Polk Velodyne SMS-1 thread......

treitz3

I have just done a search of the forum to find out who has this unit. 9 CP members out of all of us that publicly state that they have it, or give recommendations.

Make me #10. Highly recommended to those that utilize subwoofers in their rig. I am on day two with this unit and I have only utilized the "auto EQ" feature as of yet. The end result is humbling.

Why humbling? Because I have been into audio for a LONG time [well, for me anyway] and I would give you all a boring crash course on what I've done and where I've been, but who cares? Point is...I have been intimately familiar with frequencies, adjustments, tweaking, location(s) of gear to achieve accurate reproduction, parametric and graphic EQ's, even both EQ's being on the same rigs, since I was around 13 [currently 37]. I have always been proud of the fact that I could walk into an arena, house, concert hall, choir room....whatever and be able to adjust the frequencies to sound the best that the individual acoustical conditions presented relatively quickly.

Enter the Velodyne SMS-1. Again, I have ONLY used the auto EQ sweep as of yet, so I have yet to fully utilize what this unit actually has to offer.

Back to humbling. To be honest, I thought I had it going on with the new location of my subwoofer and the frequency responses that were reproduced. After 2 minutes of turning this unit on, auto EQ'ing and listening to the end result......I.E, what hits your ears, I realize that this SMS is where it's at. Not me and all my experience and knowledge. Like I said, I haven't even tapped into what this has to offer, but it instantly humbled me after the auto sweep and adjustment, and I am listening to a VERY controlled bass/midbass response, which admittedly, I could not have achieved after maybe a month or so of listening to all sorts of genre's and recordings.

Garcianc2003
MikeC78 [Who never used it, I bought it from him.] TXS!
Wingnut4772
Shepardp
brian29
rtart
ShannonW.
James Vaughn
and Grimster74

Above are the members of this forum that have had experience with this particular unit, or currently own it. I now know that they are listening to great sound when it comes to integrating the tower's to the sub. I noticed in reading through all of the posts concerning the Velodyne SMS-1, that it is mentioned, but not talked about.

This thread is dedicated to all things SMS-1, so that those members of the forum who are interested in this product can put a learn on. More later, as I experiment. Thanks.

treitz3

I have found so far that the manual for the Velodyne SMS-1 can be very confusing. A better way to understand and utilize the SMS-1 is to find "Don't Panic" a writeup that was even recommended to me by a technition at Velodyne. It is Outlaw's own guide to the unit that they drew up themselves.

VR3

You have my interest peaked...

Sadly...

I think I am going to go cry

This hobby blows... lol

Does this do crossover functions?

treitz3

Hehe, you crack me up dude. As for x-over functions, it does [with seemingly infinite variations / adjustments] for the integration of the sub to the mains. It will not do mids to tweet.

VR3

Darn... errr I mean....

Cool --

Replace my Paradigm maybe?

And allow me to get a mega amp for my subs



Back to work!

treitz3

What am I doing wrong? I believe that I have it hooked up correctly, but I do not have the sweep coming from the mains [yes, they are hooked up]. This leads me to believe that this unit is not getting the full integration of the rig's sound and that it is only adjusting the sub to the room's acoustics and not the sound emitted from the total rig.

When I said that the mains were hooked up, they are leading from the SMS-1 LL out to the pre on an Aux. input.

What gives and do those who have this have the same thing happen? It does not make sense. Still sounds better, especially in the sweet spot.

Sherardp

Treitz, check out the Outlaw manual for connection, it will give you the basics, and is a better manual than the one Velodyne provides. You should have the outputs of the velodyne going into the inputs on your AVR on a nonused input ie video 1, video 2 etc. This is what will bring the onscreen display as well as output the signal sweep through your subwoofer. http://pdf.outlawaudio.com/outlaw/docs/sms1guide.pdf

treitz3

The video has to go thru my 'pooter since I lost my TV and went strictly audio. The audio is hooked up as you described but no sound out of the mains.

The output from the SMS-1 is #14 [according to the Velodyne manual] which is listed as "EQ output" on the back of the SMS-1 goes into an aux. input of my pre.. No matter what I do I can not get the mains to be part of the sweep.

I am reading the "Don't Panic" as well as the owner's manual, but combined it is many, many pages filled with relatively complicated information and I'm working on other projects as well. If only there was 48 hours in a day and I didn't need / require sleep.

Sherardp

Treitz,
FYI I just checked my SMS-1 and you wont get the mains out of the sweep. Whats happening is the SMS-1 is sending the signal out via LFE, the microphone picks this up and sends the data back to the SMS-1 which in turn makes the adjustments, etc. The signal will not be output of your speakers.

Eric W

You should be able to get the sweep out of the mains. Do you have the SMS1's output hooked into a "7.1" or "5.1" subwoofer only input?

If you only play the sweep through the sub, you won't be able to tell how well the sub integrates with the main speakers to help set the level and adjust the polarity/phase.

Sherardp

Eric Wong wrote: »

You should be able to get the sweep out of the mains. Do you have the SMS1's output hooked into a "7.1" or "5.1" subwoofer only input?

If you only play the sweep through the sub, you won't be able to tell how well the sub integrates with the main speakers to help set the level and adjust the polarity/phase.

Im running 7.1 setup. Guess I need to check my own setup tonight.

Edit: I just dialed into my SMS-1 and can confirm I am getting signal out of my mains. Not sure why youre not Treitz, my only suggestion would be that you make sure the RCAs are fully seated.

treitz3

Thank you both for your responses, as it is much appreciated.

Eric Wong wrote: »

You should be able to get the sweep out of the mains. If you only play the sweep through the sub, you won't be able to tell how well the sub integrates with the main speakers to help set the level and adjust the polarity/phase.

Eye to eye Eric, that's exactly what I was thinking.

Eric Wong wrote: »

Do you have the SMS1's output hooked into a "7.1" or "5.1" subwoofer only input?

I must admit, I have not gotten this far yet***[see below]. I may be understanding you incorrectly because I only am familiar with 2 channel applications. That said, the video portion of the SMS-1 is still having technical difficulties. The Pinnacle Studio Movieboard plus PCI I purchased to view the video side of the SMS-1 via the computer is having trouble locating the software. I have tried installing / deleting / uninstalling / reinstalling a couple of times now and because I know jack about computers basically I am not able to pull up the video portion of things, so I cannot answer your question. Basically I am driving blind and I don't know whether or not I'm in 2 channel, 7.1 or 5.1 at the moment, unfortunately. I will have to get back to you on this front as soon as I resolve this issue [seeing the video side].

Now, as for hookup I have RP9 [according to the "Don't Panic" Outlaw guide] and #14 [according to the Velodyne manual] which is the EQ audio output according to both, going into the Aux. input on the pre. This is what's written in the Outlaw's guide.....

"This stereo analog output is used to pass the SMS-1's test tones to the reciever or processor. This output must be connected to an input or your reciever or processor; do not connect this output directly to your TV. It may be convenient to connect the EQ video output (RP7) to the same input."

OK, so that's hooked up correctly. I even tried switching it to the tuner input just in case. Still no test tones thru the mains.


*** The SMS-1's outputs are as follows...

Sherardp

From left to right, #12 would go to your input on your PC, #13 is where you plug in your subs, #14 is an output for the test tones, should be ran to empty output on AVR, i.e video 1 or 2. #15 used when using two SMS-1s. #16 I'm not using this one in my setup, #17 connected from subwoofer output of the AVR, #19 power of course

treitz3

So it looks as if I am hooking it up correctly, but I am only running a two channel setup. No LFE, no 5.1, 7.1 etc...I wouldn't imagine this unit would not be compatible with a simple two channel system.....would it?

Do you know if what is going wrong is something I can't see on the video side of things? Once I get the mains to fire the sweep, I'll be golden. Until the next episode, that is. :rolleyes:

treitz3

Well, Sherardp we are correct in the hookup. No issues there. My issue with the mains not sweeping is that I am not [refer to above post] receiving the video end of the SMS-1 which remains problem #1. Problem #2 is that I was using the 3-2-1 sequence off the remote. Apparently this will not fire the mains according to the tech. at Velodyne. I have to refer to problem #1 [being able to see the display on video] hit menu, then 5-4-3-2-1 sequence and THEN the mains will fire.

That said....let me hold this thread in limbo until I get that Pinnacle studio Plus up and running. That's my source for video [via the computer] since I gave away my TV to go strictly audio.

lanion

I also have an SMS-1... it is nice!!!!

treitz3

Gave up [for now] on the Pinnacle hardware/software thingy-dingy. Still can't get it to work. :mad:

So, I went and got a small, portable DVD player to see the on screen menu from the Velodyne SMS-1. Tonight, I will hear the sweep coming from the mains. ***fingers crossed***

Oh, BTW I have chatted with many a fella/Polkie over the phone that asked me if the SMS-1 was a subwoofer. Just to clarify to those who don't know, this is not a sub. It's a stand alone sub management system with mic and it is controlled by a on-screen display via the remote control. I am utilizing ths particular component to properly integrate the mains to the sub and then the sound from that to the sweet spot in a not so anechoic room.

Sherardp

Hope you get it working so you can see your sweeps.

treitz3

I have gotten the sweeps to start and the mains are now firing. It's too late tonight to do anything else [neighbor is 6"away], but when I did get it to auto adjust, it went on for over 15 minutes and I could see it changing the slope but it kept going, and going and going. Is this normal?

Sherardp

treitz3 wrote: »

I have gotten the sweeps to start and the mains are now firing. It's too late tonight to do anything else [neighbor is 6"away], but when I did get it to auto adjust, it went on for over 15 minutes and I could see it changing the slope but it kept going, and going and going. Is this normal?

Yes this is normal in the manual it states how many times it will sweep.

treitz3

Nevermind. I just kept reading the "Don't Panic" guide and my volume levels weren't adjusted properly between the pre and SMS-1. 80db is what it called for and I'm quite sure I was over that limit.

New question. For those who have used this. Do you set the mic up, as the guide suggests, on a cushion in the listening position? Or do you put it in the "sweet spot".....in other words, where your ears would actually pick up the frequencies.

I have the mic placed to where it is in the sweet spot, on a cushion in the same spot my ears would be.

treitz3

Sherardp wrote: »

Yes this is normal in the manual it states how many times it will sweep.

Ahhh, I will have to reference the manual to read this. I have not come across it so far in the guide. Thanks!

Shannon W.

Treitz,
Whatever you do don't call Velodyne. I did and the guy was a D*CK! He tried to tell me my brand new $1500 SvS sub was Junk and at that point I gave the guy a piece of my mind and hung up on him. What a joke.
Just take your time, you will get the hang of it. It just takes time.. If there is anything I can do for you just let me know.
A big help is the Outlaw Audio SMS-1 guide for dummies! LoL

Shannon

Eric W

treitz3 wrote: »

Nevermind. I just kept reading the "Don't Panic" guide and my volume levels weren't adjusted properly between the pre and SMS-1. 80db is what it called for and I'm quite sure I was over that limit.

New question. For those who have used this. Do you set the mic up, as the guide suggests, on a cushion in the listening position? Or do you put it in the "sweet spot".....in other words, where your ears would actually pick up the frequencies.

I have the mic placed to where it is in the sweet spot, on a cushion in the same spot my ears would be.

I'd recommend mounting the measurement mic to a mic stand. It comes with a mic adapter you can mount to a mic stand you buy at the local musician store.

Use MULTIPLE locations, shift the mic forwards, backwards, side to side within your primary listening area and adjust the height some. Then strike a compromise. I think you'll be surprised to see the difference in frequency response by moving the mic just a little, especially at the crossover point of the sub to the main speakers. Get the smoothest response you can over that larger area instead of any one single measurement point.

treitz3

Eric Wong wrote: »

I'd recommend mounting the measurement mic to a mic stand. It comes with a mic adapter you can mount to a mic stand you buy at the local musician store.

Use MULTIPLE locations, shift the mic forwards, backwards, side to side within your primary listening area and adjust the height some. Then strike a compromise. I think you'll be surprised to see the difference in frequency response by moving the mic just a little, especially at the crossover point of the sub to the main speakers. Get the smoothest response you can over that larger area instead of any one single measurement point.

Golden. Absolutely golden. Thank you.

I do have it on a mic stand, but it's only about 1' tall. Tomorrow, different story. Thanks again.