[markus767]

People asked for it, here it is, a dedicated thread all things Dirac Live (DL). This post will be updated as we go along...

Note: If you are new to Dirac Live room correction or you're running it for the first few times please read through the following links. 99% of your questions will get answered there, in detail.
If you post questions in this thread and you don't get a reply it's more than likely your question has been asked and answered before and searching the thread will help. If not please get in touch with...

Dirac Helpdesk

https://jira.dirac.services/servicedesk/customer/portal/3

--- KNOWN ISSUES (last update 16.06.2022)

Desktop app (Windows/macOS)

• Dirac Live is incompatible with ceiling-firing Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers. [1][2][3]
• Dirac Live is incompatible with tactile transducers aka "butt kicker" or "bass shaker"
• The calculated optimization results sporadically don't match the actual in-room response. [1][2][3]
• "Hump" at the low end of the subwoofer response. [1][2][3]
• Elevated group delay in the subwoofer response with DLBC. [1]
• Corrected response curves are lost in the app when the user switches between "modes".
• All settings within the "Volume Calibration" tab are lost when coming back from another tab.
• No low-pass filter on the LFE channel when Dirac's bass management is engaged. probably fixed
• The menu on the right side is dark and unreadable until one selects the "Appearance" option in the menu and selects an alternate theme. [1][2] fixed
• When running calibration measurement sweeps using 96KHz mode (as with the UMIK-2), the animation showing which speaker is currently being measured progresses across the screen at twice the normal speed and is out of sync with which speaker is actually being measured. [1]
• 3.2.0/3.2.1: Correction limited to 20Hz which leaves the response below uncorrected. [1][2] fixed
• 3.2.2 macOS: Issues controlling mic from the app. [1]
• 3.3.0 New target curve editor doesn't apply matching low frequency curve shape to speakers and sub(s) [1]
• 3.3.0 Erratic results when using new target curve editor [1]
• 3.3.0 Suggested auto-curves are lost after re-opening or when switching "modes" [1][2]
• 3.3.0 Delay/gain sporadically not saved in AVR [1][2][3]
• 3.3.1 Speaker level is based on average of all mic positions which can create imaging problems [1][2]
• Misleading naming of basic functionality, e.g. "Upmix only"
• Gross translation errors in German localisation
• 3.3.3 Issues controlling mic from the app with Onkyo devices [1]
• 3.3.3 Low frequency correction limited to about 15Hz [1]

Mobile app

• Version 2 should generally not be used as it is just too buggy – see ratings...
• Version 3.2.3 has been released but lacks the ability to load mic calibration files which can lead to unpredictable results. It also prevents the use of custom microphones, e.g. miniDSP UMIK-1. [1]

--- EXTERNAL RESOURCES

Manufacturer website:
Home - Dirac

Download for Mac, PC, iOS and Android:
Download Software - Dirac

Manual, guides, articles and bug reporting:
Dirac Live Support - Dirac Live Support - Confluence

History, target curves, bugs:
Dirac Live 2/3

Configure microphone and setting speaker levels:
Configure microphone and setting speaker levels for measurements in Dirac Live 2/3

How to set crossovers (without "Bass Control"):
Setting crossovers in an AVR/pre-pro with Dirac Live 2/3 room correction

Dirac Live "Bass Control" add-on:
http://diracdocs.com/Bass Control in Live.pdf
Why using "regular" DL with multiple independent subs is a bad idea:

http://diracdocs.com/Bass_Control_where_did_my_bass_go.pdf

Introduction to digital room equalization
http://diracdocs.com/on_room_correction.pdf

Deep dive into room correction with Dirac Live:

Dirac Live 3 calibration walkthrough from StormAudio:

 

[wilbur_the_goose]

Subscribed - Thanks @markus767!

One question I have about Dirac Live 2 is in regard to channel trims:

• Dirac 1 didn't adjust trims - that was something I'd manually do after the calibration
• Dirac 2 does pay attention the the trims.
• I've found that my rear channels (10' away from the microphone) are dragging down the "set" trim level for all the other speakers. For example, my FL speaker is -8db, and my RL speaker (the quiet one) is set to 0db.
• I'd much prefer that Dirac 2 set the loudest speaker to 0db and adjust relative to that, not to the quietest speaker.
• Is there any way to "normalize" the trims, or to tell Dirac 2 to NOT set the trims?

Processor - HTP-1
Amps - Parasound A21, Emotiva XPA-5, Gen 2
Speakers - Paradigm Studio series
Setup: 7.1.0

 

[wilbur_the_goose]

Hint for Dirac 1 and Dirac 2 running on a PC:
I found that when running on a Windows 10 PC, you'll need to run Dirac under a user account with Administrator level rights.

In my case, I'll login using the Admin account, run Dirac, upload the filters to my device, and then log out (I never typically use the Admin user unless I really need to).

 

[BuckeyeAmps]

Subscribed - Thanks @markus767 !

One question I have about Dirac Live 2 is in regard to channel trims:

• Dirac 1 didn't adjust trims - that was something I'd manually do after the calibration
• Dirac 2 does pay attention the the trims.
• I've found that my rear channels (10' away from the microphone) are dragging down the "set" trim level for all the other speakers. For example, my FL speaker is -8db, and my RL speaker (the quiet one) is set to 0db.
• I'd much prefer that Dirac 2 set the loudest speaker to 0db and adjust relative to that, not to the quietest speaker.
• Is there any way to "normalize" the trims, or to tell Dirac 2 to NOT set the trims?

Processor - HTP-1
Amps - Parasound A21, Emotiva XPA-5, Gen 2
Speakers - Paradigm Studio series
Setup: 7.1.0

I would ask why it would matter if the loudest speaker is set to 0dB on the trim and all others are boosted as needed or if the quietest is set to 0dB and all others are cut as needed?

 

[ss3740]

I just ordered a Lexicon MC-10 which runs Dirac Live. What is the optional mic brand and part number that is recommended to use and where do you purchase them ? Thanks

 

[AustinJerry]

I would ask why it would matter if the loudest speaker is set to 0dB on the trim and all others are boosted as needed or if the quietest is set to 0dB and all others are cut as needed?

Because that is the way Dirac works. Are you questioning why Dirac is designed that way?

 

[markus767]

I just ordered a Lexicon MC-10 which runs Dirac Live. What is the optional mic brand and part number that is recommended to use and where do you purchase them ? Thanks

As long as you're using a calibrated, omnidirectional mic and it is recognized by your computer (or AVR/AVP) the brand doesn't matter much.

 

[markus767]

Subscribed - Thanks @markus767!

One question I have about Dirac Live 2 is in regard to channel trims:

• Dirac 1 didn't adjust trims - that was something I'd manually do after the calibration
• Dirac 2 does pay attention the the trims.
• I've found that my rear channels (10' away from the microphone) are dragging down the "set" trim level for all the other speakers. For example, my FL speaker is -8db, and my RL speaker (the quiet one) is set to 0db.
• I'd much prefer that Dirac 2 set the loudest speaker to 0db and adjust relative to that, not to the quietest speaker.
• Is there any way to "normalize" the trims, or to tell Dirac 2 to NOT set the trims?

Processor - HTP-1
Amps - Parasound A21, Emotiva XPA-5, Gen 2
Speakers - Paradigm Studio series
Setup: 7.1.0

How speaker trims are set depends on the available internal headroom. Manufacturers usually don't provide good control and monitoring for these parameters. The miniDSP DDRC-88BM being the exception.

 

[BuckeyeAmps]

Because that is the way Dirac works. Are you questioning why Dirac is designed that way?

I think you're reading my reply incorrectly. I'm not questioning how Dirac sets the trims....

 

[mraub]

Many use this microphone:

https://www.minidsp.com/products/acoustic-measurement/umik-1

I recall seeing a comparison which showed calibrations performed with the umik were more accurate than those done with the cheap microphones manufacturers include with processors and receivers.

I just ordered a Lexicon MC-10 which runs Dirac Live. What is the optional mic brand and part number that is recommended to use and where do you purchase them ? Thanks

 

[ss3740]

Many use this microphone:

https://www.minidsp.com/products/acoustic-measurement/umik-1

I recall seeing a comparison which showed calibrations performed with the umik were more accurate than those done with the cheap microphones manufacturers include with processors and receivers.

Thanks. Can't seem to find any in USA for sale. Everything is sold out

 

[neo_2009]

@markus767, you mention "... Some features have even been crippled (e.g. test signal/mic gain adjustment) ...", and later you mention "Version 2.5.2 has been released on 08.04.2020 with usability improvements and bug fixes but generally all of the above still applies".

Following your posts on the NAD T758 thread, i was under the impression you were hopping that version 2.5 would address the signal/gain issue.
Could you please clarify?

Thank you very much for having the time to create this thread!

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Subscribed - Thanks @markus767!

One question I have about Dirac Live 2 is in regard to channel trims:
[*]Dirac 1 didn't adjust trims - that was something I'd manually do after the calibration
[*]Dirac 2 does pay attention the the trims.

That may depend on how you used DL. Dirac 1 did do trims in the PC implementation.

 

[Snowmanick]

Thanks. Can't seem to find any in USA for sale. Everything is sold out

I ordered my Umik-1 directly from MiniDSP and had it shipped to the States.

 

[BuckeyeAmps]

I've decided to try a Dirac cal only correcting up to my rooms Schroeder frequency but was wondering if a good guestimate of where that would be can be gleaned from the below Dirac results for my Front LR and a pair of my Atmos speakers?

My guess is maybe around 500Hz?

 

[llang269]

Maybe someone can help me here. I have Dirac on a Datasat Ls10 and I can’t get my speakers to make noise to calibrate. It finds the processor, recognizes the mic and when it come to playing the noise back I get nothing, zero sound

 

[Stereojeff]

I've decided to try a Dirac cal only correcting up to my rooms Schroeder frequency but was wondering if a good guestimate of where that would be can be gleaned from the below Dirac results for my Front LR and a pair of my Atmos speakers?

My guess is maybe around 500Hz?

500 Hz is a good estimate. Or you can use this equation to determine the actual Schroeder frequency for your listening room: http://www.acoustic.ua/forms/room-modes-eng.html


Jeff

 

[BuckeyeAmps]

500 Hz is a good estimate. Or you can use this equation to determine the actual Schroeder frequency for your listening room: http://www.acoustic.ua/forms/room-modes-eng.html

Jeff

Thanks. Just tried the calculator and it says the Schroeder frequency should be around 170Hz based on 22'x14'x8' and default temp and reverb time.

Visually, when looking at frequency response of speakers in the room, is it possible to roughly guess the frequency? Reading up it seems like the visual indicator is when the response goes from large dips/peaks and "narrows" more?

Better yet, is there an easy way to use REW and find out? I'm no REW expert but figure if there is an easy way to find out it's worth a shot.

 

[markus767]

@markus767, you mention "... Some features have even been crippled (e.g. test signal/mic gain adjustment) ...", and later you mention "Version 2.5.2 has been released on 08.04.2020 with usability improvements and bug fixes but generally all of the above still applies".

Following your posts on the NAD T758 thread, i was under the impression you were hopping that version 2.5 would address the signal/gain issue.
Could you please clarify?

Thank you very much for having the time to create this thread!

The gain matching algorithm issue went much deeper and isn't related to settings in the "Volume Calibration" tab. It has been fixed beginning version 2.5. So finally after 16 months (or 2.5 years, depending on when you start counting) we finally have a Dirac Live version that provides more or less the same functionality as version 1... Let's hope the upcoming "Bass Control" feature was worth the wait.

 

[markus767]

I've decided to try a Dirac cal only correcting up to my rooms Schroeder frequency but was wondering if a good guestimate of where that would be can be gleaned from the below Dirac results for my Front LR and a pair of my Atmos speakers?

My guess is maybe around 500Hz?

It can be eyeballed looking at multiple spatially distributed measurements. Check the "Measured/Corrected Spread" box.

P.S. The "Measured Spread" checkbox is currently missing due to a bug.