KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,275
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Post by KeithL on Feb 19, 2020 16:52:20 GMT -5
The HDMI 2.0b upgrade boards are temporarily in short supply - but they will be available again soon.
I tried the purchase link on the XMC-1 certified refurbished product page for Dirac Live full... Where I was able to put it in my cart.
Anyone know why HDMI 2.0b Video Upgrade Board is unavailable? The processor sell page does not allow Dirac Full purchase |
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Post by hanse1 on Feb 21, 2020 11:46:48 GMT -5
Now I have tested OS Catalina and it is not possible to download the microphone files. Unfortunately, I also had problems with Windows 10. When I start a new calibration, an error message said that DiraC Live tools could not be loaded? I had to uninstall and reinstall Dirac Live?
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Post by stephen on May 5, 2020 16:16:58 GMT -5
pro tips: 1. DIRAC can't find XMC-1 -- Disable un-needed host computer network interfaces. I'm running windows 10 w/ HYPER-V to run VMs, this creates a vEthernet switch that shows up as a NIC in host Windows 10 machine. Even though I could ping my XMC-1 via it's IP address (successfully assigned by DHCP over a wireless bridge/dongle to the XMC-1), DIRAC must be running layer-2 discovery or not using default routes out of my WiFi connection, it simply wouldn't find my XMC-1 from my Windows 10 laptop. I disabled the vEthernet NIC and DIRAC discovered it right away! 2. DIRAC License Errors -- I haven't pinned this one down, I suspect Windows 10 updates, but over time DIRAC thinks I'm installing the software on multiple computers and then refuses to load. I created an account here: services.dirac.se/activate_serial/oemservices/index.php and then go in and delete the 'old' installs until I'm able to run it again.  3. Make sure AGC (auto gain correction) is disabled on the USB measurement mic, otherwise it will lead to frustration (clipping errors) and problems with bass levels, for example, that I experienced above And a big thank you for Emotiva recently fixing the bad Ethernet port on my XMC-1 and returning it lightning fast in the middle of COVID19 craziness. Intermittent and then no network connectivity is a major complicating factor when trying to sort out the issues above  It paid off to buy a certified refurbished XMC-1 directly from Emotiva w/ warranty. Upgrading from a UMC-1 was a great deal. Stephen |
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Post by megash0n on May 5, 2020 16:26:15 GMT -5
pro tips: 1. DIRAC can't find XMC-1 -- Disable un-needed host computer network interfaces. I'm running windows 10 w/ HYPER-V to run VMs, this creates a vEthernet switch that shows up as a NIC in host Windows 10 machine. Even though I could ping my XMC-1 via it's IP address (successfully assigned by DHCP over a wireless bridge/dongle to the XMC-1), DIRAC must be running layer-2 discovery or not using default routes out of my WiFi connection, it simply wouldn't find my XMC-1 from my Windows 10 laptop. I disabled the vEthernet NIC and DIRAC discovered it right away! 2. DIRAC License Errors -- I haven't pinned this one down, I suspect Windows 10 updates, but over time DIRAC thinks I'm installing the software on multiple computers and then refuses to load. I created an account here: services.dirac.se/activate_serial/oemservices/index.php and then go in and delete the 'old' installs until I'm able to run it again. View Attachment3. Make sure AGC (auto gain correction) is disabled on the USB measurement mic, otherwise it will lead to frustration (clipping errors) and problems with bass levels, for example, that I experienced above And a big thank you for Emotiva recently fixing the bad Ethernet port on my XMC-1 and returning it lightning fast in the middle of COVID19 craziness. Intermittent and then no network connectivity is a major complicating factor when trying to sort out the issues above It paid off to buy a certified refurbished XMC-1 directly from Emotiva w/ warranty. Upgrading from a UMC-1 was a great deal. Stephen I'd assume they are creating some type of hash based on your computers resources and such. Because you are using this also as a hypervisor host, this could be changing the hash over time making the license obsolete. Or, you are doing this from a VM which.... Basically same issue. Just a thought. |
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Post by stephen on May 12, 2020 18:35:39 GMT -5
After playing with it for a few days, DIRAC made a big difference in sound quality for music, like lifting a veil -- but, I found I had to dial my sub way down for DIRAC measurements resulting in me needing to crank it up afterward due to lack of bass. Does it auto set levels/trim? It looks like I may need to do that manually. I figured out it doesn't set crossover, but this makes sense given its full-range approach to each speaker. I'm guessing then there may be phase problems at the crossover point... hmm... You should not have to crank up the subs after measuring if you are using std target curves as they boost the bass already. Many and me included have had problems with bass BUT I think i figured out what is going on. If you look at the target curve txt files there are additional filters being applied and I think these interact with the overall respons particularly the dirac added high pass filters for the fronts. When i manually removed these and reloaded the target curves my bass problems were gone. Post your txt file data for the non sub speakers and I will let you know what you should change. Sorry this has taken months I have a calibrated UMIK-1 inbound for comparison, but here's the result with the mic included with the XMC-1 (after I moved speakers back to stands), mains and centers are crossed over with the sub at 50Hz:    |
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Post by markc on May 13, 2020 4:42:09 GMT -5
Sorry this has taken months I have a calibrated UMIK-1 inbound for comparison, but here's the result with the mic included with the XMC-1 (after I moved speakers back to stands), mains and centers are crossed over with the sub at 50Hz:
I don't know how to say this kindly but your subwoofer is really not doing what it should for a home theatre. There is something wrong somewhere. Have you got a high pass filter engaged on the subwoofer itself? The measured room response just drops off from 30Hz upwards. Edit: I see the Paradigm sub you have has a "Subwoofer Cut-Off Frequency" dial on the back panel. This should be turned all the way up to maximum (150Hz) and use the Emotiva Processor to do the crossover Indeed, in the measurements, your main speakers and even your centre speaker are doing a MUCH better job at the 30-60Hz range than the sub. Even if that is the true measurement, (In which case time for a new sub!) your Dirac target is not a good one. Instead of trying to boost that woeful performance from 35-100Hz and use a pumped up target level of +3db (Where the horizontal part of your orange line is), I would pull the curve down to -4dB and use Dirac filters to cut the highs rather than try and boost the lows (and risk internal clipping without affecting room nulls). Keep the House Curve slope by all means. What was the "Suggested" automatic curve from Dirac Live like? |
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Post by stephen on May 13, 2020 6:12:36 GMT -5
Sorry this has taken months I have a calibrated UMIK-1 inbound for comparison, but here's the result with the mic included with the XMC-1 (after I moved speakers back to stands), mains and centers are crossed over with the sub at 50Hz:
I don't know how to say this kindly but your subwoofer is really not doing what it should for a home theatre. There is something wrong somewhere. Have you got a high pass filter engaged on the subwoofer itself? The measured room response just drops off from 30Hz upwards. Edit: I see the Paradigm sub you have has a "Subwoofer Cut-Off Frequency" dial on the back panel. This should be turned all the way up to maximum (150Hz) and use the Emotiva Processor to do the crossover Indeed, in the measurements, your main speakers and even your centre speaker are doing a MUCH better job at the 30-60Hz range than the sub. Even if that is the true measurement, (In which case time for a new sub!) your Dirac target is not a good one. Instead of trying to boost that woeful performance from 35-100Hz and use a pumped up target level of +3db (Where the horizontal part of your orange line is), I would pull the curve down to -4dB and use Dirac filters to cut the highs rather than try and boost the lows (and risk internal clipping without affecting room nulls). Keep the House Curve slope by all means. What was the "Suggested" automatic curve from Dirac Live like? That's odd, I didn't customize the curve at all, just took DIRAC defaults. I pulled the sub out, checked the dials -- phase correction at zero, crossover set to highest. XLR input from XMC-1. I'll use REW with the UMIK to test the sub itself. It may just be at the end of its life. |
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Post by markc on May 13, 2020 8:39:19 GMT -5
Hmmm. The sub response measures so badly that I can't even think it is end of life.
Something is wrong somewhere else, I'm sure, that is meant to be a pretty capable subwoofer
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Post by stephen on May 13, 2020 9:11:10 GMT -5
Hmmm. The sub response measures so badly that I can't even think it is end of life. Something is wrong somewhere else, I'm sure, that is meant to be a pretty capable subwoofer Do you think the measurements are just showing extreme room gain since the sub is in the corner? I will post measurements with the UMIK at first opportunity to rule out the measurement mic... |
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Post by geebo on May 13, 2020 9:30:48 GMT -5
Hmmm. The sub response measures so badly that I can't even think it is end of life. Something is wrong somewhere else, I'm sure, that is meant to be a pretty capable subwoofer Do you think the measurements are just showing extreme room gain since the sub is in the corner? I will post measurements with the UMIK at first opportunity to rule out the measurement mic... What are the room dimensions? |
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Post by stephen on May 13, 2020 10:10:33 GMT -5
Do you think the measurements are just showing extreme room gain since the sub is in the corner? I will post measurements with the UMIK at first opportunity to rule out the measurement mic... What are the room dimensions? W: 15' L: 20' H: 8' |
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Post by geebo on May 13, 2020 10:27:44 GMT -5
What are the room dimensions? W: 15' L: 20' H: 8' If I figure correctly the 20' length can give you a room mode right around 28Hz. |
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Post by foggy1956 on May 13, 2020 11:34:27 GMT -5
If I figure correctly the 20' length can give you a room mode right around 28Hz. My 20 foot room has a huge peak at 28hz per REW |
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Post by stephen on May 14, 2020 19:55:55 GMT -5
And now results with the calibrated UMIK-1:    Initial observations: 1. Bass has really improved! So has center channel vocal clarity. Continuing Star Wars movie marathon now... I'll do some critical music listening tomorrow. Maybe I don't need that FV15HP afterall 2. UMIK-1 measurement process was painless. With XMC-1's included mic I was always fighting 'clipped sample' errors with at least some measurements. |
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Post by bolle on May 15, 2020 2:23:40 GMT -5
The stock XMC-1 mic is not very linear. I did calibrate mine myself which really improved the DIRAC results.
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Post by markc on May 15, 2020 2:37:12 GMT -5
And now results with the calibrated UMIK-1: Initial observations: 1. Bass has really improved! So has center channel vocal clarity. Continuing Star Wars movie marathon now... I'll do some critical music listening tomorrow. Maybe I don't need that FV15HP afterall 2. UMIK-1 measurement process was painless. With XMC-1's included mic I was always fighting 'clipped sample' errors with at least some measurements. That is more like it! However: The problem is and was NOT with the Emotiva EMM-1 microphone and was NOT solved by the UMIK-1, so it would be wrong for people to read that and take that impression! This is because the Emotiva EMM-1 mic was previously correctly measuring a good bass response down to 30Hz on the centre and main channels in your first post, so there is nothing materially wrong with the mic. It was only your subwoofer trace that was wrong i.e. an internal problem in your hardware or software configuration and not with the microphone design or manufacture or implementation. There was definitely a high pass filter active on your subwoofer looking at the roll-off of the higher sub frequencies and the correct second trace you've measured And, confirming all this is that your mains and centre speakers have pretty comparable measurements using either the Emotiva EMM-1 mic or the UMIK. This is reassuring for me because I think I will save some money and just use my Emotiva mic again when my XMC-2 arrives and then Dirac materialises. |
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Post by bolle on May 15, 2020 6:05:34 GMT -5
Well I DID compare my EMM-1 to my professionally calibrated measuring microphone and there WERE mayor differences!
My EMM-1 measured ok (+- 1dB) between 30 and 2000Hz but had a 4dB delta at 20Hz and up to 8dB delta at 16kHz.
To make things worse, Emotivas calibration curve did correct up to 4dB between 100Hz and 300Hz, where the mic itself is pretty flat and on the other hand didn´t really do much up to 10kHz where the mic already had a deviation of up to 6dB.
So I can only recommend based on my measurements and my experience to get the EMM-1 calibrated or to use a calibrated microphone. This really improved the DIRAC results for me.
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cawgijoe
Emo VIPs 
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." - Yogi Berra
Posts: 5,035
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Post by cawgijoe on May 15, 2020 6:56:27 GMT -5
For those who own a UMIK-1:
1) Did you purchase the mic from Minidsp ($75) or did you get the Cross Spectrum calibrated version ($105 plus shipping)?
2) How much "better" is the CSS version?
3) Will either mic work with the latest Mac OS, Catalina?
4) Will Dirac work with the EMM-1 mic and Catalina?
Sorry....I always used the EMM-1 mic with my XMC-1 when I had it and now am thinking about getting a UMIK for the XMC-2....just want to make sure that it would work and whether it's "worth it".
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Post by markc on May 15, 2020 7:51:12 GMT -5
For those who own a UMIK-1: 1) Did you purchase the mic from Minidsp ($75) or did you get the Cross Spectrum calibrated version ($105 plus shipping)? 2) How much "better" is the CSS version? 3) Will either mic work with the latest Mac OS, Catalina? 4) Will Dirac work with the EMM-1 mic and Catalina? Sorry....I always used the EMM-1 mic with my XMC-1 when I had it and now am thinking about getting a UMIK for the XMC-2....just want to make sure that it would work and whether it's "worth it". Search the forum for Ansat's extensive postings regarding the two mics after the arrival of XMC-1 Dirac in 2015. Nothing more to add than that as all covered and as relevant now as then. He calculated and posted alternative "averaged" EMM-1 calibration files based on actual Cross-Spectrum Labs calibrated EMM-1 I confess to using his averaged "mathfull" calibration file when I did my XMC-1 Dirac using the EMM-1 rather than the stock Emotiva one |
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cawgijoe
Emo VIPs
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." - Yogi Berra
Posts: 5,035
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Post by cawgijoe on May 15, 2020 8:11:26 GMT -5
For those who own a UMIK-1: 1) Did you purchase the mic from Minidsp ($75) or did you get the Cross Spectrum calibrated version ($105 plus shipping)? 2) How much "better" is the CSS version? 3) Will either mic work with the latest Mac OS, Catalina? 4) Will Dirac work with the EMM-1 mic and Catalina? Sorry....I always used the EMM-1 mic with my XMC-1 when I had it and now am thinking about getting a UMIK for the XMC-2....just want to make sure that it would work and whether it's "worth it". Search the forum for Ansat's extensive postings regarding the two mics after the arrival of XMC-1 Dirac in 2015. Nothing more to add than that as all covered and as relevant now as then. He calculated and posted alternative "averaged" EMM-1 calibration files based on actual Cross-Spectrum Labs calibrated EMM-1 I confess to using his averaged "mathfull" calibration file when I did my XMC-1 Dirac using the EMM-1 rather than the stock Emotiva one Yep...forgot about Ansat...I did use the math file....I'll revisit....was just wondering if there was any advantage to the UMIK over the EMM.... |
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It paid off to buy a certified refurbished XMC-1 directly from Emotiva w/ warranty. Upgrading from a UMC-1 was a great deal.
