Setting up REW

[jagman]

OK. I'm really annoyed. I have the BFD 1124p and have the REW on my computer. I also have the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum sound card. I have the wiring set so the stereo 1/8" cable coming out of the LINE_IN on the back of the computer goes to the RS SPL meter where one of the RCA jacks plugs into it (and the other dangles). I also have it so the stereo 1/8" cable coming from the LINE_OUT on the back of the computer is plugged into the CD IN on the integrated (both RCAs). This was done to emulate the signal path going to the sub and to control the volume to the sub. I also kept the front R&L speakers set as small (so they cross over to the sub at 80Hz) but unplugged them.

With physical process set up properly, I successfully set the measurement level to 75dB. Then I tried to set the Input Volume... and that is where it gets exciting. When the 75dB pink noise plays I have the Surround Mixer volumes set as follows:

The Master Volume is at 50% and unmuted.
The Source Wave is at 100% and unmuted.
The Source MIDI synth is at 0% but muted.
The Souce CD Audio is at 0% but muted.
The Source Line-In is at 100% and unmuted.
The Source Line-in 2/Mic 2 is at 0% but muted.
The Souce Microphone is at 0% but muted.
The Rec Analog Mix is at 67% and Record without Monitoring is selected.

With that done the "dB SPL" fluctuates around 67 dBs, the "Peak" fluctuates around -8dB and the "RMS" fluctuates around -18dB. That's great except the pink noise keeps playing and there's no OK button to press (and thus finish setting the input volume). The pink noise just keeps playing and the only way to stop it is to press Set Input Volume again. But, when I do that, it restarts the same process. The Set Input Volume butten stays red... I don't know what to do to move on. Can anyone help me?

PS I've also posted at the Home Theater Shack, but haven't received an answer to the same question.

[ThomasW]

Sorry but I don't think I can't be much help since I haven't owned a Creative Labs card in a very longtime. And I suspect the problems are the result of settings with the sound card software......

[jagman]

BruceK on the other forum has been very helpful, but even he is unsure why REW is acting up. A number of people have used a variety of the Creative sound cards and this is the first time he's heard of this happening. The only thing he could come up with is questioning whether I have the newest JAVA software. I think I do, but I'll double check it tonight after I get home from work. He also said that since my numbers add up, even if it can't be finalized (for lack of a better term), I should just proceed. As long as I remember the setup then that's all that really matters. It's frustrating to be so close, yet not able to play with the filters.

A bit off topic, I got new cables from Blue Jeans to go between my integrated and the BFD and then between the BFD and the Samson S700. The sound of the sub improved quite a bit. I'm not a big believer in cables, but the IB definitely has more umph. I was using a crappy DIY cable before and although the sound was good, it seemed a little lacking. The old cable really was crap, too. It had very flimbsy connections to the plugs, particularly at the XLR end. Every time I pulled the wire it physically came apart. Anyways, I'm much happier now, and all I need to do is get this damn REW and BFD going!