Minidsp Flex Review (Audio DSP)

[Sokel]

The melted tweeters issue was reported by 1 customer only and it was fixed 2 or 3 firmware updates back. BTW, these issues reported only happens after switching from the original miniDSP Plugin (DDRC-24 or 2x4 HD) to the new miniDSP Device Console which was on BETA for the FLEX until 3 weeks ago.

I see you have some nice gear there,it's easy to measure it as is,please give it a try.

 

[enricoclaudio]

I see you have some nice gear there,it's easy to measure it as is,please give it a try.

If you point me to a good procedure on how to measure it, I can for sure do it.

 

[Sokel]

If you point me to a good procedure on how to measure it, I can for sure do it.

Sure I will.
You only need to install Multitone analyzer and connect flex's output to your best ADC input (a balanced mic input will do)
(beware,you have to have all speakers and amps disconnected during measurement)

You just choose from the drop-down list your (ASIO) output (flex) and your ASIO input (ADC).
I will edit the post in a second to post a ready-made configuration for multitone,you only choose devices as I wrote above,set Play gain (start low,something like -50db for starters to see and then proceed gradually as close to 0db you can without clipping) and you're done.

Measure 1Khz sine first for the high output and then just type 50Hz on the box (or choose it by the drop-down) to measure lows.


I posted the config,you only have to change the zip extension to .dw and load it to multitone.

 

[enricoclaudio]

I have lot of gear but a Windows PC LOL I'm a Mac guy. Multitone Analyzer is not available for macOS. The best ADC I have is the RME Fireface UCX II, though.

 

[Sokel]

I have lot of gear but a Windows PC LOL I'm a Mac guy. Multitone Analyzer is not available for macOS. The best ADC I have is the RME Fireface UCX II, though.

You could work miracles with RME.Pitty.

 

[Sokel]

I have lot of gear but a Windows PC LOL I'm a Mac guy. Multitone Analyzer is not available for macOS. The best ADC I have is the RME Fireface UCX II, though.

You could do the same with REW but I don't know it well enough to guide you,maybe some other friend here can.
Same procedure though.

 

[enricoclaudio]

Oh wait, I totally forgot about a HP Windows Laptop that I use only to access to my Extron equipment and to program with Extron like twice a year LOL.

I will set Multitone Analyzer up in that one later today or tomorrow which is my day off.

 

[enricoclaudio]

You could do the same with REW but I don't know it well enough to guide you,maybe some other friend here can.
Same procedure though.

Well, with REW would be easier as it's already installed and fully working in my desk's Mac Studio, where the FLEX and the UCX II are located so I don't need to move anything, just reroute a couple of XLR cables.

 

[Sokel]

Oh wait, I totally forgot about a HP Windows Laptop that I use only to access to my Extron equipment and to program with Extron like twice a year LOL.

View attachment 261736

I will set Multitone Analyzer up in that one later today or tomorrow which is my day off.

Super!Pm me or post anything you want to ask to The multitone thread,@pkane is always super helpful!

 

[enricoclaudio]

Super!Pm me or post anything you want to ask to The multitone thread,@pkane is always super helpful!

Here you go:

1KHz No PEQ:

1KHz PEQ ON:

50Hz No PEQ:

50Hz PEQ ON:

Here is the PEQ I'm using with my subwoofer:

For the sake of testing, here is with a 1dB GAIN, Low Shelf PEQ @ 20KHz:

0.70dB GAIN, Low Shelf PEQ @ 20KHz:

0.50dB GAIN, Low Shelf PEQ @ 20KHz:

....and 0.2dB, Low Shelf PEQ @ 20KHz:

 

[Sokel]

Here you go:

1KHz No PEQ:

View attachment 261765

1KHz PEQ ON:

View attachment 261766

50Hz No PEQ:

View attachment 261767

50Hz PEQ ON:

View attachment 261769

Here is the PEQ I'm using with my subwoofer:

View attachment 261772

For the sake of testing, here is with a 1dB GAIN, Low Shelf PEQ @ 20KHz:

View attachment 261775

0.70dB GAIN, Low Shelf PEQ @ 20KHz:

View attachment 261776

0.50dB GAIN, Low Shelf PEQ @ 20KHz:

View attachment 261777

....and 0.2dB, Low Shelf PEQ @ 20KHz:

View attachment 261778

You're king!

Edit:If you hit the "fit all data" and "Freq" above the chart the results will look better,like this:

 

[enricoclaudio]

You're king!

Edit:If you hit the "fit all data" and "Freq" above the chart the results will look better,like this:

Next time I'll do that. Looks like PEQ is putting a huge penalty in SINAD when more than 0.6dB gain is applied.

 

[MCH]

Here you go:

1KHz No PEQ:

View attachment 261765

1KHz PEQ ON:

View attachment 261766

50Hz No PEQ:

View attachment 261767

50Hz PEQ ON:

View attachment 261769

Here is the PEQ I'm using with my subwoofer:

View attachment 261772

For the sake of testing, here is with a 1dB GAIN, Low Shelf PEQ @ 20KHz:

View attachment 261775

0.70dB GAIN, Low Shelf PEQ @ 20KHz:

View attachment 261776

0.50dB GAIN, Low Shelf PEQ @ 20KHz:

View attachment 261777

....and 0.2dB, Low Shelf PEQ @ 20KHz:

View attachment 261778

Noob question: why on the most distorted measurements the even harmonics are sort of suppressed and the odd so gigantic?

 

[Sokel]

Noob question: why on the most distorted measurements the even harmonics are sort of suppressed and the odd so gigantic?

The 1db one is not distorted,is clipped,as it would naturally be.

 

[enricoclaudio]

The 1db one is not distorted,is clipped,as it would naturally be.

If was clipped, why I got the same results changing the Play Gain at -5dB?

 

[Sokel]

Next time I'll do that. Looks like PEQ is putting a huge penalty in SINAD when more than 0.6dB gain is applied.

For first measurements are impressive,in time you'll better and better,it's a great learning tool.I have set my entire rig measuring everything (except amps,I'm not that confident).
Yep,that's what I saw too and I did a lot more and more torturing ones,like multitones,IMD,etc.
Maybe that's is what they'll fix with the next firmware.

 

[enricoclaudio]

For first measurements are impressive,in time you'll better and better,it's a great learning tool.I have set my entire rig measuring everything (except amps,I'm not that confident).
Yep,that's what I saw too and I did a lot more and more torturing ones,like multitones,IMD,etc.
Maybe that's is what they'll fix with the next firmware.

It sucks that the software is not available for macOS as it would be better (for me at least) because I need no ASIO drivers, not switching out the FLEX or the UCX II and it would be ready to go in my desk setup at any time I may need to figure out how to do it with REW, though.

 

[Sokel]

If was clipped, why I got the same results changing the Play Gain at -5dB?

Doesn't matter where the Play gain is,if is passing 0db is usually clipping.
Here is an example,first one normal,second clipping (it says so also,on the low right corner):

No clip

Clip.

 

[mdsimon2]

Doesn't matter where the Play gain is,if is passing 0db is usually clipping.
Here is an example,first one normal,second clipping (it says so also,on the low right corner):


View attachment 261804

No clip


View attachment 261805

Clip.

Just so I understand what you were seeing with the Flex, are you saying that if you reduce the Flex volume such that you are no longer clipping you still saw degradation in noise and or distortion?

Michael

 

[holbob]

I'm confused too, the advice always seems to be if you apply a negative total gain of the amount of the total headroom used that stops the clipping? I allow boosts, but i'm still at -30 for most of my listening. Is it clipping?