The miniDSP Device Console¶
The miniDSP Device Console ("DC") is the new configuration and control software for miniDSP audio processors. It replaces the earlier "plugin" control software. In contrast to the earlier software, Device Console provides:
- A single software program to control all miniDSP processors
- Over-the-air (OTA) self-updates
- Detection and installation of firmware upgrades for your processor
- Purchase and activation of Dirac Live upgrades (where applicable)
If you have not used Device Console with your SHD Power before, you will need to perform a one-time migration procedure. See Migrating to DC.
Finding connected devices¶
The Discover Devices screen displays devices connected to your computer, or which have a network-accessible control interface.
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For network control, the miniDSP SHD Power requires that a miniDSP Wi-DG be connected to its USB port. Note that network control is for miniDSP Device Console only – Dirac Live calibration can not be performed over the network.
Tip
If your device is connected to a Wi-DG but is not visible here, confirm that you have updated the firmware on your Wi-DG to the latest version.
Connecting to a device¶
To connect to a device for editing and control, click on its name. While the device is connected, the Device Console displays three main areas:
- The global control area has items that are not specific settings of the processor for the current preset. These items are described on this page.
- The input channels area displays a control strip for each input channel. See Input channels.
- The output channels area displays the routing from input to output channels, and a control strip for each output channel. See Signal routing and Output channels.
If this is the first time you have used Device Console with your miniDSP SHD Power, Device Console will check for an existing preset that was created with the older SHD "plugin" user interface. If found, Device Console will automatically import it. This is done on a preset-by-preset basis.
When you are done, click DISCONNECT.
Tip
Once you have switched to miniDSP Device Console, don't use the older SHD "plugin" user interface to connect to the miniDSP SHD Power any more.
Using template devices¶
The Template Devices screen displays the complete list of devices supported by Device Console. This can be used to explore features of a processor that you do not have, or to edit your processor settings when you are not able to connect to it.
A template device "mirrors" the real device, so that you can edit your settings while not connected. That is, while you are editing the real device, the current preset is copied to the corresponding template device whenever you change presets and when you disconnect. You can then edit those settings in the template device.
To edit a template device, click on it.
When you are done editing in the template device, click FINISH.
When you connect to your real device again, Device Console detects that you have edited the template and asks you if you want to use the settings from the edited template. Or, you can discard the changes you made in the template and revert to the settings that your device had the last time you were connected to it. This is done on a preset-by-preset basis:
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You will see a similar dialog if you edit the settings of your device using a different computer or the older "plugin" user interface (the latter is not recommended once you have migrated to the miniDSP Device Console).
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If you have more than one device of the same type, only one of them can be edited using the template device. If you have more than one device of the same type or need to edit your devices from more than one computer, you will need to manage your presets by exporting them to and importing them from files. See Importing and Exporting.
Settings¶
These settings are for Device Console itself (and not any connected processor).
The Modes selection sets the DC to display with a light theme, a dark theme, or with the same theme as your operating system (Windows or macOS). If you choose the System option, you may need to quit Device Console and restart it for the change to take effect.
The Check USB Audio Driver feature checks if you have the miniDSP UAC2 audio driver installed, and that it is the latest version. It appears on Windows only. See Installation for more information.
The Create Program Snapshot feature is used to help miniDSP support diagnose issues you may be having with your unit. See Obtaining Support.
Using Dirac Live¶
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The miniDSP SHD Power implements stereo Dirac Live correction. That is, there are two channels of Dirac Live correction. After stereo Dirac Live correction, the audio signal is routed to the four output channels for processing such as parametric EQ and crossovers.
To start Dirac Live calibration, click on the START CALIBRATION button. The Device Console will disconnect and the Dirac Live application will start.
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Be sure to start the Dirac Live application from within the Device Console using the START CALIBRATION button. If you open the Dirac Live application by itself, it will not be able to detect the SHD Power.
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Dirac Live calibration can not be performed over the network, so the START CALIBRATION button will be visible only if the SHD Power is connected to the computer by USB.
Dirac Live room correction can be turned on and off with the DIRAC ON/DIRAC OFF button. The front panel knob and the remote control can also be used as a more convenient way to turn Dirac Live on and off.
Input sources¶
To select the input source, drop down the selector menu.
The selectable inputs can set up by clicking on the CUSTOMIZE SELECTION button. Any input source can be enabled or disabled here.
If an input is disabled, it cannot be selected here, from the front panel, or by remote control. This is a convenience feature so that ununused inputs do not need to be cycled through.
Using presets¶
The miniDSP SHD Power has four onboard presets, each of which contains all of the settings for audio processing except items controlled by the front panel and remote control (volume, mute, input source, Dirac Live on/off).
Selecting a preset¶
Click on the desired preset number. Or if you have renamed the presets, its name.
When a preset is selected, two things happen in the SHD Power:
- The values that you have set up for that preset using Device Console are loaded into the DSP working memory, and
- The Dirac Live filters that you exported to the SHD Power are also loaded into the DSP working memory.
Renaming¶
Select the preset, then click the RENAME button. Enter the desired name, then click OK. The name can be up to 12 letters long.
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The preset name is displayed in the Device Console only. The front panel of the SHD Power will still display "Preset 1" through "Preset 4".
Importing and exporting¶
To import a preset from a file, click the IMPORT button, then navigate to a saved preset file and click Open. The preset will be loaded from the file. If Device Console is currently connected to the miniDSP SHD Power, the preset will also be sent to the SHD Power.
To export a preset to a file, click the EXPORT button. Navigate to the desired location in the file system, change the file name if desired, and click Save.
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It is not possible to load a preset from the SHD Power back to the Device Console. We strongly recommend always exporting your presets to files when they are complete, to ensure that you don't lose them in future.
Tip
To copy all settings from one preset to another, export the first preset to a file, select the second present, and then import the file that you just saved.
Resetting¶
To reset the current preset to default values, click the RESET button.
To reset all four presets to default values, click the RESET-ALL button.
Firmware updates¶
miniDSP Device Console will check for firmware updates when a device is connected, and notify you if one is available. To manually update the firmware, click the Refresh DSP Firmware and Refresh XMOS Firmware button.
Tip
You do not need to use these buttons in normal operation. They are there in case your SHD Power has issues and/or miniDSP Support instructs you to refresh the firmware.