Version 1.2 Session Save and Reload

[jclin4]

Hi Dave,

I've downloaded version 1.2.0 rev.1 of winPCD and really like this tool. I was able to import an existing .csp file created from PCD 7 and FRD and ZMA files as well, and was off and running.

Off the bat, I could take advantage of some really key improvements over PCD. In particular, I like the schematic overlay window where you can see exactly how the components are laid out and adjust their values on the fly. Very cool how the separate system graph is updated in real time; in PCD I never could adjust the values and see the effect in the system graph at the same time.

I also like the way the session file saves all the crossover values and also remembers all the FRD and ZMA files that should be loaded. But here is where I have run into a problem, which might be user error. After saving and then reloading a session file for a 3-way, it looks like the mid and woofer response is not being calculated with their respective filters and summed.

I get a dialog like the following 6 times:



But here is the system response, which does not appear correct:

When I tab into the individual driver screens, the tweeter looks normal, but the mid and the woofer do not. Here is what the mid looks like, where filtered SPL appears to be missing:

Any clue what might be going on?

[dlr]

Do you see all of the filenames where they are supposed to be displayed after reading? The message box indicates that it read the file shown, but you should get the full 3-way system response if all files were read OK.

If you'd like, send me the project and all driver files. I can go into debug to see what may be the problem may be.

Dave

[jclin4]

Just checked and the full path and filenames show for all drivers, both FRD and ZMA files. Attached are the project files. Thanks for taking a look.

Cheers
- John

[dlr]

I'll have to change the directory. I don't have an F: drive, but also, when I go into My Documents , it's actually going to Documents, "My Documents" is not an actual folder, it's a pointer (shortcut) to Documents.

I'm wondering if it has to do with the folder structure and is having problems accessing the files. Try putting them into a top level folder, e.g. F:\DIY Speaker Building\Three-way\Open Baffle\XO\Angled\Aengles or similar.

Dave

[jclin4]

Actually, as far as I know, "My Documents" appears to be an actual folder. It is off the root directory on a partitioned USB drive (I created it myself). But I am running the Windows 7 OS from a boot camp partition on a Mac, so there may be something funny going on in terms of folders and pointers to folders.

I'll try moving them to a different folder as you suggest, and then manually edit a copy of the .csp file to point there.

Curious thing though is that the tweeter files get loaded and processed normally, but then the midrange and woofer files do not. All the files are in the same directory.

[jclin4]

I'll try moving them to a different folder as you suggest, and then manually edit a copy of the .csp file to point there.

Nope, that didn't work. I moved everything to c:\tmp and still see the same behavior.

[dlr]

I suspect that the directory structure is the issue, but it is odd that one file will load. In Win7, "My Documents" looks like a normal folder, but when you click on it, you end up in "Documents" when in a different file manger, it's a "shortcut" as seen in that one. In Microsoft's file manager, it does look like a real folder. I wouldn't be surprised if you had that issue running it partitioned on a Mac.

Dave

[dlr]

My last reply was on hold, I posted late. Anyway, I'll try again with a standard top level folder and check it out again.

Dave

[dlr]

I think I found the problem. The midrange has no SPL EQ shown on the graph. The midrange has a second order electrical highpass selected, but the second (shorting) leg has all zeros for all three components. Setting it to first order electrical (to eliminate the direct short circuit), seems to clear it up, although I suspect you had something at one time in that leg. Check it out and let me know.

Dave

[jclin4]

That is exactly right, I did have an electrical second order filter on the midrange highpass, but then found I could achieve roughly the same response removing the shunt coil and playing with the cap value.

Thanks very much for this. I will give it a shot tonight and report back.

BTW, I am finding I am able to try different things / configurations much more quickly in winPCD than I was able to in the previous tool!

[dlr]

Responsiveness was one of my goals, but part of that just comes from it being a compiled language rather than a spreadsheet.

Let my know if you still have trouble later.

Dave

[jclin4]

Responsiveness was one of my goals, but part of that just comes from it being a compiled language rather than a spreadsheet.

Let my know if you still have trouble later.

Dave

Nah, it is more than just efficiency of executing compiled code vs. vb-script and macros in excel. I find usability of winPCD more manageable, like having moveable windows for the main program, the system graphs, and updateable schematic diagram. It makes making changes to the XO, seeing the results, and going back and forth...easier.

Regarding the original problem, I can confirm that changing the electrical order from second to first solved the issue. But it may have exposed another one [or made clear the underlying issue]:

When I save the change to the same session file (replacing it), then re-open, the change is not saved, i.e. the midrange high pass still shows as second order electrical.

And there may be other things that are not saved, for example I have the mid and tweeter in reverse polarity, but apparently the session file is not capturing or saving this.

[dlr]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll check them both. I can't do it immediately, but it certainly sounds like bugs to me. I'm a bit surprised about the midrange issue, but now that you mention the connection, I don't recall adding the connection inversion into the project file.

Dave