Calibrating the monitoring system according to K-System standards

Mixing according to K-System standard requires a calibrated monitoring system to achieve comparable results. The following section describes calibration of the monitoring system. Basic information and tips on using the K-system can be found in topic The K-System - Monitoring volume and dynamic range.

Preparatory steps

For calibration you need a sound level meter, which is set to "C"-weighted and "Slow" response. Such equipment is available from specialist shops from EURO 100,-- and up, e.g. DIGITAL SOUND 8922.

The speakers must be set up correctly. For a stereo set the loudspeakers and the listening place should form an equilateral triangle. For a surround set the loudspeakers should be arranged on the imaginary circumference of a circle with the listening place as the center. Any possible subwoofers should possibly be on the same line as the front loudspeakers. Their location, however, is not really critical since frequencies below 80 Hz are virtually impossible to locate (mind the subwoofer crossover frequency).

In order to set all channels to the same level, the loudspeakers must be adjustable individually . For active loudspeakers this can be achieved via the loudspeaker level controls. For a stereo set with passive loudspeakers operated via a stereo amplifier the two levels can be adjusted via the balance control. Passive loudspeakers operated via a surround receiver can be adjusted via the receiver menu which usually features the appropriate controls and a calibration program which allows you to set all channels to the same loudness.

The volume control in Windows or any other relevant sound card dialog boxes should be set to maximum. After calibration, the volume controls must definitely keep their settings. Also the audio mixer input gain must no longer be changed after calibration.

Calibration

K-System calibration is based on a sample project which is usually installed from the Wings Vioso RX DVD along with other sample media.

Start Wings Vioso RX and open project K-System calibration by clicking Extras in the main menu followed by clicking Show folder Sample projects and double-clicking the above-mentioned project in Windows Explorer.
Check the channel assignment for your sound card. Click Options in the toolbar below the main menu and, on the left, select Global Options - Sound cards WDM or Sound cards ASIO, depending on the type of driver used for your sound card. In the dialog box, assign the following stereo outputs:
Output 1 ...for front L/R or stereo (channels 1/2)
Output 2 ...for center/subwoofer (channels 3/4)
Output 3 ...for rear L/R (channels 5/6)

Following this, close the Options Dialog.

Now start calibration by pressing keys Shift and F4 following which the screen changes over to fullscreen. Follow the instructions on the screen and click on the required functions. For an AV show soundtrack K-14 is usually a very practicable solution.
Depending on your system setup you need to start by setting all loudspeakers to the same level. In the last phase adjust the control for all channels to the target loudness of 83 dBC SPL. You can activate the test signal for the corresponding loudspeaker by clicking on the loudspeaker symbol. In the end, all channels should be set to the same level of 83 dBC SPL.
Unless you have already done so, activate the K-System. Click on Options and, on the left, choose Global Options - Audio level. Next to Display mode click and select the K-scale your audio system has been calibrated for.
After closing the Options Dialog you can use the K-System. Mark the control for overall loudness with K-12, K-14 or K-20, in order to find the right settings for mixing according to K-System standards. It is important to avoid changing the other relevant controls after calibration. Check calibration again after some time and always right before important mixes.