My first attempt at capturing an IR of a speaker....

[Joe Bfstplk]

Using the instructions found here (thanks, @2112 for the in-depth tutorial!):


Subject: Weber AlNiCo Grey Wolf, 75W

Mic: Sennheiser e609 through PreSonus BlueTube - using no "tube pre" gain, just the regular SS gain, for neutral response

Position: 2" from grillecloth, at cap edge

The IR Capture preset:

The amp connected to Output 4 via a handy stereo 1/4" --> RCA cable I had lying around:

The MIC setup, cap-edge, 2" from grille cloth (give or take 1/16" ):

The above image, in case it does not show up.

The IR Capture screen after a test:

The sound of the IR, using a clean Hiwatt Jumpered model:
MP3 Sample

The IR shape in the Cab block:

The IR

 

[2112]

Most importantly, how does it sound?

 

[Joe Bfstplk]

Not too bad for a first shot. The e609 is a little bass-shy, similar to a 57. Can't wait for the Fathead to arrive....

 

[Joe Bfstplk]

The Fathead MIC arrived today. I will be trying it out this weekend....

 

[Joe Bfstplk]

Ok, so playing with the Fathead today:

First attempts sounded AWFUL!

Subbed in a known-good MIC (my Blue "Bluebird" condensor), in case the Fathead was damaged in transit. Still awful! (thankfully!)

Something is obviously wrong with the setup.

I found that it was a standard PEBKAC error (Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair)!
I had forgot to plug the XLR in to the direct box so the amp's sound could be subtracted from the IR.

Better, but still pretty bad.

Finally found it. More PEBKAC.
When listening back to the IR, YOU NEED TO TURN OFF THE TMA BLOCK!
Apparently, if you don't, you end up fixing what should already be good, and FUBARing it instead.

I made a separate scene for each step in the process: Capture, Amp -> Target Spkr, and Test IR in Cab. Preset is here.

Much better now!

The Fathead has a whopper of a proximity effect, so it sounds very chunky up close, but pull it back 6-12" and the balance is beautiful. It also mixes well with the e609 IR in the earlier post, filling in a little on the bottom and giving a bit of "room" around it all.

2 inches
6 inches
12 inches

Will shoot more IRs with the Bluebird tomorrow, if time allows.

After that, the Weber P12NT in my '66 Deluxe Amp.

 

[Joe Bfstplk]

BTW, I am pulling 5 LEDs on the SAE's power meter, which corresponds to around 1.5W of power. Sometimes, if I am careless with the Out4 knob, it hits the 6th LED for 6W. Still plenty of headroom.

 

[Joe Bfstplk]

Did some more IR caps. News to follow.

Bullet points:

• Weber Grey Wolf with Shure 430 "Commando" omni PA wearable "magnetic" mic and a couple more e609 captures.
• Weber P12NT captures with e609.

The secret to e609 seems to be its proximity effect. Closer in by just 1" (i.e., 1" instead of 2" off the grille) and the bass is suddenly not weak.

Will post pics after dinner of the setup and screenshots of the new IR Utility in Axe-Edit showing frequency response plots and IR squiggles.

 

[Joe Bfstplk]

My IR descriptions from here forward will be using this image as a rough guide to position relative to the speaker cone:

Pattern: Speaker-Mic-Position-Distance.

So, here goes:

Grey Wolf, with the Shure 430 "Commando" mic at 6" off the #8 ring. Name GreyWolf-Shure430-8ring-6in.

GreyWolf-Shure430-cap-6in.

GreyWolf-Shure430-7ring-5in.

As you can see, the results with this low-fi omni mic are rather variable. I got a few nice room IRs also, that help pull the main speaker IR out of the studio monitors and into live space if blended in with them a bit.

 

[Joe Bfstplk]

Weber P12NT in '66 Deluxe Amp meets Sennheiser e609:

WeberP12NT-e609-8-ring-1in.

WeberP12NT-e609-cap-1in.

WeberP12NT-e609-cap-2in. My current favorite IR from this speaker.

WeberP12NT-e609-cap-4in.

 

[Joe Bfstplk]

The new tool right in Axe-Edit really makes capturing IRs a breeze.

WeberP12NT-e609-cap-2in.syx

GreyWolf-Shure430-Room.syx