@bandso... Yeah, I'd like to have ARC but it's pretty expensive and I'd still have the problem of blasting out my neighbors. bitflipper posted a detailed method of how to do room correction using pink noise and some fancy EQing that I'm gonna try out eventually but I think it requires one of those special mics designed for correction purposes. I figure the VRM thingy is my best bet right now and if someone is REALLY interested in my stuff I'll just pay someone to master it properly.

@vintagevibe... Huh. Interesting. Not sure I understand how that would work but I like the sounds of that. I think I'm gonna snag one as soon as I can swing it. Thanks.

vintagevibe

Beepster

So I guess since you have it using USB you are switching soundcard drivers to check your mixes?

No.  You don't have to use the VRM drivers.  I just send an out from my main interface (Echo Audiofire 8Pre) into the VRM so I don't even use the VRM as an audio interface - just an FX box.  You can do it either way though.

Actually this is a pretty good idea, that way you have the box running all of the time instead of having to change the audio preferences. You just throw on the headphones to check the audio you want and then can immediatly go back to listening to your speakers.
I feed a hardware rackmount tuner the same way. I'll be setting this up tonight!
 
 
As far as room measurement microphone goes, yes the ARC comes with one, but I think any decent omni mic will work fine.

Sorry to be a pain but how would you send out to the VRM box VIA your main interface while the VRM is only connected by USB? Does the interface/drivers/Sonar somehow detect it as an extra output? Because that be awesome. And seriously thanks for the input guys. I've been eyeballing this thing for a while but it's always good to get first hand accounts on stuff like this. :-)

Beepster


Sorry to be a pain but how would you send out to the VRM box VIA your main interface while the VRM is only connected by USB? Does the interface/drivers/Sonar somehow detect it as an extra output? Because that be awesome. And seriously thanks for the input guys. I've been eyeballing this thing for a while but it's always good to get first hand accounts on stuff like this. :-)

Sorry I left out some detail.  You run s/pdif out form your main i/o into the VRM s/pdif in.

@vintagevibe... Ah, okay. Thanks. That was how I figured I'd go about things. Just got confused about the USB hook up. Cheers.

I've been using one for about 3 months, and I've found that it's good for letting me know when I've applied too much bass in my mix.  I would never trust it completely because it doesn't adjust for different headphones (I use Sony MDR 1706's), so it's all relative.  But, it can get you in the ballpark and let you know if you're close or not.  Switching back and forth between the VRM and my regular speakers just takes a second by switching screens in the mixer of my FF 400.  To check the value of the VRM box, just play a Steely Dan CD through any of its emulations and be prepared to be amazed at how well Steely Dan albums are mixed.

There are VSTs that attempt something similar. I don't use them, but I thought it was worth mentioning if you didn't know... http://thewelltemperedcom.../SW/AudioTools/VST.htm .. http://www.toneboosters.com/tb-isonesurround/

Beepster, it's $20 USD and Free to try. http://www.toneboosters.com/tb-isone/

Beepster - don't you have the Focusrite Scarlett? 

Output by the SPDIF.

You don't need to change audio settings in Sonar that way. You just get a pristine signal sent to the VRM box with its own headphone jack. 

The ability to test work in progress this way is highly helpful and does not interfere at all with any current settings.

It's a tool you won't regret having.


I had another post in the Hardware section on an extra trick I'm using with the VRM box
http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2806814