## Group Delay Graph

The group delay for the measurement is calculated from the slope of the phase trace. Note that if smoothing has been applied to the measurement that will also smooth the phase and group delay traces. Smoothing can be applied or removed via the Graph menu and its shortcut keys. Peaks and dips in the frequency response will usually be accompanied by corresponding peaks and dips in the group delay. The group delay will include any delay in the measurement due to time delays in the PC or soundcard, processing delays in the equipment and delays due to the time sound takes to travel from source to microphone. Delays in the PC or soundcard can be eliminated by using the Use loopback as timing reference or Use acoustic timing referenceoptions in the Analysis Preferences. If the group delay is tending towards a level at the upper end of the measurement that level typically corresponds to the overall measurement delay.

### Group Delay Controls

The control panel for the Group Delay graph has these controls:

Generate Minimum Phase will produce a minimum phase version of the measurement using the current IR window settings. This activates minimum and excess group delay traces that show how the measurement's group delay compares with the response of a system having the same frequency response but with the lowest phase shift such a system could have. This control also activates minimum and excess phase and minimum phase impulse traces on the SPL & Phase and Impulse graphs respectively.

Note that the IR window settings are important as the minimum phase response is derived from the frequency (magnitude) response of the measurement, which in turn is affected by the IR window settings. If the window settings are subsequently changed Generate Minimum Phase should be used again to reflect the new settings. Note also that the shape of the left side window (the window applied before the peak) affects the minimum phase result, a rectangular window will produce a response with lower phase shift than, for example, a Hanning window.

If the system being measured was inherently minimum phase (as most crossovers are, for example) the minimum phase response is the same as removing any time delay from the measurement. Room measurements are typically not minimum phase except in some regions, mainly at low frequencies. For more about minimum and excess phase and group delay see Minimum Phase.

If Show points when zoomed in is selected the individual points that make up the measured and minimum phase responses are shown on the graph when the zoom level is high enough for them to be distinguished (which may only be over part of the plot)

If Show modal frequencies is selected the theoretical modal frequencies for the room dimensions entered in the Modal Analysis section of the EQ Window are plotted at the bottom of the graph.

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