Setting Up a Preconfigured Target Curve

Summary

Quick Overview
Detailed Steps
Next Steps

Quick Overview

What is a Target Curve?

A Target Curve is one of the key and most efficient tools for achieving great results quickly during the fine-tuning process. It defines the tonal character of your system after calibration, ensuring both technical accuracy and a subjectively pleasing sound.

Instead of forcing a flat response, Trinnov aligns your system to a chosen sound signature, allowing you to tailor the sound to your room, speakers, and content.

Why It Matters:

Achieve consistent tonal balance across all channels.
Quickly optimize your system for different listening environments and preferences.

Important Note: Target Curves and Speaker/Subwoofer Outputs

Target curves are applied to speaker and subwoofer outputs, not input channels.

This means that the reconstructed acoustic response of an input channel (e.g., Center) is the combination of:

The speaker(s) and subwoofer(s) used for bass management.
The bass management crossover filter.
The post-Optimizer responses of the speaker/subwoofers, including the effects of the target curve.
Any manual adjustments (EQ, gain…)

Key Differences: Altitude vs. NOVA

Target Curve Editor on NOVA

Target Curve Availability

Processor	Preconfigured Curves	Mode de base (charger une configuration préconfigurée)	Mode expert (édition manuelle)	Mode par défaut
Altitude	5 (Plat, Musical, Léger, Modéré, Fort)	Oui	Oui (via l'éditeur de courbe cible)	Mode de base (préconfiguré)
Nova	Aucun (Par défaut)	Non	Oui (via l'éditeur de courbe cible)	Mode expert (édition manuelle)

Five Preconfigured Target Curves (Altitude Only)

Moderate Target Curve on the Altitude (Basic mode)

Preconfigured Target Curves

Curve	Bass Boost	Treble Shaping	Best For
Flat	None	None	Neutrality, critical listening
Musical	+3 dB @ 80 Hz	Slight lift @ 10 kHz	Music, live recordings
Light	+1.5 dB @ 80 Hz	Gradual reduction	Everyday listening, subtle warmth
Moderate	+3 dB @ 80 Hz	Controlled shaping	Movies, modern pop
Strong	+5 dB @ 80 Hz	Gradual reduction	Action movies, deep bass

NOVA Users: Start with Flat and use the Target Curve Editor to create your own curve.

Detailed Steps

Choosing the Right Curve

Start with Flat to hear your system’s natural response.
Musical/Light for gentle enhancement.
Moderate/Strong for pronounced bass impact.

Manual edit on the Moderate curve in Expert Mode

Tip: once you have selected your starting point with one of the preconfigured target curve, you can switch to expert mode and use the Target Curve Editor to fine-tune any curve.

Gain Limits and Practical Considerations

Default Excursion Curves showing boost and attenuation limits

The Optimizer is set with a default maximum boost capacity of 6 dB to avoid distortion or damage. This means:
- Dips in the original acoustic response deeper than 6 dB cannot be fully compensated.
- Room modes or acoustic issues should not be addressed solely by boosting.
The default maximum attenuation is 10 dB.

Both boost and attenuation limits can be adjusted in the Excursion Curves tool.

Step-by-Step: Adding or Editing a Target Curve

For Altitude Users

Navigate: OPTIMIZER → Optimizer → Target Curves.
Select: Choose Flat or Comfort (reveals Musical, Light, Moderate, Strong).
Apply: Click Apply, then Save Preset.

For NOVA Users

Navigate: OPTIMIZER → Optimizer → Target Curves.
Edit: Use the Target Curve Editor to create or modify your curve.
Apply: Click Apply, then Save Preset.

Processing Time and Final Check

Wait: The system recalculates filters, do not interrupt.
Listen: Compare presets to confirm the best fit for your room and content.

Next Steps

Explore the Target Curve Editor for advanced customization.
Refer to Target Curves and Excursion Curves for deeper guidance.