. This bug only affects Macs running macOS 10.14 Mojave and REW 5.20. Make sure your handheld SPL meter is set on C-Weighted and Slow.Also, as explained before there is bug that affects Macs running Mojave and REW 5.20 and it's related to the UMIK-1 configuration. When I posted about this issue over AV Nirvana, John said to me that the bug was only present with that particular OS/REW version configuration but you can try if the fix I mentioned above applies to your configuration as well.This next steep is very important.
For the INPUT, you have to select MICROPHONE and NOT Default Input. If you select Default Input, even if in your Mac Preferences Audio settings UMIK-1 is selected as Default Input, the readings from the UMIK-1 mic will be off by about 40dB.
This bug only affects Macs running macOS 10.14 Mojave and REW 5.20.It's a basic unit that doesn't have any settings on it so I'm sure it's not entirely accurate.I made sure all those settings were correct. Is it likely that it really was 100db with my receiver set to -25 while running the measurement? Both v3601's are at 1/4 gain and -9 in Audyssey. It's a basic unit that doesn't have any settings on it so I'm sure it's not entirely accurate.I made sure all those settings were correct. Is it likely that it really was 100db with my receiver set to -25 while running the measurement? Both v3601's are at 1/4 gain and -9 in Audyssey.I get around 95dB when measuring in my system and the volume on the Denon X6500H is set at -25dB.
Of course, this is all relative as I'm using a miniDSP 2x4 HD to consolidate my three subwoofers so my gain structure is different than yours. With the help of this great guide, I was able to quickly get REW working last night. Without it, I think the hour it took would have easily turned into a day. The real project of actually measuring and adjusting things will begin this weekend, but I was able to confirm that I'm able to make some graphs and that everything seems to be working. I applied 1/12 smoothing because I read someone else recommend that, but, it seems to clean it up A LOT. Like without the smoothing the graph looks a lot worse (including some narrow band suck out), what smoothing should I be using?
Looking for help getting REW setup on a Mac Powerbook.Trying to follow this guide to get REW up and running. I've got a Powerbook with only usb-c ports, so I also have a which I'm using to connect my umik-1 and AVR via the HDMI out on the usb-c hub.The issue is that I'm unable to 'see' the AVR via the HDMI connection.
I can only choose 2 channel speaker configurations in the Audio MIDI app. It appears that I can generate test tones and measure responses for a stereo setup. Has anyone had any similar issue? The AVR is a NAD T758.Suggestions? Looking for help getting REW setup on a Mac Powerbook.Trying to follow this guide to get REW up and running. I've got a Powerbook with only usb-c ports, so I also have a which I'm using to connect my umik-1 and AVR via the HDMI out on the usb-c hub.The issue is that I'm unable to 'see' the AVR via the HDMI connection.
I can only choose 2 channel speaker configurations in the Audio MIDI app. It appears that I can generate test tones and measure responses for a stereo setup. Has anyone had any similar issue? The AVR is a NAD T758.Suggestions?Could you please post screen shots of you 'Audio Midi Setup' and System Preferences/Sound/Output screens? Also, a Mac PowerBook is from 2006 so most likely you have a MacBook, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air.
Dirac Live software calibration tool is an advanced music processor that corrects for acoustical errors at the listening position caused by reflections from the listening room. It also provides the ability to tailor the response at the listening position using target curves. Dirac Live runs on the Windows and Mac platforms. Note that this application note is for 'Dirac Software' only (i.e. running on PC/Mac). If you are owning a DDRC or nanoAVR, please consult the appropriate app notes.
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In order to generate the data that Dirac Live uses for its room correction algorithm, acoustic measurements of your speakers in your listening room are required, using the Dirac Live Calibration Tool. The miniDSP UMIK-1 is a low-cost calibrated measurement microphone that is ideal for use with the Dirac Live Calibration Tool.
What you will need [Top]
1. Get connected [Top]
To use Dirac Live, you will need to have audio playing from your computer through your audio system. A basic method is to connect the line out jack from your computer to your preamp, but for higher quality a USB DAC or USB-SPDIF convertor and a DAC will be used. If connecting to an A/V preamp or receiver, you may be able to use HDMI if your computer supports it: on Windows, use an HDMI-to-HDMI cable; on the Mac, use a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter cable into a Thunderbolt port.
On the input side, the UMIK-1 can be simply connected to any available USB port on your computer. Position the computer and stand so that the mic can be moved into several positions, as will be seen in the Dirac Live Calibration Tool interface (below).
2. Configure Dirac Live Calibration Tool [Top]
Install the Dirac Audio Processor and the Dirac Live Calibration Tool. Double-click on the Dirac Live Calibration Tool application to run it. (On Windows, it will be in the Start Menu, under the Dirac folder; on the Mac, it is located in the /Applications/Dirac folder.) On the left are five clickable icons that select different tabs for configuring, measurement, and filter generation:
First, select the output device that you will be using from the Sound system tab, and all sample rates at which you will be playing audio:
On the Mic config tab, select the UMIK-1 as the recording device. Click on the Load file button and locate the unique microphone calibration file that you downloaded from the UMIK-1 webpage.
3. Set levels [Top]
On the Output & levels tab, set the output volume to low. Click on the Test button for the left channel and gradually increase the output volume until it is at a moderate level, such that your voice would have to be raised to converse with someone sitting next to you. (If the output volume slider cannot be moved, adjust the volume with your audio system's volume control.)
Now increase the input gain so that the blue level bar reaches into the green section of the level meter for the left channel. With the UMIK-1, you may need to put the slider all the way up - this is normal. If there is insufficient input level, increase the output volume. You can also check:
Repeat the test signal for the right channel. The level should be correct without any further adjustment needed.
4. Run the measurements [Top]
You are now ready to run the acoustic measurements! Dirac Live Calibration Tool uses nine measurements spread around the listening position to calculate its correction filters.
On the Measurements tab, select the most appropriate listening setup (chair, sofa, or auditorium). Position the microphone at the location indicated by the arrow. Be sure to check both the top and front views using the selector underneath the graph, so that you have the height of the microphone correct.
Then click on the Start button. The Calibration Tool will run three measurement sweeps, through the left speaker, then right, then left again, and display the measurement result as a plot.
Dirac Live Calibration Tool will then ask you to move the microphone to the next location, after which you can press Start again run another measurement. Proceed methodically through all nine measurements.
At this point, you should save your project by clicking on the Save... button.
5. Generate correction filters [Top]
On the Filter Design tab, you will initially see the average of the measurements for the left and right channels. You can also opt to display all individual measurements — this will show you how much variation there is across your listening area.
Also displayed is a target curve. This is the desired in-room frequency response after correction. Typically, target curves have a small boost in the bass region, and a gentle fall to the extreme treble. You can adjust the target curve by clicking and dragging on the circular grab-points. Double-clicking on the curve will create another grab-point. Drag-selecting a region will zoom in on that region of the graph, and double-clicking will zoom back out again.
You may find you need to experiment with different target curves to determine what works best for your system in your room, as there is no universally 'correct' in-room response. Once you have the target curve set, click on the Optimize button. This will generate the correction filters and display the predicted response.
Click on Save Filter to save the correction filter as a file. You can then, if you wish, set a different target curve, click Optimize again, and save the result to a different filter.
6. Load and listen! [Top]
Start the Dirac Audio Processor (DAP). (Refer to the Dirac Live documentation for information on how to set up DAP to start automatically on system boot.) You will need to set your system and/or audio/media player to use DAP as its audio output device. (The DAP appears to other programs as a virtual audio device, that goes 'in between' the program playing audio and the real audio device.)
Click on the first vacant slot, which will say 'Click to load'. A pop-up menu will allow you to select one of your correction filters. If you created more than one filter, click on the next vacant slot and load that filter. You can load up to four correction filters at a time, which allows for easy auditioning of different target curves.
Be sure to set the Filter button to On. Start playing some audio, sit back, and listen! You will want to experiment with different target curves to determine what works best with your system and room. Note that if you move your speakers or add acoustic treatments to your room, you will need to redo the measurements, so keep your UMIK-1 handy!
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