TOPIC:

Hi,

I'm considering the purchase of the DDRC-22D product. Due to my hobby and daily job I have access to many measurement microphones and pro soundcards. I'm wondering if the Dirac software allows the use of some other soundcard input than the UMIK-1?

I'm conscious that one needs to be sure the 'other micropohone' is flat and good enough ect. but in my case I have that confidence as these are lab grade mics I can use.

Best regards
Ergo Esken / Tallinn, Estonia

Hello Ergo,

Thanks for your interest in our products. I'm however afraid that the DDRC is indeed limited to the UMIK-1 for tech support reasons... (i.e. don't want to open a can of worms with people using Skype headsets or SM58 for doing measurements.. This doesn't apply to you it seems but unfortunately that's just the way the software was built to insure known parameters for best results. (Dirac + UMIK-1 being tested many times since we're the approved mic for their software).

Hoping this makes sense.

DevTeam

Can I use the better calibrated UMIK1 from cross spectrum labs?

Surely not a problem using the UMIK-1 from Cross Spectrum. We're just locking the UMIK-1 ID for tech support/improved results. The UMIK-1 from Cross Spectrum is the same hardware, just a better calibration process (3 orientations). A great service from Herb!

Would it be possible to use the 90 deg calibration file from Cross Spectrum Labs rather than the 0 deg file from MiniDSP in carrying out the room measurements under Dirac?

Would using the better 90 deg calibration file lead to a more accurate result?

@Stephen,

Oh surely. That's no problem to use any calibration file you need. Cross Spectrum labs is a long time partner of miniDSP so we certainly encourage anybody to go for their service!

Devteam

@devteam
Since Dirac is a premium item, don't you think all the mic that came with the Dirac kit should be at least calibrated by cross spectrum lab?

@ Skylinestar

Logistically (Cross Spectrum is in USA, not shipping worldwide, we're in HK shipping worldwide), we can't offer that service I'm afraid.
However there is "nothing" that prevents you from using the Cross Spectrum lab as mentioned before. We even provided the feature on all our DDRC product line to let someone "remove" the cost of the UMIK-1 from the cost.

DevTeam

PS: miniDSP is already the approved microphone for Dirac PC for a year a half and extensively used by any Dirac PC consumers so it's not like we're new to Dirac + UMIK-1 FYi..

devteam,

Would like to ask the error rate on UMIK-1 with the 90 deg file provided by MiniDSP? This is the overall error from 20Hz to 20kHz in dB. I.e. +/- 1dB?

Thanks.

The 90 degree cal file on the UMIK page is generated from the on-axis file, based on the *typical* difference between the 0 and 90 orientations. For an actual measured calibration at 90, you can get one from CSL.

Hi john,

Thanks for the response, but I'm still puzzled on the error rate given by the either the 0deg or 90deg files by MiniDSP. Assuming a flat response between 20Hz and 20kHz gives a zero error rate, what would the 0deg and 90deg files give me?

Hi Stephen, the advantage of the 90 degree cal file is that it will give you a consistent measurement across all speakers (in a conventional 5.1/7.1 system). That is what Dirac Live needs. What you get then is a starting point. Per the manual, you will then want to tweak the target curve to suit your own system and personal preference. You can do that BECAUSE you have a reasonable 90 degree cal file.

If the question (to me) is what is the specific +/- X dB tolerance on the calibration? I could guess on a specific number, but I feel that it would be pointless. I don't know if CSL provide a guaranteed +/- X dB number but again, there's your go-to if you actually need a specified tolerance.

devteam wrote:

@ Skylinestar
we're in HK shipping worldwide

FYI, I'm from Malaysia....and yes, it seems pretty stupid if everything has to be done in the States. How about having a professional calibrator in HongKong? I'm sure there are pros from HongKong and China too.

@Skylinestar, Cross-Spectrum Labs are an independent business. Herb Singleton from CSL offers these services at a very (unbelievably) reasonable price. You should call around and get some prices from local labs for acoustic calibration, you might be more than a little amazed.

Skylinestar wrote:

devteam wrote:

@ Skylinestar
we're in HK shipping worldwide

FYI, I'm from Malaysia....and yes, it seems pretty stupid if everything has to be done in the States. How about having a professional calibrator in HongKong? I'm sure there are pros from HongKong and China too.

John nails it by saying that Herb does provide some very good service. If you don't feel that it will fit your need, nor the UMIK-1 from our own shop, I do recommend that you maybe try to get in touch with a local calibration shop in Malaysia. Then maybe it's easiest this way?