Atte: BOSSO, Mark Seaton, Chasw98, et al

Nice to see you, Sherv!

If you can get ahold of the Marchand guys, the Bassis is still a good choice in the analog realm. Otherwise go digital with the MiniDSP which supposedly works with REW. You'll love it.

http://www.minidsp.com/onlinestore/detail/15-minidsp-in-a-box/flypage/71-minidsp-balanced-2x4?sef=hcfp

Getting ever so close to wrapping up my mega project but funds are dwindling.

The link I sent you has two inputs and four outputs. Perfect for quad sealed subs. You can adjust each one independently with the MiniDSP software. That would be the one to get. You already have the amps still, yes? You're good to go, sir!

not much has really changed. dcx2496 is still a good one, but the mini has a lower price and allows easier eq under 20hz. balanced version if your system's got it.

You're going to want the 4-way advanced plug-in.

http://www.minidsp.com/onlinestore/detail/13-audio-plug-ins/flypage/60-4way-advanced?sef=hcfp

This is pretty much everyone who gets one uses. It includes the Bi-quad programming and simple graphical shelving features along with all the crossover stuff.

Hey gentlemen,...

what does this mean?




Thanks

MiniDSP allows for EQ down to 10hz.

a 10hz center freq for parametric/shelving? ..I remember examining the GUI and I didn't see that,...interesting, thanks

Holy Cow !!!!! Sherv, how the hell are you ? I love the Mini ! I'm an idiot and between the OmniMic and the Mini, i couldnt lose, check out my sig on the multisub setup....

Again, good to see you posting, oh and i got a BASSIS just sittin around

Things are ok buddy. I have no experience with the biquads or REW, so i'm hoping someone will chime in. Most all i accomplished was with shelving filters and tons of room gain. Get the balanced version and 4way advanced plugins....

Its one of those pieces that you have to just fire up and start playing around, so intuitive. I did have an issue with humming, but a quick chassis ground fixed it.

I wont post all the graphs as they are in my thread, but i really enjoyed getting use to it and getting it flat to 10hz.

Not sure what the analog boys think of the BASSIS vs. MiniDSP, they mite have something to add.

Without measuring tools like OmniMic i would have been lost, even little differences like LR or BW filters offer their differences in response. Now, the mic heard the difference, not sure i really would......

kg, did you use phoenix to xlr cables with your balanced mini as in the image below? if not, how did you connect it to your amps?

shervdog, shelf filters are included in the advanced pack. $10 lol. you won't have to learn any biquad programming or anything. :-)

as you know a simple shelf filter is pretty much the same as a linkwitz transform unless you really need to change the q of the system. even then a simple 1 peq (to get the system to q=0.707) and a shelf (12db/oct) will get most people 99% of the way to an LT.


Edited by LTD02 - 6/23/12 at 4:47pm

Yeah, the balanced version has the phoenix. I've never seen a dedicated cable like that and to the best of my knowledge they dont come out. I just used some mic cable and a bunch of TRS 1/4" jacks. And i used the Rane chart to do the RCA cables to the plate amp.

Yup, the shelf filters are great. I only needed a little help as the room gain down that low was over the top. The Mini is really a cool piece.......

i don't know. i just searched and that one came up, about $5 iirc. the guys at mini have a really good product but they sure make it as difficult as possible to figure out which one to buy and how to hook it up!

also, member "notnyt" is using one of the mini-dsp in his super system. iirc his 2x8 isn't balanced and he has no issues. you might look him up and drop him a note to get his opinion on what you should do. he really knows his sh_t and is a friendly.
Edited by LTD02 - 6/25/12 at 1:27pm

There are also two different sizes of the green phoenix connector, but I dont remember which one is right. Ive seen most people just hard-wire into the phoenix connector, as that seems the easiest route to take. all that garbage scared me so i went with the dcx2496 : ) Plus, I dont want to have to hook my laptop up everytime I want to make an adjustment!!!

I have heard that Parts Express is planning on carrying the MiniDSP soon and if that the case they will probably stock all the accessories needed to get it up and running in one shipment. I don't know when this is supposed to happen though but it would be worth an e-mail to PE customer service to find out more.

I'd really like to see the MiniDSP system implemented into a more professional looking system. Either rack mount or standard electronic look with a built in LCD screen and/or video output and proper RCA and XLR inputs and outputs. About time they get on that, me thinks.
Edited by Scott Simonian - 6/25/12 at 2:23pm

If you have a bit of time on your hands, you could most certainly install one in a nice HTPC case, like the Silvertsone CW 03. Plenty of room, especially if you only use a small ITX based board in the box ( have to make up your own mounting, since the case is built for ATX / Micro-ATX )



7 inch touchscreen....

http://www.minidsp.com/onlinestore/detail/8-accessories/flypage/92-minidsp-2x88x8-box?sef=hcfp

Interesting ... quite interesting but, not quite what I had in mind.


Ahh.. didn't see that. Almost there but still falls short with no built-in user interface. Still requires a computer to be hooked up to do anything with it. I'm picturing a Behringer DCX or something that looks like a SMS-1. Something like that. This kit is nice though. Thanks for pointing that one out, Noah.

I am with you Scott, I think something with a SMS-1 type video output and simpler interface would be a big time winner. Combing a MiniDSP with a Omnimic or REW type system that is ready to go out of the box would get my money right away. Built into that HTPC that Michael pointed out would be slick but building it my-self isn't. I am all for DIY when it comes to speakers and subs but electronics and computers I need things that don't require assembly.

Check out this HTPC case:



http://www.amazon.com/LVA20052N1Z-Aluminum-7-Inch-Screen-Center/dp/B002D48GRU/ref=pd_sim_sbs_pc_4

If there is a reputable company who could make a HTPC using that case and incorporate a MiniDSP and REW with the proper sound board and calibrated mic or Omnimic I would pay a premium for that.

Is that a good case?

I am sure that is a fine case, Thermaltake makes nice stuff. There are many ways to go about browsing your content, ( as I am sure you are aware of ) either locally, a NAS device, or on another computer. To be honest, I would only use a small enough SSD ( 40-80 gb is plenty for most OS ) hard drive for the main operating system, and then have content stored on another device. ( windows share )

This would free up room inside the case for the Mini DSP boards, and room on the back panel for your XLR or RCA connectors. I haven't built my own computer yet, but have installed various operating systems on barebones kits. The amount of research is similar to choosing and building a subwoofer, either from a kit or a DIY design. The computer I am typing this up on is dual boot with Ubuntu and Win7.

An ITX based system should be plenty fast for HD video, although that would depend on the software suite you are running, processor, video card. ( HDCP compliant ) I have a couple year old Zotac Intel Atom/Nvidia ION nettop ( 8 inches square by about 2 inches thick ) that runs Ubuntu 10.04 and XBMC. It plays back 720p BR rips from external USB drives very nice with low CPU and GPU usage. System draws about 25 watts full tilt. I have audio from both the HDMI connector as well as the optical out at the same time. Fits my needs perfectly.

If a HTPC is what you are interested in that will fit your needs, I would talk to a reputable computer shop that also dabbles in HTPC's, and solicit their opinion. Also check out the HTPC section of the AVS forum. Installing the MiniDSP in the same chassis should be trivial once everything else is addressed.

Same with me, for the love of god, why they can't just an option for XLR's on their stuff, I'd bet it would sell better as I know I'd have one in a second. My DCX is working great and always has been, I'd only change just to try it out.

Thanks for the info Michael.

I still think the DCX is the way to go. Plus, I like having standard width components in my setup.