Mac instead of minidsp?

[Harris48]

The minidsp I got a had screw loose and quit working the second day I got it. Dealing with the vendor right now. Hopefully they dont make it difficult to exchange since they sent me an out of the defective unit…we will see.

Anyways it got me thinking if they are going to jerk me around for weeks and want to “fix” it. I was thinking would my Mac mini do the same thing. It’s the intel i7, 32gb ram, egpu 8gb so a beast of a machine that’s is already in my electronics closet by my AVR. Do I even need a mini dsp??

I have 2 subs and a Denon 3700 so 2 sub outs.

 

[Doodski]

I don't know about most of the stuff at these webpages as I am just the compiler of the information but maybe there is something here.

Crossover Software for Windows, Linux, macOS.

Any suggestions are welcome. Post suggestions here. I will gather the details and add them. Thanks. :D This will be organized as results come in. For EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android go here. Good reference literature on crossovers: Phase, Time and Distortion in...

www.audiosciencereview.com

EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.

Any suggestions are welcome. Post suggestions here. I will gather the details and add them. Thanks. :D This will be organized as results come in. @sweetchaos made a guide for PEQ filter data input and operation. For crossover software go here. Windows: AutoEQ four easy steps to make your...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Doodski]

SoundSource - A Superior Sound Control

Access your Mac's audio devices, control per-app audio, and much more, all from the menu bar.

rogueamoeba.com

 

[oldtexasdog]

The Mini-dsp is outstanding for integrating subs into a system. I went from that to a DriveRack PA2 however and never looked back.

 

[Keith_W]

Yes, your Mac Mini can replace your MiniDSP. You will need the following hardware / software:

- Microphone, either USB or Phantom Power variety (if you choose Phantom Power, you will need a sound card) + cables and microphone stand (optional)
- DAC with enough channels for your requirements
- Software for measurement and producing sine wave sweeps
- Software for generating crossovers

As with all things audio, things can be as inexpensive or as costly as you like.

 

[617]

wait for the minidsp. It is designed for one thing and it does that thing very well.

 

[Harris48]

Thanks all.

@Keith_W do I need a DAC if my AVR has enough sub channels or is making both subs run off one sub out key

I have REW and a umik2

 

[Keith_W]

Thanks all.

@Keith_W do I need a DAC if my AVR has enough sub channels or is making both subs run off one sub out key

I have REW and a umik2

I don't know. AVR's usually apply their own DSP and might not function as a straight out multichannel DAC / preamp. I don't like AVR's for precisely this reason - they have this philosophy that the manufacturer knows best, they will "make your life easy", and end up overcomplicating things in such a way that you have no idea what it is doing to your sound with no easy way to make it behave the way you want it to. Kind of the same reason why I avoid any manufacturer that thinks that they know better than you ... like Apple or Roon.

 

[HarmonicTHD]

The minidsp I got a had screw loose and quit working the second day I got it. Dealing with the vendor right now. Hopefully they dont make it difficult to exchange since they sent me an out of the defective unit…we will see.

Anyways it got me thinking if they are going to jerk me around for weeks and want to “fix” it. I was thinking would my Mac mini do the same thing. It’s the intel i7, 32gb ram, egpu 8gb so a beast of a machine that’s is already in my electronics closet by my AVR. Do I even need a mini dsp??

I have 2 subs and a Denon 3700 so 2 sub outs.

Why not just use your Denon? Then there is no need for a separate DAC and built in Audyssey is good for most cases and as you have REW/UMIK you can still confirm what Audyssey does and tweak it manually if necessary at all with either the 20USD app or the 200USD Software.

 

[Harris48]

@HarmonicTHD I’m all for it! So would I be able to test delay, invert, and load modified curves. My bad if these are dumb questions. Trying to figure this all out.

 

[HarmonicTHD]

@HarmonicTHD I’m all for it! So would I be able to test delay, invert, and load modified curves. My bad if these are dumb questions. Trying to figure this all out.

Yes. The 200USD SW also lets you save versions of your curves and data on the PC and import filters from REW if you want that (I don’t use it though). Best have a peek into the manual. The 20USD iOS app is a bit tedious when it comes to curve editing. The delay you dial in via the distance. Both are not as powerful for Multi Subs but with REW you can do it although it is a bit tedious and requires some knowledge.