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TüN® 4: How to Use a USB Microphone or External Sound Card
TüN® 4 will also work in a limited manner with 3rd party, USB-based microphones, or a USB-based sound card and compatible microphone. On top of the standard TüN® feature set for adjusting JL Audio DSP products, using TüN® 4 with non-MAX™ hardware will feature: full target generation and single microphone spectrograph and RTA measurements. Additionally, users will have the ability to use TüN® 4's powerful TüN® 4: Autoset EQ to Target micro-automation, signal generator, capture current measurement traces, or load previously captured traces.
To take measurements without MAX™, the following tools will be needed:
Windows or Mac computer with multiple USB ports
USB-based microphone or external sound card with compatible microphone
Mic stand or device to mount microphone at measurement location
Setting Up TüN 4® and an External Sound Card:
Using TüN® 4 software with 3rd party sound card is a rather simple process to get up and running for measurements. It’s best practice to try to take measurements at the listening location to ensure the best results. Before anything, securely mount the microphone at the listening location and safely route the microphone cable outside of the car. If using a USB-based microphone plug it into your computer. If using a USB-based external sound card, plug the microphone into the sound card. Most soundcards can be powered from the USB connection. If the USB connection does not power up the sound card, use the included power adaptors. Whether using a USB microphone or sound card, it is recommended to always use the same USB port to prevent any settings on the computer from changing.
Next, use a second USB port to plug the computer into a DSP-based amplifier, or stand-alone DSP. Launch TüN® 4 and select either “Measure Only” or VXi/MVi simulation mode for non-JL Audio DSP products. If using VXi or MVi DSP-based amplifiers or a TwK®, select the connected device. In more complex systems using a VXi-HUB, select the amplifier in the network that will initially be adjusted.
Lastly, connect the analog outputs of the external sound card or computer to your audio system, so the required test tones can be played. This can typically be done through the Auxilary Input in the vehicle, with an RCA to mini cable. If the vehicle doesn’t have an auxiliary input, you can connect the computer via Bluetooth to the radio or use a CD/USB with pink noise.
Before taking measurements verify the USB microphone or sound card's input level in the computer's MIDI settings. It's best that the input level is set between 3/4 and maximum level.
On a Mac computer, click on System Preferences and enter the "Sound" settings. Under the Input tab, verify the level of the connected microphone or sound card.
On a Windows computer, right click on the sound icon in the bottom right corner of the task bar. Once in sound settings, verify the input level for the microphone or sound card under Inputs.
Image shows Arrow pointing to the click-point to open the Measure Settings window
Before taking measurements, click on the “Measure Settings” icon in the top left corner of the MEASURE tab, which is next to the RTA/SPECTROGRAPH panel. Within Measure Settings, click on the General tab and select the USB sound card or USB microphone from the “Input From:” drop-down menu. The image below shows a USB Audio Device in the drop-down list. Choose which channel on the soundcard which the microphone is plugged into. If the microphone is plugged into Input #1, select Channel 1 from the list. If the microphone is plugged into Input #2, select Channel 2, etc. For USB microphones make sure Channel 1 is selected. Once selected, data should show up in the Meters & Gains window.
Next, select the Signal Generator's output configuration. If using a USB microphone select "Built-In Output" in the drop-down menu. This will play the signal generator out of the computer's headphone output. If using an external sound card for output processing, select that device from the drop-down menu. This will play the signal generator out of the sound card and into the audio system.
Lastly, verify the Sample Rate works with your connected device. The default setting for sample rate is 44,100. If there is an issue with sample rate and your connected device a yellow triangle will appear. Select a different sample rate or try clicking refresh if there is an error.
Image shows the Measure Settings window, showing the selected soundcard
Image shows Displaying Trace offset in Input Combo Box
Depending on the output level of the audio system, the RTA measurement traces may not initially be displayed on the graph. By default, the target traces display between 70-80 dB on the RTA graph and the live RTA traces might be at a different level. When this occurs, you will see arrows at the top or bottom of the RTA that are called Data Detectors. They will indicate if the live data is above or below the target traces. If the arrow is pointing down, click the RTA window and use the down arrow key to scroll until the RTA traces are visible.
For TüN® 4's powerful Autoset EQ to Target functionality to work properly, the live RTA trace needs to overlay the target traces. This should be done by applying a trace offset to the connected microphone input. This is done by clicking on the drop-down menu in the top right corner of the RTA window. Next to the connected microphone or sound card is a field of numbers. Type in the estimated delta between the live RTA trace and target traces and then use the up and down arrow keys to fine tune the RTA trace's placement on the graph. An offset value of about 130.00 is usually a good place to start.
Adjusting trace offset does not change any measurement data. It simply adjusts the placement on the graph comparable to the other traces.
After making the selections from the drop-down menus mentioned above, TüN® is ready to take single mic measurements and make adjustments to JL Audio DSP products including Autoset EQ to Target functionality for each selected output. Other articles within the Help Center will provide more insight into using TüN® 4: Autoset EQ to Target functionality, signal generator, target generator and more.
Setting Up a USB Microphone or Sound Card on a Mac:
JL Audio Online Training: Setting Up a USB Microphone or Sound Card (Live)