miniDSP Home Theater Series User manual

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 2
Revision history
Revision
Description
Date
1.0
Initial public release
4 December 2014
1.1
Custom configuration, AVR configuration, smartphone app,
channel mode
19 May 2015
1.2
Updated firmware update procedure
20 May 2015
1.3
Updated for Mac version of software
11 July 2015
1.4
Updated Output & Levels tab
16 July 2015
1.5
Update for Dirac license removal
10 Sept 2015
1.6
Simplified activation procedure
17 October 2016
1.7
Updated installation procedure
20 October 2016
1.8
Added information about channel mode during calibration
12 December 2016

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Important Information .............................................................................................................................................. 5
System Requirements............................................................................................................................................ 5
Disclaimer/Warning............................................................................................................................................... 5
Warranty Terms..................................................................................................................................................... 5
FCC Class B Statement ........................................................................................................................................... 6
CE Mark Statement................................................................................................................................................ 6
What’s Included..................................................................................................................................................... 6
A Note on this Manual........................................................................................................................................... 6
1 Product Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 7
1.1 Typical system configuration..................................................................................................................... 7
1.2 How Dirac Live® works .............................................................................................................................. 8
1.3 Configuration overview ........................................................................................................................... 10
2 Hardware Connectivity ..................................................................................................................................... 11
2.1 HDMI input and output ........................................................................................................................... 11
2.2 Ethernet................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.3 DC Power ................................................................................................................................................. 12
2.4 USB .......................................................................................................................................................... 12
3 Software Installation......................................................................................................................................... 13
3.1 A note on Dirac Live license activation.................................................................................................... 13
3.2 Installation ― Windows .......................................................................................................................... 14
3.2.1 Possible Windows installation issues .............................................................................................. 14
3.2.2 nanoAVR DL Utility installation........................................................................................................ 14
3.2.3 Dirac Live Calibration Tools (DLCT) installation............................................................................... 14
3.3 Installation ― Mac OS X .......................................................................................................................... 15
3.3.1 Possible Mac installation issues....................................................................................................... 15
3.3.2 nanoAVR DL Utility installation........................................................................................................ 15
3.3.3 Dirac Live Calibration Tools (DLCT) installation............................................................................... 15
3.4 nanoAVR HD to nanoAVR DL upgrade..................................................................................................... 16
4 Acoustic Measurement..................................................................................................................................... 17
4.1 Loudspeaker and microphone positioning.............................................................................................. 17
4.2 Connections for acoustic measurement.................................................................................................. 18
4.3 A/V Receiver configuration...................................................................................................................... 19
4.3.1 Speaker distance (delay).................................................................................................................. 19
4.3.2 Level trims ....................................................................................................................................... 19
4.3.3 Bass management ........................................................................................................................... 19
4.3.4 Room correction.............................................................................................................................. 19
4.3.5 Channel count/down-mixing ........................................................................................................... 19
4.3.6 Other processing ............................................................................................................................. 19
4.4 Configuring for measurement ................................................................................................................. 20
4.4.1 Sound System tab ............................................................................................................................ 21
4.4.2 Mic Config tab.................................................................................................................................. 22

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4.4.3 Output & Levels tab......................................................................................................................... 23
4.4.4 Custom System configuration ......................................................................................................... 24
4.5 Running the measurements .................................................................................................................... 25
4.5.1 Listening environment..................................................................................................................... 26
4.5.2 Executing a measurement ............................................................................................................... 27
4.5.3 Completing the measurements ....................................................................................................... 28
4.5.4 Viewing and redoing measurements............................................................................................... 28
4.6 Saving and loading projects..................................................................................................................... 28
5 Filter Design ...................................................................................................................................................... 29
5.1 Linking and unlinking channels................................................................................................................ 30
5.2 Zooming in and out.................................................................................................................................. 31
5.3 Designing your target curve .................................................................................................................... 32
5.3.1 The Auto Target ............................................................................................................................... 32
5.3.2 Editing the target curve ................................................................................................................... 32
5.3.3 Changing the frequency range for correction ................................................................................. 32
5.3.4 Guidelines for target curve design .................................................................................................. 33
5.3.5 Saving and loading target curves..................................................................................................... 34
5.4 Generating correction filters ................................................................................................................... 35
5.5 Downloading and managing filter sets.................................................................................................... 36
6 Using the nanoAVR DL Processor...................................................................................................................... 37
6.1 Status indicators ...................................................................................................................................... 37
6.2 Front panel controls ................................................................................................................................ 37
6.3 Infrared remote control........................................................................................................................... 38
6.4 Smartphone control app.......................................................................................................................... 39
7 Additional Information...................................................................................................................................... 40
7.1 The NanoAVR DL Utility program ............................................................................................................ 40
7.2 Channel mode.......................................................................................................................................... 41
7.3 Specifications........................................................................................................................................... 42
7.4 Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................... 43
7.5 MCU Firmware update ............................................................................................................................ 45
7.5.1 Windows.......................................................................................................................................... 45
7.5.2 Mac OS X.......................................................................................................................................... 47
7.6 Obtaining Support ................................................................................................................................... 49

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 5
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read the following information before use. In case of any questions, please contact miniDSP via the
support portal at minidsp.desk.com.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
To configure your nanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor, you will require a Windows or Apple Mac computer with
the following minimum specification:
Windows
Intel Pentium III or later, AMD Athlon XP or later
2 Gigabytes (GB) of RAM or higher
Keyboard and mouse or compatible pointing device
Microsoft• ® Windows® Vista® SP1/Win7/Win8/Win10
Two free USB 2.0 ports
Mac OS X
Intel-based Mac with 1 GHz or higher processor clock speed
2 Gigabytes (GB) of RAM or higher
Keyboard and mouse or compatible pointing device
OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) to macOS 10.12 (Sierra)
Two free USB 2.0 ports
DISCLAIMER/WARNING
miniDSP cannot be held responsible for any damage that may result from the improper use or incorrect
configuration of this product. Please read this manual carefully to ensure that you fully understand how to
operate and use this product, as incorrect use or use beyond the parameters and ways recommended in this
manual have the potential to cause damage to your audio system.
Please also note that many of the questions we receive at the technical support department are already
answered in this User Manual and in the online application notes on the miniDSP.com website. So please take
the time to carefully read this user manual and the online technical documentation. And if an issue arises with
your unit, please read through the Troubleshooting section first. Thank you for your understanding!
WARRANTY TERMS
miniDSP Ltd warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year
from the invoice date. Our warranty does not cover failure of the product due to incorrect connection or
installation, improper or undocumented use, unauthorized servicing, modification or alteration of the unit in any
way, or any usage outside of that recommended in this manual. If in doubt, contact miniDSP prior to use.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 6
FCC CLASS BSTATEMENT
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
This device may not cause harmful interference.
This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Warning: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio
or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to
try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Notice: Shielded interface cable must be used in order to comply with emission limits.
Notice: Changes or modification not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
CE MARK STATEMENT
The nanoAVR DL has passed the test performed according to European Standard EN 55022 Class B.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
One nanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor
One universal 5 VDC power supply with interchangeable power pins
One USB cable for computer connectivity (1.5m)
One flat HDMI v1.4 cable (1.5m)
One full license for Dirac Live Calibration Tool for miniDSP
Note: your nanoAVR DL purchase does not include the required UMIK-1 USB measurement microphone. Please
add a UMIK-1 to your order if you do not already have one.
ANOTE ON THIS MANUAL
This User Manual is designed for reading in both print and on the computer. If printing the manual, please print
double-sided. The embedded page size is 8 ½” x 11”. Printing on A4 paper will result in a slightly reduced size.
For reading on the computer, we have included hyperlinked cross-references throughout the manual. In
addition, a table of contents is embedded in the PDF file. Use the View menu (Preview on Mac) or the
bookmarks sidebar (Adobe reader on Mac and Windows) to view this table of contents.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 7
1PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Thank you for purchasing a nanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor powered by Dirac Live®, the world’s premier
room correction solution. We are delighted to offer you this software and hardware combination, the fruit of
extensive research and development and years of experience in sound system tuning.
The nanoAVR DL is a digital audio signal processor (DSP) running the Dirac Live® room correction algorithm. The
onboard floating-point SHARC processor provides time and frequency correction of eight HDMI (v1.4a) audio
channels received in linear PCM (LPCM) format. Two HDMI sources can be connected, and selected from the
front panel, by an infrared remote control (not included), or a smartphone control app. Video from the selected
input is switched directly to the output with no processing applied to the video signal.
Typically deployed in 5.1 or 7.1 home theater systems, the nanoAVR DL processor will:
Improve imaging and immersion
Improve clarity of music and dialog
Produce a tighter bass
Reduce listening fatigue
Remove resonances and room modes
Reduce early reflections
1.1 TYPICAL SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
In its most typical application, the nanoAVR DL connects between an HDMI source such as a Blu-ray player and
an A/V receiver. The nanoAVR DL implements the world-leading Dirac Live® room correction algorithm on all
audio channels, while passing video through from the selected HDMI input to the HDMI output. The second
HDMI input allows connection of another device such as a computer/HTPC or media streamer.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 8
Computer connectivity is used to perform acoustic measurements and generate digital room correction filters
for Dirac Live®. Up to four sets of correction filters can be stored on the NanoAVR DL processor and recalled
from the front panel, via an infrared remote, or with the miniDSP smartphone app. Once the processor is fully
configured, the computer is no longer needed.
1.2 HOW DIRAC LIVE®WORKS
The miniDSP nanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor includes Dirac Live®, a premium mixed-phase room correction
technology. This technology is used not only in home stereo and home theater systems but also in cinemas,
recording studios, and luxury cars.
As with any room correction system, Dirac Live® corrects the system’s magnitude response (often referred to
imprecisely as “frequency response”). In contrast to fully automated systems, Dirac Live® corrects the
magnitude response towards a user-adjustable target response. The target response takes account of the
natural frequency range of the loudspeaker system and the normal effects of loudspeaker dispersion on the
measured in-room magnitude response.
Illustration of Dirac Live® magnitude response correction
In addition, Dirac Live® corrects the system’s impulse response, which reflects how the system responds to a
sharp transient such as a drumbeat. Reflections, diffraction, resonances, misaligned drivers, and so on, all
combine to smear out the transient. An ideal loudspeaker has none of these, so correcting the impulse response
makes the speaker in the room behave much more like that ideal loudspeaker. The impulse response is a critical
factor for accurate sound-staging, clarity and bass reproduction. Dirac Live® employs a sophisticated analysis
algorithm to make the optimal correction across the whole listening area, not just at a single point.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 9
Illustration of Dirac Live® impulse response correction
Dirac Live® accomplishes this using mixed-phase filters –filters that match a desired magnitude response and
generate a customized impulse response. This contrasts with the minimum-phase and linear-phase filters that
are commonly used in audio applications. While minimum-phase and linear-phase filters are relatively easy to
design, they are tightly constrained in their impulse response characteristics –neither can make a desired
change to the magnitude response independently of controlling the impulse response. In some cases, they may
even make things worse.
Mixed-phase filters are more difficult to design, but the audible performance of Dirac Live® is due to its success
in using mixed-phase filters to make the system response across the whole listening area more closely resemble
that of an ideal speaker. The energy from the direct wave and from early reflections is optimally combined to
arrive as a single wavefront to the listener. Late reflections are left largely untouched, being corrected only for
their spectral coloration, as they contribute to a larger, more enveloping soundstage.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 10
1.3 CONFIGURATION OVERVIEW
The steps for configuring the nanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor with Dirac Live® to optimize your home theater
system is summarized as follows:
1. Connect the nanoAVR DL audio processor into your system and
install software. See Section 2, Hardware Connectivity and Section 3,
Software Installation.
2. Execute a series of acoustic measurements on your computer using
the Dirac Live Calibration Tool For miniDSP program, to capture
the acoustic behavior of your speakers and room. See Section 4,
Acoustic Measurement.
3. Generate the digital room correction filters that will be executed
by the processor. Up to four filter sets can be downloaded into the
processor for easy real-time recall and auditioning. See Section 5,
Filter Design.
4. Once the digital room correction filters are designed and
downloaded, the computer can be disconnected, as computer
connectivity is not required for normal listening and operation. See
Section 6, Using the nanoAVR DL Processor.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 11
2HARDWARE CONNECTIVITY
All connections to the nanoAVR DL are made on the rear panel.
2.1 HDMI INPUT AND OUTPUT
Two HDMI connections are available for input, and one for output. The input connectors can be connected to
any HDMI source such as a Blu-ray or DVD player, provided that the source is capable of producing a linear PCM
audio signal. Other sources may include media streaming devices and computers with an HDMI port†.
The HDMI output will need to be connected to an HDMI input on an A/V receiver (AVR) or A/V processor (AVP).
Ensure that your HDMI sources are set to produce linear PCM (also referred to as PCM, L-PCM, or
LPCM) on their HDMI outputs. The nanoAVR DL does not decode compressed formats such as Dolby
and DTS.
†Apple Macs with a Thunderbolt port can be connected to the nanoAVR DL with the use of a Thunderbolt to
HDMI adapter cable.
2.2 ETHERNET
To control the nanoAVR DL using the miniDSP smartphone app, you can connect it to your home network via the
Ethernet port. See Smartphone control app on page 39.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 12
2.3 DC POWER
The supplied 5 VDC power supply includes a set of interchangeable power pins. Fit the correct pins for your
country. Connect the DC plug to the 5 VDC power socket.
HDMI units communicate with a set of “hand-shaking” signals in order to establish the capabilities of
each device. We recommend that for at least the first time the system is powered up, equipment be
powered on in this order: TV, AVR, nanoAVR DL, source/player.
2.4 USB
To configure the nanoAVR DL using Dirac Live Calibration Tool for miniDSP:
Connect the USB port of the nanoAVR DL to a USB 2.0 port on your computer using the supplied cable.
Connect a miniDSP UMIK-1 to a second USB port on your computer.
The miniDSP UMIK-1 is the only measurement microphone that can be used with the nanoAVR DL
and Dirac Live Calibration Tool for miniDSP.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 13
3SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
If you purchased your product directly from miniDSP, your software will be available from the User Downloads
section of the miniDSP website when your order ships. You will need to be logged into the website with the
account you created when purchasing to access the download.
If you purchased your product from a miniDSP dealer, you will receive a coupon together with the product.
Redeem this coupon and select the Plugin Group “nanoAVR HD & DL” at the link below:
https://www.minidsp.com/support/redeem-coupon
The User Downloads link is visible from the dropdown menu at the top right of the website page:
Navigate to the nanoAVR plug-ins section and then to nanoAVR DL downloads. There you will find the following
zip files available for download:
nanoAVR DL programmer
This will install the nanoAVR DL Utility program, used to configure remote control codes and
perform various other maintenance operations on the nanoAVR DL. Download this file for both
Windows and Mac.
nanoAVR DL Dirac Live Calibration Tools
This will install Dirac Live Calibration Tool for miniDSP (DLCT), which is used to perform
measurements, generate correction filters, and load them into the processor. Download this file
for both Windows and Mac.
After downloading, unzip the downloaded files (on Windows, right-click and select “Extract All...”; on Mac,
double-click).
3.1 ANOTE ON DIRAC LIVE LICENSE ACTIVATION
As of version 1.2 of Dirac Live Calibration Tool, license activation is done automatically when DLCT recognizes a
valid Dirac Live license code in the hardware unit itself. No separate manual activation step is required.
If you have previously used a miniDSP Dirac Live product and used the manual license activation process, be
aware that this is no longer necessary. Note also that automatic license activation will apply to all miniDSP Dirac
Live units in the field.
The only exception to this is units that were purchased as a nanoAVR HD and are subsequently being upgraded
to a nanoAVR DL. In that case, see Section 3.4.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 14
3.2 INSTALLATION ―WINDOWS
3.2.1 Possible Windows installation issues
The miniDSP software requires that a number of other frameworks be installed for it to work. For Windows 7
and later, these packages should be installed automatically. For earlier versions of Windows, please download
and install the following frameworks before attempting to install any miniDSP software. You can also manually
install these if you receive an error message that required software is missing.
Microsoft .NET framework (version 3.5 or later)
Latest version of Adobe Air
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package: for x86 (32-bit operating system) or x64 (64-bit operating
system).
3.2.2 nanoAVR DL Utility installation
1. Navigate to the Windows sub-folder of the unzipped utlity program download.
2. Double-click on the nanoAVR_DL.exe installer program to run it. We recommend that you accept the
default installation settings.
3.2.3 Dirac Live Calibration Tools (DLCT) installation
1. Navigate to the Windows sub-folder of the unzipped DLCT download.
2. Double-click on the installer program to run it. It will have a name like Dirac Live Calibration Tool (8
channels) v1.2.0.8354 Setup.exe (the version number starting with v1.2... may be different). We
recommend that you accept the default installation settings.
The first time you run DLCT, you may see a warning from Windows Firewall as shown below. If so, ensure that
“Private networks...” is checked and “Public networks...” is not checked. Then click on “Allow access.”

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 15
3.3 INSTALLATION ―MAC OS X
3.3.1 Possible Mac installation issues
If double-clicking on an installer brings up a message that the installer cannot run, use this alternate method:
1. Right-click on the installer (or click while holding the Control key).
2. On the menu that pops up, move the mouse over the “Open With” item and then click on “Installer
(default).”
3. The following window will appear. Click on “Open.”
3.3.2 nanoAVR DL Utility installation
1. Navigate to the Mac sub-folder of the unzipped utility program download.
2. The installer program is named nanoAVR_DL.pkg. To run it, double-click on it, or right-click and open as
described above. We recommend that you accept the default installation settings.
3. To run the nanoAVR DL Utility, locate nanoAVR-DL.app in the Applications -> miniDSP folder and double-
click on it. To make it easier to run in future, right-click on its dock icon and select Options -> Keep in Dock.
3.3.3 Dirac Live Calibration Tools (DLCT) installation
1. Navigate to the Mac sub-folder of the unzipped DLCT download.
2. The installer program will have a name similar to Dirac Live Calibration Tool (8 channels) v1.2.0.8392.mpkg
(the version number starting with v1.2... may be different). To run it, double-click on it, or right-click and
open as described above. We recommend that you accept the default installation settings.
3. To run DLCT, locate Dirac Live Calibration Tool.app in the Applications -> miniDSP -> nanoAVR folder and
double-click on it. To make it easier to run in future, right-click on its dock icon and select Options -> Keep
in Dock.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 16
3.4 NANOAVR HD TO NANOAVR DL UPGRADE
If you have purchased an upgrade to convert a nanoAVR HD to a nanoAVR DL, follow the steps below. (If you
purchased a nanoAVR DL, you do not need to do anything on this page.)
1. Update the firmware to the nanoAVR DL version. The procedure is described in MCU Firmware Update
starting on page 45. You must use the firmware file included in the nanoAVR DL utility software download,
in the firmware folder. It will have a name like nanoAVR_DL_v1_29.hex.
2. Power-cycle the hardware unit: remove power, wait a few seconds, and then reconnect power.
3. Start the nanoAVR DL Utility. Click the Connect button (towards the top right).
4. The following screen will appear:
5. Click on the button “Copy Activation Code to Clipboard.”
6. Send an email message to info@minidsp.com with the Subject line “NanoAVR DL Activation Request.” In
the body of the email message, paste the activation code from the above step.
7. miniDSP will respond in normal (Hong Kong) working hours with an activation key file (.txt file). (Please
note that this is not an automated process.) This file contains a key text string consisting of 128 pairs of
letters separated by spaces (total 256 letters). Save this file to disk.
8. Click the “Import” button and select the received activation key file to import into the plugin. If successful,
the Connect button will change to show that you are connected:

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 17
4ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENT
The Dirac Live Calibration Tool For miniDSP uses a set of measurements made in your listening room to gather
all the acoustical information about your room and speakers that it needs to calculate the correction filters. The
measurements are made using the nanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor and a miniDSP UMIK-1 measurement
microphone (must be purchased separately).
4.1 LOUDSPEAKER AND MICROPHONE POSITIONING
Prior to performing acoustic measurements, loudspeaker and subwoofer positioning should be optimized. In
particular, the location of the subwoofer within the room will have a large impact on the smoothness of bass
response. With Dirac Live®, you have more freedom with loudspeaker and subwoofer placement, but the best
result will still be achieved if optimal placement is used together with Dirac Live®.
A total of nine measurements are needed, with the microphone located in different positions in the room and
pointed vertically (that is, at the floor or ceiling). The first measurement must be taken at the central location of
the listening area, as this location sets the levels and delays of each speaker. Eight more measurements are then
taken at locations spread around the listening area and at different heights from the floor.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 18
4.2 CONNECTIONS FOR ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENT
The figure below shows a typical connection diagram for performing acoustic measurement. No changes to the
existing audio connections are needed. Simply:
1. Connect the supplied USB cable (type A to type B) from the nanoAVR DL to a USB port on the computer.
2. Connect a USB cable (type A to mini type B) from the UMIK-1 to a USB port on the computer.
Place the UMIK-1 microphone into a microphone stand and position the computer and cabling so that there is
enough freedom of movement to move the microphone into the needed locations. A small tripod stand is
supplied with the UMIK-1, but a larger stand with boom arm can be used if desired. If necessary a USB extension
(up to a total USB cable length of 5 meters) can be used. We recommend that the microphone be oriented
vertically (pointed at the floor or ceiling) and the “90 degree” calibration file used (see Mic Config tab).

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 19
4.3 A/V RECEIVER CONFIGURATION
The AVR connected to the nanoAVR DL output needs to be set appropriately for best results from Dirac Live. This
must be done prior to performing the Dirac Live calibration.
4.3.1 Speaker distance (delay)
Set the speaker distance (or equivalently, delays) in your AVR using the procedure recommended by your AVR
manufacturer. While Dirac Live calculates the relative delays between all channels and corrects for any
differences, correct delays in the AVR are necessary for bass management to function correctly.
4.3.2 Level trims
Set the level trims in the AVR using the procedure recommended by your AVR manufacturer. While Dirac Live
aligns the gain of all channels, correct level settings in the AVR will avoid potential issues with reduced dynamic
range and errors in bass management.
In the case of the subwoofer channel, if more output is required from the subwoofer, it preferable to increase
the gain control on the subwoofer itself instead of raising the subwoofer trim in the AVR.
4.3.3 Bass management
Set up bass management in the AVR using the procedure recommended by your AVR manufacturer. Advanced
users can use an acoustic measurement program such as Room EQ Wizard (REW) together with the UMIK-1 for
more precise setting. This ensures that Dirac Live is able to correctly optimize the full frequency range on each
HDMI Audio channel.
4.3.4 Room correction
Turn off any room correction in the AVR. Dirac Live performs a full set of sophisticated room correction
optimization algorithms, and “adding” additional room correction in the AVR will not improve the result, and
quite possibly make it worse.
4.3.5 Channel count/down-mixing
Set the AVR for the number of speakers that you have. In some cases, this will result in the AVR performing
"down mixing." Dirac Live will still generate correct equalization for each HDMI source channel.
4.3.6 Other processing
While performing a Dirac Live calibration, all other processing must be turned off. In particular, be sure to turn
off:
Up-mixing such as surround-sound simulators
Surround decoders such as Dolby Pro Logic
“Effects” such as hall or ambience simulators
After calibration is complete, these effects can be judiciously turned back on, with the understanding that the
Dirac Live equalization may no longer be as effective when content is sent "across" channels.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 20
4.4 CONFIGURING FOR MEASUREMENT
Start Dirac Live Calibration Tool For miniDSP.
Be sure to quit the NanoAVR DL Utility program before starting Dirac Live Calibration Tool. Running
the two programs at the same time will result in communication conflicts and odd behavior.
Logo and status/progress bar
This area shows a progress bar with current status when the program is performing calculations. If the
program seems unresponsive at any time, check the status here.
Screen selection tabs
Each tab selects a different step of the calibration process. These are generally worked through in order,
from top to bottom. This section covers the first four tabs; the final two are covered in Filter Design.
Load and save a project
A set of measurements can be saved to a file and reloaded at a later time. See Saving and loading projects.
Back to previous / proceed to next
Use these two buttons to advance to the next tab when each is complete, or to go back to the previous
tab to make alterations. The tabs at the left can also be clicked on directly.
Help open/close
Click on the small Help divider at the right of the screen to open a pane with help on the currently
selected tab. Click on the divider again to close the help pane.
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