User manual PIONEER ADVANCED MCACC

[. . . ] Operating Instructions ­ Advanced MCACC PC Display Application Software ­ audio/video multi-channel receiver About this manual These are the Operating Instructions for an application which displays on your computer screen the listening room reverberation frequency characteristics, the speakers' group delay characteristics and the MCACC parameters measured by the Advanced MCACC function of your receiver. It explains everything you need to know to use the application, from installation to troubleshooting. You will need to operate the receiver to use this application, so please refer also to the Operating Instructions supplied with the receiver. Important The explanations concerning the "Group Delay" functions ("group delay characteristics of the speakers", etc. ) included in these operating instructions only apply for receivers supporting the Full Band Phase Control function. About the Advanced MCACC Application The functions of the Advanced MCACC application are used with the same purpose as the "Reverb View" and "Group Delay" functions of the receiver itself (see the receiver's Operating Instructions), namely to display the reverberation characteristics of the listening environment and the group delay characteristics of the speakers. [. . . ] It is also a valuable means for checking the effect of measures taken to improve the acoustics of the room. The display can be switched between the reverb characteristics graphs before and after calibration. For details, see About the display of the reverb characteristics graphs before and after calibration (page 22). The group delay characteristics graph can be used to check the group delay characteristics (before calibration) of the speakers being used and the effect of calibration with the Full Band Phase Control function. For details, refer to Reading the group delay characteristics graph (Group Delay) on page 24 How to interpret reverb graphs (Reverb) The graphs show changes in microphone input level along a time axis, beginning from a state of quiet at time 0, when test tones begin to be output, and continuing while a constant level of sound is output from the speakers. · If there is absolutely no reverberation in your room, the graph will look like figure A below. · If there is reverberation, the graph will show a gradual accumulation of acoustic power, as shown in figure B. Note · Due to an effect known as "group delay", lower frequencies may take longer to be generated than higher frequencies (this is most obvious when comparing the frequencies around 0 ms). · If a graph extends beyond the display range, or almost fills it, you can change the display by using the Z (Zoom) control on the graph adjustment bar, adjusting the display range of the Level [dB] scale so that the whole graph is visible. · Since channel level and speaker distance settings are displayed in the graphical output, it is best to make sure these settings (made in the Auto MCACC "ALL" or "Channel Level" setup) are adjusted properly before reverb measurement. · Even in cases where there is a great difference in the output levels of different frequencies (the frequency characteristics of the room are poor), the frequency characteristics of individual channels can be set closer to flat using the "SYMMETRY" or "ALL CH ADJ" calibration settings in the receiver's "Auto MCACC" function. (For details, see the receiver's Operating Instructions. ) · It is usually not possible to calculate the equalization values employed by the receiver's Acoustic Cal EQ function simply by viewing the graphs displayed on your PC. (This is because the automatic adjustments made by Acoustic Cal EQ function take account of factors such as equalization band interference and analytical filter characteristics, to achieve the optimum characteristic profile. ) · There may be differences on the reverb characteristics graphs after measurements with the Full Auto MCACC function as compared to after measurements with the Reverb Measurement function (Manual MCACC "EQ Professional") due to the standing wave control setting. With Full Auto MCACC, the reverberations are measured with standing wave controlled, so the reverb characteristics graph does not reflect the influence of the standing waves. By contrast, with Reverb Measurement, the reverberations are measured without standing wave control, so you can check the reverb characteristics including the influence of the standing waves. If you want to check the acoustics of the room (with the standing waves), we recommend using Reverb Measurement. Continue 17 How to Interpret the Graphs (Continued) Deciding the time period for Advanced EQ Setup calibration With conventional MCACC EQ calibration, the microphone input's data acquisition time was fixed at between 80 and 160 [ms] (red part of Figure 1). By contrast, with the receiver's Advanced EQ Setup function allowing more professional equalization, the customer can select individual points between 0 and 80 [ms] (with a 20 ms width) (blue part of Figure 1). Note You can specify the time period setting using the "Advanced EQ Setup" in the "EQ Professional" sub-menu (in the "Manual MCACC" menu). This setting is not required if you're satisfied with the results of the "Full Auto MCACC" setup (For details, see the receiver's Operating Instructions). Figure 1 Comparison of microphone data acquisition time periods Level (dB) EQ calibration time range Conventional MCACC EQ selectable for Advanced calibration time range EQ Setup function (fixed) (selected automatically for Full Auto MCACC) Time (in ms) To decide the time period for Advanced EQ Setup calibration, view the graphs of the measured reverb characteristics, and refer to the following three patterns. Pattern 1: Different reverb characteristics for high and low frequencies In rooms with reverb characteristics like those shown in Figure 2, lower frequencies often seem overly reverberant compared to higher frequencies (i. e. With conventional MCACC EQ calibration, data between 80 and 160 [ms] (red part of Figure 2) was acquired, so the low frequency volume was deemed high and the high frequency volume deemed low, and the equalization curve was calibrated with the high frequencies somewhat boosted. However, for the characteristics of the sound reaching the ear directly within about 40 ms, there is enough volume that there is no real need to boost the high frequencies, so with equalization using the conventional MCACC EQ calibration the high frequencies sometimes sounded too strong. Therefore, the Acoustic Cal EQ may result in a room where high frequencies sound shrill. In cases like this, setting the time period for Advanced EQ Setup to 30 to 50 msec (the blue area in Figure 2) to adjust for sounds coming directly from the speakers can flatten the frequency response for direct sounds (including initial reflections) and give a better-balanced sound field. Figure 2 Level (dB) Time period point to be selected Time (in ms) Low frequencies High frequencies Continue 18 How to Interpret the Graphs (Continued) Pattern 2: Different reverb characteristics for different channels If the reverb characteristics differ for the different channels as shown in Figure 3, equalization using the conventional Acoustic Cal EQ acquired data between 80 and 160 [ms] (red part of Figure 3), so equalization was performed to gradually equalize the tone of the different channels for 80 ms from the time the sound was emitted from the speakers and after (it was not possible to equalize the response of the direct sound). [. . . ] To do so, launch the installer file for the same version. 1 2 3 Double-click the installer file The InstallShield Wizard appears. for the currently installed version. Select "Next". Select "Repair", then select "Next". Continue 29 Updating, Deleting and Repairing the Application (Continued) 4 Select "Install". 5 Click "Finish". This completes the repairing of the application. Modifying the application With this application, "Modify" cannot be used. 30 Troubleshooting As you use the Advanced MCACC application, errors can occur for a variety of reasons, such as incompatibilities with other applications and the current configuration of your PC. If an error occurs, refer to the troubleshooting points below. For European customer : If the trouble cannot be rectified even after checking the points listed below, ask the Pioneer Service Center specified on your warranty card. For U. S. or Canadian customer : If the trouble cannot be rectified even after checking the points listed below, ask the Pioneer Customer Support Division (USA) or Customer Satisfaction Department (Canada). [. . . ]