TOPIC:

So, I've owned many different miniDSP products, so I'm not new to the platform, but I just bought a Flex with Dirac and LOVE IT!!! D3 is so much easier to operate than the previous Dirac versions. On to my question...

I had no issues setting up, measuring, adjusting filters and exporting the file to one of my configs. All super easy.

Question 1: In my case, when connecting the Umik1, it automatically used a correction file. Is that one of the files I've used on previous Umik1 mics or does it automatically go retrieve the correct mic file? Could this just be using one of my previous correction files???

Question 2: After Measuring, adjusting filters and exporting successfully, I don't understand why, when I change the input from USB to Analog, the Outputs 3 & 4 are Off. It looks like the file in the intended Config has been updated because the naming of all Outputs are back to their default setting. The only two Outputs that are ON after loading the Dirac file is 1 & 2. 

Question 3: The other issue I have after exporting the file to the Flex is that the are no PEQ setting in the file uploaded. Not even in Outputs 1 & 2 discussed above. Shouldn't there be a few PEQs after I've made filter changes in Dirac?

Question 4: Lastly, as I said above, I made a few filter changes and then immediately exported the file to the Flex. I'm assuming, since there doesn't appear to be a real time viewing of the filter changes, that, after you measure and make changes, you're supposed to go back and perform another set of measurements and do this as many times as it takes to get the desired results. Is that true or is there another (better) way?

Thanks
Paul 

1. Check in Dirac Live. My guess is you've got the wrong calibration file if you have multiple UMIKs, and even if you don't you want to be certain you have the one appropriate for the microphone orientation that you are using.
2. Changing input should have no effect on the preset configuration.
3. No. Dirac filters are not stored in the PEQ slots. You can if you want use PEQ filters in addition to Dirac Live.
4. No. Once you've made your set of measurements at multiple locations you don't need to use the microphone any more. You need to use your ears to decide if you like the sound, and if you don't make adjustments to the target curve and try again. 

Ultrasonic, You're the best!!!! Thanks for the quick reply.

I confirmed the correction file is from my previous Umik-1. Time to start over with the new Umik-1 and correction file...

One more question. Prior to even launching Dirac, taking measurements and exporting the file to the Flex, I set all Routing Inputs & Outputs with user friendly names. Once the file is exported to (in my case, Config 3), the Routing Outputs on 3 & 4 (in my case, the subwoofers) are all set to Off and the user friendly names are back to default. Is there something important I'm missing here??? 

Champster wrote:

One more question. Prior to even launching Dirac, taking measurements and exporting the file to the Flex, I set all Routing Inputs & Outputs with user friendly names. Once the file is exported to (in my case, Config 3), the Routing Outputs on 3 & 4 (in my case, the subwoofers) are all set to Off and the user friendly names are back to default. Is there something important I'm missing here??? 

What happens in Dirac Live shouldn't change what is in Device Console, other than the input gains and delays if you've set DL to apply these. Are you certain that you aren't getting mixed up between different presets?

For context, I'm used to using an SHD rather than a Flex but I'm confident that the performance should be the same.

I have previously used (and not erased) 4x10hd and SHD. Are either of those the same as the referenced "DDRC-24 plugin" below? The manual says it automatically uses the previous file but doesn't say how to access the Device Console to review/change those settings.

 "If this is the first time you have used Device Console with your miniDSP Flex (DL), Device Console will check for an existing preset that was created with the older DDRC-24 "plugin" user interface. If found, Device Console will automatically import it. This is done on a preset-by-preset basis."

I don't think there should be any conflict with configs from your other devices. They certainly had different plugins to the DDRC-24. If you continue to see weird behaviour I would contact miniDSP support though. DC is still relatively new and so issues are still being found.

Ok, thanks!

I am at the stage of determining the Filter Design. Is the default filter the Harmon Curve? It seems to drop about the same as that per octave. 

Does the Curtain feature limit the Flex's frequency interaction? In other words, does adjusting the right Curtain from 20khz to 150hz only allow the Flex to apply filters from 20-150?

Backing up to one of your previous comments about layering on PEQ settings over the top of the DL file:

Regarding the Crossover settings: Can I (or does it make sense to) use the crossover settings once I've measured the system's response in DL? Right now, I imagine that the Flex's sweep is outputting a full range signal to each of the 4 Outputs (although the max setting on the Sub's plate amp is 120hz). Seems like the DL sweep would want to test the response of each speaker independently (Subs and Mains) of each other?

Champster wrote:

Backing up to one of your previous comments about layering on PEQ settings over the top of the DL file:

Regarding the Crossover settings: Can I (or does it make sense to) use the crossover settings once I've measured the system's response in DL? Right now, I imagine that the Flex's sweep is outputting a full range signal to each of the 4 Outputs (although the max setting on the Sub's plate amp is 120hz). Seems like the DL sweep would want to test the response of each speaker independently (Subs and Mains) of each other?

For subwoofer integration I'd suggest you learn to use the free software called Room EQ Wizard, which isn't too difficult. There are tutorials YouTube to help you get started if you don't want to read the manual, although I would. This will help not only with choosing the crossover filters but also setting the time delays. The latter is something you can't use Dirac Live to do.

Champster wrote:

Ok, thanks!

I am at the stage of determining the Filter Design. Is the default filter the Harmon Curve? It seems to drop about the same as that per octave. 

Does the Curtain feature limit the Flex's frequency interaction? In other words, does adjusting the right Curtain from 20khz to 150hz only allow the Flex to apply filters from 20-150?

There are two different types of target curve. The default has shelf-type filters in bass and treble, each of which you can drag up and down to taste. There is also an option of a linear target curve (sloping down as frequency increases) via a button in the top right, which you can also adjust by dragging points around. Experiment to see what you like most.

What I think of as Harmon target curves only have a bass boost? Is so neither of the above is quite this. I think the logic of the current (and fairly recently added) default is to start fairly close to you current in-room response to not try to change the fundamental character too much.

Re. the curtains there are two: one at the left lets you set the lower frequency limit and one at the right the upper frequency limit. Experiment with full-range correction but personally I only use Dirac below about 150 Hz.