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Guide: Computer Active XO, 2ch+ and EQ/DSP (Mac & PC systemwide)

DWPress

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FINAL EDIT 5/12/23:
For the moment Kushview Element, the app used in this guide is no longer stable for macOS11+ or perhaps it's just the Apple silicon based Macs affected. I rely on the Hang Loose Convolver app now to do channel routing in a similar way but everything after part 2 below is depreciated process.

Edits on 9/15/22 to update used apps and plugins

For the past 10+ years I've been working with my evolving system set up of 3 way speakers with active crossovers + subs. Initially, I went with an external MiniDSP 4x10 to keep things simplified and lower my learning curve. But a couple years ago my MiniDSP board fried and I was faced with the dire situation of no music in my studio space so I started experimenting with different ways of implementing a solution via software in both Windows and Mac. I've done it in both JRiver and Roon with their built in DSP abilities and, while functional, it was not exactly easy with 8 channels.

As many of you are aware, there are precious few multichannel consumer DACs out there and even fewer for Mac so looking at pro-audio solutions like Motu or Focusrite are good options but even the cheap Asus USB or PCI sound cards can be used with a PC. As mentioned, mapping out a XO can be done in JRiver or Roon but it is somewhat limiting with filter slopes and then you are tied to using those paid apps to route your playback through. Not so much a problem in Windows with JRiver and it's WMD but for Mac that's not an option. What if you need to host those convolution files from a DRC program or are so tied to the Apple ecosystem you can't give up your Apple Music subscription but want to use impulse correction or EQ? Add web browsers Tidal or Qobuz desktop apps to that list too.

Much of this was worked out in a AVNirvana thread I participated in here, a good resource for working out other details or configurations.
Disclaimer: I use my system for mostly audio. Video sync issues will depend on filter sizes, VST efficiency and other factors.

Considerations:
  1. When I stream from Youtube on my system I have no noticeable synching issues (with basic XO filters) but when I, for instance, set up another zone in Roon then I do have to play with zone delays a little.
  2. This process is still good for 2 channel listening if you want to use pro audio tools (VSTs) to do EQ for apps that otherwise lack EQ.
  3. How many channels? If you are just into stereo then a simplified version of this approach is still a good one for systemwide sound use but for Mac users a simple host for a VST/AU reverb is all you really need and Element is still a great low cost candidate.
  4. I've no idea how this could apply to multichannel 5.1 or 7.1 configurations but presumably this information should be valid for some of that use as well.
  5. Using some audio plugins (specifically X-MCFX) in Mavericks - Montery can be problematic as the new security "gatekeeper" that is part of the OS will block them from loading. Naturally, there is a way around this as plenty of professional audio creatives NEED their audio plugins to work. Check out post #34 in the AVNirvana thread for one solution using the terminal or google around a bit.
  6. If you are just looking for EQ solutions check out @Doodski's great thread here: EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.
Applications used (not all are necessarily needed):
  • To route audio from other apps: Loopback: $99, Blackhole, (free) [Mac] or Jack, (free) [Mac & Win], VAC, ($30), or VB Cable (donation) [Win & Mac]
  • Element: $2, Kushview's Element is a brilliant app that acts similarly to a mixing board in a DAW by hosting VST, VST3, AXX, AU plugins with an easily understandable GUI and seemingly limitless application use. (Win, Mac, Linux)
  • Plogue Bidule $95 Like Element but costs more. (Win, Mac)
  • Soundsource $39, [Mac] optional, simplified menubar audio controller for routing app audio and basic plugin (AU only) hosting but limited to 2 channels.
  • Hang Loose Convolver: $129, as a standalone app (but comes with the AU & VST plugins) that works with 2ch to 7.1.4 and beyond. It can also host some other audio plugins but it is not as versatile as Element.
  • rePhase: free, For creating XO filters
  • Audacity: free, or similar app for making multichannel .wav files from the XO impulse responses created in rePhase.
  • REW and a measurement microphone for testing results.
VST/AUs used:
  • Hang Loose Convolver: $129, AU & VST plugins that work with 2ch to 7.1.4 and beyond. I'm now using this instead of X-MCFX to host my XO.wav filters because its signed software for Mac and has much more versatility. $129
  • X-MCFX: multichannel .wav plugin
  • Sir3: $98 reverb convolution known for zero latency and good updates across OSs. There are 2ch free options out there like MConvoltionEZ & XvolverEssential
  • TDR Nova: great low latency parametric EQ with compressor/expander. Other free EQ options are MEqualizer, QRange, Marvel GEQ, Toned.
  • Voxengo Sound Delay: for setting individual delay for drivers/subs

A frugal user could get all this working for less than $10 :cool:

Skip ahead to step 4 if you are just looking for systemwide convolution or EQ

1) Creating a digital XO for 2 or 3 way speakers or sub integration
In rePhase it is relatively simple to create crossovers, no need for any measured file exports from REW, we're just creating frequency filters. In the "linear-phase filters" or "minimum-phase filters" (your preference but minimum phase will have less latency) tab within rePhase create your XO filters for each channel and export them as .wav files. There is an App Note on the MiniDSP site that gives insight on how these filters are created here, scroll down to "Example 2: A linear phase crossover". For 2 or 3way XO we will need to generate L&R mono .wav filters for woofer, mid, tweeter and also filters for subwoofers if you use them. In practice, your W/M/T XO will be the same for both speakers so only need to generate 3 filters + sub(s) if used.

Remember to create filters in all the sample rates you wish to use and to keep your impulse settings the same! - Bass41, Mid41, Tweet41, Sub41 - B48, M48, T48, S48 etc.

You will need to generate filters at 48000 regardless as this is what REW will need and it is the sample rate for the Umik1 as well.

This can also be done with Accurate and Audiolense.

rephasexo.png


2a) Creating the multi-ch .wav matrix in Audacity for X_MCFX
First in Audacity preferences, under export select the "Advanced Mixing Options" box. When you select the multiple mono tracks in Audacity, you choose to export all files. Choose "32bit float" option and .wav format and when it's time to export you will have a screen to create one combined multichannel .wav file.

Import your individual .wav files into Audacity (so total of 8 files for me = 8 tracks in Audacity) then export it as a .wav - the order of tracks top to bottom in Audacity will then correspond with the numbered audio channels in your OS. Don't worry if your driver order gets mixed up, it's pretty easy to sort out later in Element.

Remember again you'll need to create this file with each sample rate you want to use.

audchannels.png

2b) Creating the multi-ch CFG filter for HLC
HLC implements the standard convolver "config" file as specified HERE using the individual wav files created in rePhase rather than an 8ch.wav so you will need to create the .cfg text file manually for HLC as demonstrated in the above link. It's my understanding that Accurate and Audiolense create this file automatically. With the purchase of HLC you also receive a sample cfg file and a pdf manual which explains things quite a bit better than the Sourceforge documentation.

@mitchco's HLC is exceeding good for this purpose. You can load 6 filters (with any specified number of channels) and switch between them in real time, level matched and with zero latency. Shown below are six different 4-way XO filters loaded into HLC. The XO frequencies are noted in the file names and are quite similar in frequency settings but have different slopes, min vrs linear phase or are asymmetrical. With this tool in the signal chain I can implement a filter, measure it acoustically, switch to another filter - repeating until I have all the information I need, quickly and without any changes in the measuring environment, to proceed further with my XO design or use as is with a 2ch impulse in front of it.

HLC.jpeg

3) Applying that multichannel .wav
This is where Element comes in, alternately you could use Plogue Bidule but I find Element easier and cheaper! Element is really the backbone to this whole plan - an application that can host AU / VST / VST3 / AAX Plugins and this is how we are going to further shape our sound with reverb convolution plugins, EQ, delay and any other of the thousands of audio plugins out there. The key VST plugin we're going to use is HLC, X-MCFX also works, which will host our multichannel .wav file with x channel input and x amount of outputs depending on your needs. If you use X-MCFX when you load the multichannel .wav file in X-MCFX be sure to select "diagonal values" and you are limited to only using one filter. Do NOT try to change filters while sound is playing in X-MCFX.


Element.jpg


As you can see in the above pic, routing audio becomes pretty simple via the very visual GUI. In my system I use six channels for the 3way XO and an additional two for 2 subs being equalized. In Element the input source is Blackhole 2ch and output is (in my case) Okto DAC8 Pro. Rogue Amoeba's Loopback app works much the same as Black Hole but allows selecting which apps are routed at all times, more importantly it can route your OS system sounds away from playing on your output, its just a more refined way of directing audio but Blackhole works fine, is free and not limited to 2 channels.

4) Refining the sound - adding EQ / Convolution
In my example, the Blackhole stereo input then enters Sir3 which hosts a 2 channel L&R .wav file that was created in REW using the MMM method to smooth each speakers response up to room transition frequency. The signal then goes into a trial of Dirac I was experimenting with both of which can be switched on and off by ticking the little blue button on the plugin to compare or combine.

* Here is where you could insert your convolution file from Audiolense, Acourate or any other app that creates filters in a variety of file formats though the multi ch filters are better off hosted directly with HLC.​

I add a couple inactive volume controls on L & R channel so I can just mute the channels when channel mapping, troubleshooting or balance control, Then it goes into HLC or X-MCFX where the stereo signal is split into the 8 channels using the XO we created in step 2.

From HLC Audio then goes to a Compressor (for the subs left channel summing only, room quirk) then to Voxengo Sound Delay to set the correct delays for drivers that need it and finally to the inputs of the DAC8Pro.

All of the modules within Element can be set to active or bypass with the little blue button and there is a mute button as well which is handy for dialing in sub integration or channel mapping. So even though I have a fair number of plugins present in Element only 7 of them are active or needed. There is a handy channel strip on the bottom that also has the active/mute buttons and a volume slider for each module loaded into Element, the tab becomes highlighted when you click on any module for easy reference.

Everything you do in Element is in real time. These are pro audio VSTs we're using in a DAW workspace - the same tools that are used to mix the music you are listening to. Comparing and level matching two or more different convolution filters is instant on my system. Changing the XO in X-CFX with music playing is not advisable, HLC does it without breaking a sweat.

Below is a screenshot with some of the various plugins open to their respective windows demonstrating the ease and efficiency of the set up. BTW, there are plenty of plugins with lots of bling or meters, these can be set to display on the desktop without the rest of Element open. So yes, you can have dB meters on your screens bouncing away if that's your thing...

Element2.jpg


5) Additional thoughts
Obviously, the amount of signal processing is pretty limitless within Element with the use of audio plugins. One can implement compressors, play with mid-side channels, cross fade, pitch, distortion or anything you want and apply it to individual speakers or bandwidths quite easily with a couple button clicks. Those of you familiar with MiniDSP's GUI will be set to go in Element once you have all the plugins in place you wish to use along with many other options. It's basically an expandable modular system that gives you the complete control of DAW effects processing.

On my M1 Mac Mini running the above example of Element with audio playing through Roon taxes the CPU by about 15%

Automatic sample rate conversion is reported to work with Blackhole and the Hang Loose Convolver but maybe not necessarily with all streaming apps. Since I am a Roon user I just convert all music to one sample rate which suits my needs fine so further exploration of this issue will need to be worked out.

There are many other ways to do this, especially in Windows and quite a few for Linux but not much for Mac OS. Hopefully this will help some of you explore the possibilities of what can be done and at least provide some useful links for tools that will get you there. Looking forward to any discussion that follows this post so I can learn more from the collective wisdom of ASR and the smart folks here that have definitely helped me get this far!
 
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abdo123

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Can you please explain how you made LR filters or butterworth filters? AFAIK most equalizers only offer high/low pass and high/low shelf filters.

edit: the rePhase images just showed up to me.
 
OP
DWPress

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The XO filters are created in rePhase which gives you many many options on how to control the slope and LR, Butterworth etc.
 

HammerSandwich

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Loopback: $99, Blackhole, (free) [Mac] or Jack, (free) [Mac & Win] or VAC, (donationware) [Win & Mac] to route audio from other apps
Did you mean VB Audio Cable for Windows? The one you linked appears to require $30+ license, while VB is donation.

Also worth noting that EQ APO could handle everything post-rePhase for Windows users, but it looks a lot less friendly. Good for simpler setups or people who prefer text-only config files.

I've never used JRiver, but I understand its DSP section can handle everything as well. And I believe it can delay video for lipsync, too.
 
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DWPress

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Yes, it was VB Audio Cable I was thinking of, I'll fix that above - I wrote this from mostly a Mac perspective so the Windows links are mostly from memory and there's probably some I missed too!

Yes, EQ APO can do this but not option for Mac. Roon and JRiver can post XO but not as elegantly and with some difficulty until you get it right.

The point of this guide is for system wide use and not being dependent on a paid app to do it for you.
 
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dualazmak

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Did you mean VB Audio Cable for Windows? The one you linked appears to require $30+ license, while VB is donation.
...

**************************************************
Edit on August 14, 2023
Jus for your reference,,,
- The latest system setup of my DSP-based multichannel multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier fully active audio rig as of August 3, 2023: #774 on my project thread
- The latest "startup/ignition sequences" and "shutdown sequences" in my DSP-based multichannel multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier fully active audio rig as of August 3, 2023: #776 on my project thread
**************************************************


Just for your reference...

I am in the league of Windows PC. In my multichannel multi-driver multi-amplifier system, I use JRiver MC (or Roon) as music player feeding 192 kHz 24 bit digital stereo into software crossover EKIO via VB Audio HiFi Cable under ASIO4ALL, then the crossovered 8 channels go into OKTO DAC8PRO through its dedicated DIYINHK ASIO driver using just one USB cable. All of the digital DSP/EQ processings are in 192 kHz 24 bit.

VB-Audio Virtual Cable
VB-Audio Hi-Fi CABLE & ASIO Bridge
ASIO4ALL 2.14
EKIO
 
Last edited:
OP
DWPress

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@dualazmak - Yes, I've followed your thread and commented in the past.

This is just another way to get there, just a cross platform approach and the use of Element opens up so many possibilities.
 

Dueprocess

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For the past 10+ years I've been working with my evolving system set up of 3 way speakers with active crossovers + subs. Initially, I went with an external MiniDSP 4x10 to keep things simplified and lower my learning curve. But last summer my MiniDSP board fried and I was faced with the dire situation of no music in my studio space so I started experimenting with different ways of implementing a solution via software in both Windows and Mac. I've done it in both JRiver and Roon and, while functional, it was not exactly easy with 8 channels.

As many of you are aware, there are precious few multichannel consumer DACs out there and even fewer for Mac so looking at pro-audio solutions like Motu or Focusrite are good options but even the cheap Asus USB or PCI sound cards can be used with a PC. Mapping out a XO can be done in JRiver or Roon but it is somewhat limiting with filter slopes and then you are tied to using those paid apps to route your playback through. Not so much a problem in Windows with JRiver and it's WMD but for Mac that's not an option. What if you need to host those convolution files from a DRC program or are so tied to the Apple ecosystem you can't give up your Apple Music subscription but want to use impulse correction or EQ? Add Tidal or Qobuz desktop apps to that list too.

Much of this was worked out in a AVNirvana thread I participated in here, a good resource for working out other details or configurations.
Disclaimer: I use my system for mostly audio. Video sync issues will depend on filter sizes, VST efficiency and other factors.

Considerations:
  1. When I stream from Youtube on my system I have no noticeable synching issues but when I, for instance, set up another zone in Roon then I do have to play with zone delays a little.
  2. This process is still good for 2 channel listening if you want to use pro audio tools (VSTs) to do EQ for apps that otherwise lack EQ.
  3. How many channels? If you are just into stereo then a simplified version of this approach is still a good one for systemwide sound use but for Mac users a simple host for a VST/AU reverb is all you really need and Element is still a great low cost candidate.
  4. I've no idea how this could apply to multichannel 5.1 or 7.1 configurations but presumably this information should be valid for some of that use as well.
  5. Using VSTs in Mavericks - Big Sur can be problematic as the new security "gatekeeper" that is part of the OS will block them from loading. Naturally, there is a way around this as plenty of professional audio creatives NEED their audio plugins to work. Check out post #34 in the AVNirvana thread for one solution using the terminal or google around a bit.
  6. If you are just looking for EQ solutions check out @Doodski's great thread here: EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.
Applications used (not all are necessarily needed):
  • To route audio from other apps: Loopback: $99, Blackhole, (free) [Mac] or Jack, (free) [Mac & Win], VAC, ($30), or VB Cable (donation) [Win & Mac]
  • Element: $2, Kushview's Element is a brilliant app that acts similarly to a mixing board in a DAW by hosting VST, VST3, AXX, AU plugins with an easily understandable GUI and seemingly limitless application use.
  • Soundsource $39, [Mac] optional, simplified menubar audio controller for routing app audio and basic plugin (AU only) hosting but limited to 2 channels.
  • rePhase: free, For creating XO filter
  • Audacity (free) or similar app for making multichannel .wav files from the XO impulse responses created in rePhase.
  • REW and a measurement microphone for testing results
VST/AUs used:
  • X-MCFX: multichannel .wav plugin
  • Sir3: reverb convolution known for zero latency and good updates across OSs. There are free options out there like MConvoltionEZ & XvolverEssential
  • TDR Nova: great low latency parametric EQ with compressor/expander. Other free EQ options are MEqualizer, QRange, Marvel GEQ, Toned.
  • Voxengo Sound Delay: for setting individual delay for drivers/subs

Also, @mitchco has a new convolver for Accurate here (standalone app & VST) that looks very promising and Mitch is working on a multichannel version. $130

A frugal user could get all this working for less than $10 :cool:

Skip ahead to step 4 if you are just looking for systemwide convolution or EQ

1) Creating a digital XO for 2 or 3 way speakers or sub integration
In rePhase it is relatively simple to create crossovers, no need for any measured file exports from REW, we're just creating frequency filters. In the "linear-phase filters" or "minimum-phase filters" (your preference but minimum phase will have less latency) tab within rePhase create your XO filters for each channel and export them as .wav files. There is an App Note on the MiniDSP site that gives insight on how these filters are created here, scroll down to "Example 2: A linear phase crossover". For 2 or 3way XO we will need to generate L&R mono .wav filters for woofer, mid, tweeter and also filters for subwoofers if you use them. In practice, your W/M/T XO will be the same for both speakers so only need to generate 3 filters + sub(s) if used.

Remember to create filters in all the sample rates you wish to use and to keep your impulse settings the same!

This can also be done with Accurate and Audiolense (I think).

View attachment 131171

2) Creating the 2x8 .wav matrix (2.1, 2x4, 2x6, etc) in Audacity
First in Audacity preferences, under export select the "Advanced Mixing Options" box. When you select the multiple mono tracks in Audacity, you choose to export all files. Choose "32bit float" option and .wav format and when it's time to export you will have a screen to create one combined multichannel .wav file.

Import your individual .wav files into Audacity (so total of 8 files for me = 8 tracks in Audacity) then export it as a .wav - the order of tracks top to bottom in Audacity will then correspond with the numbered audio channels in your OS. Don't worry if your driver order gets mixed up, it's pretty easy to sort out later in Element.

Remember again you'll need to create this file with each sample rate you want to use.

View attachment 131174

3) Applying that multichannel .wav
This is where Element comes in, alternately you could use Plogue Bidule ($95 Win, Mac) but I find Element easier and cheaper! Element is really the backbone to this whole plan - an application that can host AU / VST / VST3 / AAX Plugins and this is how we are going to further shape our sound with reverb convolution plugins, EQ, delay and any other of the thousands of audio plugins out there. The key VST plugin we're going to use is X-MCFX which will host our multichannel .wav file with x channel input and x amount of outputs depending on your needs. When you load the multichannel .wav file be sure to select "diagonal values".

View attachment 130961


As you can see in the above pic, routing audio becomes pretty simple via the very visual GUI. In my system I use six channels for the 3way XO and an additional two for 2 subs being equalized. In Element the input source is defined in Loopback app and output is (in my case) Okto DAC8 Pro. "Loop" in Loopback is what I called the input for Roon, REW, Safari, Apple Music and Chrome in Rogue Amoeba's Loopback app. Works much the same as Black Hole but allows selecting which apps are routed at all times, more importantly it can route your OS system sounds away from playing on your output. Using Loopback is just a more refined way of directing audio but Blackhole works too.

4) Refining the sound - adding EQ / Convolution
In my example, the "Loop" stereo input which is where all desired output of the apps I defined in Loopback then enters the first instance of Sir3 which hosts a 2 channel L&R .wav file that was created in REW using the MMM method to smooth each speakers response up to room transition frequency. The signal then goes into the first instance of TDR Nova where I have set up steep filters for low and high pass across the entire frequency range (an experiment stemming from a recent ASR thread) but you can also do some quick and dirty bass boosting, implement a room curve or broadband tweaks here. Then on to the 2nd (optional) Sir3 instance where I use a refined MMM measurement from REW of the previous filter generated being implemented in the chain but applying the result equally to both L&R channels.

* Here is where you could insert your convolution file from Audiolense, Acourate or any other app that creates filters in a variety of file formats.​

From there it goes into X-MCFX Convolver where the stereo signal is split into the 8 channels. The SPAN and AnSpec modules off to the right are just spectrum analyzer VSTs for analysis and bling. Yes, you can put big meters on your desktop.

From X-MCFX the channels are routed to individual volume controls where driver gain is leveled for each speaker but before they get there I run them through instances of MEqualizer - not for EQ but to use it's analyzer function to verify I have the correct channel routing! This makes it pretty much fool proof that you're not sending bass frequencies to your tweeter and also helps sort out your OS channel order if you are having problems with routing. To make sure you've got the left or right channel being sent through just disconnect one of the links between your input device and the next plugin in the chain.

From the channel volume controls routing then goes to Voxengo Sound Delay to set the correct delays for drivers that need it and then to the inputs of the DAC8Pro.

All of the modules within Element can be set to active or bypass with the little blue button (to save system resources) and there is a mute button as well which is handy for dialing in sub integration or channel mapping. So even though I have a fair number of plugins present in Element only 10 of them are active or needed. There is a handy channel strip on the bottom of Element that also has the active/mute buttons and a volume slider for each module loaded into Element and the tab becomes highlighted when you click on any module for easy reference.

Everything you do in Element is in real time. These are pro audio VSTs we're using in a DAW workspace - the same tools that are used to mix the music you are listening to. Comparing and level matching two or more different convolution filters is instant on my system. Changing the XO in X-CFX with music playing will make it choke a few seconds if music is playing, which is not a good idea anyway...

5) Additional thoughts
Obviously, the amount of signal processing is pretty limitless within Element and the use of VSTs. One can implement compressors, play with mid-side channels, pitch, distortion or anything you want and apply it to individual speakers or bandwidths quite easily with a couple button clicks. Those of you familiar with MiniDSP's GUI will be set to go in Element once you have all the plugins in place you wish to use along with many other options. It's basically an expandable modular system that gives you the complete control of DAW effects processing.

On my M1 Mac Mini running the above example of Element with audio playing through Roon taxes the CPU by about 5%

Automatic sample rate conversion is reported to work with Blackhole and the Accurate convolver but maybe not necessarily with all streaming apps and currently limited to 2 channel. Since I am a Roon user I just convert all music to one sample rate which suits my needs fine so further exploration of this issue will need to be worked out. The obvious option is to just load the correct sample rate filter into X-MCFX plugin each time for different material but this is not terribly convenient if playing from a mixed playlist.

There are many other ways to do this, especially in Windows and quite a few for Linux but not much for Mac OS. Hopefully this will help some of you explore the possibilities of what can be done and at least provide some useful links for tools that will get you there. Looking forward to any discussion that follows this post so I can learn more from the collective wisdom of ASR and the smart folks here that have definitely helped me get this far!

edited for clarity and completeness​
I am trying to implement a 2.1 setup, using your instructions here and the discussion on AVNirvana, but I can't seem to get the X-MCFX VSTs to scan into Element. I continually get an error stating that they were disabled after failing to initialize. Any tips?
 
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3ll3d00d

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JRiver can post XO but not as elegantly and with some difficulty until you get it right.
IME jriver DSP studio is capable but usability is horrible for anything beyond a couple of peak filters. To workaround this, I added a filter editor to an app of mine that does all the filter design including filter types they don't support but can be created from ones they do and uses their API to update the configuration. Details in https://beqdesigner.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ui/manage_mc/ and https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,129609.0.html
 

Dueprocess

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Did you disable gatekeeper?
I've tried disabling Gatekeeper via terminal command (and verifying using "spctl --status").
I've also tried using terminal to remove the .VST/3 files from quarantine, both by individual file name and by folder ("VST/*", etc.).
Element still won't load them.

Am I missing something obvious?
I downloaded the .vst/3 files from the link in the OP, and I copied them to "Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/" (or "VST3", as appropriate).
Then I opened Element and told it to scan for plug-ins (after verifying it would scan the appropriate folder).
 
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Dueprocess

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I've tried disabling Gatekeeper via terminal command (and verifying using "spctl --status").
I've also tried using terminal to remove the .VST/3 files from quarantine, both by individual file name and by folder ("VST/*", etc.).
Element still won't load them.

Am I missing something obvious?
I downloaded the .vst/3 files from the link in the OP, and I copied them to "Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/" (or "VST3", as appropriate).
Then I opened Element and told it to scan for plug-ins (after verifying it would scan the appropriate folder).
I should note I am on MacOS Monterey (so perhaps the workarounds that were effective for Big Sur, etc. no longer work for me)?
 

bigjacko

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2) Creating the 2x8 .wav matrix (2.1, 2x4, 2x6, etc) in Audacity
Can I ak what is the purpose of doing this? Is it for duplicating channels? I thought duplicating channels need other ways, why this way works?
 
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Sorry for not responding to this thread. I was away from ASR for a bit finishing a project and my mail client didn't notify me of responses or posts from the forum.

@Dueprocess - I disabled Gatekeeper via the instructions in the AVNirvana thread but that was within the Big Sur OS, I haven't upgraded to Montery yet so I'm not sure if that work-around has been disabled by Apple or if there's another way to do it now. I'd check some pro audio sites for a solution as those people need access to their pluggins in their DAWs.

@bigjacko - The Audacity step creates the multichannel .wav file needed by X-MCFX Convolver. This .wav file defines the crossover filters assigned to each channel so your tweeters don't play full frequency for example. You can also do individual speaker channel correction here with a lot more work.

My Okto got fried in a power surge a couple weeks ago so I'm back to using my old miniDSP 4x10 and merely hosting 2 stereo convolution filters within SoundSource and 2 instances of the Sir3 pluggin. Not nearly as elegant of a solution + an extra box back in the signal chain but at least my active XO speakers are functional and I've got music again.
 

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My Okto got fried in a power surge a couple weeks ago so I'm back to using my old miniDSP 4x10 and merely hosting 2 stereo convolution filters within SoundSource and 2 instances of the Sir3 pluggin. Not nearly as elegant of a solution + an extra box back in the signal chain but at least my active XO speakers are functional and I've got music again.
OMG.... can you get it fixed?
The Audacity step creates the multichannel .wav file needed by X-MCFX Convolver. This .wav file defines the crossover filters assigned to each channel so your tweeters don't play full frequency for example. You can also do individual speaker channel correction here with a lot more work.
I am using equalizer apo to do multi channel mapping and eq. Why do you use convolver way? Is there advantage to use convolver?
 
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OMG.... can you get it fixed?
I am using equalizer apo to do multi channel mapping and eq. Why do you use convolver way? Is there advantage to use convolver?

I have sent emails to Okto, so far no replies.

Convolver way has many advantages - you use impulse response to correct drivers, speakers and room as opposed to IIR. It's been a long time since I used Equalizer APO but it seemed comparable to using the tools within Roon or JRiver for Windows systemwide use. Also, I'm on a Mac primarily so the tools I laid out above in post 1 allows you to do all this within OSX.
 
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Since I put up this post the developer of Element has gone through quite a few revisions of the app and it is now available for Linux as well! All is still very stable and the incremental improvements are most welcome.
 

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I'm not at all a computer person. However, I've muddled through learning how to use REW, but as a MacOS user, I'm trying to find an easy way to import L and R speaker REW EQ files into my computer for EQ application. I use SoundSource (started with headphones where AUNBandEQ works well). However, for my desktop speakers I'm wanting to separately EQ my L and R speakers. AUNBandEQ doesn't do this. I've found TB Equalizer 4 that appears to do the job, but I have to manually enter PEQ files. This isn't a huge problem, and that plugin may work (it'll cost me $30, but it has 16 EQ settings). Then I read about MConvolutionEQ. I hear it can directly load REW EQ .wav files. I learned how to export the EQ file in REW as .wav. I can see the plugin within SoundSource, but apparently with the demo version I cannot import (load) the REW .wav file. So, before I spend $50 for the plugin, can I load REW EQ .wav files into MConvolutionEQ? If so, does MConvolutionEQ have a limited number of filter settings, or types of filters available? And is there a better convolution plugin than MConvolutionEQ for the Mac?

Also, is there any EQ difference between using PEQ filters and the .wav convolution file for speaker EQ - end result? Is one better than the other?
 
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Soundsource will only work with AU plugins but there a few PEQ and impulse based ones that work great. There are probably more out there but these are ones I use and know will work within Soundsource.

Known good PEQ for Mac M1: IIR
QRange
MEqualizer
TDR Nova

Impulse based for Mac: FIR
Sir3
LAConvolver

To get EQ going on separate L&R channels (or more) you'll either need to use something like Element to separate them or create 2ch LR impulse filters from REW and use the FIR method. There is much information out there regarding the differences between these two methods of EQ - far more than I will even attempt in this.

IIR is more like the old graphic equalizer days but more accurate as you're designating a specific frequency, it's amplitude as well as it's "Q" which is how many octaves the filter is affecting/steepness of slope. These are the filters REW generates for you with the AutoEQ. MiniDSP uses this sort of filter for most of their products that don't license DIRAC.

FIR filters can be as simple as using the same IIR information to create an impulse response but can also include phase information. If your AutoEQ in REW is generating 6+ correction filters it's often easier to create FIR as many of the PEQ plugins are limited to a set number of filters. This in addition to being able to to LR separately and then creating a stereo .wav file. This is the sort of filter that DIRAC and many other DRC software companies use.

REW can make both kinds of filters.

@mitchco's convolver looks to be one of the better ones available out there to host the filters if you like being able to compare and ABX things.

Hope this helps.
 

wacomme

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Soundsource will only work with AU plugins but there a few PEQ and impulse based ones that work great. There are probably more out there but these are ones I use and know will work within Soundsource.

Known good PEQ for Mac M1: IIR
QRange
MEqualizer
TDR Nova

Impulse based for Mac: FIR
Sir3
LAConvolver

To get EQ going on separate L&R channels (or more) you'll either need to use something like Element to separate them or create 2ch LR impulse filters from REW and use the FIR method. There is much information out there regarding the differences between these two methods of EQ - far more than I will even attempt in this.

IIR is more like the old graphic equalizer days but more accurate as you're designating a specific frequency, it's amplitude as well as it's "Q" which is how many octaves the filter is affecting/steepness of slope. These are the filters REW generates for you with the AutoEQ. MiniDSP uses this sort of filter for most of their products that don't license DIRAC.

FIR filters can be as simple as using the same IIR information to create an impulse response but can also include phase information. If your AutoEQ in REW is generating 6+ correction filters it's often easier to create FIR as many of the PEQ plugins are limited to a set number of filters. This in addition to being able to to LR separately and then creating a stereo .wav file. This is the sort of filter that DIRAC and many other DRC software companies use.

REW can make both kinds of filters.

@mitchco's convolver looks to be one of the better ones available out there to host the filters if you like being able to compare and ABX things.

Hope this helps.
Wow! Thank you. This is a lot to take in - lots of new terminology. Unless REW generates only a few correction filters (could be as I bought some used Adam T5V speakers that will hopefully replace my Audioengine A2's if the Adams' aren't too big for my small desk), it seems that FIR is the better route to go than IIR. I tried LAConvolver last night but my M1 Macbook Air immediately rejected the plugin as malware; I had no choice but to delete it. Sir3 looks nice, but it's also over $100. Can I use these plugins with SoundSource (not sure what AU plugin means), or alone, or do I need a separate convolver - mitchco? I don't understand. What's ABX? I can readily create separate L/R impulse filters from REW. It's in my plans with static measurements once I move beyond the MMM stereo measurement protocol (quick and a way to start).
 
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