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miniDSP Flex Eight User Manual

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3/15/23, 9:47 AM
Table of Contents
miniDSP Flex Eight
Product Overview
Dirac Live upgrade
Typical application
Software Installation
System requirements
Windows
macOS
Download the miniDSP software
Install the miniDSP software
Install on macOS
Install on Windows
The miniDSP Device Console
Finding connected devices
Connecting to a device
Using template devices
Settings
Input sources
Using presets
Selecting a preset
Renaming
Importing and exporting
Resetting
Firmware updates
Convert to Flex Eight (DL)
1. Purchase the Dirac Live upgrade
2. Activate the Dirac Live upgrade
Basic Operation
Front and rear panels
Basic operation
Rear panel connections
Playing Audio
Connecting sources
Connecting an ampli er and speakers
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  • Page 1 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Table of Contents miniDSP Flex Eight Product Overview Dirac Live upgrade Typical application Software Installation System requirements Windows macOS Download the miniDSP software Install the miniDSP software Install on macOS Install on Windows...
  • Page 2 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Bluetooth audio About USB Audio macOS Windows 11 ASIO Remote control Using the miniDSP remote Using a third-party programmable remote Programming a Logitech Harmony remote Android/iOS control app Signal Flow...
  • Page 3 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight DSP Reference Parametric EQ Overview Editing lters Disabling individual lters Filter mode Basic mode Frequency Gain Filter type Jumping between channels Linking channels Reset to default Advanced mode Programming a single biquad...
  • Page 4 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Jumping between channels FIR lter design software Tips Compressor Overview Enable Jumping between channels Additional Information Troubleshooting and support Trouble-shooting audio issues No sound during playback Strange soundstage Obtaining support https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-eight/print_page.html...

  • Page 5: Product Overview

    Note that the upgrade applies per device. Typical application The miniDSP Flex Eight is ideal for compact active loudspeaker solutions. Any outputs that are not used for the speaker can be used for independent subwoofers. Figure 1 shows the miniDSP Flex Eight used as an active crossover with two subwoofers integrated. With multiple digital inputs including Bluetooth audio streaming, this is very cost-effective way to build a modern active speaker system.
  • Page 6 Analog audio Speaker enclosures Power amplification Subwoofer/s Figure 1. miniDSP Flex Eight active speaker system with dual subwoofer integration Of course, a full four-way active speaker could be built instead, or a two-way speaker with up to four independent subwoofers. https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-eight/print_page.html 6/75...

  • Page 7: Software Installation

    If you purchased your Flex Eight from a miniDSP dealer, you will receive a coupon together with the product. Redeem this coupon at this page: Redeem your miniDSP software (https://www.minidsp.com/support/redeem-coupon)
  • Page 8 2. Drag the miniDSP Device Console application icon to your Applications folder. 3. To run the miniDSP Device Console, locate it in the Applications 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.
  • Page 9 If the UAC2 driver is not installed, Device Console will offer to install it. If you have previously installed the miniDSP UAC2 driver but it is not up to date, Device Console will offer to install the latest version. In either case, click PROCEED.
  • Page 10 Info The most recent miniDSP processors require the UAC2 driver to be at least version 5.40. If you have di culty with the UAC2 driver or control panel, use Check USB Audio Driver to make sure that you have the latest version.
  • Page 11 (https://www.minidsp.com/aboutus/newsletter) for updates. The miniDSP Device Console ("DC") is the new con guration and control software for miniDSP audio processors. It replaces the earlier "plugin" control software. In contrast to the earlier software, Device Console provides: A single software program to control all miniDSP processors...

  • Page 12: Connecting To A Device

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Connecting to a device To connect to a device for editing and control, click on its name. While the device is connected, the Device Console displays three main areas: The global control area has items that are not speci c settings of the processor for the current preset. These items are described on this page.
  • Page 13 This is done on a preset-by-preset basis: Settings have changed Different settings have been found for Flex Eight. Would you like to: Possible reasons: * The settings for Preset-1 in the template device has been changed since last time this Flex Eight was connected.

  • Page 14: Input Sources

    (Windows or macOS). If you choose the System option, you may need to quit Device Console and restart it for the change to take effect. The Check USB Audio Driver feature checks if you have the miniDSP UAC2 audio driver installed, and that it is the latest version. It appears on Windows only. See Installation for more information.

  • Page 15: Using Presets

    EXPORT RESET RESET-ALL The miniDSP Flex Eight has four onboard presets, each of which contains all of the settings for audio processing except items controlled by the front panel and remote control (volume, mute, input source). Selecting a preset Click on the desired preset number. Or if you have renamed the presets, its name.

  • Page 16: Importing And Exporting

    To import a preset from a le, click the IMPORT button, then navigate to a saved preset le and click Open. The preset will be loaded from the le. If Device Console is currently connected to the miniDSP Flex Eight, the preset will also be sent to the Flex Eight.
  • Page 17 Support instructs you to refresh the rmware. Convert to Flex Eight (DL) Dirac Live is an optional upgrade to the miniDSP Flex Eight. You can purchase and activate the upgrade from within the miniDSP Device Console. To purchase the Dirac Live upgrade, click on Convert to Flex Eight (DL) in the Device Console sidebar:...
  • Page 18 Click to display Activation Code for trouble-shooting purpose Step-2: Upgrade to Dirac-Live Please enter the activation key from miniDSP to activate the license User can enter the activation key online if this computer is connected to the Internet. Otherwise, the activation key can be loaded from file.
  • Page 19 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight The Stripe payment page redirects to an acknowledgement screen: https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-eight/print_page.html 19/75...
  • Page 20 You will also receive an email receipt. Info After you press the Buy Upgrade button, miniDSP Device Console will wait for an acknowledgement from the payment system. If you decide not to proceed with the upgrade, click the back-arrow button near the top left of the purchase screen and the Device Console will return to normal operation.
  • Page 21 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight After payment completes, return to the miniDSP Device Console window. You will see acknowledgement of successful payment: Notice Payment received.Thank you! Reference ID: fd4874987fa8e8c6ba87634 Click OK to return to the upgrade screen.
  • Page 22 Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight The miniDSP Flex Eight presets will not be converted to the Flex Eight (DL). When reconnecting, you can choose to either restore all presets to their default values or to use existing Flex Eight (DL) presets.

  • Page 23: Basic Operation

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Basic Operation https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-eight/print_page.html 23/75...

  • Page 24: Front And Rear Panels

    Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Front and rear panels Basic operation The front panel and rotary encoder provide access to the key features of the miniDSP Flex Eight. These can also be accessed with a remote control. Preset 3 Analog To change the volume, rotate the encoder.
  • Page 25 . Analog outputs. Connect equipment such as power ampli ers and subwoofers using RCA cables. Ensure that your connections match the routing and crossovers that you have set up internally. The maximum output voltage is 2.0 Vrms. Warning Apply power to the miniDSP Flex Eight only after all input and output connections have been made. https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-eight/print_page.html 25/75...

  • Page 26: Playing Audio

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Playing Audio The miniDSP Flex Eight has a range of input sources and output connections. This section provides an overview of the basics so you can quickly get started with playing audio. Connecting sources The diagram below shows the audio sources that can be connected to the miniDSP Flex Eight.

  • Page 27: Power Amplifier

    Connecting a stereo ampli er and speakers to the miniDSP Flex Eight Of course, more complex connections are possible using the additional outputs. In that case, the internal processing will need to be set up using the miniDSP Device Console. Refer to the Signal Flow and DSP Reference sections for details.
  • Page 28 To put the miniDSP Flex Eight into pairing mode: 1. Press the encoder button on the miniDSP Flex Eight twice and rotate it until the display shows "Bluetooth." 2. Press and hold the encoder and the display will change to "BTPairing." The miniDSP Flex Eight is now in pairing mode.
  • Page 29 Bluetooth detected. About USB Audio The miniDSP Flex Eight accepts stereo PCM audio at sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz over USB. The same USB connector is used for playing USB Audio as well as for con guration.
  • Page 30 To play USB Audio from a computer, use the supplied cable to connect the USB 2.0 (Type B) port of the miniDSP Flex Eight to a free USB port on your computer. Alternatively, connect a network streamer to the USB port. For an example using the Raspberry Pi, see this application note on our website: Streaming to a miniDSP 2x4HD or DDRC-24 with a Raspberry Pi 3A+ (https://www.minidsp.com/applications/audio-...
  • Page 31 Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight miniDSP Flex 8 DL miniDSP Flex Eight Default audio device To set the miniDSP Flex Eight as the default audio output device, right-click and select "Use this device for sound output": miniDSP Flex Eight miniDSP Flex Eight https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-eight/print_page.html...
  • Page 32 Note: to play USB audio from Windows, the miniDSP UAC2 driver package must be installed rst. Default audio device To set the miniDSP Flex Eight as the default audio output device, open the Settings app and navigate to the System -> Sound page. Select the Flex Eight with the radio button:...
  • Page 33 Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Flex 8 ASIO If your audio application supports ASIO® audio drivers, we recommend selecting the miniDSP ASIO Driver in its settings. This typically allows the application to automatically change sample rate. For example, in JRiver Media Center: https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-eight/print_page.html...
  • Page 34 The current settings of the miniDSP Flex Eight can be viewed by opening the miniDSP UAC2 Control Panel from the Windows Start menu (under the miniDSP Ltd folder). This control panel allows you to view current settings. In addition, it can be used to set buffer size, although we recommend that you leave this setting at the default. If you are having an issue with inadequate output volume over USB playback, check the Volume tab.

  • Page 35: Remote Control

    Switch to the selected preset. It will take a few seconds for the preset selection to complete while the processor loads the new lters from its ash memory into the DSP. Using a third-party programmable remote A third-party programmable remote can be used with the miniDSP Flex Eight. Use the remote codes listed below. https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-eight/print_page.html 35/75...
  • Page 36 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Code Function 35 CA 0E F1 Next Input Source 35 CA 01 FE Preset 1 35 CA 02 FD Preset 2 35 CA 05 FA Preset 3 35 CA 00 FF...
  • Page 37 Harmony database. In addition, you can set up buttons for direct input source selection (instead of cycling through input sources). The procedure is as described in the application note linked below, except that you should select "minidsp ex" as the device instead of "shd".
  • Page 38 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Note that currently the miniDSP Control App cannot be used over the Bluetooth connection. It will work only if a Wi-DG is connected to the USB port of the miniDSP Flex Eight.

  • Page 39: Signal Flow

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Signal Flow https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-eight/print_page.html 39/75...
  • Page 40 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Signal ow The diagram below is a simpli ed representation of the signal ow through the miniDSP Flex Eight (without Dirac Live): Configured by: miniDSP Device Console INPUT INPUTS ROUTING OUTPUT CHANNELS CHANNELS...

  • Page 41: Input Channels

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Input Channels Channel label Input 1 RMS-Meter Current (dBFS) RMS level -14.0 Level meter Channel gain Gain (dB) Edit parametric EQ settings Configure FIR filtering Mute channel MUTE MUTE Channel label Each input channel has a customizable label displayed at the top of the channel strip.
  • Page 42 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Click on this button to open the FIR ltering window for that input channel. A total of 4096 can be computed. See ltering. Mute Press this button to mute that input channel. The button color and label changes to show that the channel is muted:...

  • Page 43: Signal Routing

    INVERT INVERT In addition to routing, the miniDSP Flex Eight supports mixing, where input channels can be mixed at different levels to a single output channel. The complete set of routing controls along the top of the output channel strips is therefore also called the "matrix mixer."...
  • Page 44 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Output 1 INPUT 1 Input channels 1 and 2 are mixed to output channel 1 INVERT at 0 dB (no attenuation) INPUT 2 INVERT By default, each input channel is mixed at "full strength" – that is, without any attenuation, as indicated by the "0 dB"...

  • Page 45: Routing Examples

    The diagram below shows the connections for a stereo pair of speakers plus a single subwoofer. This is the simplest type of active system, so is a good introduction to the advanced features of the miniDSP Flex Eight. It is also known as a "2.1"...

  • Page 46: Two-Way Active Speaker

    Left tweeter Right miniDSP Input sources woofer Processor Right tweeter Protection capacitor No connection (or use for one or more subwoofers) Typical connections for a two-way active speaker using the miniDSP Flex Eight The routing for this system is: https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-eight/print_page.html 46/75...
  • Page 47 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Left Woof Right Woof Left Tweet Right Tweet Unused Unused Unused Unused Left In Left In Left In Left In Left In Left In Left In Left In INVERT INVERT...
  • Page 48 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Left Woof Right Woof Left Mid Right Mid Left Tweet Right Tweet Sub 1 Sub 2 Left In Left In Left In Left In Left In Left In Left In...

  • Page 49: Output Channels

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Output Channels Each of the eight output channels has a complete "strip" of controls: Output 1 INPUT 1 INVERT Signal routing INPUT 2 INVERT Edit EQ and crossover settings CROSSOVER...

  • Page 50: Time Delay

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Signal routing Sets the routing from input channels to output channels. See Signal routing. Click on this button to open the parametric EQ settings window for that output channel. There are 10 parametric EQ lters on each input channel.
  • Page 51 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight MUTE MUTED Channel is not muted Channel is muted Current RMS level, level meter Displays the current signal level in real time. (The device must be connected and online to display signal levels.) https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-eight/print_page.html...
  • Page 52 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight DSP Reference https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-eight/print_page.html 52/75...
  • Page 53 Low Shelf The miniDSP Flex Eight has 10 parametric EQ lters on each input and output channel. The graph displays the response of each lter in a light color and the combined response of all enabled lters as a heavy line. For example, the curve shown above has a low-shelf boost at 100 Hz, a dip at 500 Hz, and a high-shelf cut at 5000 Hz.

  • Page 54: Filter Mode

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Band 2[579 Hz] -8.7 dB Disabling individual lters All 10 lters are enabled by default. To disable a lter, select it with the row of buttons. Click on the Enable button to turn it off.

  • Page 55: Filter Type

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Frequency For PEAK lters, this is the center frequency of the peak or dip. For HIGH_SHELF and LOW_SHELF lters, this is the frequency at which the gain is half of the set value. For ALL_PASS lters, this is the center frequency of the phase shift.

  • Page 56: Linking Channels

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Click to jump to a different channel PEQ Details (Output 1) Menu BACK OUTPUT 1 OUTPUT 2 OUTPUT 3 OUTPUT 4 OUTPUT 5 OUTPUT 6 OUTPUT 7 OUTPUT 8 Channels...

  • Page 57: Advanced Mode

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight To reset all parametric EQ bands of the current channel to the default settings, enable the Menu switch at the top right and click the RESET TO DEFAULT button: Menu...
  • Page 58 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Info Switching between basic and advanced mode does not convert between Frequency/Gain/Q and biquad parameters. The basic parameters and advanced biquad coe cients for each lter are stored independently and the selected set is used for processing.

  • Page 59: Biquad Design Software

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight If the loaded le contains more than 10 biquads, then only the rst 10 will be loaded. Biquad design software Following are programs that can be used to design your biquad coe cients. The design program must be set for a 96 kHz sample rate.
  • Page 60 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Crossover Crossovers "split" the frequency band to send to different drivers. In a two-way loudspeaker, for example, a low pass lter is used to remove high frequencies from the signal sent to the woofer, and a high pass lter is used to remove low frequencies from the signal sent to the tweeter.

  • Page 61: Crossover Mode

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Output 3 [390 Hz] -15.1 dB Crossover mode The crossovers on each output channel can be set in either basic mode or advanced mode. Basic mode allows each crossover lter to be speci ed simply by providing two parameters, while advanced mode requires the use of a separate design program.

  • Page 62: Cut-Off Frequency

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Crossover filter is disabled Crossover filter is enabled Cut-off frequency Sets the nominal cutoff frequency of the crossover. In actual fact, the crossover has a more or less gradual transition from "full on"...

  • Page 63: Hiding Channels

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight To link a channel, enable the Menu switch at the top right. Click on the channel that you want to link the current channel to. After con rming, an indicator appears to show the new link:...
  • Page 64 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Band Pass Filter (Low+High) Output 1 Output 2 Output 3 Click to hide Output 4 channels Output 5 Output 6 Output 7 Output 8 Frequency (Hz) The crossover settings of channels 1, 2 and 3 can be changed by using the channel selection buttons at the top of the window to jump between them.
  • Page 65 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Setting biquads for the crossover block Paste the coe cients into the text box, then click on the PROCESS AND APPLY button for them to take effect. BASIC MODE ADVANCED MODE...
  • Page 66 FIR ltering allows very complex lters to be constructed, with the aid of suitable design software. These lters can correct for amplitude only ("linear phase lters"), phase only, or a combination or both. These numbers are conventionally referred to as "taps." The miniDSP Flex Eight can compute a total of 4096 taps. The FIR lter pane Each input channel has an FIR lter bank with a variable number of taps.
  • Page 67 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight FIR Details (Input 1) Enable FIR Menu BACK Channels INPUT 1 INPUT 2 FIR - Frequency Response 1000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 Frequency (Hz) FILE MODE MANUAL MODE Taps Input Area...

  • Page 68: File Mode

    Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Taps are allocated to each block according to the number of loaded taps. The miniDSP Flex Eight can compute a total of 4096 taps. These can be distributed as you wish across the two input channels, with the limitation that each channel must have 6 or more taps and can have no more than 2048 taps.

  • Page 69: Manual Mode

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Manual mode In Manual Mode, the FIR lter coe cients are pasted directly into the entry box in plain text, as shown below. FILE MODE MANUAL MODE Taps Input Area...
  • Page 70 FIR lter design software The lter coe cients must be created with the aid of lter design software. miniDSP does not provide any such software, instead referring you to the many software packages available for this purpose (both freeware and commercial).
  • Page 71 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Compressor The compressor reduces the gain of an output channel when the audio signal reaches the level speci ed by the Threshold parameter. The gain of the channel will be progressively reduced as the signal increases above the threshold, according to the Ratio parameter.
  • Page 72 3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Enable The compressor block is disabled by default. To enable it, click on the Enable Compressor switch. The graph will change from a dashed grey line (disabled) to a solid colored line (enabled).

  • Page 73: Additional Information

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Additional Information https://docs.minidsp.com/product-manuals/flex-eight/print_page.html 73/75...

  • Page 74: Troubleshooting And Support

    If you get no sound while playing music, double-check the following items. Depending on the speci c processor, you may be able to do this with the aid of the level meters in the miniDSP Device Console. 1. Check which input source you have selected.

  • Page 75: Obtaining Support

    3/15/23, 9:47 AM Print or save - miniDSP Flex Eight Obtaining support If you are experiencing issues with your miniDSP Flex Eight that are not resolved by this manual and by following the trouble-shooting steps above: 1. Check the miniDSP forums (https://www.minidsp.com/forum/index) to see if this issue has already been raised and a solution provided.

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