Troubleshooting and support¶

Solving connectivity issues¶

Tip

If you are experiencing any connectivity issues, the first thing to do is double-check that the miniDSP Device Console and your processor's firmware are up to date.

No Internet connection¶

Various components of the software require an Internet connection. In particular:

The Dirac Live application may refuse to generate filters or reload saved projects if it cannot connect to the Dirac Research servers.

In the event that the software is not operating correctly, check that your computer is connected to the Internet and try again.

The miniDSP processor is not detected¶

Port conflict¶

The Dirac Live application use network ports 11113, 11115, 11117, 5000, and 8080. The last two in particular are needed for the bridging app to communicate between Dirac Live and the miniDSP processor.

If the miniDSP processor is not detected:

Double-check the USB cabling from your computer to the processor. If you are using extenders or hubs, remove them and make a short direct connection. Try different USB ports on your computer.
Check that your computer's firewall isn't blocking any of the ports listed above.
Check that other applications aren't using these ports.

a. On Windows 10, open a command prompt and type the following commands:
```
netstat -ano | findstr 8080
netstat -ano | findstr 5000
```
b. On macOS, open Terminal and type the following commands:
```
sudo lsof -n -i4TCP:8080 | grep LISTEN
sudo lsof -n -i4TCP:5000 | grep LISTEN
```

If there is no output, the ports are not in use. If there is output, then try to close the application that is using them. Typically, software that provides a local web server is likely to be the one blocking port 8080.

Unpaired devices (Windows 10)¶

Some customers have reported that changing the following setting enabled Dirac Live to find their processor. Go to Settings -> Privacy -> Other Devices and enable "Communicate with unpaired devices."

Trouble-shooting audio issues¶

No sound during volume calibration¶

If you get no sound while on the Volume Calibration tab of Dirac Live, first make sure that you increase the volume slider in the UI (the leftmost one).

If there is still no sound, double-check that output cabling is connected to the right connectors on the rear panel and to the correct inputs on downstream equipment. Make sure that downstream equipment (e.g. amplifiers) is not muted, turned down, or turned off.

No sound during playback¶

If you get no sound while playing music, double-check the following items. Depending on the specific processor, you may be able to do this with the aid of the level meters in the miniDSP Device Console (quit the Dirac Live app before clicking on the Connect button in the Device Console).

Check which input source you have selected.
Check the connection and cabling between the source(s) and the processor.
Check the master volume setting.
Check that the processor is not muted.
Check your Routing and make sure that you are routing inputs through to outputs.
If your processor has crossovers, check your crossover settings. (In particular, some processors have a default high pass filter set at 1 kHz on some channels as a safety measure for 2-way active speakers. If using these channels for subwoofers, the high pass filters must be bypassed.)
Check that output cabling is connected to the correct connectors on the rear panel and to the correct inputs on downstream equipment (e.g. amplifiers).
Check that downstream equipment (e.g. amplifiers) is not muted, turned down, or turned off.

Strange soundstage¶

If the soundstage width is very narrow, check that you have not summed left and right input channels and routed the sum to left and right speakers. This will result in a mono signal and hence a narrow soundstage.

If the soundstage is "weird", check the routing and crossover settings and make sure that left and right are consistent. If you are implementing an active speaker, double-check all connections on the rear panel.

Distortion¶

If audio playback is distorted, you may have too much gain internal to the DSP. Dirac Live can apply up to 10 dB of gain, so the output level should be kept lower than -10 dB to guarantee that there is no distortion with a full-scale input signal.

This issue typically occurs when volume control is being done downstream of the miniDSP processor. If so, set the processor master volume at -10 dB, and then use the downstream equipment to control volume.