Smooth it Out: When to use 1/48th vs. 1/3 Octave
Trace Smoothing is a visual filter. It doesn’t change the data, just how it’s displayed. In Smaart, choosing the right smoothing is about Context.
- 1/48th Octave (or None): Use this when you are looking for Room Modes or Feedback. You need the raw, jagged truth to see exactly where the energy is peaking.
- 1/6 or 1/3 Octave: Use this for Tonal Balancing. This level of smoothing mimics how our brains perceive “warmth” or “brightness.” It hides the minor reflections that your ears ignore anyway, allowing you to focus on the overall “vibe” of the PA.
Pro Tip: Keep your Magnitude at 1/6th and your Phase at 1/48th. You want to see the broad strokes of the EQ, but the fine detail of the timing.
Smaart is excellent on its own, but most users find they get much more out of it after some structured training. That’s where our seminars come in. At TZ Audio we run practical seminars, both online and in-venue. We offer seminar-only or full “all you need packages” including software & hardware. It’s simply the fastest way to become comfortable and confident with the measuring a sound system.
If you’re in Norway, Sweden, Denmark or Iceland – or elsewhere – we offer is online seminars and traveling to Norway is a valid option too of course. We’re here if you have any questions about the software or upcoming seminars.
Thanks for reading!