My Kingdom For A Remote Volume Knob! can this be made?

[mglobe]

So today I finally cracked the code, and now have my Xencelabs Quick Keys controlling my MiniDSP Flex via the minidsp-rs application https://minidsp-rs.pages.dev/. I use a Mac Mini as a Roon server, and it’s connected via USB to the Flex. I’ve been using computers since the days of punch cards, but I’m hardly a power user. More like an underpowered hacker. There’s likely other ways of doing it, but in my configuration the keystrokes generated by the Quick Keys passes through the Better Touch Tool (BTT) which sends minidsp-rs commands to the Flex. Response is super quick. I’ve set it up so far to select input to the flex, toggle mute, and most importantly control gain with the knob on the Quick Keys. Remains to be seen how stable this will be, but so far so good. BTT turned out to be the secret sauce to make it work the way I wanted it to.

 

[Tell]

So today I finally cracked the code, and now have my Xencelabs Quick Keys controlling my MiniDSP Flex via the minidsp-rs application https://minidsp-rs.pages.dev/. I use a Mac Mini as a Roon server, and it’s connected via USB to the Flex. I’ve been using computers since the days of punch cards, but I’m hardly a power user. More like an underpowered hacker. There’s likely other ways of doing it, but in my configuration the keystrokes generated by the Quick Keys passes through the Better Touch Tool (BTT) which sends minidsp-rs commands to the Flex. Response is super quick. I’ve set it up so far to select input to the flex, toggle mute, and most importantly control gain with the knob on the dial. Remains to be seen how stable this will be, but so far so good. BTT turned out to be the secret sauce to make it work the way I wanted it to.

I had no idea something like this existed! I'm not super into these kinds of things but still definitely have a look at what I can do with it, thanks for the link!

 

[5onderling]

So today I finally cracked the code, and now have my Xencelabs Quick Keys controlling my MiniDSP Flex via the minidsp-rs application https://minidsp-rs.pages.dev/. I use a Mac Mini as a Roon server, and it’s connected via USB to the Flex. I’ve been using computers since the days of punch cards, but I’m hardly a power user. More like an underpowered hacker. There’s likely other ways of doing it, but in my configuration the keystrokes generated by the Quick Keys passes through the Better Touch Tool (BTT) which sends minidsp-rs commands to the Flex. Response is super quick. I’ve set it up so far to select input to the flex, toggle mute, and most importantly control gain with the knob on the dial. Remains to be seen how stable this will be, but so far so good. BTT turned out to be the secret sauce to make it work the way I wanted it to.

This seems very interesting. I just wondered if I can do something similar with my BlueSound Node. BluOS does expose APIs for setting volume and much more so that should be no big problem. It seems I need to know the IP address of my device for that though and it seems to be the same for me with MiniDSP. Have you configured your device to use a static IP or are you somehow able to find the IP automatically? I mean the BlueOS App also can control the device without me inputting the IP so they are also able to do that. I don't know too much about network stuff.

 

[mglobe]

This seems very interesting. I just wondered if I can do something similar with my BlueSound Node. BluOS does expose APIs for setting volume and much more so that should be no big problem. It seems I need to know the IP address of my device for that though and it seems to be the same for me with MiniDSP. Have you configured your device to use a static IP or are you somehow able to find the IP automatically? I mean the BlueOS App also can control the device without me inputting the IP so they are also able to do that. I don't know too much about network stuff.

Because my Flex is directly connected to the computer hosting the MiniDSP-rs control software I can send instructions to the Flex without worrying about the the IP address. However, I know from fiddling with the minidsp-rs daemon that it is possible to specify an IP. Default port is 5380 for MiniDSP. It’s probably configurable but I’ve not looked into that. Can’t speak to the node. Minidsp-rs includes a daemon and also a command line interface. I couldn’t figure out how to do incremental volume changes with the daemon, but the command line can do it. I used BTT to send command line instructions, and to interface between the keystrokes that the Quick Keys sends. Hopefully I’m explaining the accurately. There was a fair amount of trial and error in addition to eventually reading the manual after everything else failed.

 

[egellings]

When all else fails, read the pustructions.

 

[DrCWO]

You also can use rooMax.
It works out of the box with Roon for all Playback devices.

But it is:
1. Commercial
2. You need a Raspberry Pi

Best DrCWO

 

[mglobe]

You also can use rooMax.
It works out of the box with Roon for all Playback devices.

But it is:
1. Commercial
2. You need a Raspberry Pi

Best DrCWO

RooMax is a great solution. I have it and if my Flex was Roon Ready, it would be ideal. However, I want to be able to control volume when I’m using other sources also (turntable, CD, Apple Music,…).

 

[DrCWO]

I want to be able to control volume when I’m using other sources also (turntable, CD, Apple Music,…).

I understand
If you use DSPs from Roon maybe rooPlay will become your friend too
Using this you can control volume of all sources by Roon and also use Roon DSP for all of them.

 

[etischer]

here's my stab at a remote control volume knob. It works amazing, super fast and responsive, better than the actual knob on the DAC. Im using a CNC jog wheel encoder for the volume knob. It works using Arduino-to-Arduino wifi (ESP-Now), no router connection required, and low latency.

 

[MCH]

Seems that minidsp enters the game, looks good, but can't get why so expensive for what it is + taking into account that it aims at customers that already have a minidsp device

KD-1

miniDSP is excited to introduce the KD-1 (short for Kontrol Dial 1), its inaugural “smart” remote control device. The KD-1 is designed to manage a variety of miniDSP products via low-energy Bluetooth (BLE) or Wi-Fi. At launch, the KD-1 is compatible with the Flex (2-input 4-output version) and...

www.minidsp.com

 

[rirelien]

Seems that minidsp enters the game, looks good, but can't get why so expensive for what it is + taking into account that it aims at customers that already have a minidsp device

It looks interesting... the combination of features is not quite right for me, leaving aside the price for a moment.

- It needs to be powered over USB, even though it supports BLE for the control side. Battery would be preferred for me, recharge over USB.

- It doesn't support my Flex HT, which doesn't have Bluetooth; even the products that are supported were designed for the Bluetooth to be used for audio, not control, so wondering how well this will work?

But compared to the wired remote controls for eg Kii active speakers, this is very cheap

Actually, I have a dream for how this should work: I want the faceplate including display and control knob on my MiniDSP Flex HT to be removable, magnetically attached, and with pogo pins for charging and data when mounted on the base unit. But I can remove it and leave it on the table, with working display etc, when necessary. Not fully thought through!

 

[Reddoc]

(Someone has already mentioned the new min-DSP version)

 

[Soniclife]

It needs to be powered over USB, even though it supports BLE for the control side. Battery would be preferred for me, recharge over USB.

They were doing so well before that misstep.

 

[Keith_W]

- It needs to be powered over USB, even though it supports BLE for the control side. Battery would be preferred for me, recharge over USB.

That's so stupid!!!

 

[mglobe]

That's so stupid!!!

Could it be charging by USB?

 

[Keith_W]

Could it be charging by USB?

It specifically says "powered by USB". Let's hope that there is time for them to include a battery in it. Because a remote control which needs to be wired is as useful as a Tesla without batteries. You can only drive as far as your extension cord allows

 

[Soniclife]

It specifically says "powered by USB". Let's hope that there is time for them to include a battery in it. Because a remote control which needs to be wired is as useful as a Tesla without batteries. You can only drive as far as your extension cord allows

You could use a battery pack, but it's clunky and annoying, for something that's not optional in remote controls. It's called a remote for a reason.

 

[Count Arthur]

It specifically says "powered by USB". Let's hope that there is time for them to include a battery in it. Because a remote control which needs to be wired is as useful as a Tesla without batteries. You can only drive as far as your extension cord allows

Maybe it's self charging, the way Tesla's are self driving.

 

[rirelien]

They were doing so well before that misstep.

I caveated this as "for me" -- I would prefer autonomy. But it's not unprecedented to have wired remotes, outside of home use; and I mentioned that the high-end Kii 3's have a wired remote AFAIK.

I continue to dream.

 

[Soniclife]

the high-end Kii 3's have a wired remote AFAIK.

The Kii controller is much more than a remote, you can plug sources into it, so it's not a remote in the traditional sense, and being wired makes sense. It's a remote, but it can also be controlled by another remote control, it has an IR receiver.