marantz CINEMA30 11.4ch 8K AV Receiver User Manual

Dirac Live User Manual

Disclaimer

Dirac Research AB cannot be held responsible for the improper use of configuration of the Dirac Live software, or for any damage that might occur because of this improper use or configuration. This manual is intended to provide a guide for proper use of the software, but possibilities for use are such that no manual can be considered exhaustive for every scenario. Therefore, in addition to reading and understanding the material contained in this guide, we encourage you to utilize caution when using the Dirac Live software, as misconfiguration, especially regarding output gains or boost, can produce signals that may damage your audio system or hearing.

Using this Manual

This manual provides instructions for setting up and using the Dirac Live desktop software, including the bundled Room Correction feature, additional Bass Control feature, the Dirac Processor Plugin package, and the Dirac Processor Standalone desktop software. Dirac Live Room Correction and Bass Control can be applied to compatible home AVRs and HiFi receivers. The Dirac Processor Plugins in VST, AAX, and AU format currently support Dirac Live Room Correction and are designed for use with desktop plugin hosts and professional DAWs (Digital Audio Workstation). Dirac Processor Standalone software provides systemwide Room Correction for desktop devices. For additional guidance and walkthroughs, please consult the Dirac Knowledge Base.
Want the User Manual in PDF form? Click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner and select “Export to PDF.”

The Dirac Live Product

Dirac Live is a room acoustic solution that enables users to measure and optimize their sound systems to their preferences and reduces sound colorations introduced by the room. Dirac Live has two features: Room Correction, included with every software package, and Bass Control, an add-on feature available as separate purchase.
Why Room Correction?
Your listening space impacts sound. Walls, floors, windows, and furniture all affect how sound waves travel, maximizing certain frequencies while weakening others. Furthermore, speakers might not be placed optimally. For instance, they may not be placed symmetrically, meaning the left and the right channels arrive at the listener at different times. This leads to distorted stereo imaging. Speakers can interfere with each other as well, cancelling out at certain frequencies.
Without addressing these acoustic challenges, your audio system at home sounds worse than intended, regardless of price. Muddy sound, distorted soundstage and flabby bass are extremely common sound quality issues, even in the most expensive setup. Click  here to dive deeper into the four types of distortions good digital Room Correction system should address.
Dirac Live Room Correction
Dirac Live provides world-class Room Correction with its patented mixed-phase technology and time domain correction that other solutions are missing. Dirac Live is proven to deliver unparalleled Room Correction performance, minimizing the room’s impact on sound. Loaded with sophisticated algorithms, Dirac Live is at the same time extremely easy to use, with an intuitive user interface and step-by-step guidance that allows for easy setup and precise personalization of the target sound curves.
End user benefits

• Enhanced clarity: Enjoy the transparent and uncluttered sound you have never experienced with your current sound system.
• More accurate imaging and staging: Hear how vocals and different instruments fill a wider space, as if you were experiencing the song being performed live.
• Larger sweet spot: Enhanced overall sound experience in an expanded space, free of resonance throughout the entire listening area.
• Deeper, tighter bass: Hear beats more accurately as each note starts and ends as quickly as it is supposed to.
• Richer details: More fine details emerge where you have never heard them before. Listen to your favorite song with new ears.

What makes Dirac Live unique?

• Industry leading solution: Dirac Live provides a perfect combination of leading performance and easy-to-use interface. There is simply no other solution on the market that can achieve the same performance while maintaining ease of use.
• Solves problems other solutions fail to address: Dirac Live’s Room Correction feature solves crucial room acoustic problems that other solutions fail to address. Only Dirac Live delivers phase alignment, speaker driver alignment, room resonance reduction, and early reflection reduction. All in one. Click here to learn more
• A well-respected brand: Dirac Live has been licensed to more than 20 HiFi and home theater OEMs. Our solution has more than 200,000 delighted users worldwide. Used in professional mixing studios, control rooms and commercial cinemas, Dirac Live is endorsed by worldrenowned musicians such as Axwell and Rami Yacoub.
• Patented impulse response correction technology: The key technology utilized for Dirac Live’s Room Correction feature has been widely adopted in automotive audio, one of world’s most challenging acoustic environments since 2006. Today, the technology has helped premium auto brands such as Bentley, BMW, Rolls Royce, and Volvo to lift their sound systems to the next level.

Why Bass Control?
Your listening space interferes with sound, and speakers interfere with one other. To be specific, walls, furniture, and the floor all reflect sound waves, which alters their timing and frequency. This can create standing waves, leading to inconsistent bass. Different speakers can also play the same sound at different times, creating interference. In traditional bass management setups, the bass-managed speakers and subwoofers interfere with one another in an uncontrolled way. The severity of these effects can vary from mild to severe, depending on the location and speaker placement.
What does this mean for your listening experience? Bass becomes spatially inconsistent across the listening space. In some spots, you hear almost no bass. In others, you get booming bass. And when multiple subwoofers are added to the sound system, it becomes a tremendous challenge to utilize them properly in creating spatially consistent bass. Without Bass Control, it takes tremendous experience, time, and cost to address such issues, and if you hire a professional calibrator, you will have to call them back every time you change or move your equipment.
Bass Control vs. Bass Management
Bass Control is fundamentally different from traditional bass management solutions. Bass management is a common AVR function that extracts bass content from input signals and routes it to connected subwoofers. Bass Control does offer bass management functions, but the core value of Bass Control is that it co-optimizes speakers to improve bass accuracy and ensures consistent bass performance throughout the listening area from a single- or multiplesubwoofer setup. Put simply, each subwoofer is tuned as part of a complete unit in your listening space, leading to a consistent and realistic response, no matter the arrangement.

Initial Setup

System requirements
Dirac Live requires a Windows or macOS computer with the following minimum specification:
Windows

• Microsoft Windows 10/11
• Intel i3 or equivalent
• 2GB RAM

Mac

• macOS 10.14 Mojave, 10.15 Catalina, or newer.
• Note: If you are on MacOS 10.11 through 10.13, the latest versions you can use are Dirac Live 3.0.0 and Dirac Processor 1.4.0.
• Intel i3 or equivalent
• 2GB RAM

Dirac Processor Plugin compatibility
If not using the Dirac Processor Plugin, skip this section.
The Dirac Processor Plugin package requires a plugin host (DAW, Digital Audio Workstation) compatible with VST2, VST3, AAX, or AU plugins.
Compatible hosts include but are not limited to:

• Logic Pro X
• Cubase 10
• Studio One 4
• Reaper
• JRiver Media Center
• Ableton Live 10
• Pro Tools 11 or later
• Audirvana
• Amarra

Network settings
The Dirac Live desktop application and any Dirac Live-supported hardware need to be connected to the same network to facilitate communication. The Dirac Live desktop application also requires access to the internet. This is for two reasons: to access the license server and because part of the filter design is calculated on a cloud server. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the firewall does not block the connection from the application.
Firewall
Configure your firewall to allow connections from Dirac Live.

• macOS: In “System Preferences” “Security & Privacy,” make sure that “Allow incoming connections” is set for Dirac Live.
• Windows 10: In “Windows Defender Firewall”  “Allowed apps,” enable access for diraclive.exe on the current network type (Private or Public).
  Note: DiracLive.exe is located here: C:\Users\user name\AppData\Local\Dirac\Live

Microphone Setup
Dirac Live requires an omnidirectional calibration microphone with an associated calibration file. We suggest the miniDSP UMIK-1 microphone due to its ease of use and universal drivers. Please note that the measurement microphone is not included in the Dirac Live software purchase.
What is an omnidirectional microphone?
An omnidirectional microphone is equally sensitive to sound from every angle. An omnidirectional microphone’s polar pattern is a circle, indicating that gain is equal for any inclining angle relative to the microphone. In contrast to a bi-directional microphone, the omnidirectional microphone has only one side open to sound pressure.
Why can’t I use my cardioid or bi-directional microphone?
Dirac Live requires that sound pressure from the room’s reflections and the speakers’ lines-of-sight are measured with equal gain. A cardioid or bidirectional microphone will measure the sound with different gain depending on sound waves’ inclining angles to the microphone. Measuring a surround system with a cardioid microphone pointing at the front speaker will measure lower gains for the speakers behind the microphone, preventing the system calibration from being robust.
Where should I connect the microphone?
If the Dirac Live-enabled device comes with a calibration microphone, we recommend connecting the included calibration microphone to the device and not the computer, as Dirac Live fetches the calibration file from the device automatically. NOTE: ARCAM owners should connect their microphone to the computer.
If using a third-party omnidirectional microphone, or if your HiFi device is placed far away from your listening area, connect the microphone to your computer and ensure it is accessible as described in §4.3.4. Download the relevant calibration file provided by your microphone manufacturer and load it into Dirac Live as described in §5.6. Applying proper calibration to your microphone is crucial to creating a reliable measurement.
Microphone Access
If the calibration microphone is connected to the computer, Dirac Live (and the plugin host application if you are using the Dirac Processor Plugin) needs access to the microphone to complete measurement.
Windows
Go to “Sound Settings.”
Under “Related Settings,” select “Sound Control Panel.”
Select the microphone you want to use for the calibration.
Click “Properties” and then choose the Advanced tab.
Make sure that both checkboxes under “Exclusive Mode” are selected.
If visible, uncheck the box under “Enable audio enhancements.”

Ensure the checkbox for “Enable audio enhancements” is unchecked.
Mac

1. Go “System Preferences”  “Security and Privacy.”

Under the “Privacy” tab, select “Microphone” and check the box next to Dirac Live.

Microphone & Speaker Placement
Dirac Live uses measurements made in your listening room to calculate correction filters for all speakers and subwoofers. The Dirac Live app will guide you through the measurement and filter design procedure, where you will take measurements at different locations in your listening room and create a correction filter.
Speaker placement
Before you begin calibration of your system, it is important to ensure that your speakers themselves are in a suitable arrangement and position. Below are a few guidelines to follow when determining the physical arrangement of your setup.

• Check your speaker manufacturer’s recommendations for setup and follow these first. They might suggest steps that conflict with our guidance below and are to be followed first and foremost.
• Maximize distance between your speakers and the wall, if possible. This will reduce the interference of high energy wall reflections, which often affect lower frequencies. Dirac Live will be able to correct for this distortion in many cases, but sometimes too much energy is lost, and the speakers need to be moved further away from the wall.
• Do not place objects in front of the speakers.
• If possible, position the normal listening spot in the middle of the room.
• Place your speakers at the same height as your ears.

Bass Control subwoofer setup

• A Bass Control system requires at least one subwoofer and one large/small-range speaker. There is no maximum limit on the number of speakers in the system.
• There are no real requirements of where the subwoofer(s) should be placed in the room. One of the main goals of Bass Control is to let the user position their subwoofer(s) anywhere in the room and still get a good result.
• Each subwoofer should have its own logical channel. Connected two subwoofers via Y-split is not recommended.
• If the subwoofer(s) has an adjustable crossover / low-pass filter, it should be set at the maximum frequency.
• The volume or phase controls should not be touched after a Bass Control calibration since it will affect the results. Any adjustment after calibration should be made in Dirac Live.
• There should be no external up-mix in the audio path. If the user wants to add additional filters or effects, it should be applied to the input of the target Bass Control device.

Microphone placement
The basic principle of microphone placement is that any additional measurement improves the correction. More points = more accurate filters. However, depending on your room’s acoustics and equipment, the benefit from more measurements may diminish faster. We recommend completing every measurement point in your chosen arrangement.

• The measurement points should have a distance of at least 30 cm (12 in) between one another.
• Avoid making measurements in too small a space. Even for the “Tightly focused” listening environment, it is important to spread out the microphone positions in a sphere of at least 1 meter in diameter. Too small space will result in over-compensation, which sounds very dry and dull.
• Measure some points outside the listening area. E.g. for a sofa, it is recommended to do a few of the measurements outside the couch by 20-30 cm in any direction.
• Remember that you are measuring a three-dimensional   rather than a two-dimensional  , so be certain to take measurements in volume plane different vertical positions instead of in a single horizontal line. Consider depth as well.
• Point the microphone toward the ceiling (90°) when measuring to ensure that the microphone’s coloration is similar for both the wall reflections and the direct wave from the speaker. A 90° microphone calibration file is needed in this case.
• The positions specified in the “Select Arrangement” view the act as a guide. You may deviate from them as needed to emphasize particular spaces.

Preparing the Software

Installing the software
Download the latest version of Dirac Live from https://www.dirac.com/live/downloads/ and save it to a suitable location.
Open the downloaded file and follow the steps in the installer.
After installation, make sure your device is connected to the same local network as your computer. Your computer also needs to be connected to the internet for licensing purposes.
If you are using Dirac Live alongside a home AVR, skip to §6.0. If you are using Dirac Live alongside the Dirac Processor Plugin or Dirac Processor Standalone, read §5 below.
Dirac Processor Plugin installation
If not using the Dirac Processor Plugin, skip this section.
Unless you specify a different location during installation, the Dirac Processor Plugins will be placed in the following folders:
Windows

• Program Files/Common Files/VST2
• Program Files/Common Files/VST3
• Program Files/Common Files/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins

MacOS

• /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components
• /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST
• /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3
• /Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins

Dirac Processor Standalone installation
If not using Dirac Processor Standalone, skip this section.
You can download Dirac Live and Dirac Processor Standalone application here. Make sure that your computer is connected to the internet for licensing purposes.
Open the files and follow the installation procedures.
Restart your device before continuing.
Preparing Dirac Processor Plugin for Measurement
If not using the Dirac Processor Plugin, skip this section.
Start your plugin host or DAW (Digital Audio Workstation, such as Logic Audio, Ableton etc) and locate the DiracLiveProcessor in the plugins menu.
Depending on the host application, it might be under the subheading “Dirac Research.”
Because plugin host settings vary, you might need to go through additional steps to activate the DiracLiveProcessor. In this case, consult the documentation for your chosen host application for full instructions.

Once you have added the DiracLiveProcessor to your host of choice, open it.
Log in to your Dirac account in the sign-in window.

The Dirac Processor Plugin will not contain any filters at this stage unless you have previously created one with Dirac Live.

Start a gapless audio stream inside your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation, such as Logic Audio, Ableton etc) or plugin host by looping an instrument or playing a long track, such as this gapless 30-minute test mp3. Press the “play” button in your DAW to ensure that the audio stream is active while Dirac Live Measurement is being executed. It is extremely important that the audio stream is active during the whole calibration process.

Preparing Dirac Processor Standalone (Windows) for Measurement
If not using Dirac Processor Standalone, skip to §6.0.
Open the Windows Control Panel and select Sound. This opens Windows  Sound Settings.
The Standalone is not active until the application Dirac Processor Standalone is started, which comes later.

Select your default sound device and click Configure.

Select the configuration that you want to use. Note: For some sound cards that use ASIO, it is not possible or necessary to select a Multichannel configuration here. If you are using WASAPI driver, it is necessary to select the proper configuration.
Open the Dirac Processor Standalone.

Log in to your Dirac account if necessary.

The Processor window will look empty the first time you open it. You will populate this window with filters after you have created them in Dirac Live.

After Starting Dirac Processor Standalone, the new sound device will be active and selected as the default sound device.

In Dirac Processor Standalone, select Options > Audio Settings.
Note: The “Audio device type” name is dependent on what kind of audio hardware/soundcard you are using.
It will not necessarily show the text “ASIO”.

Select the number of channels relevant for your system.
Select Audio Device type from the following (Windows Audio modes are WASAPI modes):
Windows Audio operates in [shared mode](https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php?topic=73225.0#:~:text=Shared%20mode%20\(as%20opposed%20to,%22playback%20devices%22%20advanced%20properties.). The audio pipeline does not take full control of the driver. Instead, it shares system audio resources with other applications.
Windows Audio (Exclusive Mode) dedicates all system audio resources to Dirac Processor Standalone and takes over Windows’ audio pipeline.
Windows Audio (Low Latency Mode) is an alternate Windows Audio configuration. Low Latency Mode uses the latest available Windows audio interface in a shared mode, but supports low latency.
ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) is a third-party sound card driver protocol specified by Steinberg, providing a low-latency and high-fidelity interface between Dirac Processor Standalone and the computer’s sound card. Source
When using Windows Audio settings, you will use the Windows Sound Settings panel (described above) to change channel configuration and sample rate, etc.When using ASIO settings, you will use Processor + the ASIO driver program to change channel configuration and sample rate, etc.
Select your “normal” sound device as output. If you have ASIO drivers for your sound card, select ASIO as the Audio Device Type.
Click “Test” to ensure sound playback is functional. If so, close the Audio Settings window.
Play a sound from your media player or web browser to make sure the level meters are moving and that the sound is audible.

If you experience dropouts in the sound, experiment with different buffer- sizes. 10.0ms latency is recommended. However, it is not available for some sample rates.
In some media players like JRiver, you need to select the output manually. In this case, make sure “Standalone (Dirac)” is selected.

You are now ready to perform a measurement and create your first filters.
Download and Install Dirac Live and Dirac Processor Standalone
You can download Dirac Live and Dirac Processor Standalone here. Make sure that your computer is connected to the internet for licensing purposes.

Preparing Dirac Processor Standalone (macOS) for Measurement
If not using Dirac Processor Standalone (macOS), skip to §6.0.
Start DiracLiveProcessor in Applications
Log in to your Dirac account if necessary.
The Processor window will look empty the first time you open it. You will populate this window with filters after you have created them in Dirac Live.
In Dirac Live Processor, go to Options Audio Settings.. and select the audio interface you want to use.
Open Audio MIDI Setup and make sure Dirac Virtual Audio Device is in the list of soundcards
Play a sound and make sure the sound is passing through the Dirac Live Processor
You are now ready to perform a measurement and create your first filters.

Dirac Live Calibration Guide

Dirac Live account
Lauch the Dirac Live desktop application you installed previously.
On the first screen that appears after launching the application, you will enter your account details. Depending on the manufacturer, your Dirac Liveenabled device may or may not include feature license(s) by default. If you bought a feature from our webstore, you must log into your account in the application to access it.
If you do not have an account, you may create one by clicking “Create or manage your account” on the login screen.
If you have not bought any licenses and do not wish to log in, you can press the “Proceed without logging in” button.

Select Device
Next, Dirac Live will scan your network for all compatible devices. Make certain your device and the computer are connected to the same network and have full network access. All found devices will be listed. If your device is visible but crossed out, you lack the proper license for using it. Purchase the proper license from our webstore and try again.

If you have trouble with device discovery, see: Troubleshooting: No Devices Found
You can also try using the “connect via IP” by pressing at the top of the application and entering the device’s IP, which can usually be found inside its firmware or included documentation. If the device still does not appear, ensure that there is no firewall blocking the connectivity between the device and Dirac Live. Kaspersky on Windows can be particularly problematic. Use our help pages to find information on how to proceed if you are using Kaspersky.

Common user interface items
Once you have selected a device, you will enter the Select recording device page, which starts the calibration procedure. This section describes the function of the common user interface items available during the whole calibration process.

Menu button

The menu is found by pressing the Menu button in the left upper corner. The menu includes some standard user features such as saving and loading projects, application themes, languages, etc.
Supported languages include English, Japanese, Mandarin, and Swedish.

Accessibility settings
In Accessibility, you can adjust the application design to fit various forms of color blindness.
Auto-save
After each measurement is taken, the project is auto-saved. The auto-saved project can be found in:
Windows
%userprofile%\Dirac\projects\autosave
Mac