_RHEA Calibration
- Objective:
Follow this procedure if the device has any issues with level balance between channels or it requires a tube replacement.
- Preliminary steps and important information:
All signal levels are in dB scale, please keep in mind that it needs to be translated to the dBFS scale of a specific audio interface. For example if the maximum output level of a certain audio interface is +18dB (0dBFS), then 0dB will be equal to -18dBFS.
Allow the device to warm up for at least 30 minutes.
When replacing tubes keep in mind that you need a matched pair. There is also a possibility that You will be unable to set DRY/WET levels properly. In this case please contact us.
Trimmer locations (upper PCB):
- Tools needed:
Small slotted screwdriver.
500 series extender for two slots (stereo).
- Software needed:
Gcon software version 9.1.xxx or higher. It can be found here: https://wesaudio.com/download/
For audio measurement install Room EQ Wizard (REW) software, making sure to select the option for running multiple instances during installation. This enables use of both channels (Windows only). It can be found here: https://www.roomeqwizard.com/
From the main REW window open “Generator” and “RTA”, see picture below:
- Procedure:
- DRY signal level adjustment:
_RHEA settings: INPUT 0, OUTPUT 0, MIX DRY (dry signal), THRESHOLD MAX, THD off, SC off
INPUT signal: sine wave @ 1KHz level 0dB
DRY Level: Set Dry level to 0dB for both channels using trimmers described as “DRY”.
- WET signal level and THD adjustment:
_RHEA settings: INPUT 0, OUTPUT 0, MIX WET (wet signal), THRESHOLD MAX, THD off, SC off
INPUT signal: sine wave @ 1KHz level 0dB
- THD adjustment:
Set THD for both channels (as low as possible, around 0.02%) using trimmers described as “THD”.
- WET level adjustment:
Set WET level to 0dB for both channels using trimmers described as “WET”.
- THD MED, HIGH adjustment:
(This step is optional as MED and HIGH settings should not change) Turn THD on, MED setting and set “THD1” to 1% (+1dB signal level), then set THD to HIGH and set “THD2” to 2.5% (+3dB signal level) and turn off THD.
- Tubes cathode balance:
_RHEA settings: INPUT 0, OUTPUT 0, MIX WET (wet signal), THRESHOLD MAX, THD off, SC off
INPUT signal: sine wave @ 1KHz level -40dB
Adjust THD for both channels as low as possible (1% or less) using trimmers described as “CH1” and “CH2”.
- CV balance:
_RHEA settings: INPUT 0, OUTPUT 0, MIX WET (wet signal), THRESHOLD MIN, ATTACK 1mS, RELEASE 0.3S, THD off, SC off
INPUT signal: sine wave @ 1KHz level +10dB
Adjust THD for both channels to as low as possible using trimmers described as “CH1 CV bal” and “CH2 CV bal”.
- Between channels CV balance:
INPUT signal: sine wave @ 1KHz level 0dB
Adjust signal balance between channels (equal levels on both channels) using a trimmer described as “½ CV bal”.
- Final check:
Repeat all steps from the procedure section to ensure proper calibration of the device. If there are any differences bigger than 0.2dB please repeat adjustment at the step that requires it.
If You need any imidiate support@wesaudio.com
_RHEA VU calibration
- Objective:
Follow this procedure if Your device HW (hardware) GR (gain reduction) meter shows different values than the plugin GR meter.
- Preliminary steps and important information:
Check if the HW GR meter has properly set the “0” position, more on this in the actual procedure below.
Meter calibration settings: INPUT 0, OUTPUT 0, THRESHOLD MAX, MIX WET, ATTACK 1mS, RELEASE 0.3S, THD off, SC FILTER off.
How to open GConManager in admin mode (section general): https://wesaudio.com/faq/
For certain units it is possible that the maximum compression level will be lower than 20dB.
Allow the device to warm up for at least 30 minutes.
- GConManager fields description:
Grayed out field „METER CALIBRATION (ADC)” shows measured ADC value which can be used as a starting point to calibrate each compression level. It is a software reference point to match compression levels.
„ADC VALUE” column is used to set both meters (values have to be within 0-255 range)
For 0dB do not type a value lower than 16 (0 is set as 20)!„DAC SHIFT (+/-)” column provides compensation for physical meter (values have to be within +/-99 range) positive or negative values should be used depending on the needle position – e.g. if physical needle needs to be moved left to visualize certain compression level, negative value should be used.
- Tools and equipment needed:
Small slotted screwdriver may be necessary to set the “0” position on the HW GR meter.
Audio interface.
- Software needed:
GCon software version 9.1.xxxx or higher (admin mode). Software is available here: https://wesaudio.com/download/
_RHEA also must be updated to at least v9.1.xxxx software.
DAW (digital audio workstation) software with tone generator insert and some level measurement functionality (e.g. plug-in).
- Procedure:
Before powering the device on and with the USB cable unplugged check if the needle on the HW GR meter indicates “0”. If it needs calibration, do it by turning a small black screw just below the meter scale. See picture below.
When the device is warmed up, send a signal from the tone generator to the device and receive it back in DAW (1KHz sine wave).
Apply settings from step 2.
Open GConManager in admin mode, go to the config section and select Your device from the list on the left side. Open the “ADVANCED” tab and set default ADC values by pressing “SET DEFAULT” then hit the “APPLY” button. See picture below.
- Plug-in GR meter calibration:
- 4dB GR calibration:
Set THRESHOLD to obtain 4dB lower output level than the input level. Read ADC value from the „METER CALIBRATION (ADC)” and type it in the 4dB ADC field and press “APPLY”. This is the most important step because it sets the range of values needed to properly set 1dB compression later on.
- 8dB GR calibration:
Set THRESHOLD to obtain 8dB lower output level than the input level. Read ADC value from the „METER CALIBRATION (ADC)” and type it in the 8dB ADC field and press APPLY.
- 12dB GR calibration:
Set THRESHOLD to obtain 12dB lower output level than the input level. Read ADC value from the „METER CALIBRATION (ADC)” and type it in the 12dB ADC field and press APPLY.
- 16dB GR calibration:
Set THRESHOLD to obtain 16dB lower output level than the input level. Read ADC value from the „METER CALIBRATION (ADC)” and type it in the 16dB ADC field and press APPLY.
- 20dB GR calibration:
Set THRESHOLD to obtain a 20dB lower output level than the input level. Read ADC value from the „METER CALIBRATION (ADC)” and type it in the 20dB ADC field and press APPLY. If Your unit maximum compression is less than 20dB, for example 18dB type higher value than the reading to match the actual compression level.
- HW GR meter calibration:
- 4dB GR calibration:
Set THRESHOLD to obtain 4dB lower output level than the input level. Match HW GR meter with the plug-in one by typing value in 4dB „DAC SHIFT (+/-)” field and press APPLY.
- 8dB GR calibration:
Set THRESHOLD to obtain 8dB lower output level than the input level. Match HW GR meter with the plug-in one by typing value in 8dB „DAC SHIFT (+/-)” field and press APPLY.
- 12dB GR calibration:
Set THRESHOLD to obtain 12dB lower output level than the input level. Match HW GR meter with the plug-in one by typing value in 12dB „DAC SHIFT (+/-)” field and press APPLY.
- 16dB GR calibration:
Set THRESHOLD to obtain 16dB lower output level than the input level. Match HW GR meter with the plug-in one by typing value in 16dB „DAC SHIFT (+/-)” field and press APPLY.
- 20dB GR calibration:
Set THRESHOLD to obtain 20dB lower output level than the input level. Match HW GR meter with the plug-in one by typing value in 20dB „DAC SHIFT (+/-)” field and press APPLY.
- 1dB GR calibration:
Set THRESHOLD to obtain 1dB lower output level than the input level. Match HW GR meter with the plug-in one by typing value in 0dB „DAC SHIFT (+/-)” field and press APPLY.
- Final check:
Check again every compression level (0-20dB) and adjust values if necessary.