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 before, you will need to perform a one-time migration procedure. See Migrating to DC.
Tip
Note that configuration of the miniDSP SHD with Device Console requires a USB connection. Configuration can not be done using the Ethernet connection.
A Wi-DG connected to the USB port of the SHD can, however, be used to provide a Wi-Fi to USB bridge compatible with Device Console (but not with Dirac Live). See Configuration over the network and the Wi-DG User Manual (PDF).
Finding connected devices¶
The Discover Devices screen displays devices connected to your computer, or which have a network-accessible control interface.
Finding network-connected devices¶
The miniDSP SHD can be controlled by miniDSP Device Console over the network by using a miniDSP Wi-DG network to USB bridge.
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Note that network control is for miniDSP Device Console only – Dirac Live calibration can not be performed over the network.
If you have a Wi-DG on your network and connected to a SHD, it should appear in the list of connected devices. If not, confirm that you have updated the firmware on your Wi-DG to the latest version.
You can also connect to a device by manually entering the IP address of the Wi-DG (IPv4 only). To do so, click on the blue "+" button at the lower right of the window, enter the address and click Connect:
Connecting to a device¶
To connect to a device for editing and control, click on its name. DC will update to display the device-specific sidebar on the left and the signal processing control interface in the main area on the right.
The signal processing area is divided into sections for the input channels and output channels. There is a control strip for each channel. The output channel strips also contain the signal routing matrix.
If this is the first time you have used Device Console with your miniDSP SHD, 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 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.
To edit a template device, click on 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.
Tip
While editing a template device, the level meters will display a "dummy" signal. To turn off the level meters while editing a template device, click the Mute button in the left sidebar.
Note that not all features will be visible when editing a template device, and not all visible features will function. For example, you cannot purchase a Dirac Live upgrade in a template device, as you must be connected to the actual physical device that the upgrade is for.
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).
Timeout is the amount of time that Device Console will scan for networked devices.
The Check Interval setting sets how often Device Console checks for a new release or updated firmware. Click on the Check Now button to force it to check immediately.
The Modes selection sets Device Console 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 Install USB Audio Driver feature installs the latest version of the miniDSP UAC2 audio driver. 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.
Beta releases¶
To enable beta releases of Device Console and device firmware, set the Beta Releases toggle switch to on. If you want to then check for a beta release immediately, click the Check Now button.
Warning
Beta software may have bugs and operational issues, and there is no support in the normal sense for beta software. Turn this feature on only if you are very familiar with how Device Console works and are willing and able to report bugs and provide trouble-shooting information. Most users should not turn this feature on.
Device Console will need to restart after installing the beta version. It will then prompt to upgrade the firmware if there is beta firmware available.
To revert from the beta version back to the previous stable version, set the Beta Releases toggle switch to off. Then click the Check Now button. Device Console will need to restart after installing the stable version. You will then need to manually refresh the DSP and XMOS firmware.
Device controls¶
The following sections apply when Device Console is connected to a processor, or when editing a template device.
Volume and mute¶
To change the volume from within Device Console, drag the slider:
To mute the SHD, press the mute button:
Tip
While the cursor is over the volume slider, use the mouse scroll wheel to adjust volume.
Using Dirac Live¶
Info
This section applies only if Dirac Live is activated on your SHD. If it is not, you will see an option here to purchase an upgrade instead of the Start Calibration and Dirac On/Off buttons.
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The miniDSP SHD 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.
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 to turn Dirac Live on and off.
Tip
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 directly from your operating system, it will not be able to detect the SHD.
Info
Dirac Live calibration can not be performed over the network, so the START CALIBRATION button will be visible only if the SHD is connected to the computer by USB.
Input sources¶
Select input source¶
To select the input source, drop down the selector menu and select the desired input:
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The input source can also be selected from the front panel or with a remote control.
Audio source configuration¶
Click on the CUSTOMIZE SELECTION button to open the Audio Source Configuration window:
Enabling and disabling audio sources¶
Each input source can be enabled or disabled by clicking on the button in the Enable column. This is a convenience feature so that unused inputs do not have to be cycled through when using the front panel or remote control.
Info
The currently-selected input is greyed out and cannot be disabled.
Input volume offset¶
Each input source also has a volume offset, ranging from -12 to +12 dB. The volume offset is applied as the very first step of digital processing in the miniDSP SHD. This feature can be used to:
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Match volume levels from different sources. For example, analog sources often have a lower average level than digital sources. Adding a positive volume offset can reduce the need to change master volume when switching sources.
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Address the phenomenon of "inter-sample peaks" on certain digital sources by reducing the digital signal level. For more information, see the page On inter-sample peaks.
Note that the volume offset is not stored in presets.
Using presets¶
The miniDSP SHD has four onboard presets, each of which contains all of the settings for audio processing.
Info
Items controlled by the front panel and remote control (volume, mute, input source, Dirac Live on/off) are not stored in the presets. Similarly, items accessed from the left sidebar, such as front panel brightness and audio source configuration, are not stored in presets.
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:
- 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 are also loaded into the DSP working memory.
Renaming¶
To rename a preset, select it, 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 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, the preset will also be sent to the SHD.
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.
Info
It is not possible to load a preset from the SHD 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 has issues or miniDSP Support instructs you to refresh the firmware. They can also be used when downgrading from a beta release to the previous stable release.
Display settings¶
Controls to manage the front panel display are accessed from the left sidebar. Click on Front Panel Display to access them.
Idle Timeout¶
The idle timeout is the amount of time after any user interaction until the front panel turns off. It can be set to a value between 3 and 120 seconds. The display will turn on again on any user interaction.
Brightness¶
The active brightness level is the screen brightness when it is turned on. It can be set to a value between 1, the dimmest, and 8, the brightest.
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The minimum setting of "1" does not turn the display fully off, but to the minimum supported brightness level.