System Tuning
Optimize your audio system with measurement-based EQ and filtering
What is System Tuning?
System tuning uses your acoustic measurements to design corrective equalization that optimizes the frequency response of your audio system.
Measurement-Based
Tunings are created directly from your measurements, using actual acoustic data to design corrections.
Automatic Filter Design
AudioMap's intelligent algorithm generates up to 48 parametric EQ filters to correct your system response.
Real-Time Preview
See the corrected response instantly as you adjust settings, with visual feedback for every change.
Creating Your First Tuning
Transform your measurements into corrective EQ with just a few clicks
The Process
Take Measurements
Capture acoustic measurements in the Measure tab
Select & Create
Choose your measurement(s) and click "Create Tuning"
Automatic Generation
AudioMap inverts the measurement and generates corrective filters
Review & Adjust
Fine-tune settings and preview the corrected response
What Gets Created
Target Correction
Inverted measurement showing required EQ
Filter Network
Up to 48 parametric EQ bands
Applied Correction
Filter response with wet/dry mix
Corrected Response
Predicted result after EQ
Understanding the Tuning Interface
Navigate AudioMap's tuning workspace with confidence
Main Display
Frequency Response (Top)
Shows magnitude response with multiple overlaid curves
- Original measurement
- Target correction (inverted)
- Applied correction (filters)
- Corrected response (result)
Phase Response (Bottom)
Phase characteristics of your correction filters
Frequency Range Controls
Global Frequency Range
Two-handle slider at the top controls correction limits. Behavior depends on Serial EQ Limits mode (see Advanced Algorithm Options below).
- •Serial OFF (default): Acts as crossover frequencies for parallel processing
- •Serial ON: Acts as hard boundaries where filter generation stops
Per-Source Bandwidth Limits (Colored Sliders)
When High Pass / Low Pass mode is enabled, color-coded sliders appear for each source. These control source signal bandwidth for multi-way systems.
Multi-way example:
Tweeter: 2kHz-20kHz | Woofer: 20Hz-500Hz
Filter Settings & Controls
Fine-tune your correction with powerful algorithm controls
Number of Filters
Control how many parametric EQ bands to generate (0-48). More filters = more precise correction but potentially more phase impact.
Tip: Start with 12-24 filters for most applications
Smoothing Type
Apply octave smoothing before generating filters. Choose between fixed octave fractions or intelligent adaptive modes.
Fixed Smoothing
None, 1/48, 1/24, 1/12, 1/6, 1/3, or 1 octave
Uniform smoothing across all frequencies
Adaptive Modes
Variable & Psychoacoustic
Frequency-dependent intelligent smoothing
Variable Smoothing (Default)
- •<100 Hz: No smoothing - preserves room modes and bass detail
- •100-1000 Hz: Gradually increases to 1/6 octave
- •>1000 Hz: 1/6 octave smoothing
Best for: Balanced correction that preserves low-frequency detail
Psychoacoustic Smoothing
- •<100 Hz: 1/3 octave - heavier smoothing for bass
- •100-1000 Hz: Gradually transitions from 1/3 to 1/6 octave
- •>1000 Hz: 1/6 octave smoothing
- •Method: Uses cubic mean for more aggressive smoothing
Best for: Natural-sounding corrections that match human hearing perception
Advanced Algorithm Options
Enable Shelf Filters
Uses low and high shelf filters at the extremes instead of parametric bands for more natural bass/treble correction.
Only works at full frequency range (20-22kHz)
Serial EQ Limits
Controls how frequency limits affect your correction. Choose between preview-friendly parallel mode or processor-ready serial mode.
OFF - Parallel Mode
Splits signal into bands with LR4 crossovers
EQ applied only to mid-band
Bands sum back together
Preview Mode
Great for hearing how correction sounds in AudioMap, but most processors can't implement this
Smooth Transitions
Provides partial correction in crossover regions - gradual blend from corrected to uncorrected bands
ON - Serial Mode
Generates filters only within limits
Direct parametric EQ application
No crossover processing
Processor-Ready
Standard EQ mode that works with any DSP or digital console
Hard Cutoff
Correction stops at frequency limits - no partial correction in transition zones
Which Mode Should You Use?
Start with Parallel (OFF) to preview how your correction will sound with smooth crossover transitions. This is ideal for testing and refining your tuning.
Switch to Serial (ON) when exporting filters to a standard DSP processor. Most audio processors apply EQ serially and don't have parallel multiband capabilities.
Note: Some advanced setups (like certain Lake or Galileo systems) can mix processed and unprocessed signals for different bands, making parallel mode implementable in the real world.
High Pass / Low Pass
Enable per-source frequency limit sliders to control each source's signal bandwidth - useful for multi-way systems where each driver has a specific operating range
EQ Band Types
AudioMap supports 8 filter types for precise control over your correction
Peak
Bell-shaped boost/cut at a center frequency. The primary filter type for parametric correction.
Low Shelf
Boosts or cuts all frequencies below the corner frequency with a smooth transition.
High Shelf
Boosts or cuts all frequencies above the corner frequency with a smooth transition.
Notch
Deep narrow cut at a specific frequency. Useful for removing resonances or feedback.
All-Pass
Changes phase without affecting magnitude. Used for time alignment between drivers.
Low Pass
Attenuates frequencies above the cutoff. Used for crossover design in multi-way systems.
High Pass
Attenuates frequencies below the cutoff. Used for crossover design in multi-way systems.
Band Pass
Passes only frequencies within a specific range. Combines high-pass and low-pass behavior.
Auto-EQ generates Peak filters by default, with optional Low/High Shelf at the extremes when "Enable Shelf Filters" is turned on. Manual filters can use any of the 8 types.
Crossover Filters
Linkwitz-Riley crossover filters for multi-way system design
Linkwitz-Riley 2nd Order (LR2)
Gentler slope, wider transition band. Good for speakers with broad overlap regions.
Linkwitz-Riley 4th Order (LR4)
Steeper slope, tighter transition. Default for parallel mode crossover processing.
Crossover filters are used in Parallel mode (Serial EQ Limits OFF) to split the signal into frequency bands. In Serial mode, no crossover processing is applied.
Global Adjustments
Wet/Dry Mix
Blend between corrected (wet) and original (dry) response from 0-100%. Perfect for subtle corrections or A/B comparison.
100% = Full correction, 0% = Bypass, 50% = Half correction strength
Tilt Filter
Apply a broad tonal tilt from -12 to +12 dB. Pivot point at 1kHz. Positive values boost highs/cut lows, negative values do the opposite.
Can be included in EQ bands export or applied as separate filter
Output Controls
Playback
Enable audio playback through AudioMap's playback system. Route external audio (music, DAW output) through your correction filters for real-world testing.
Requires routing setup: Input audio → Ext 1/2 → Correction → Playback 1/2 → Outputs
Correction
Toggle to enable/disable the correction filters. Use this to A/B compare corrected vs uncorrected response in real-time.
Applies your tuning filters to the playback signal
Routing Setup: In Settings → Routing, route your audio interface inputs to Ext 1/2 channels (Input Matrix), then route Playback 1/2 to your monitor outputs (Output Matrix).
Best Practices
Do's
- Start with Variable or Psychoacoustic smoothing (default)
- Use fewer filters (12-24) for more musical results
- Test with wet/dry mix around 70-80% first
- Verify the corrected response sounds better
- Enable shelf filters at full range for natural sound
- Try Psychoacoustic mode for perceptually-balanced tuning
Don'ts
- Don't use 48 filters unless absolutely necessary
- Avoid correcting every tiny ripple in the response
- Don't expect perfect correction of nulls (cancellations)
- Don't ignore what your ears tell you
- Don't tune based on a single measurement position
Pro Tip: The Listening Test
Always verify your tuning by listening with the Playback and Correction toggles. A/B compare between corrected and uncorrected to ensure the tuning actually improves the sound. Trust your ears over the visual display.
Ready to Optimize Your System?
Start by taking measurements, then create your first tuning to experience the power of measurement-based optimization.