Dirac Live¶
Info
Dirac Live is an optional upgrade. This section applies only if Dirac Live has been purchased and activated. For information on how to upgrade, see Upgrade to Dirac Live.
The miniDSP Flex HT implements multichannel Dirac Live correction. That is, there are eight channels of Dirac Live correction. After Dirac Live correction, the audio signal is routed to the eight output channels for processing such as parametric EQ and crossovers.
Dirac Live overview¶
Dirac Live uses from 9 to 17 measurements made at different locations in your listening room to calculate correction filters for your speakers and subwoofer. You will take these measurements using the miniDSP processor, the Dirac Live application running on your computer, and a miniDSP UMIK-1 or UMIK-2 measurement microphone.
Info
This software runs on Windows 10 or later and macOS 10.14 Mojave or later. Other versions of Windows or macOS/OS X are not supported.
Install or upgrade Dirac Live¶
In addition to miniDSP Device Console, you will need to separately install the Dirac Live software from Dirac Research.
Tip
If you have previously installed Dirac Live, check that your installed version is up to date, especially if you run into issues. You can see the list of versions in the changelog.
Download the Dirac Live application for your platform from the Dirac Research download page. On macOS, double-click on the diraclive-latest.zip download if your browser did not unzip it.
Double-click on the downloaded installer to run it. It will be named diraclive-latest.exe on Windows and DiracLive v3.x.y Setup Darwin on macOS (the version number x.y will change as updates are issued). We strongly recommend that you accept the default installation settings.
Do not run the application from the installer, as it must be started with the Start Calibration button in Device Console.
Download your microphone calibration files¶
Each UMIK-1 and UMIK-2 measurement microphone is individually calibrated to ensure accuracy. To download the unique calibration files for your microphone, go to the UMIK-1 page or the UMIK-2 page. Enter your microphone's serial number. It is in the form xxx-yyyy and labelled on the microphone.
Two calibration files are downloaded:
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The regular or "on axis" calibration file will be saved to the computer with a name that is the same as the serial number e.g. "7001870.txt". This is the one that you should use when pointing the microphone towards the speakers.
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The second calibration file has "_90deg" in the name e.g. "7001870_90deg.txt." This corrects the frequency response when the microphone is oriented at 90 degrees to the sound source, such as when pointing the microphone towards the ceiling.
For a multichannel system, we recommend pointing the microphone to the ceiling and using the 90 degree calibration file.
Connections for Dirac Live calibration¶
The diagram below shows typical connections for acoustic measurement with the Dirac Live application. Usually, you do not need to change any of the audio connections, as the Dirac Live test signals are generated inside the miniDSP processor.
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Connect the supplied USB cable (type A to type B) from the miniDSP Flex HT to a USB port on the computer.
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Connect the supplied USB cable (type A to mini type B or type C, depending on version) from the UMIK-1 or UMIK-2 to a USB port on the computer.
Place the UMIK-1 microphone into a microphone stand and position the computer and cabling so that there is enough freedom of movement to move the microphone into the needed locations. A small tripod stand is supplied with the UMIK-1, but a larger stand with boom arm can be used if desired. If necessary, a USB extension (up to a total USB cable length of 5 meters) can be used. In larger spaces, an active USB repeater may be needed.
- For surround/multichannel applications, we recommend that the microphone be pointed at the ceiling and the "90 degree" calibration file used.
Loudspeaker and microphone positioning¶
Prior to performing acoustic measurements, loudspeaker and subwoofer positioning should be optimized. In particular, the location of the subwoofer will have a large impact on bass response. With Dirac Live®, you have more freedom with loudspeaker and subwoofer placement, but the best result will still be achieved if optimal placement is used together with Dirac Live®.
A total of nine, 13 or 17 measurements is recommended, with the microphone located in different positions in the room and pointed vertically (that is, at the floor or ceiling). The first measurement must be taken at the exact center of the listening area, so that Dirac Live can set the levels and delays of each speaker. Additional measurements are then taken at locations spread around the listening area and at different heights from the floor.
Note that all measurement positions should have acoustic "line of sight" i.e. the direct signal from the speaker to the microphone should not be obstructed by furniture or other objects.
Dirac Live channel configuration¶
Multichannel Dirac Live processors can be configured into multiple zones. The channel configuration must be set up correctly for your speaker and subwoofer arrangement. To do this, click on the DIRAC CHANNEL SELECTIONS button in the left sidebar.
In the dialog, select the speaker type for each channel:
This example shows a single zone for a 7.1 system with "small" speakers for bass management:
If you are not using all eight channels of Dirac Live correction, set the Channel drop-down to "Not Used" for unused channels. For example, this is a 5.1 system:
You can also create multiple zones. This example shows Zone 1 used for a 5.1 system (channels 1 through 6) and Zone 2 used for a stereo system (channels 7 and 8):
Tip
Be sure to set each zone to the correct set of channels. If you have Dirac Live channels that don't produce audio, Dirac Live will throw an error when it fails to detect an audio signal on those channels.
Click the APPLY button when your settings are done. If you have not changed the settings, you can simply click KEEP PREVIOUS SETTINGS.
Subwoofer settings for multichannel systems¶
When using a subwoofer in a multichannel system, we recommend that its low pass filter be disabled if possible, or set to its highest frequency if it cannot be disabled. Any EQ on the subwoofer should be disabled or set "flat." High pass filters used to protect the driver from over-excursion should be left in place.
If you have not already done so, take the time now to adjust the analog gain on your subwoofer channel to account for the 10 dB reduction in recorded level on the LFE channel, present in all soundtracks. For more information, see LFE channel gain.
Check your preset¶
If you have used the miniDSP Device Console to set up routing, crossovers or parametric EQ on the output channels, check that you have the correct preset selected before starting Dirac Live. This is because the Dirac Live test signal originates in the Dirac Live blocks and therefore passes through the routing matrix and the output channel processing. Refer to the diagram in the Signal Flow Overview page to refresh your memory if needed.
For example, suppose that you have set up preset 2 with routing and crossovers for a subwoofer. Before starting Dirac Live with the START CALIBRATION button, select preset 2 from within the miniDSP Device Console or with the remote control.
Windows¶
Double-check the following items before starting the Dirac Live application.
UMIK-1 plugged in¶
If you haven't plugged in your UMIK-1 yet, plug it in now.
Tip
Be sure to plug in the UMIK-1 before starting Dirac Live.
Check that UMIK-1 is set as the default recording device¶
Open the Windows Control Panel and select the Sound pane then the Recording tab. Check that the UMIK-1 is set as the default recording device. If it is not, then click on it and then on the Set Default button.
Dirac Live has access to the microphone¶
Open the Windows Settings and select Security, then Privacy then Microphone. Check that "Allow apps to access your microphone" is turned on.
Scroll down and check that "Allow desktop apps to access your microphone" is also turned on, and that DiracLive.exe is listed with the applications that are allowed to access the microphone:
macOS users¶
Enable local network access (macOS Sequoia and later)¶
Check that miniDSP Device Console is permitted local network access. Open System Settings, scroll down on the left sidebar and select Privacy & Security, then scroll down on the right and click on Local Network. If miniDSP Device Console is not enabled, enable it here:
Enable file sharing for device discovery¶
To enable device discovery, open System Preferences and then go to Sharing. Enable File Sharing as shown at right.
Notes:
a) This step is not always necessary and may depend on your Mac's configuration or home network setup.
b) You can turn File Sharing off again after you have completed your calibrations.
UMIK-1 plugged in¶
If you haven't plugged in your UMIK-1 yet, plug it in now.
Tip
Be sure to plug in the UMIK-1 before starting Dirac Live.
Grant microphone access¶
The heightened security in recent versions of macOS can cause some difficulties with the Dirac Live application accessing the UMIK-1. The Dirac Live application should request microphone access when it first runs. A dialog like this will appear:
When it does, click OK. You can confirm that access has been granted by opening System Preferences, then going to the Security&Privacy pane, selecting the Privacy tab, then clicking on Microphone at the left:
The application "Dirac Live" should appear here. You will typically have additional applications to which you have given microphone access.