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Post by adam631 on Oct 9, 2015 11:24:30 GMT -5
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Post by goodfellas27 on Oct 9, 2015 14:20:15 GMT -5
Get it from here: www.minidsp.com/products/acoustic-measurement/umik-1I used the UMIK-1 with the 90 degrees calibrated file loaded to Dirac. It gave me way better sound than the regular mic from Emotiva. You get the calibrated files once you insert the serial numbers.
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Oct 9, 2015 14:23:52 GMT -5
Get it from here: www.minidsp.com/products/acoustic-measurement/umik-1I used the UMIK-1 with the 90 degrees calibrated file loaded to Dirac. It gave me way better sound than the regular mic from Emotiva. You get the calibrated files once you insert the serial numbers. These are batch calibration files, not mic specific files.
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Oct 9, 2015 14:28:01 GMT -5
That is probably the most popular mic right now. Getting it from Cross Spectrum gets you an individually calibrated mic. Ordering one from MiniDSP gets the same exact mic a little cheaper but with a batch calibration. I got the CS calibrated version and the files from CS and MiniDSP differ by up to 3dB at the extremes. In my opinion, the extra $ spent with CS is worth it.
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Post by skippy1977 on Oct 10, 2015 17:32:17 GMT -5
That is probably the most popular mic right now. Getting it from Cross Spectrum gets you an individually calibrated mic. Ordering one from MiniDSP gets the same exact mic a little cheaper but with a batch calibration. I got the CS calibrated version and the files from CS and MiniDSP differ by up to 3dB at the extremes. In my opinion, the extra $ spent with CS is worth it. I totally agree that the extra cost for the Cross Spectrum UMIK-1 is well worth it. If you spend $2k (+-) for the XMC-1 why not spend another $25 for an individually calibrated mic. When using the EMM mic there was almost always level errors. No errors when using the UMIK-1.
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Post by adam631 on Oct 10, 2015 17:42:47 GMT -5
Thanks guys, that is the one i will get.
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Post by dave5280 on Oct 23, 2015 17:19:25 GMT -5
I have used Direc Live several times lately and have uploaded several new curves to adjust the sound. This afternoon I tweeted it again but found I had bumped the 5 to 15 kHz curve a bit too much. I tried to hook my XMC back up but when I tried after prompted by my computer if I wanted to use the specified network (which has worked every time before) I get an error and have to close Direc. I tried turning my modem off, restarting my computer, restarting the XMC from the back main shut off switch but nothing works. DHCP is on as well. What happened?
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Post by goodfellas27 on Oct 23, 2015 18:07:31 GMT -5
I have used Direc Live several times lately and have uploaded several new curves to adjust the sound. This afternoon I tweeted it again but found I had bumped the 5 to 15 kHz curve a bit too much. I tried to hook my XMC back up but when I tried after prompted by my computer if I wanted to use the specified network (which has worked every time before) I get an error and have to close Direc. I tried turning my modem off, restarting my computer, restarting the XMC from the back main shut off switch but nothing works. DHCP is on as well. What happened? Try running Dirac with the Run as Administrator To mark an application to always run as an administrator, do the following: 1. On the Start menu, locate the program that you want to always run as an administrator. 2. Right-click the application’s shortcut, and then click Properties. 3. In the Properties dialog box, click the Compatibility tab. 4. Do one of the following: To apply the setting to the currently logged-on user, select the Run This Program As An Administrator check box, and then click OK. To apply the setting to all users on the computer and regardless of which shortcut is used to start the application, click Change Setting For All Users to display the Properties dialog box for the application’s .exe file, select the Run This Program As An Administrator check box, and then click OK twice.
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Post by dave5280 on Oct 23, 2015 18:36:47 GMT -5
Thank you! I found not find the compatibility tab in Windows 10 when in the properties tab but when in properties I got into restoring a version that was saved yesterday morning (must have backed up automatically) and I received a message that Windows firewall was blocking communication with Direc. I allowed access and now it works! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction and thank you for your fast response!
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Post by stephenrjr on Nov 10, 2015 16:38:28 GMT -5
From the FAQ:
I get a "Processing captured data completed with errors: CHECKREC_TOO_MANY_CLIPPED_SAMPLES" error when running Dirac. - ensure AGC is turned off in the C-MEDIA microphone properties - go back to output & levels and turn down output levels a little further. You do NOT need to redo any measurements that you have already taken
Is it important to leave all INPUT gain settings untouched across all measurement positions (9)? Or, do INPUT levels only need to remain consistent for a single measurement position?
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hoot
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Post by hoot on Nov 10, 2015 16:56:02 GMT -5
New system with XMC-1 Downloaded Dirac Live. Windows 10 Crashes at every startup. Called Emotiva today. Got a rep instantly (Keith) He said there is a prob with Win10 and Jriver regarding ASIO driver. Go to Tools/Options/General/Features Uncheck ASIO Driver Save Restart your computer.
Fixed mine
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Post by steve111 on Nov 13, 2015 11:45:49 GMT -5
Hi guys,
Got my eyes on the XMC-1 for my 4-way horn system (separate xo/amps/drivers) but need guidance on whether or not Dirac will work with my setup.
Subs …………… <60 Hz Lo-Mid Woofers … 60-400 Hz assigned to Fronts Mid Horns ……… 400-5kHz assigned to Surrounds Hi Horns ……… >5kHz assigned to Surround Backs
As you probably know horn compression drivers don’t like hi power below their recommended lower crossover frequency so can someone explain how Dirac will apply correction using my passive crossovers. I have a 12db bandpass network for the Mids and 24db HPF for the Highs.
If for some reason Dirac Live determines a lower than recommended range of frequencies can I manually adjust to suit to prevent damage to the drivers? I see the setting of XO in the XMC-1 for the sub handoff up to 200Hz in increments of 10Hz I believe. So inputting crossovers for the 400 and 5KHz on the mid and hi horns is out of the question and hopefully will be left to Dirac to calculate the rolloff.
I saw something in the manual about adjusting freqs but don’t know if that is just the Tone Trimming. Don’t believe you’re able to adjust the PEQ as that is just for manual setup?
Also I just read on this forum Dirac shoots the Lfront speaker again at the end of the test for speaker delay? Well my Lfront speaker is the 60-400 Hz range only. Don’t see how it can compare to the mids and tweeter horn since they are in a diff freq range.
Thanks Steve
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Nov 13, 2015 11:56:30 GMT -5
Hi guys, Got my eyes on the XMC-1 for my 4-way horn system (separate xo/amps/drivers) but need guidance on whether or not Dirac will work with my setup. Subs …………… <60 Hz Lo-Mid Woofers … 60-400 Hz assigned to Fronts Mid Horns ……… 400-5kHz assigned to Surrounds Hi Horns ……… >5kHz assigned to Surround Backs As you probably know horn compression drivers don’t like hi power below their recommended lower crossover frequency so can someone explain how Dirac will apply correction using my passive crossovers. I have a 12db bandpass network for the Mids and 24db HPF for the Highs. If for some reason Dirac Live determines a lower than recommended range of frequencies can I manually adjust to suit to prevent damage to the drivers? I see the setting of XO in the XMC-1 for the sub handoff up to 200Hz in increments of 10Hz I believe. So inputting crossovers for the 400 and 5KHz on the mid and hi horns is out of the question and hopefully will be left to Dirac to calculate the rolloff. I saw something in the manual about adjusting freqs but don’t know if that is just the Tone Trimming. Don’t believe you’re able to adjust the PEQ as that is just for manual setup? Also I just read on this forum Dirac shoots the Lfront speaker again at the end of the test for speaker delay? Well my Lfront speaker is the 60-400 Hz range only. Don’t see how it can compare to the mids and tweeter horn since they are in a diff freq range. Thanks Steve I think the final test of the LF is for timing purposes. Each speaker is tested on it's own and not compared against others. Dirac does not set any crossovers. It simply tests to see what each speaker is capable of then attempts to flatten the response but will not add more than 10dB correction. However, with Dirac Full you can set the HF and LF "curtains" of any channel to block Dirac from making any adjustment below the LF curtain or above the HF curtain. Dirac Full is an additional $99 which really is a bargain.
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Nov 13, 2015 12:06:49 GMT -5
Hi guys, Got my eyes on the XMC-1 for my 4-way horn system (separate xo/amps/drivers) but need guidance on whether or not Dirac will work with my setup. Subs …………… <60 Hz Lo-Mid Woofers … 60-400 Hz assigned to Fronts Mid Horns ……… 400-5kHz assigned to Surrounds Hi Horns ……… >5kHz assigned to Surround Backs As you probably know horn compression drivers don’t like hi power below their recommended lower crossover frequency so can someone explain how Dirac will apply correction using my passive crossovers. I have a 12db bandpass network for the Mids and 24db HPF for the Highs. If for some reason Dirac Live determines a lower than recommended range of frequencies can I manually adjust to suit to prevent damage to the drivers? I see the setting of XO in the XMC-1 for the sub handoff up to 200Hz in increments of 10Hz I believe. So inputting crossovers for the 400 and 5KHz on the mid and hi horns is out of the question and hopefully will be left to Dirac to calculate the rolloff. I saw something in the manual about adjusting freqs but don’t know if that is just the Tone Trimming. Don’t believe you’re able to adjust the PEQ as that is just for manual setup? Also I just read on this forum Dirac shoots the Lfront speaker again at the end of the test for speaker delay? Well my Lfront speaker is the 60-400 Hz range only. Don’t see how it can compare to the mids and tweeter horn since they are in a diff freq range. Thanks Steve Dear friend,,,,,,,,Get your HANDS on an XMC-1!!!!!!! You'll be glad you did!!!
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Nov 13, 2015 13:02:48 GMT -5
Steve, you seem to have a slight misunderstanding about what Dirac (or any room correction system) is going to do... and possibly about how bass management works in a home-theater system. (There is a huge disconnect between the "old school" idea of a multi-amped speaker and its active crossovers work and how crossovers are applied in "a home theater system".) Your speakers are already multi-amped with their own electronic crossovers and separate amplifiers. (From your description, I'm a little confused about whether you have line level crossovers before the amps, or passive crossovers after the amps - between each amp and its associated driver, but that doesn't really matter as far as your current question is concerned.) Either way, neither Dirac, nor the XMC-1 itself, is going to change the way your current crossovers work. The XMC-1 will continue to send a single output to each speaker (it isn't going to provide a crossover between the individual drivers or affect the function of the crossovers you're already using). Now, looking at your entire speaker, with all its crossovers and amplifiers, "as a unit", Dirac is going to perform measurements, and do its best to correct the frequency response of each speaker, and to correct its time alignment so as to optimize the imaging of your entire system. You can think of this as using a high-quality equalizer to correct each entire speaker AS A WHOLE. (Again, it isn't going to alter, correct, or allow you to adjust, your individual crossovers or drivers. As far as Dirac and the XMC-1 are concerned, each speaker, with its associated amplifiers and crossovers is simply "a speaker".) And Dirac itself treats each speaker as a full- range speaker; based on its measurements of what your speaker is capable of, it will decide NOT to equalize frequencies above or below those which the speaker can handle, but Dirac itself will NOT limit the frequencies being sent to your speaker. (Note that Dirac may in fact help to correct errors in frequency response that may be the result of design or configuration errors in your current crossover configuration, but, if so, it will do so "from outside", by adjusting the response of the overall speaker.) Now, ENTIRELY SEPARATE FROM DIRAC, the XMC-1 has bass management. Bass management is specifically designed to handle the relationship between a set of speakers and a subwoofer. The way bass management works with virtually all "home theater" products, including the XMC-1, is as follows.... A surround sound signal has several (usually five or seven) full range channels and a separate "Low Frequency Effects" channel dedicated to low bass sound effects. Assuming that you have a subwoofer, the LFE channel is always routed to the sub. You may then configure each of your other speakers as "small" or "large". For each speaker that is configured as large, the entire full range audio signal is sent to the speaker. For each speaker that is configured as small, you will be able to select a crossover frequency for that speaker (they are actually set by speaker group - "fronts" or "surrounds"). When you set a speaker as being small, you will be able to set a single crossover frequency for that speaker and, of the full range information destined for that speaker, everything above the crossover frequency will be sent to the speaker, while everything below that crossover frequency will be sent to the sub (in addition to everything from the LFE channel). If you have one subwoofer, then any information below the crossover point on any channel set to small will be sent to that sub, along with the LFE channel. If you have two subwoofers, and you configure them as "dual stereo", then the low frequency information below the crossover frequency on any speakers on the left side that is set to small will be sent to the left sub, the low frequency information below the crossover frequency on any speakers on the right side that is set to small will be sent to the right sub, and the LFE channel will be sent to both subs. Again, note that Dirac is NOT going to adjust the frequency range or crossover points for your midranges or tweeters. From the setup you have, here's what I would suggest.... Leave your horns and lo-mid woofers connected as they are, using your current crossovers, and connect each set of those as "a small full range speaker whose low end is limited to 60 Hz". In other words, as far as the XMC-1 is concerned, they will be "your main speakers", you will set them to be "small", and you will set their crossover point (on the XMC-1) to 60 Hz. You will then connect the subs to the two sub outputs on the XMC-1, set the XMC-1 to have "stereo subs", and let the XMC-1's bass management handle the division between the subs and your "main speakers". (Or, alternately, you could leave the subs connected as they are now, to your current crossover, connect the entire speakers to the XMC-1, and tell the XMC-1 that they are "full range speakers" ("large") and you don't have a sub.) Again, in case there's still any confusion, the XMC-1 (and pretty well all home theater equipment) is designed to handle A SINGLE CROSSOVER POINT BETWEEN THE MAIN SPEAKER AND THE SUB. (You can choose different crossover points for each set of speakers, but, as far as the XMC-1 is concerned, each speaker is "a two way speaker made up of a main speaker and a sub" and that's the only crossover it is going to provide or control.) If you still find this confusing... then I encourage you to call in so we can talk in person... ask for Keith. Hi guys, Got my eyes on the XMC-1 for my 4-way horn system (separate xo/amps/drivers) but need guidance on whether or not Dirac will work with my setup. Subs …………… <60 Hz Lo-Mid Woofers … 60-400 Hz assigned to Fronts Mid Horns ……… 400-5kHz assigned to Surrounds Hi Horns ……… >5kHz assigned to Surround Backs As you probably know horn compression drivers don’t like hi power below their recommended lower crossover frequency so can someone explain how Dirac will apply correction using my passive crossovers. I have a 12db bandpass network for the Mids and 24db HPF for the Highs. If for some reason Dirac Live determines a lower than recommended range of frequencies can I manually adjust to suit to prevent damage to the drivers? I see the setting of XO in the XMC-1 for the sub handoff up to 200Hz in increments of 10Hz I believe. So inputting crossovers for the 400 and 5KHz on the mid and hi horns is out of the question and hopefully will be left to Dirac to calculate the rolloff. I saw something in the manual about adjusting freqs but don’t know if that is just the Tone Trimming. Don’t believe you’re able to adjust the PEQ as that is just for manual setup? Also I just read on this forum Dirac shoots the Lfront speaker again at the end of the test for speaker delay? Well my Lfront speaker is the 60-400 Hz range only. Don’t see how it can compare to the mids and tweeter horn since they are in a diff freq range. Thanks Steve
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hoot
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Post by hoot on Nov 13, 2015 13:07:29 GMT -5
Not an expert here. What about interactions when the system is playing all speakers?
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 13, 2015 13:44:46 GMT -5
Not an expert here. What about interactions when the system is playing all speakers? They will indeed happen, but basically - I would say...run Dirac per the instructions, listen, and see what you think. I think you will see a nice improvement over a manual levels/distances setup. I do, for sure. The main thing I hear is an increase in clarity overall and more bass presence. And, it's pretty obvious. To, whatever else remains - I am not very concerned with. But...I am curious to see what Dirac Unison brings...it is supposed to use activity from various speakers to help control negative effects of others. I have no clue how, but it sounds interesting... Mark
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Post by steve111 on Nov 13, 2015 15:32:07 GMT -5
Thanks guys for the quick response.
I understand Dirac will not set crossovers and my XMC-1 setting will be 60Hz (small) for the woofer to take over.
The concern was for my mid driver which is recommended for a 400Hz crossover and my passive network (no active) is designed for 400 (12db slope). But say my room gives a surprise summing at 350 Hz from the L and R horns resulting in a slight hump at my MLP. I was afraid Dirac would see this and say lets try and boost from 350Hz. When I see such a hump I use the PEQ to attenuate but with Dirac it’s not possible.
Geebo’s response was exactly what I was looking for…thanks….I totally forgot about the curtains hi and lo to set on Dirac Full version and the +10db max it would try to correct.
Keith, appreciate the in depth explanation. I’ll be going with 4 subs using a miniDSP to sum for delay purposes. What’s the best way to hook up the sub preout for 4 subs? Use just 1 output, mono setting and LFE will go to all after the mini?
Steve
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Post by steve111 on Nov 13, 2015 15:58:03 GMT -5
Last week I researched miniDSP gear on how to go the active crossover direction with my 4-way speakers with the XMC-1 but every time it comes up needing to go A-D-A again which I refuse to do.
The Dirac curtains hi and lo, can they be used in this situation?
Test volumes can be lowered individually for each speaker to protect my compression drivers from the full sweep range before you can apply curtains. After the sweeps can curtains be assigned as if they were an active XO or is this not feasible?
I emailed Dirac directly asking questions last week about active crossovers and they confirm you don’t need loud (gunshot) test tones for the impulse response. But since they didn’t recommend using the curtains maybe it’s not possible.
Boy this would be great if it can be done onboard the XMC-1.
Steve
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KeithL
Administrator
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Post by KeithL on Nov 13, 2015 16:10:21 GMT -5
Without going into a bunch of really technical explanations, suffice it to say that interactions aren't as much of a problem as you might think... In most situations, what you hear at a given spot from all of your speakers is substantially the sum of what's coming from each individual speaker, so simply measuring and correcting each speaker separately usually gives you excellent results, and produces a calibration that works well in most situations and with most combinations. And, in the few specific situations where this turns out not to be true, the alternative of trying to measure all possible combinations and interactions turns out to be prohibitively complex, and the corrections necessary so complicated, that it usually simply isn't practical anyway. (For example, with subwoofers, additive interactions can usually be corrected quite effectively by simply correcting the flaws in each channel separately, and subtractive interactions tend to require physical correction - like moving one of the subs - to be corrected effectively... in which case the best a truly effective "interaction calculation" could do would be to report that it had discovered a problem that required human intervention to fix.) In other words, while it's not at all unlikely that some future room correction technology may be able to do slightly better in this regard, and technology always continues to improve over time, the current method of measuring and adjusting each speaker separately produces excellent results almost all of the time... using the math and processing technology we have available today. Not an expert here. What about interactions when the system is playing all speakers?
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