Hi
I know there are a few miniDSP users who read this forum (some use it as a FIR based linear phase active crossover, and others - like myself - use it as an IIR based sub processor; in my case, to not only set the roll-off parameters, but also to time align the rear 345 sub with the front 350A bass units) so just a quick note that in January of this year, the miniDSP team updated the plug-in and the firmware for my 4x2 HD (so presumably other SHARC based units, too). As the plug-in does not alert you when a new update is available, you have to go and manually check their web site (under the 'my downloads' section) to see if anything new is available, so I do that every few months and yesterday, I noticed the new versions for my own unit (with the below note):
https://www.minidsp.com/ Wrote:Release log:
Rev 1.11 (firmware v1.7) / 15th Jan 2018 - Major release so update is recommended for both Software and Firmware.
Software:
Enhanced IIR low frequency performance
Firmware:
1. Solve the Upgrade need to unplug and replug due to unknown hang issue on the name string descriptor
2. Increase the margin of the IR error to +-270us for the miniDSP IR remote
3. Bug fix mute, volume or preset status cannot updated on GUI after sync or restore
4. Fixed the DSP startup muted problem when power was applied but with short interruption in-between
As I'm using it for a sub, what piqued my interest was the 'Enhanced IIR low frequency performance' part. I've not had a chance to search for any more information than is shown above, but I updated it, played a couple of tunes (trying a few tweaks to levels and roll-off settings) and the system sounded pretty stunning in the bass department.
This is not at all 'scientific' as I only had 30 minutes of free time, but though I settled on the previous roll-on and roll-off frequencies (as you'd expect; these also govern the phase shift and thus any changes would mean a discrepancy between the sub and 350A bass*) I did find that I could increase the sub levels and it still sounded very musical (I eventually settled on +0.3 dB for best tunes, but it could be taken higher) so to me, that's a very good sign. In fact, since updating from the earlier miniDSP to the HD version, I've not really been entirely happy with the bass quality and I wonder if this is related; it certainly sounds pretty good now, so maybe it was letting the side down a little (when Paulssurround visited last year, he also noted that the bass sounded less tight than he'd recalled from his previous visit, so the evidence is stacking up).
With some bass prominent content playing (actually a few tunes from 'Scream - Scream!'; a mighty find Dubstep album) I walked over to the sub and it sounded very tight and well controlled (better than I recall it sounding, but that's very subjective). Okay, it was also a very nice day and I haven't played the system for a long while, so it could all be in my imagination (and the higher room temperature would also make a difference) but the overall system sounded a lot more fun than I recall it sounding the last few times that I've used it for streaming a tune (it's mostly used for TV sound, these days) so it's entirely plausible that the sub now integrates a little better (perhaps by more 'closely matching' what the 350A's lower bass units are doing) than it did before. I'll know more after using it for a longer while.
Anyhow, just a heads up on all the new firmware and sorry that I've not yet had time to go digging on exactly what's been changed, but if you are using one (in IIR mode) then I would suggest that it's worth trying the latest software and firmware, just to see if you notice any audible differences (particularly to the low end of things).
*Of course, I spent ages setting it up to phase track the sub's output with the 350A's bass amp output, and though I expect that will not have changed, at some point soon, I'll set all it all back up check that the frequency vs phase response characteristics haven't changed.
Bri
NB Just to remind anyone (as I'd forgotten the process) you first unzip the download, then from the plugins folder, run the plugin update (so in my case, MiniDSP_2x4_HD.exe) then as a separate event (so without the newly installed plugin opened and connected to the miniDSP) you go back to the unzipped download folder and run the UAC2 utility (which connects to the miniDSP) and use that to install the new firmware. Then, open the plugin and sync (click on 'restore' then on 'upgrade DSP program').
