Related Manuals for miniDSP DDRC-88A
Summary of Contents for miniDSP DDRC-88A
- Page 1 DDRC-88A CHANNEL UDIO ROCESSOR ® WITH IRAC TECHNOLOGY User Manual miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice...
- Page 2 2 February 2015 Updated firmware update procedure 20 May 2015 Update for Mac software 11 July 2015 Updated Output & Levels tab 16 July 2015 miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
A Note on this Manual ..............................6 Product Overview ................................9 Typical system configurations ..........................9 How Dirac Live® works ............................10 DDRC-88A / Dirac Live® configuration steps ....................... 12 Installation and Setup ..............................13 Hardware connectivity ............................13 2.1.1 Analog input and output ........................... - Page 4 To increase output gain ..........................46 6.3.3 To reduce output gain ..........................46 LFE alignment gain ............................. 47 6.4.1 The LFE channel and the DDRC-88A ......................47 6.4.2 LFE effect on gain structure ........................48 6.4.3 LFE gain structure problems ........................49 6.4.4...
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Page 5: Important Information
ARRANTY ERMS 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. -
Page 6: Fcc Classb Statement
Notice: Changes or modification not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. CE M TATEMENT The DDRC-88A has passed the test performed according to European Standard EN 55022 Class B. ACKAGE ONTENTS Your DDRC-88A package includes: ... - Page 7 In Preview on the Mac, click on the View menu and select Table of Contents. The table of contents will appear on the left and can be unfolded at each level by clicking on the triangle icons. miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com...
- Page 8 Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice...
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Page 9: Product Overview
The DDRC-88A is inserted between line-level analog sources and power amplification. In home theater applications, signal to the DDRC-88A typically comes from an A/V receiver or A/V processor with one or more source devices, and the amplification is typically a multichannel power amplifier. A source such as a Blu-ray player with multichannel analog outputs can also be connected directly to the DDRC-88A. -
Page 10: How Dirac Live® Works
Computer connectivity is used to perform acoustic measurements and generate digital room correction filters. Up to four sets of correction filters can be stored on the DDRC-88A processor and recalled from the front panel or via an infrared remote. Once the processor is fully configured, the computer is no longer needed. - Page 11 Late reflections are left largely untouched, being corrected only for their spectral coloration, as they contribute to a larger, more enveloping soundstage. Illustration of Dirac Live® impulse response correction miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice...
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Page 12: Ddrc-88A / Dirac Live Configuration Steps
® 1.3 DDRC-88A / D IRAC CONFIGURATION STEPS The steps for configuring the DDRC-88A audio processor with Dirac Live® are summarized as follows: 1. Connect the DDRC-88A audio processor into your system and install software. See Section 2, Installation and Setup. -
Page 13: Installation And Setup
2.1.1 Analog input and output Up to eight channels can be connected to the DDRC-88A. Be sure to take careful note of the channel numbering: On the input side, it is very strongly recommended that all connections be of the same type – i.e. balanced or unbalanced. -
Page 14: Dc Power
To configure the DDRC-88A using Dirac Live Calibration Tool for miniDSP: Connect the USB port of the DDRC-88A 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. -
Page 15: Software Installation And License Activation
You will need to be logged into the website with the account you created when purchasing. The User Downloads link is visible from the dropdown menu at the top right of the website page: Navigate to the Dirac Series section and then to DDRC-88A software. There you will find the following zip files available for download:... -
Page 16: Installation - Mac Os X
1.1.0.6931.mpkg installer program to run it. (The version number starting with v1.1... may be different.) We recommend that you accept the default installation settings. miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice... -
Page 17: License Activation
DDRC-88 Utility program at the same time.) Start the DDRC-88 Utility program. It will appear as shown on the left below. Connect your DDRC-88A processor to your computer via USB, then click on the Connect button. It will change to a green tick. -
Page 18: License Validation
5 above. If you purchase more than one DDRC-88A or Dirac Series processor, each will need to be activated with its unique serial number. Use the form shown on the right in step 5 above and enter the activation serial number of each additional processor, and they will in turn be added to your license. -
Page 19: Acoustic Measurement
COUSTIC EASUREMENT 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 DDRC-88A processor and a miniDSP UMIK-1 measurement microphone (must be purchased separately). -
Page 20: Preparing For Acoustic Measurement
Simply: 1. Connect the supplied USB (type A to type B) cable from the DDRC-88A 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. -
Page 21: Configuring For Measurement
Start Dirac Live Calibration Tool For miniDSP (DLCT). Be sure to quit the DDRC-88 Utility program before starting Dirac Live Calibration Tool for miniDSP. Running the two programs at the same time will result in communication conflicts and odd behavior. -
Page 22: Sound System Tab
Preset to DDRC-88. This will ensure that test signals are sent into your audio system via the DDRC-88A processor. If the entry for DDRC-88 is not showing, check that your DDRC-88A processor is connected via USB and powered on, click the Rescan button, and then use the drop-down menu to select DDRC-88. -
Page 23: Mic Config Tab
It is in the form xxx-yyyy and labelled on the microphone. Ensure that you download both the regular calibration file and the “90-degree” calibration file. (The latter is generated specifically for use with miniDSP’s multi-channel Dirac Live® processors such as the DDRC-88A and the nanoAVR DL.) Then click on the Load File button and select your calibration file. -
Page 24: Output & Levels Tab
Note: if large adjustments are required to the Channel volume sliders, you may have a gain structure problem. In that case, please refer to the section Optimizing gain structure starting on page 45. When done, click the Proceed button. miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice... -
Page 25: Custom System Configuration
You want to use a different channel mapping than the default. You do not want the DDRC-88A to calibrate for a 10 dB LFE alignment gain on the subwoofer channel. After choosing Custom System, you will need to select the number of channels that you want to use. -
Page 26: Running The Measurements
Minimize the effect of any external noise, ensure that measurement signal levels are adequate, and/or choose a suitable time for performing measurements. miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice... -
Page 27: Listening Environment
Placing all microphone locations too close to each other may result in “over-correction” that will sound dry and dull. miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice... -
Page 28: Executing Measurements
With the microphone in place at the central location and pointed vertically (that is, towards the ceiling or floor), click on the Start button. The DDRC-88A will generate a test signal, audible as a frequency sweep through the left speaker, then the right, and so on through all channels. Finally, the frequency sweep plays through the left speaker again. -
Page 29: Completing The Measurements
C:\Users\[User]\Documents\MiniDSP\nanoAVR\Projects (Windows) or /Users/[User]/Documents /MiniDSP/nanoAVR/Projects (Mac OS X), but you can store them in any location in your file system. A project can be reloaded at any time by clicking on the Load button. This enables you to generate new correction filters for different target curves at a later date, or to redo any of the measurements. -
Page 30: Filter Design
All of the predicted magnitude responses after correction. These plots are shown in dark green, and can be viewed only after filters have been generated with the Optimize button. miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice... -
Page 31: Working With Graphs
By default, the front left and right, surround left and right, and rear left and right channels are linked. miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice... - Page 32 Double-click on the graph to zoom back out to the previous zoom level, or click on the small “–” sign next to the zoom indicator at the top right of the display. miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice...
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Page 33: Designing Your Target Curve
4.2 D ESIGNING YOUR TARGET CURVE The target curve is the desired in-room magnitude response with the DDRC-88A processor performing digital room correction. 4.2.1 The Auto Target When first viewing the Filter Design tab, an estimated target curve suitable for your speakers is shown as the red curve. -
Page 34: Guidelines For Target Curve Design
The auto-target estimates the low-frequency roll-off and curve. You should determine by listening whether this estimate is suitable for your system, and adjust the target curve accordingly. miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice... -
Page 35: Saving And Loading Target Curves
The default location for target files is C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Roaming\Dirac\OEM\MiniDSP\nanoAVR\Targets, (Windows) or /Users/[User]/Library/Application Support/Dirac/OEM/MiniDSP/nanoAVR/Targets (Mac OS X) but you can store them in any location in your file system. To load a target curve, click on Load Target. The currently displayed channel or group of channels will have its target curve updated. -
Page 36: Generating Correction Filters
(The predicted impulse response can be viewed by clicking on the Impulse button.) Dirac Live Calibration Tool For miniDSP will contact the Dirac license server to verify its license, so you will need to be connected to the Internet to perform this step. If a firewall is in place, it must allow HTTP (normal web traffic) to pass. -
Page 37: Downloading And Managing Filter Sets
Move the slider to adjust the master volume of the processor. Once the computer is disconnected, output volume can be adjusted by the front panel control knob or by an infrared remote control. miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice... -
Page 38: Using The Ddrc-88A Audio Processor
If you are using bass management, follow the instructions of the equipment manufacturer to reconfigure bass management after performing your Dirac Live calibration. The bass management settings that you had prior to including the DDRC-88A in your system may no longer be valid due to the changes in system response introduced by Dirac Live. -
Page 39: Other Processing
5.1.6 Other processing Any other processing can be applied in the same manner as you did prior to deploying the DDRC-88A in your system. In a home theater context, this includes down-mixing (for example from 7.1 to 5.1), up-mixing (including decoders such as Dolby Pro Logic), and “effects”... -
Page 40: Infrared Remote Control
5.3 I NFRARED REMOTE CONTROL Many standard and programmable remote control units can be used with the DDRC-88A processor. Instead of adding another remote to your collection, the processor can “learn” the control codes of your current infrared (IR) remote if it supports one of the following remote control codes: ... -
Page 41: Gain Structure
It may also have an additional 10 dB gain on the LFE channel. The DDRC-88A has a master volume control and an internal trim control (not visible to the user). In addition, there are per-channel settings for input sensitivity and output gain. -
Page 42: Choosing Gain Structure Settings
The best choice of input sensitivity and output gain settings can be determined in two ways: by the output level of the source and the input sensitivity of the amplifier, or by the resulting input-output gain of the DDRC-88A. We suggest initially using Figure 6.2 as follows: Knowing the maximum output level of your source equipment, run a line across to either Unbalanced input or Balanced input. - Page 43 Balanced input Gain values are simplified to give exact multiples of 6dB. Figure 6.3. Input-output gain determined by connection type and gain structure settings miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice...
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Page 44: To Change Input Sensitivity
A set of eight DIP switches located on the main circuit board select the output gain of each channel. The switches can be set independently for each channel, and affect output gain for both the balanced and unbalanced output connections to that channel. miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice... -
Page 45: Optimizing Gain Structure
8. Power off the power amplifiers and the DDRC-88A, and make the changes. 9. Power on the DDRC-88A and the power amplifiers, restart Dirac Live Calibration Tool, and re-run the levels check on the Output & Levels tab. -
Page 46: To Increase Output Gain
Some amplifiers have half the sensitivity on the balanced inputs, in which case this connection change will have no useful effect. Please check the specifications of your amplifier. miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice... -
Page 47: Lfe Alignment Gain
The DDRC-88A caters to all of these situations. If the DDRC-88A is to “ignore” the whole question of LFE alignment gain, choose the Custom System configuration. Every channel will be treated as equal (in terms of gain) by Dirac Live, and the onus is on external equipment to provide 10 dB of alignment gain –... -
Page 48: Lfe Effect On Gain Structure
If, on the other hand, the DDRC-88A is to be “aware” of the need for LFE alignment gain, then choose the 5.1 Speaker System or 7.1 Speaker System configuration. In this case, Dirac Live will calibrate for 10 dB higher acoustic output on the subwoofer channel by adjusting its internal trim on the subwoofer channel. -
Page 49: Lfe Gain Structure Problems
Some consumer equipment, however, does not apply the 15 dB of analog gain. This is more likely in front-end equipment like DVD/Blu-ray players. If a unit like this is connected directly to the DDRC-88A inputs and bass management is used, you will need to: ... -
Page 50: Additional Information
DDITIONAL NFORMATION 7.1 T DDRC-88 U TILITY PROGRAM The DDRC-88 Utility program is an auxiliary program for configuring certain functions of the DDRC-88A. It is not used for measurement or calibration. Master volume Displays the current master volume setting. Mute Mutes all audio output. -
Page 51: Balanced Wiring Tips
XLR-XLR or microphone cables in two. The two halves are then used for input and output, as shown here: 7.2.3 RCA adapters In certain special cases, it can be helpful to connect a balanced input or output of the DDRC-88A to an unbalanced (RCA) connection on the source or power amplifier. The connection scheme is shown below. Note that the cable shield must be connected to the ‘−’... -
Page 52: Specifications
Controls master volume, mute, filter set selection, Dirac Live® filtering enable Power supply 12 VDC single supply Dimensions (H x W x D) 41.5 x 429 x 252 mm; 1RU height miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice... -
Page 53: Troubleshooting
7.4 T ROUBLESHOOTING The following table lists the most common causes of issues with the DDRC-88A. If following this table does not provide a solution, see Obtaining Support below. Item# Symptoms Troubleshooting recommendation a. Confirm that you downloaded and installed the required... -
Page 54: Mcu Firmware Update
Click on the Connect button. The button will display a green tick if connection is successful. Click on the Upgrade Firmware button. The DDRC-88A will be put into boot loader mode and the miniDSP upgrade utility will start. The status line should display “Device attached”. -
Page 55: Mac Os X
Click on the Connect button. The button will display a green tick if connection is successful. Click on the Upgrade Firmware button. The DDRC-88 will be put into boot loader mode and the miniDSP bootloader program will start. The status display should show “Device attached”. -
Page 56: Obtaining Support
OK.) Click on the Connect button, and then on About to verify the new firmware version. 7.6 O BTAINING SUPPORT 1. Check the forums on miniDSP.com to see if this issue has already been raised and a solution or solutions provided. 2. Contact miniDSP via the support portal at minidsp.desk.com...