Dirac Live Bass Control coming to Dirac Live Stereo This YEAR!!

[theREALdotnet]

From everything I have read--as I would love to be able to do the same thing--it's not a simple matter as there's no way to keep inherently asynchronous USB devices in sync.

If you used a Mac then this would be pretty trivial. That’s obviously not a solution if you want to use your general purpose PC as DLBC host, but if you run a dedicated PC for this then you might as well make that a Mac. There, you can combine multiple audio devices (like USB DACs) into an aggregate device while keeping them all synchronised.

 

[Iceee]

There is the miniDSP U-DIO8 which is a USB to Spdif bridge which allows two or more dacs to be set to its clock provided the dacs are connected via spidf. The DACS should be of identical make and model. Benchmark has successfully used its own units in this fashion.

Kal Rubinson wrote up an article on the $299 unit some time back.

Music in the Round #93: miniDSP & Ripping SACDs

www.stereophile.com

Of course probably simpler to just buy an Octo, Topping or a Motu multi channel dac in the first place. Connects a maximun of 8 channels. Would be nice if miniDSP updated it to connect 16 channels and included a digital master volume control.

This is such a great information, tnx. I have 2ch dac SMSL SU-9, if I use miniDSP U-DIO8 & another SMSL SU-9 to get 2.2, will DLBC in Dirac PC standalone app see it as 4channel and do proper bass managment for the each sub separately? Thanks

 

[phoenixdogfan]

This is such a great information, tnx. I have 2ch dac SMSL SU-9, if I use miniDSP U-DIO8 & another SMSL SU-9 to get 2.2, will DLBC in Dirac PC standalone app see it as 4channel and do proper bass managment for the each sub separately? Thanks

It will. I run DLBC and I do exactly that. You need to set it up a "custom channel configuration" where you choose stereo and then add two subs. Then go back to the main page of the processor and changes its label to custom. You should see four channels on the "Audio Configuration" tab. Check off the first four channels and it will send four channels. After you do that hit "Calibrate". That should take you to the measurement tool and it should show a layout of two stereo channels with two subs.

I do this in the standalone processor. It's possible to use the plugin, but that involves adding a line to an apdata file using the Windows powershell. How to do that is in the menu, and I did it successfully. Problem is, from that point on, that's the only layout recognized by Dirac, so I decided to run the 2,2 out of the standalone processor, and use a plugin to run my 5.1 home theater layout.

 

[Iceee]

It will. I run DLBC and I do exactly that. You need to set it up a "custom channel configuration" where you choose stereo and then add two subs. Then go back to the main page of the processor and changes its label to custom. You should see four channels on the "Audio Configuration" tab. Check off the first four channels and it will send four channels. After you do that hit "Calibrate". That should take you to the measurement tool and it should show a layout of two stereo channels with two subs.

I do this in the standalone processor. It's possible to use the plugin, but that involves adding a line to an apdata file using the Windows powershell. How to do that is in the menu, and I did it successfully. Problem is, from that point on, that's the only layout recognized by Dirac, so I decided to run the 2,2 out of the standalone processor, and use a plugin to run my 5.1 home theater layout.

You are a life saver many thanks. I fell in love with my Marantz PM15s2 Limited edition and now I can have 2 subs with proper DLBC without selling it, yeee. Long live the USA, miniDSP & phoenixdogfan, Americaaa, Americaaa (jim carrey shouted that in one movie) . I used Marantz SR 7008 with Audyssey XT32 it was fine but I like Dirac more than that setup, one click of a mouse and profile with more bass is already playing etc...

 

[sejarzo]

There is the miniDSP U-DIO8 which is a USB to Spdif bridge which allows two or more dacs to be set to its clock provided the dacs are connected via spidf. The DACS should be of identical make and model. Benchmark has successfully used its own units in this fashion.

Interesting. When I read the original question, I assumed that @mikematrix was seeking a simple software solution using two USB DACs and no other hardware.

The price for that miniDSP interface is now $399 versus $599 for a Topping DM7. Probably a hard sell at this point.

 

[Ricwa]

It will. I run DLBC and I do exactly that. You need to set it up a "custom channel configuration" where you choose stereo and then add two subs. Then go back to the main page of the processor and changes its label to custom. You should see four channels on the "Audio Configuration" tab. Check off the first four channels and it will send four channels. After you do that hit "Calibrate". That should take you to the measurement tool and it should show a layout of two stereo channels with two subs.

I do this in the standalone processor. It's possible to use the plugin, but that involves adding a line to an apdata file using the Windows powershell. How to do that is in the menu, and I did it successfully. Problem is, from that point on, that's the only layout recognized by Dirac, so I decided to run the 2,2 out of the standalone processor, and use a plugin to run my 5.1 home theater layout.

Someone correct me if I am wrong… but doesn’t the method of synching 2 DACs using a U-DI08 require that the U-DI08 be the clock master and the external DACs operate as slaves? Thus only DACs supporting synchronous mode (where the clock is supplied in-band from the external source) can be used, right? I have both a topping DX-7 Pro Plus and a D30 Pro. The DX-7 supports synchronous mode but the D30 doesn’t.

 

[Iceee]

I might even buy this for 2 dacs and 2.2 system:

 

[Flak]

Didn't try myself but Mac instructions for aggregating two DACs and correcting the drift between them are available here:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202000

https://support.apple.com/guide/audio-midi-setup/set-aggregate-device-settings-ams094c7edb4/mac

while this document might help for Windows:

Aggregate Audio Devices and Drivers for PC and Mac - SweetCare

In this guide, we will explainn how to use aggregate audio devices on PC and Mac. Click here to learn more and get started!

www.sweetwater.com

 

[Iceee]

Didn't try myself but Mac instructions for aggregating two DACs and correcting the drift between them are available here:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202000

https://support.apple.com/guide/audio-midi-setup/set-aggregate-device-settings-ams094c7edb4/mac

while this document might help for Windows:

Aggregate Audio Devices and Drivers for PC and Mac - SweetCare

In this guide, we will explainn how to use aggregate audio devices on PC and Mac. Click here to learn more and get started!

www.sweetwater.com

Appreciate the info

Wen new dirac spatial room correction coming out? It says spring, but can we expect it in 4. or 5. month maybe? And if we have stereo license will it be possible to upgrade to spatial

 

[Flak]

Appreciate the info

Wen new dirac spatial room correction coming out? It says spring, but can we expect it in 4. or 5. month maybe? And if we have stereo license will it be possible to upgrade to spatial

Thanks, Icee!
I expect that Active Room treatment will be released as an add-on option for both Stereo and Multichannel versions of Dirac Live but I can't say when...

 

[armigo]

What is your guys' opinion isn't $500 a bit of ridiculous price or even the 350 with initial discount. I mean just for the upgrade

 

[Zoomer]

isn't $500 a bit of ridiculous price or even the 350

We only got ourselves to blame by detailing what a royal pita manual (multi)sub integration is...

 

[abdo123]

We only got ourselves to blame by detailing what a royal pita manual (multi)sub integration is...

it's really remarkable what DLBC does. and it's only surpassed by what ART is capable of doing.

Everything else (including personal efforts) feels so bland in comparison.

 

[armigo]

it's really remarkable what DLBC does. and it's only surpassed by what ART is capable of doing.

Everything else (including personal efforts) feels so bland in comparison.

Yeah that's the problem I complain now but in the end I will probably pay for it

and it's only surpassed by what ART is capable of doing.

Lets see if we'll ever get that and if I'll have to sell a limb for that

 

[MixMonkey]

What is your guys' opinion isn't $500 a bit of ridiculous price or even the 350 with initial discount. I mean just for the upgrade

If your system is already capable of using it (multi-out DAC etc), then try the demo. For me, it was worth the money.

 

[Davide]

Can anyone tell me if in DLBC the 2.2 configuration is effectively managed as stereo, or if the two subwoofers are managed according to another logic? (Ex. mix down 0.5*L+0.5*R)

 

[mikematrix]

No stereo subwoofer. L+R > sub (1, 2 or more)

 

[caught gesture]

To confirm, this requires a multi-channel DAC?

 

[juliangst]

To confirm, this requires a multi-channel DAC?

Yes

 

[goryu]

Does it allow for correction of a 4 sub system with 2 stereo subs per channel?