miniDSP Teams with Dirac to Deliver the First Consumer-Driven, Ambisonic USB Microphone for Content Creators & Music Makers
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The affordable new ambiMIK-1 with 3D audio processing from Dirac lets AR/VR developers, musicians, podcasters, videographers, and vloggers record immersive, spatial audio that can be played back over any stereo headphones.
miniDSP, Hong Kong-based developer of innovative digital signal processing (DSP) platforms, today announced its category-redefining ambiMIK-1 Ambisonic USB microphone, featuring 3D audio software from Swedish sound pioneer Dirac. The ambiMIK-1 plugs directly into a standard USB port to capture lifelike, 360-degree sound for a variety of applications, from recording music to producing augmented/virtual reality content. No sound card, external preamp, or XLR cables are required. The bundled Dirac 3D audio software — custom designed for the ambiMIK-1 microphone — allows producers to turn captured 3D sound into binaural audio for immersive listening through standard headphones or VR headsets.
“With the ambiMIK-1, we have democratized 3D audio recording, playback, and content creation,” stated Tony Rouget, Founder and CEO of miniDSP. “The ambiMIK-1’s unique combination of ultra-portability, high sample rate, and low price mean virtually anyone can record rich, high-quality, spatial audio, whether they’re capturing the immersion of a live music performance or the 360-degree soundscape of a virtual reality experience.”Ambisonic microphones include multiple capsules for capturing sound from different directions. The ambiMIK-1 comes with four 14-millimeter, low-noise cardioid capsules, along with built-in analog-to-digital converters, an embedded preamplifier, and USB processor in a lightweight aluminum body. It’s capable of recording 32-bit, multichannel audio at sample rates up to 192 kHz.
To create a plug-and-play Ambisonic microphone, miniDSP teamed up with Dirac for the custom virtual studio technology/audio unit (VST/AU) software plug-in needed for editing and processing in Windows- and Mac-based digital audio workstations. For each of the amiMIK-1’s four capsules, Dirac measured microphone response in 300 directions (1,200 total measurements) to develop the custom filters required for turning raw microphone recordings into quality 3D audio. The amibMIK-1 with Dirac can output audio in Ambisonic B-format, popular for post-processing into virtual reality applications, or binaural format, for listening to spatial sound with headphones.
“The custom solution we developed for miniDSP draws from our extensive research into 3D audio psychoacoustics and multichannel digital filter optimization,” stated Mathias Johansson, Dirac cofounder & CEO. “It leverages our proprietary, dynamic head-related transfer function (HRTF) database to create highly accurate, localized sound for any 3D audio application. With the Dirac-enabled ambiMIK-1 microphone, content creators of all types can record dynamic, spatial sound that can then be experienced by fans over any headphones. It’s a technology once reserved for the professionals, now delivered to the masses.”
With the Dirac-enabled ambiMIK-1 and its native support for binaural output, musicians can easily create recordings of performances that can then be experienced by fans through any headphones. Podcasters can record interviews with groups and, when played back, their voices will sound like they’re coming from different positions in space for a more realistic-sounding conversation. Amateur videographers and vloggers can add a more professional, cinematic 3D sound experience to their films and shorts. And because the Dirac-based ambiMIK-1 also supports Ambisonic (B-format), engineers can use the microphone to capture audio that they can then adapt to VR, gaming, and 360-degree video content.
The ambiMIK-1 microphone comes with a license for the custom Dirac VST/AU plug-in, a shielded USB cable, a mini tripod, and a wind screen. It is available now for $349.
For more information, on the Dirac-enabled miniDSP ambiMIK-1, click here. For more information on Dirac, click here.
About miniDSP:
miniDSP designs, develops and produces high quality audio products for users who seek to create and enjoy the best possible sound. Established in 2009 and headquartered in Hong Kong, miniDSP is composed of audio and electronic engineers together with business minds whose passion for music has driven product development and created a passionate client base of audio enthusiasts in over 45 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.minidsp.com.
About Dirac:
Dirac was founded on the belief that everyone has the right to better sound. Based in Sweden, Dirac optimizes digital audio, perfecting sound for better listening in any environment. The patented sound solution technology spans across mobile, gaming, VR/AR, headphones, automotive, residential and commercial AV, boosting whatever sound you’re listening to, wherever you’re listening. For professionals, Dirac produces the industry’s most powerful suite of audio tools for signal processing. Some of the world’s most respected brands bring the Dirac sound experience to their customers, including BMW, Datasat, Harman, NAD, OnePlus, OPPO, Rolls Royce, Volvo and Xiaomi.
As well as headquarters in Uppsala, Sweden, Dirac has offices in Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai, China; a Research & Development facility in Copenhagen, Denmark; and representation in Germany, Japan, Korea, and USA. www.dirac.com
miniDSP launches the MCHStreamer, a multichannel multiprotocol USB audio interface
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miniDSP launches the MCHStreamer, a multichannel
multiprotocol USB audio interface
miniDSP.com Now Offers the MCHStreamer for I2S/TDM8/SPDIF/TOSLINK/ADAT/DSD/PDM streaming
HONG KONG, March 12th, 2019 – miniDSP (www.miniDSP.com), a market leading designer and manufacturer of digital signal processing platforms and solutions for a wide range of applications, is proud to announce the launch of the new MCHStreamer. Now available with an MSRP of $115 USD on our webshop, this USB Audio Class 2 (UAC2) compliant interface truly is the swiss-army knife for audio developers looking to provide an audio interface to PC/MAC/Linux, iOS and Android.
“Following the success of the USBStreamer, we engineered the MCHStreamer to become a goto USB audio interface for all multichannel audio formats” explained Tony Rouget, miniDSP CEO. “With support for I2S/SPDIF/TOSLINK/ADAT/TDM8/DSD and PDM formats, the MCHSTreamer is the most versatile audio interface on the market. At its core, an XMOS XCore 200 multi-core chipset provides a plug&play experience to interface to your 3rd party DAC/MEMS/DSP thanks to our precompiled firmwares.”
With up to 24ch bidirectional audio (TDM8 mode), up to 16 x PDM channels, up to 8ch DSD, up to 8 x ch I2S, the MCHStreamer provide more channels and more audio formats than any other interface. It is even more with its "PDM to I2S Converter mode" where one can easily convert 16 x channels of PDM to interface directly to your 3rd party I2S interface. No more kludging or multiple 3rd party boards with this all-in-one module.
The MCHStreamer is currently available in kit form or with an enclosure. Its features and specifications include:
- Multi-channel USB audio interface (up to 24x24)
- Wide range of digital IO format depending on the loaded firmware: TOSLINK, ADAT, S/PDIF (coax), I2S, TDM8, DSD and PDM data formats
- Native support up to 32bit / 384kHz
- PDM to I2S converter for up to 16 MEMS microphones
- USB 2.0 High speed and Audio class 2.0 device / Asynchronous USB synchronization
- OS compatible: Win/Mac/Linux 2.0/Android/Ios (with Camera kit dongle)
- Toslink (optical) and SPDIF (coax) transmitter and receiver
- Flexible board powering option: USB powered or External DC input power
For more information on the MCHStreamer and miniDSP’s complete product line, please visit www.miniDSP.com
miniDSP Announces Distribution of Avermetrics Audio Analyzers
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miniDSP Announces Distribution of Avermetrics
Audio Analyzers & Website Availability
miniDSP.com Now Offers the Avermetrics AverLAB Portable High Performance Audio Analyzer
HONG KONG, Sept. 19, 2018 – miniDSP (www.miniDSP.com), a market leading designer and manufacturer of digital signal processing platforms and solutions for a wide range of applications, is proud to announce it has been awarded distribution rights to the Avermetrics line of audio analyzers in the Hong Kong/China market.
miniDSP is also proud to announce that the Avermetrics AverLAB portable high performance audio analyzer is also now available on the miniDSP website (MSRP: $3,000.00 USD).
“We are very excited to support Avermetrics distribution in Hong Kong and China as well as have its product available through our website,” said Tony Rouget, miniDSP CEO. “Much like miniDSP, Avermetrics is an innovative company with an impressive product line and so we believe it to be the ideal partnership.”
Avermetrics is a manufacturer of test and measurement equipment targeted at benchtop and factory production line electronic test solutions. Its innovative and modular solutions can scale to more than 250 simultaneous and independent analog channels and more than 1,000 digital channels while still providing test times the user is accustomed to for 2-channel operation. It supports both Mac and PC control via Ethernet connectivity and a wide range of process and test fixture connectivity.
“Now available through the miniDSP website, AverLAB is Avermetrics’ portable, 1RU high performance audio analyzer that makes audio testing affordable,” explained Rouget. “AverLAB is software controlled via Ethernet, expandable, has an external GPIO and control interface, and is Win/OSx compliant.”
With fanless, silent operation and cigar-box size, AverLAB fits perfectly on even the most crowded benches. Run tests and adjust parameters using front panel controls without having to clutter your bench with a keyboard and mouse. And AverLAB’s performance and features help you get your day-to-day work done without compromise.
“Unlike other portable analyzers, AverLAB is expandable,” Rouget continued. “The AverLink port lets you add more than 100 AverLine rack test modules of analog, digital, and general purpose I/O. The built-in I2S interface‡ offers I2C, SPI, and parallel control lines for controlling your digital audio circuits or other outboard gear. AverLAB works where you do. The light (under six pounds) unit fits neatly into most standard 15-inch laptop bags. And, with no USB tether dictating where to work, you are free to access AverLAB from your workbench, desk, during a meeting, even from home.”
AverLAB features and specifications include:
- Assignable front panel controls
- Ethernet connectivity, supports DHCP, Static IP, AutoIP
- Windows/OSx compliant
- Quiet fan-less design
- Expandable via AverLink
- 8 lines of general purpose IO
- I2S, SPI and I2C interfaces
- Front panel signal LEDs, always active
- 15W power dissipation, 40W/12V power supply
- Universal power supply, 100-240V, 47-63 Hz
For more information on Avermetrics, please visit www.avermetrics.com
For more information on AverLAB and miniDSP’s complete product line, please visit www.miniDSP.com
miniDSP Ships WI-DG Wifi/Ethernet USB Bridge
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miniDSP Ships WI-DG Wifi/Ethernet USB Bridge
New 2.4GHz Router Supports Amazon Alexa; Pre-Configured for Plug & Play Discovery & Control Over IP Networks;
Retrofit Favorite miniDSP Processor to be Remotely Controlled from miniDSP’s Android/IoS App or Plugin Interface
HONG KONG, July 11, 2018 – miniDSP (www.miniDSP.com), a market leading designer and manufacturer of digital signal processing platforms and solutions for a wide range of applications, is proud to announce that the new WI-DG Wifi/Ethernet to USB bridge, 2.4GHz router is now available (MSRP: $75.00 USD).
“Our new WI-DG is pre-configured for Plug & Play discovery and control over IP networks,” explained Tony Rouget, miniDSP CEO. “Thanks to this pocket size router, you can retrofit your favorite miniDSP processor to be remotely controlled from our Android/IoS app or plugin interface. We are very excited by this little workhorse.”
The WI-DG also supports Amazon Alexa voice control via miniDSP’s free Amazon Skill, which is yet another way to easily control your DSP platform to recall a preset, set the volume, or mute your audio system.
“By joining an existing Wifi network to easily integrate an existing setup, WI-DG acts like a Wifi access point with its own Wifi SSID,” Rouget continued. “It also features a web-enabled GUI, allowing for self discovery of a miniDSP platform on a network.” Check out the product page for more details.
