miniDSP SHD User manual

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 1
SHD Series
STEREO HIGH-DEFINITION NETWORK STREAMER AND HIGH-
DEFINITION AUDIO PROCESSOR
WITH DIRAC LIVE®ROOM CORRECTION TECHNOLOGY
User Manual
SHD
SHD Power
SHD Studio

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 2
Revision history
Revision
Description
Date
2.0
Preliminary version of this manual that incorporates Dirac Live 2.
(See the SHD Series User Manual Legacy Support version for earlier
change history.)
12 December 2019
2.1
Catalina support. Corrections throughout. Still marked preliminary.
27 January 2020
2.3
Added user preferences.
15 April 2020
2.4
Corrections and updates for new firmware.
30 April 2020
2.5
DiracLive documentation moved to separate miniDSP Dirac Live User
Manual.
30 June 2020
SUPPORTED OS
If you are unable to run the above versions of the Windows or macOS operating system,
you will need to use the original version of Dirac Live (“Dirac Live 1”) with your SHD Series
processor. Please refer to the SHD Series User Manual Legacy Support version.
Note: Use of Dirac Live with macOS Mojave and Catalina requires some manual
workarounds, which are documented in this manual.

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Table of Contents
IMPORTANT INFORMATION................................................................................................................................ 6
1Product Overview......................................................................................................................................... 8
1.1 Dirac Live.............................................................................................................................................. 9
1.2 Typical usage...................................................................................................................................... 10
2Hardware Overview.................................................................................................................................... 11
2.1 SHD.................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.2 SHD Power ......................................................................................................................................... 12
2.3 SHD Studio ......................................................................................................................................... 13
2.4 Front panel......................................................................................................................................... 14
3Software Installation .................................................................................................................................. 15
3.1 Windows 10 ....................................................................................................................................... 15
3.1.1 Download and install the DiracLive application ........................................................................... 15
3.1.2 Download the miniDSP software................................................................................................. 15
3.1.3 Install the miniDSP software ....................................................................................................... 16
3.2 macOS 10.14 Mojave and 10.15 Catalina............................................................................................ 17
3.2.1 Download and install the DiracLive application........................................................................... 17
3.2.2 Download the miniDSP software................................................................................................. 17
3.2.3 Install the miniDSP software ....................................................................................................... 18
4Playing Audio.............................................................................................................................................. 19
4.1 Digital sources.................................................................................................................................... 19
4.2 Analog sources (SHD only).................................................................................................................. 19
4.3 Network audio ................................................................................................................................... 20
4.3.1 Ethernet connection ................................................................................................................... 20
4.3.2 Wi-Fi connection......................................................................................................................... 21
4.3.3 The Volumio web interface......................................................................................................... 23
4.3.4 Playing audio from USB stick....................................................................................................... 24
4.3.5 TIDAL and Qobuz ........................................................................................................................ 25
4.3.6 Spotify........................................................................................................................................ 26
4.3.7 Accessing multiple processors..................................................................................................... 27
4.4 USB Audio .......................................................................................................................................... 28
4.4.1 macOS ........................................................................................................................................ 28
4.4.2 Windows .................................................................................................................................... 30
5Remote control........................................................................................................................................... 32
5.1 Using the miniDSP remote.................................................................................................................. 32
5.2 Programming a Logitech Harmony remote ......................................................................................... 33
5.3 Android/iOS control app..................................................................................................................... 33
5.4 Alexa voice control ............................................................................................................................. 34
5.5 Learning third-party remote codes ..................................................................................................... 34
5.6 Legacy miniDSP remote...................................................................................................................... 35

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6The SHD Plugin............................................................................................................................................ 36
6.1 Plugin user interface........................................................................................................................... 36
6.2 Connecting to the processor............................................................................................................... 37
6.3 Key features ....................................................................................................................................... 38
6.3.1 Master control............................................................................................................................ 38
6.3.2 Configuration/preset selection ................................................................................................... 39
6.3.3 Inputs ......................................................................................................................................... 39
6.3.4 Input selection............................................................................................................................ 39
6.3.5 Routing matrix............................................................................................................................ 40
6.3.6 Outputs ...................................................................................................................................... 40
6.4 Setting user preferences..................................................................................................................... 41
6.4.1 Display Settings .......................................................................................................................... 41
6.4.2 Selectable Input Sources............................................................................................................. 42
6.4.3 Speaker Impedance (SHD Power only) ........................................................................................ 42
6.5 Configuring back-end processing........................................................................................................ 43
6.5.1 Signal flow.................................................................................................................................. 43
6.5.2 Configuration procedure............................................................................................................. 44
6.6 A note on using external DACs with the SHD Series processors........................................................... 44
6.7 Configuration for subwoofer integration ............................................................................................ 45
6.7.1 Connect the subwoofer .............................................................................................................. 45
6.7.2 Configure the plugin ................................................................................................................... 45
6.7.3 Check subwoofer integration (optional)...................................................................................... 47
6.8 Other configurations .......................................................................................................................... 49
6.8.1 Dual subwoofers......................................................................................................................... 49
6.8.2 Stereo supporting woofers.......................................................................................................... 50
6.8.3 Two-way active speaker.............................................................................................................. 51
7Dirac Live Calibration.................................................................................................................................. 52

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8Plugin Reference......................................................................................................................................... 53
8.1 Input channel status........................................................................................................................... 53
8.2 Routing .............................................................................................................................................. 53
8.3 Output channels................................................................................................................................. 54
8.3.1 Channel label.............................................................................................................................. 54
8.3.2 Level metering and gain adjustment ........................................................................................... 54
8.3.3 Parametric EQ............................................................................................................................. 55
8.3.4 Crossover.................................................................................................................................... 57
8.3.5 Compressor ................................................................................................................................ 59
8.3.6 Invert and mute.......................................................................................................................... 59
8.3.7 Time delay.................................................................................................................................. 60
8.4 Custom biquad programming ............................................................................................................. 60
8.4.1 What’s a biquad?........................................................................................................................ 60
8.4.2 Using custom biquad programming ............................................................................................ 61
8.4.3 Biquad design software............................................................................................................... 62
8.5 Working with configurations .............................................................................................................. 63
8.5.1 Online and offline mode ............................................................................................................. 63
8.5.2 Selecting a configuration ............................................................................................................ 63
8.5.3 Saving and loading configurations............................................................................................... 64
8.5.4 Relationship with Dirac Live ........................................................................................................ 64
8.5.5 Restoring to defaults................................................................................................................... 65
8.6 Keyboard shortcuts ............................................................................................................................ 65
9Additional Information ............................................................................................................................... 66
9.1 Specifications ..................................................................................................................................... 66
9.1.1 All SHD Series processors............................................................................................................ 66
9.1.2 SHD ............................................................................................................................................ 67
9.1.3 SHD Power.................................................................................................................................. 68
9.1.4 SHD Studio.................................................................................................................................. 69
9.2 Plugin and DSP upgrade...................................................................................................................... 70
9.3 Volumio software update................................................................................................................... 71
9.4 Firmware upgrade.............................................................................................................................. 72
9.4.1 Windows .................................................................................................................................... 72
9.4.2 macOS ........................................................................................................................................ 74
9.5 Finding the SHD’s IP address............................................................................................................... 76
9.6 Solving connectivity issues.................................................................................................................. 78
9.6.1 No Internet connection............................................................................................................... 78
9.6.2 SHD Series processor not detected ............................................................................................. 78
9.7 Trouble-shooting audio issues ............................................................................................................ 79
9.8 Obtaining support .............................................................................................................................. 80
9.9 Open source licenses.......................................................................................................................... 80

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read the following information before use. In case of any questions, please contact miniDSP via the
support portal at support.minidsp.com.
System Requirements
To configure the miniDSP audio processor, you will require a Windows PC or Apple Mac computer with the
following minimum specification:
Windows
•Microsoft• ® Windows® 10, latest version with all updates
•At least a dual core i3, i5, or i7 processor
•At least 2 GB RAM (4 GB preferred)
•Two free USB 2.0 ports
•Internet connection
macOS
•macOS 10.14 Mojave or 10.15 Catalina, latest version with all updates
•At least a dual core i3, i5, or i7 processor
•At least 2 GB RAM (4 GB preferred)
•Two free USB 2.0 ports
•Internet connection
Disclaimer/Warning
miniDSP cannot be held responsible for any damage that may result from the improper use of this product or
incorrect configuration of its settings. As with any other product, we recommend that you carefully read this
manual and other technical notes to ensure that you fully understand how to operate this product. The miniDSP
audio processor is a powerful tool, and misuse or misconfiguration, such as incorrectly set gains or excessive
boost, can produce signals that may damage your audio system.
As a general guideline, you should perform the initial configuration of the miniDSP audio processor before
enabling audio through any connected output device or amplification. Doing so will help ensure that the
software is correctly configured.
Finally, note that the miniDSP audio processor is a very flexible device, and many of the questions we receive at
the tech 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
support. Thanks 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 7
FCC Class B Statement
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 miniDSP SHD Series processor has passed the test performed according to European Standard EN 55022
Class B.
A note 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.

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1PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Thank you for purchasing a miniDSP SHD Series high-resolution
1
room correction processor powered by
Dirac Live®, the world’s premier room correction solution. The new SHD Series offers a wealth of input-output
options, network audio streaming including Tidal, Qobuz, and Spotify, powerful back-end processing for
subwoofer integration and active speakers and of course, Dirac Live.
The SHD Series encompasses a range of models for optimum matching to different user needs. The full-featured
SHD is perfect for use in a separates system, acting as network streamer and digital preamplifier with room
correction. The compact integrated SHD Power matches lifestyle systems, but with 120W of power on tap and
two subwoofer outputs. Finally, the SHD Studio is an all-digital I/O model that is perfect for use in modern all-
digital systems, studios, and professional applications.
1
The miniDSP SHD Series processors operate with 32-bit 96 kHz resolution.

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 9
1.1 DIRAC LIVE
Each SHD Series processor executes Dirac Live® digital room correction, from Dirac Research. Dirac Live’s mixed-
phase filtering technology will improve the imaging of your system, minimize the effects of room modes and
resonances, and improve dynamics and clarity.
To accomplish its remarkable improvement in listening quality, Dirac Live steps you through the procedure for
taking measurements around your listening area. Dirac Live® employs a sophisticated analysis algorithm to make
the optimal correction across the whole listening area, not just at a single point. The user has full control over
the target frequency response. Measurements are taken with a calibrated acoustic measurement microphone,
the miniDSP UMIK-1.
2
In addition to correcting magnitude response, 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. Correcting the impulse response makes
the speaker in the room behave much more like an ideal loudspeaker. The impulse response is a critical factor
for accurate sound-staging, clarity and bass reproduction.
Dirac Live calibration is described in the separate miniDSP Dirac Live User Manual.
2
A UMIK-1 is included in the standard purchase price of each SHD Series processor.

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Figure 2. Typical audio system configuration using the miniDSP SHD
1.2 TYPICAL USAGE
The SHD Series processors replace multiple components in a conventional audio system –preamplifier, network
streamer, DAC and room correction are all bundled into a single economical unit. Each also has its own unique
strengths: analog I/O (SHD), compact size (SHD Studio), and inbuilt power amplification (SHD Power). Figure 1
and Figure 2 illustrate how an SHD Series processor can simplify your audio system.
Figure 1. Typical audio system configuration using the miniDSP SHD Power