Minidsp Flex Review (Audio DSP)

[alvigg]

In the control software, you can rename presets, but I don't seem to get that on the front panel display. Is there a way? I would like it to be easy on my wife!

 

[RosalieTheDog]

In the control software, you can rename presets, but I don't seem to get that on the front panel display. Is there a way? I would like it to be easy on my wife!

No. To be fair, my partner doesn't hear the difference and could care less.

 

[Mort]

In the control software, you can rename presets, but I don't seem to get that on the front panel display. Is there a way?

No unfortunately.

 

[alvigg]

Thanks. One other new to MiniDSP question. With Dirac Live, I can have 4 saved settings. Does setting 1 go into preset 1, 2 into 2 etc? In not, how do you switch?

Thanks to all for your help. So far so good.

 

[Mort]

With Dirac Live, I can have 4 saved settings. Does setting 1 go into preset 1, 2 into 2 etc?

Yes you are saving the 4 Diraclive settings directly onto each of the 4 presets in the console.

 

[Miniyouuuu]

You have 4 sets. But you could have 8 sets due to Dirac Live on/off combination.

When you configure Dirac Live the MiniDSP assumes the manual configuration you set on the DSP console.

You could make a manual configuration of any set using REW analysis, before or after a DL configuration.

DL has some tricks that make it easier to configure DSP. But “automated” DL process don’t get the better results (to my liking).

I’ve tried all these alternatives (stereo only):
1/ REW analisys with 1 position and 1 Left+Right measurement and EQ. Then you introduce REW EQ result in both channels.
2/ REW analysis with 1 position but 2 independent measures and EQs of both channels. The you introduce each channel results on MiniDSP console.
3/ same as 2/ but many positions of measurements and average of those results with main position priority.
4/ Dirac Live process with many positions measured and automated target curve.
5/ DL with manual target curve
6/ combination of 2/ and later 5/
7/ combination of 5/ and later 2/

And these are my conclusions:
2/ is better and more accurate than 1/
3/ is way more tedious but closer to the automated DL process (average of many positions measured).
4/ the worst results to my ears. DL forces your speakers to achieve a Target that modifies the character of the speaker and seem to sound unnatural and crisp.
5/ you should adapt the ideal target curve to the result you get, avoiding any +3dB or Q>12 to the measured result.
6/ when you set a target curve in REW try the same advice of avoiding any +3dB and implement this EQ to one miniDSP set. Then use this base for DL measurements. So you’ll have the chance to turn on/off DL depending on the situation. To my liking DL on for TV and home cinema, and DL off for music.
7/ I prefer 6/ for the chance you get of DL on/off but you should always confirm 5/ with some later REW measurements. If you see something strange fix it on REW EQ.

For multichannel (2.1, 2.2, 3.1…) configurations MiniDSP flex has many limitations at least in Dirac Live. Flex DL licenses does not recognize anything but a 2 channel configuration. AVRs DL license help you set the delay of any component independently, but Flex DL license requires you to set subwoofer delay or level is before DL measurement.

 

[alvigg]

Thanks for taking the time to give such a detailed reply. It certainly helps me know what is possible.

 

[Mort]

MiniDSP announcing that Flex HTx/HT will be getting input PEQ soon. Beta testers are being sought.

 

[Endibol]

Bluetac or similar.
Velcro.
Strong two sided tape. (I use some that is so strong it is unbelievable)

But yah, this is an issue.

It’s small, but pretty heavy. Stays in place with multiple cables attached.

 

[starfly]

I have a self-built music streamer, using a RaspberryPi and PecanPi DAC with balanced outs. This goes to my self-built Purifi amp to my Revel F206 speakers. The streamer runs Volumio, and through convolution filters created in REW with a UMIK-1 I was able to achieve good room correction.

I now have 2 subwoofers that I use with my Denon AVR. Haven't really used the streamer ever since I got the subs, as I currently have no way to drive the subs from the streamer.

I'm wondering if adding the Flex could solve this. Question though is, should I then do room correction through REW and create new convolution filters to be used in Volumio, which then outputs the signal to the Flex that would essentially just act as a crossover to split audio to speakers and subs? Or should I do the room correction in the Flex using REW, and not at the streamer level? Or, should I get the Dirac Live license and just do that, given that I'm using 2 subs?

And then as far as connecting the streamer to the Flex, use analog out from the streamer? Or connect digitally with USB to the Flex and bypass the PecanPi DAC in the streamer?

 

[gilency]

My balanced Flex is up and running, I have used REW and DL with better results with REW!
One annoying quirk is when I change from Flex to Flex DL my MAC Book Pro M1 won’t output music and even Apple Music behaves strangely, sputtering and going through all the songs in a playlist on the screen. I have to restart the Mac every time I switch. Then still get the occasional Flex not recognized message. The software is not truly stable IMHO.

 

[gilency]

If you have the Flex with DL can you buy Bass control and integrate it with the DL within the MiniDSP console? If not, can you integrate miniDSP DL with the computer bass control plug in?

 

[Mort]

If you have the Flex with DL can you buy Bass control and integrate it with the DL within the MiniDSP console? If not, can you integrate miniDSP DL with the computer bass control plug in?

No. Minidsp doesn't integrate with bass control at all.

 

[gilency]

Can you still use separately within your PC ?
I guess you would have to use it after DL then?

 

[Mort]

Can you still use separately within your PC ?
I guess you would have to use it after DL then?

Yes but there is less point to having a MiniDsp unit then. Any multichannel DAC should work.

 

[Miniyouuuu]

Main issue with miniDSP flex DL license is the lack of bass control. On a 2.2 layout Dirac detects just 2 channels. Dirac won’t help you to set delay or crossover set for the subs. You have to set them manually on REW or MSO and latter.

 

[gilency]

I switched to windows pc and the flex does not show in the console. It does not show in the sound manager either. I downloaded the USB drivers too. Any ideas?
Never mind. fixed. Re installed everything, different cable. And ordered an active cable like suggested before.

 

[gilency]

I have not been able to find an answer to this. I have the balanced flex with Dirac live but want to purchase direct bass control. Can Dirac bass control be used separately on a Mac if Dirac live is running in the Flex? I am not sure if bass control is a stand alone or if it requires the PC based Dirac live app.
Also, do I need a host to run it? Which host is the cheapest on a Mac?

 

[Mort]

I have not been able to find an answer to this. I have the balanced flex with Dirac live but want to purchase direct bass control. Can Dirac bass control be used separately on a Mac if Dirac live is running in the Flex? I am not sure if bass control is a stand alone or if it requires the PC based Dirac live app.
Also, do I need a host to run it? Which host is the cheapest on a Mac?

You do not want to use Diraclive on the Flex if you want to use DLBC on the mac. The flex will operate as a multi channel DAC but all the processing will be on the PC with DLBC.

 

[gilency]

Which means the license purchased with the flex is then not useful if you want to do this?