New to miniDSP? This selection guide will help you choose the right miniDSP solution for your project.
There are two parts to each solution: the hardware available as bare boards (kit version) or as ready-to-go units (boxed version), and the software plugin that controls the DSP functionality delivered by the hardware. There are lots of choices and options, depending on the number and type of inputs and outputs, the desired processing functionality/power, and so on.
This selection guide lists commonly recommended miniDSP solutions for different types of project. (There are more, too, so be sure to ask in the miniDSP forum if you don't see what you are looking for here!) The guide is organized by the type of project, so click on one of these links to get started:
- 2-way digital crossover
- 3/4-way digital crossover
- Subwoofer integration and control
- Digital room correction
- Powered active loudspeakers
- Other applications and ideas
2-way digital crossover [Top]
A two-way digital crossover is an ideal and inexpensive way to get started with miniDSP. Choose from a simple plug-and-play solution, a balanced solution, or a number of kit solutions, and either parametric or graphic EQ via the plugin.
Simple plug-and-play solution [Up]
The miniDSP 2x4 is a 2-in, 4-out, plug-and-play DSP in a tiny package. Connect your input and output cables, connect the USB cable to your computer, and... that's it! The miniDSP 2x4 is powered from USB, or can be powered by an easily-obtainable external supply from 5V to 24V (not included).
Balanced solution [Up]
Need balanced connections for your car system, home recording studio or live sound? No problem, get the miniDSP Balanced 2x4, with balanced inputs/outputs on push-in screw terminal blocks. The miniDSP Balanced 2x4 requires a 12V DC supply.
Kit solutions [Up]
Feeling more adventurous? Get a kit version and make your own enclosure and optionally combine with other boards or components. Get a combo kit with a miniDIGI for digital I/O, and/or add a miniAMP for a complete integrated digital crossover/amplifier! (miniAMP requires a 12 to 24V power supply.)
Buy a standard kit
Buy a balanced kit
- miniDSP balanced kit
- miniDSP Bal/miniDIGI combo
- miniDSP Bal/miniAMP combo
- miniDSP Bal/miniDIGI/miniAMP combo
Buy software plugin
See also
These app notes will help you get started on your 2-way digital crossover project:
3/4-way digital crossover [Top]
A three-way or four-way digital crossover takes your system to a level that is difficult to achieve without DSP! Choose from a digital input/output solution, an analog input/output solution, or the advanced solution.
Digital input/output solution [Up]
The nanoDIGI 2x8k is a palm-size 2-in 8-out all-digital high-res (24/96) processor for active speakers and crossovers of up to stereo 4-way. Get your nanoDIGI 2x8 in a box for a plug-and-play solution, or the kit version to build a complete unit with DACs and even amplifiers! A 5V power supply is included.
Analog input/output solution [Up]
The miniDSP 2x8 kit is a 2-in 8-out analog high-res (24/96) processor, with both RCA and balanced inputs and outputs. Add a DIGI-FP front panel module for two channels of digital I/O, and/or a VOL-FP module for volume and remote control support. Or, get your hardware already boxed with a 4x10 Hd rack-mount unit (power supply included).
Advanced solution [Up]
The miniSHARC is a powerful hardware kit capable of up to 4 input channels and 10 output channels, with a mixture of IIR and advanced FIR digital signal processing. I/O is via I2S headers for you to implement your own analog or digital interfaces, or for a quick solution, add DIGI-FP or AN-FP front panel modules.
See also
These app notes will help you get started on your 3-way or 4-way digital crossover project:
Subwoofer integration and control [Top]
Parametric equalization, custom biquad filtering, crossover and delay capabilities, and integration with Room EQ Wizard (REW): features that make miniDSP an ideal subwoofer integration and control solution. Choose from a simple plug-and-play solution, combined crossover and subwoofer integration solutions, or a multi-sub control solution.
Simple plug-and-play solution [Up]
The miniDSP 2x4 or miniDSP Balanced 2x4 together with the 2.1-way plugin are a simple and inexpensive solution for subwoofer integration with your existing speakers. Use REW integration to correct the subwoofer and optionally apply EQ to tailor the response of the mains. The 2.1-way plugin can also be used with the 2-way kit solutions to add digital I/O or to build DSP into your own preamp project.
Combined crossover and subwoofer integration solutions [Up]
All of the solutions listed for 3/4-way crossovers can be used for subwoofer integration, as the plugins allow both channels to be summed for subwoofer outputs. Ideal for 2-way plus sub or 3-way plus sub projects, or use them as alternative / high-res (24/96) integration solutions with your existing loudspeakers.
Solution types
Multi-sub control solution [Up]
The miniDSP 8x8 kit and 10x10 Hd boxed unit provide the ultimate multi-sub control solution, with up to eight subwoofer outputs summed from any combination of eight inputs. All outputs feature RCA and balanced connections for flexibility with amplification, 6 bands of parametric EQ down to 10 Hz, custom biquad programming, independent high pass and low pass filters, individual level adjustment and up to 15 ms of delay each.
See also
These app notes will help you get started on your subwoofer integration project:
- Subwoofer integration with miniDSP
- Auto-EQ tuning with REW
- Linkwitz transform - step by step
- UMIK-1 setup with REW
Digital room correction [Top]
miniDSP solutions for digital room correction (DRC) use advanced FIR filtering and third-party programs to correct for response anomalies caused by the room. Choose from digital input/output, analog input/output, or an advanced solution.
Digital input/output [Up]
The OpenDRC-DI is a digital-in, digital-out processor that is inserted into the digital signal path to implement full-spectrum DRC, as well as parametric EQ to deal with problem room modes. With multiple digital inputs, volume control and support for remote control, it doubles as a digital preamp. Available in a ready-to-go boxed version including power supply.
Analog input/output [Up]
The OpenDRC-AN is an analog-in, analog-out (balanced) processor that is inserted into the signal path to implement full-spectrum DRC, as well as parametric EQ to deal with problem room modes. It includes volume control and support for remote control. Available in a ready-to-go boxed version including power supply, the OpenDRC-AN can also be used as a linear-phase 2-way crossover (one needed per channel).
Advanced solution [Up]
The miniSHARC is a powerful hardware kit with a mixture of IIR and advanced FIR digital signal processing, which enables DRC or combined crossover and DRC operation. I/O is via I2S headers for you to implement your own analog or digital interfaces, or for a quick solution, add DIGI-FP or AN-FP front panel modules.
See also
These app notes will help you get started on your digital room correction project:
Powered DSP/active loudspeakers [Top]
With miniDSP, you can build a powered DSP loudspeaker with processing and amplification dedicated to each speaker unit. Choose from low-power solutions or high-power solutions.
Low-power solutions [Up]
Use a miniDSP plus miniAMP combo kit to power one speaker with up to four drivers. Optionally add a miniDIGI to create a low-cost all-digital loudspeaker! You can configure each speaker for 2x20W, 4x10W, or 20+10+10W. Choose the miniDSP Balanced version for "pro" style balanced inputs. Requires a 12V to 24V power supply.
Buy hardware
- miniDSP/miniAMP combo
- miniDSP/miniDIGI/miniAMP combo
- miniDSP Bal/miniAMP combo
- miniDSP Bal/miniDIGI/miniAMP combo
Buy software plugin
High-power solutions [Up]
Choose a miniDSP plate amplifier for building a high-power DSP-enabled active loudspeaker with from one to three amplification channels. These advanced amplifiers include analog and digital inputs, control over Ethernet, and up to 3800W power output per speaker.
Buy hardware
See also
These app notes will help you get started on your active loudspeaker project:
Other applications and ideas [Top]
There are other audio applications that can be supported by miniDSP hardware and software, limited (mostly!) by your own imagination. See for example a powered sub-sat system, multi-channel (5.1 or 7.1) processing, and USB audio.
Powered sub-sat (2.1) system [Up]
The miniDSP kit with miniAMP can be used to make a small and easy-to-construct sub-sat (2.1 way) system. Add the miniDIGI for digital input directly from a CD or DVD player, Apple TV, XBox, Squeezebox, set-top box/PVR, etc etc. Requires a 12V to 24V power supply.
Buy hardware
Buy software plugin
Multichannel (5.1 or 7.1) processing [Up]
The miniDSP 8x8 kit and 10x10 Hd boxed unit can be connected to any analog source of 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 multichannel or surround-sound audio. The eight analog outputs (plus two digital supported) can be used for individual channels, subwoofer/bass management, and/or active crossover on the mains.
USB Audio [Up]
The miniStreamer and USBStreamer cards can be used to add USB audio capability to any of the above kit solutions. Or, interface them to your own hardware via I2S.
Buy hardware
Need inspiration and ideas?
Check out the Showcase section of the miniDSP forum for projects by community members! And ask in the Support section if you have questions.