TOPIC:

@ Thomas,

Unfortunately, the DDRC will only operate with the UMIK-1 for a couple of reasons:
- Standardization of the end results: Dirac having approved the UMIK-1 for measurement, we know that it will fit the needs when it comes to filter generation.
- Technical support: Knowing the very wild amount of sound cards, mic quality (calibrated vs uncalibrated) and potential issues, we decided that it would be in the best interest to limit the software to use the UMIK-1.

DevTeam

- Standardization of the end results: Dirac having approved the UMIK-1 for measurement, we know that it will fit the needs when it comes to filter generation.

As far as this is concerned I disagree, I downloaded and used the trial version with my calibrated mic with calibration file with excellent results and zero problems. I don't see any reason to have to use the Umik because of this. We should be able to make our own decision.

- Technical support: Knowing the very wild amount of sound cards, mic quality (calibrated vs uncalibrated) and potential issues, we decided that it would be in the best interest to limit the software to use the UMIK-1.

I understand your reasoning here that you don't want to spend time trying to respond to all soundcard problems, however, there are many many MiniDSP's out there being used with REW and we seem to be getting along just fine.
This needs to be changed in the future and hopefully can be easily done. I will not be getting one until that happens.

Edit: This limitation needs to be specifically stated on the purchasing page so people know it won't work without the UMIK before they get it and are disappointed.
Edit again: Mcteague pointed out to me that this has been taken care of, thanks.

Respectfully,
Moto

MX48 wrote:

- Standardization of the end results: Dirac having approved the UMIK-1 for measurement, we know that it will fit the needs when it comes to filter generation.

As far as this is concerned I disagree, I downloaded and used the trial version with my calibrated mic with calibration file with excellent results and zero problems. I don't see any reason to have to use the Umik because of this. We should be able to make our own decision.

- Technical support: Knowing the very wild amount of sound cards, mic quality (calibrated vs uncalibrated) and potential issues, we decided that it would be in the best interest to limit the software to use the UMIK-1.

I understand your reasoning here that you don't want to spend time trying to respond to all soundcard problems, however, there are many many MiniDSP's out there being used with REW and we seem to be getting along just fine.
This needs to be changed in the future and hopefully can be easily done. I will not be getting one until that happens.

Edit: This limitation needs to be specifically stated on the purchasing page so people know it won't work without the UMIK before they get it and are disappointed.

Respectfully,
Moto

They have this update on the page now.

NOTE: The Dirac Live Calibration Tools Stereo for miniDSP software is only compatible with UMIK-1 microphone for measurement.

Tim

OK, thanks for pointing that out, I didn't see it last time I looked at it. I will edit my post.

My DDRC-22D arrived today and things mostly went well. The PC kept losing the mic but I found the mini plug needs a really firm push to make it seat. The box lacked a quick start guide but as I already read the pdf manual several times that was not an issue. It also included 2 really thin optical cables and a goofy tripod, along with the table top one. I have a decent photo tripod so I used that. The fold-able one supplied offers no height adjustment so I don't know why it was included. I may have lost track of which side I moved the mic to at one point so I might re-run the calibration in the near future.

The only thing that bugs me are the white LEDs. They are SUPER bright, way too bright. It is very distracting as I face the equipment rack and often listen with the room lights dimmed. To make matters worse, there is no on/off switch so the lights are always on! I may have to use paint or fingernail polish on the LEDs. Anyone tried this or have a better way to cut the light?

Tim

Tim,

Just tape them over with some blue (or whatever color you like) painters tape. This will dim them quite a bit but still allow you to see them adequately. Painters tape leaves no residue, so you can easily remove if so desired.

Dave.

dreite wrote:

Tim,

Just tape them over with some blue (or whatever color you like) painters tape. This will dim them quite a bit but still allow you to see them adequately. Painters tape leaves no residue, so you can easily remove if so desired.

Dave.

I'm looking for something a bit more visually appealing. As the LEDs protrude from the panel that makes stick on options less useful IMO.

Tim

Yeah, I understand it's kind of a band-aid approach, but it does work.

Since the LED's are mounted in "blocks" they're not easily replaceable with different colors. I suppose you could dim them, but this will require some intricate soldering work on the VOL-FP board and some experimentation with larger value resistors.

This sort of "issue" is not isolated to miniDSP products these days. I find the blue LED's used by so many manufacturers to be particularily intrusive. I like to listen in a dark room with my eyes open, and this necessitates extinguishing all indicator lights on various equipment. Not an easy thing to accomplish nowadays.

Dave.

Another update. Now that I had the mic USB cable firmly attached I re-ran the procedure. This time I made sure to measure a larger area, a bit wider than 3', as well as putting the mic higher and lower. When this filter was added things were much improved. There is a better sense of space and none of the slightly clinical sound the first filter had. Very impressive now!

Tim

There is a thread dedicated to the miniDSP Dirac Series (Kal Rubinson from Stereophile is posting too) here:
www.computeraudiophile.com/f23-dsp-room-...eries-minidsp-19908/
It has been said "would like to hear from a few reviewers/users who have heard it first" so those who tried it first may consider posting in that thread also

Flavio

I just got my DDRC-22D today, order #: a2c9011494. However there are no files in the DIRAC section of my downloads (or in any other section). So I cannot activate it. Moreover when I tried to post to your forum to ask about this, it said my IP address has been flagged as spam.

Picked up my Dirac on Wednesday and held back till today to install it. Got the serial number OK as per section 2.2.3 of the manual. Went to the activation of license, following instructions on page 14 0f the manual (the 4 April version), where it asked for my email,my password and the serial number. It activated fine.
Went to the license validation, turned off my firewall and put in my minidsp user name (grob) and my minidsp/dirac password, hit validate and no go .
Tried username as my email address - as was used in the "Dirac Serial Activation" from step 4 on page 14 of the manual - still no luck.
What have I done wrong!
Would love to spend Easter Sunday annoying the neighbours with test signals in setting up the DIRAC
thank you
Grant

Grob wrote:

Picked up my Dirac on Wednesday and held back till today to install it. Got the serial number OK as per section 2.2.3 of the manual. Went to the activation of license, following instructions on page 14 0f the manual (the 4 April version), where it asked for my email,my password and the serial number. It activated fine.
Went to the license validation, turned off my firewall and put in my minidsp user name (grob) and my minidsp/dirac password, hit validate and no go .
Tried username as my email address - as was used in the "Dirac Serial Activation" from step 4 on page 14 of the manual - still no luck.
What have I done wrong!
Would love to spend Easter Sunday annoying the neighbours with test signals in setting up the DIRAC
thank you
Grant

Just make sure you are using the account name and password you created during the activation stage, not the one for the MiniDSP website. Just a thought.

Tim

Thanks for your response, Tim.
I am afraid that is not the problem/solution (I don't think anyway). At the "Dirac Serial number activation" stage the only password that was accepted was the same one that I use for minidsp. At the license validation in the Dirac Live Calibration stage it asks for a "user name" - a user name was not asked for at the "Dirac Serial number activation" stage - only my email address. Neither my email address nor my minidsp user name is recognized at the license validation stage.
Thank you

Hi Grob,
I had the same problem, indeed you have to use exactly the same email address and the password, which were used for the Dirac serial number activation, for the validation, too.
Both processes are calling the Dirac server.
Good luck

Thomas