Active Room Treatment (ART) by Dirac

[ASharma]

Do you have slots for different Dirac filters? You could duplicate your Dirac filter, then make one of them with an increased center channel level for when it is needed.

Thanks Yes I do have 6 slots available. That may be the answer but it is static in nature. Much prefer to adjust trim levels on the fly

 

[BJL]

Thanks Yes I do have 6 slots available. That may be the answer but it is static in nature. Much prefer to adjust trim levels on the fly

How frustrating. With ART engaged, I can't adjust trims other than the center and LFE, but that is all that is needed, to my mind. I would sell the Marantz and get something else.

 

[Laika2]

Thanks that’s what I have done in my custom center curve but still find increasing the trim level +3db helps. Marantz is taking away the trim level functionality so just trying to find another way to simulate it.

PS: Doing it in dirac is better, channel level adjust works as a quick fix once in a while with problematic mixes. I SHUT OFF ALL UPDATES 3DAYS Ago, it updated anyway yesterday, boom channel level adjust is gone. I likes it for the occasional hard to hear dialog movies,now I just make a extra curve for dialog.

From Denon and Marantz



Disabling Channel Level Adjust when Dirac Live ART is active
With the firmware update to be released in June 2026, the operational specifications of Channel Level Adjust while the Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART) is active have been changed.

In this update, Channel Level Adjust will be disabled when using Dirac Live ART is active in order to maximize the performance of ART.

Operation when Dirac Live ART is active
When using Dirac Live ART, “Channel Level Adjust” in the Option menu is disabled and hidden.

When using Dirac Live ART and Channel Level Adjust together before the firmware update
After the update, the values of Channel Level Adjust that were set manually before the update will no longer be applied.

Instead, the channel level balance based on Dirac Live measurement is automatically applied.

Enabling Channel Level Adjust
You can use Channel Level Adjust again by either turning off Dirac Live or selecting a filter to which Dirac Live Room Correction, Bass Management, or Bass Control has been applied.

 

[ASharma]

How frustrating. With ART engaged, I can't adjust trims other than the center and LFE, but that is all that is needed, to my mind. I would sell the Marantz and get something else.

What are you using? What other options are there? Thanks

 

[ASharma]

PS: Doing it in dirac is better, channel level adjust works as a quick fix once in a while with problematic mixes. I SHUT OFF ALL UPDATES 3DAYS Ago, it updated anyway yesterday, boom channel level adjust is gone. I likes it for the occasional hard to hear dialog movies,now I just make a extra curve for dialog.

From Denon and Marantz



Disabling Channel Level Adjust when Dirac Live ART is active
With the firmware update to be released in June 2026, the operational specifications of Channel Level Adjust while the Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART) is active have been changed.

In this update, Channel Level Adjust will be disabled when using Dirac Live ART is active in order to maximize the performance of ART.

Operation when Dirac Live ART is active
When using Dirac Live ART, “Channel Level Adjust” in the Option menu is disabled and hidden.

When using Dirac Live ART and Channel Level Adjust together before the firmware update
After the update, the values of Channel Level Adjust that were set manually before the update will no longer be applied.

Instead, the channel level balance based on Dirac Live measurement is automatically applied.

Enabling Channel Level Adjust
You can use Channel Level Adjust again by either turning off Dirac Live or selecting a filter to which Dirac Live Room Correction, Bass Management, or Bass Control has been applied.

Thanks. Looks like a few different center curves for now then I guess

 

[ASharma]

Any insights into my Question #1, thanks

1) I’m simply using Dirac’s default curves. They are all slightly different below 150hz depending on the channel. I’ve also loaded a Harman +4 curve in the past. My question is what’s best practice? I’m assuming Dirac’s default curves are somewhat optimized or they wouldn’t be the default? Is there a downside to running these slightly different below 150hz Dirac default curves?

 

[JRowland]

Hi folks. I’ve been using ART for a month or so now and have a few questions. I really wish Dirac had easily accessible tech support so I could better understand best practices. If they do, please let me know. Ok a couple starting questions. I’m running a 7.3.6 setup. I’ve attached my REW waterfall which “I think” looks pretty good.

1) I’m simply using Dirac’s default curves. They are all slightly different below 150hz depending on the channel. I’ve also loaded a Harman +4 curve in the past. My question is what’s best practice? I’m assuming Dirac’s default curves are somewhat optimized or they wouldn’t be the default? Is there a downside to running these slightly different below 150hz Dirac default curves?
2) I struggle with clear clean dialog. I know with Audessey there were different tools a person could use such as dialogue enhancer, dynamic volume or simply adjusting the trim level. I don’t see those options with Dirac only the choice of designing a custom center curve. My question is if I use the default Dirac center curve and I raise the entire curve by 3db to simulate bumping the Center trim level by 3db is there any downside or would this break the calibration in any way given the Center is used as the timing reference for LFE?

That’s it “for now”. Any insights would be appreciated.

Thanks folks

For question #1 that’s what I prefer as well. I’ve tried it a bunch of ways but the default curves just sound best in my room. This is an old pic of all my groups overlayed and you can see the curves in the corrected response.

I can’t help with #2, multichannel music sounds amazing as does stereo.

 

[ASharma]

For question #1 that’s what I prefer as well. I’ve tried it a bunch of ways but the default curves just sound best in my room. This is an old pic of all my groups overlayed and you can see the curves in the corrected response.

View attachment 551538

I can’t help with #2, multichannel music sounds amazing as does stereo.

Very helpful. Thanks. That’s what I’m finding also. I like the default curves with the exception of my Center dialogue. Just didn’t know if running all different curves below 150hz was taboo but then again if it was, why would Dirac default to it?

 

[BJL]

What are you using? What other options are there? Thanks

Tide 16. Also I think Storm products also support center channel gain, but they are very expensive. I stopped looking after I (1) saw the price of the Storm processor, and then (2) bought the Tide. Maybe the HTP-1?

 

[Dj7675]

PS: Doing it in dirac is better, channel level adjust works as a quick fix once in a while with problematic mixes. I SHUT OFF ALL UPDATES 3DAYS Ago, it updated anyway yesterday, boom channel level adjust is gone. I likes it for the occasional hard to hear dialog movies,now I just make a extra curve for dialog.

From Denon and Marantz



Disabling Channel Level Adjust when Dirac Live ART is active
With the firmware update to be released in June 2026, the operational specifications of Channel Level Adjust while the Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (ART) is active have been changed.

In this update, Channel Level Adjust will be disabled when using Dirac Live ART is active in order to maximize the performance of ART.

Operation when Dirac Live ART is active
When using Dirac Live ART, “Channel Level Adjust” in the Option menu is disabled and hidden.

When using Dirac Live ART and Channel Level Adjust together before the firmware update
After the update, the values of Channel Level Adjust that were set manually before the update will no longer be applied.

Instead, the channel level balance based on Dirac Live measurement is automatically applied.

Enabling Channel Level Adjust
You can use Channel Level Adjust again by either turning off Dirac Live or selecting a filter to which Dirac Live Room Correction, Bass Management, or Bass Control has been applied.

FYI. Changing channel levels for a variety of reasons, is important IMO. I have a Marantz AV10 and had the unit on auto update and also lost the ability to change trim levels. I did however contact Marantz support and they were kind enough to provide 2 files to put on USB to roll back the firmware which I have done. So if it is something you find important I would recommend contacting support and creating a ticket. Alternatively you can also adjust the channel curves but it is a pain and much prefer simple level adjustments.

 

[JRowland]

Very helpful. Thanks. That’s what I’m finding also. I like the default curves with the exception of my Center dialogue. Just didn’t know if running all different curves below 150hz was taboo but then again if it was, why would Dirac default to it?

I can understand both sides and the reasoning makes sense (for either), to me anyway. My ears say default every time. I just played with it again a week ago maybe. I’ve been running a 300Hz curtain until @OCA posted something maybe last week that made me try 1000Hz again which I hadn’t tried since Audyssey. I’m liking it (1000Hz curtain), that change made me try a forced target curve vs. the defaults again.

 

[ASharma]

Tide 16. Also I think Storm products also support center channel gain, but they are very expensive. I stopped looking after I (1) saw the price of the Storm processor, and then (2) bought the Tide. Maybe the HTP-1?

Thanks. Wouldn’t adjusting LFE and or Center outside of Dirac “break” the calibration?

 

[JRowland]

@ASharma can you give me a good movie that causes dialog issues for you? Just one I can buy the disc on Amazon if possible. I have an Apple TV but I’ve never even looked at what’s available, I’d imagine I can “rent” movies on it? I’d like to give it a try to see how my set up does.

 

[BJL]

Thanks. Wouldn’t adjusting LFE and or Center outside of Dirac “break” the calibration?

No, it doesn't. They have the adjustment (and I have only used the center channel trim) prior to the Dirac block, and it doesn't seem to mess up anything, other than modifying the center level. To the extent that the center channel is providing support, that is not affected, it's only the level of the center channel input that is raised. The Tide is a very well thought out processor and so far as I know they worked closely with Dirac, in other words, it is designed as an ART processor.

 

[ASharma]

@ASharma can you give me a good movie that causes dialog issues for you? Just one I can buy the disc on Amazon if possible. I have an Apple TV but I’ve never even looked at what’s available, I’d imagine I can “rent” movies on it? I’d like to give it a try to see how my set up does.

I really think the “issue for me” is simply the dynamic range within the dialogue. Many movies people are whispering which I struggle to hear so I turn the volume up and then the explosion blows me out of the room. Perhaps BladeRunner2049. The opening few minutes has 22hz LFE and then around the 6 min mark when Ryan Gosling first speaks to Batista when Batista first walks in the kitchen, there is some whispering at low low levels. Now to hear this bit of dialogue at normal levels the opening eyeball scene with 22hz LFE would blow anyone out of the room

 

[BJL]

@ASharma here is the Tide signal flow (just to make my comment concrete) if my attachment worked.

 

[ASharma]

No, it doesn't. They have the adjustment (and I have only used the center channel trim) prior to the Dirac block, and it doesn't seem to mess up anything, other than modifying the center level. To the extent that the center channel is providing support, that is not affected, it's only the level of the center channel input that is raised. The Tide is a very well thought out processor and so far as I know they worked closely with Dirac, in other words, it is designed as an ART processor.

Thanks. I’m just struggling to understand why Dirac would permit post ART trim changes on the Tide16 but not on other platforms

 

[ASharma]

@ASharma here is the Tide signal flow (just to make my comment concrete) if my attachment worked.

DOH! Good god that hurts my brain cage! What am I supposed to be seeing?

 

[BJL]

Thanks. I’m just struggling to understand why Dirac would permit post ART trim changes on the Tide16 but not on other platforms

But Dirac does allow it. Storm has it. The question, I believe, is where the gain is provided within the signal flow. What Dirac does not allow are multiple changes to the different channels and setting PEQ etc. At least, this is what the technical support at miniDSP has said in response to questions about why we can't adjust levels to all speakers.

 

[BJL]

DOH! Good god that hurts my brain cage! What am I supposed to be seeing?

Signal path from input to output.