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Dirac Setup

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NAD-KB18-Y01

Introduction

This Help Centre Article will walk you through the complete process of setting up the DIRAC Live room correction software on your NAD Audio/Video Receiver or NAD Masters Series product. This process will take approximately 60 minutes.

DIRAC is available on the following NAD Products;

  • AVRs with any of the folloing MDC combinations
    • VM300 + AM230
    • VM130 + AM230
    • VM300 + AM17
  • M10 Two Channel Amplifier
  • C658 Music Streamer

Tools Required

  • A personal computer running Windows or MacOS -or- an iPhone/iPad or mobile Android device
    • This Guide will focus on a Windows or MacOS install the mobile device version is similar but may vary slightly
  • The DIRAC software for your specific NAD Product downloaded from https://nadelectronics.com/dirac-live/ 
  • If available, a mini or full size tri-pod mic stand
  • The DIRAC hardware kit included in your NAD Product packaging
    • USB microphone adapter
    • mono to stereo minijack adapter
    • microphone

Setting Up DIRAC

Completely install your NAD product;

  • All speakers should be connected to the product and placed in the final locations
  • All sources should be connected and configured
  • The BluOS Kit included with your NAD product should be installed in too the USB port near the rear HDMI ports

Ensure you are running the latest software on your NAD product;

  • Your NAD product should be connected to your Home network using the BluOS Controller App (click here for instructions)
  • If you have a 2 channel Stereo Product (and not a Home Theatre System) please feel free to skip ahead to Connect the DIRAC Calibration Microphone
  • Your NAD product is running the latest version of BluOS
    • In The BluOS App, select the Product from the Player Selection Drawer
    • In the Navigation Drawer, select Help, Check for Upgrade
    • Follow on screen prompts if an Upgrade is available
  • Your NAD Product is running the latest version of the chassis firmware
    • Open the On Screen Display Menu (OSD) using your NAD Remote
    • Select System Info, Check for Upgrade
    • Follow on screen prompts if an upgrade is available

Set and place your speakers;

  • Open the OSD and select Speaker Setup to set your Speaker Type and Crossover points
    • Small/80hz is the THX standard but check with your speaker manufacturer for their preferred settings
    • Be certain to turn off any channels not connected to speakers that will not be used
  • Using the Built in Test Tones, set your Speaker Levels using the SPL meter or the SPL app on your mobile device
    • Set all speakers to 75 db (or as close as possible)
    • Measure the distances from the primary listening position to each speaker’s primary tweeter
    • Enter each distance measurement in the Speaker Distance menu of the OSD
    • Adjust sub-woofer level using the physical hardware volume on the sub-woofer and not the OSD soft settings

Connect The DIRAC Calibration Microphone;

  • Assemble the Microphone and USB adapter as shown
    • Pro Tip: Be sure not to use too much force when inserting the mono to stereo mini-jack adapter into the USB adapter. Later in the process, if the DIRAC program constantly gives “Level to Low” errors, pull the mono to stereo adapter ever so slightly out of the USB dongle to get a better connection.

Dirac_Dongle_Assembly.jpg

  • Some models will ship a single USB to 3.5 mm mono adapter, the microphone may be directly connected to this model

NAD_CM1.png

  • Connect the USB adapter to a free USB Port on the rear BluOS Expansion Kit of your NAD product.
  • Alternatively, you may connect the USB adapter and microphone assembly to your
    computer instead. Please be aware that you may be required to configure your computer’s microphone settings.
  • The adapter assembly must be connected before launching the DIRAC software or DIRAC
    will not communicate with the microphone.

Calibrate Your NAD Product;

  • Launch the DIRAC app on your computer. It should automatically find your NAD product on your network
    • If your product does not appear, select the IP button at the top of the Dirac Live program and enter the IP address of your NAD AV Receiver and then select Connect

Screenshot__55_.png

  • All fields will populate automatically as DIRAC reads the info from the NAD product
  • Select the Recording Device for your setup. The recording
    device is where you have connected microphone earlier.
    • If it is connected to your NAD product, then you should select
      the NAD product.
    • If it is connected to your laptop, you will see a “Microphone (USB Audio Device)” listed
  • The Microphone Correction files for all NAD Supplied USB adapters and microphones can be found at NAD’s DIRAC page: https://nadelectronics.com/dirac-live/ 
    • If you are using a 3rd party microphone, please ensure it is certified for use with DIRAC. It will have its own config file or download site.
  • In the DIRAC App click the large button below the selected microphone. A browse window will ask for the Microphone Correction file.

Screenshot__51_.png

  • With the microphone positioned at the listening focal point or 'sweet spot' of the room, limit as much noise in the room as possible.
  • Start with Mic Gain set to “100%.” The Mic Gain and Master Output volume can also be seen as a signal to noise ratio setting (Output Volume is Signal, and Background Noise is noise.)
  • Select the Test Button (Play) for the first speaker channel (left speaker) to play a test tone from that speaker
  • Gradually adjust the Output Volume until the indicator bar is green. You will see a range of green bars while the test tone is playing, try to adjust the level as high as possible without it turning red red. Click the Test Button again to stop the test tone once completed.
  • Repeat this process with each of the remaining speaker channels in the system using only the slider below each speaker to adjust that speaker so it is also green as close to red as possible without turning red.
  • If your subwoofer has its own level control, use that to set the volume of the test tone for the sub instead of using the Subwoofer Volume Slider in the DIRAC program
  • Choose your seating arrangement. Chair and Sofa are available by default. A DIRAC Pro license will open more options; 
    • Chair; Suitable for a single focused listening position
    • Sofa; You can choose a focused seating position for a single person, or a wide one if multiple people will be seated
  • Ensure the microphone is still positioned in the exact sweet spot of your listening area. This should be the primary listening position illustrated in the DIRAC program.
    • Pro Tip: This first placement is absolutely critical. All the impulse (phase/timing) fixes DIRAC will perform are based on this first signal sweep.
  • Press Start to begin a signal sweep
    • A sweep will occur starting in the left speaker, then go through every speaker in the system.  It will finish with the left speaker a second time.  If it completes successfully without errors, the program will move you on to next steps
    • Select Measure selected position from the footer buttons to correct a bad measurement

Common Errors

  • Signal Level too low – Your receiver may be playing too quietly
    • Return to the Levels Tab and ensure your measurements are correct
    • Ensure you microphone assembly is correct and installed in the USB Port of the product
  • Clipped signals – The level is too high or there were loud transient noises that disrupted the signal, like a door slam. This is easily noticeable on the signal graph as a big red line

Once all positions are completed successfully, it is strongly recommended to save your project. Use this as a reference for future measurements of this installation. If you want to make changes, you won’t need to perform a new signal sweep unless something in your room has changed such as moving a speaker or rearranging the furniture. You can access saved filters using the Home (Main Menu) icon in the DIRAC App.

Finishing up and Saving

  • From the Filter Design screen, advanced users can adjust every aspect of the filter curve. The DIRAC default curve is loaded of making all tones as even as possible.
    • Unless you are extremely familiar with DIRAC and your room, this is not advised
  • Click the Home Button in the top left corner to apply different Target Curves by selecting Load Target.
  • If you use the NAD Target Curve, apply it to all speakers EXCEPT the sub-woofer or your bass will likely become too loud.

Screenshot__47_.png

DIRAC now performs automatic optimization as it saves the filter for your NAD products.

  • Choose one of the three filter slots
  • Name the Filter – This will be the name you see in the NAD product’s On‐Screen Display
  • Add an optional description (Action Movie, Concert Film)
  • Click the Export Filter button to save the filter to the NAD product. The front panel of the NAD Product will say “Saving Filter”.
  • Repeat previous steps if you want to create additional filters.
  • Most NAD products can hold up to 3 DIRAC filters.

Useful Tips and Tricks

For best results, use the included USB extension cable to re-position the USB Wi‐Fi chip on the BluOS Expansion kit USB Hub away from the rest of the BluOS kit. This keeps radio interference of the Wi‐fi signal at a minimum when performing measurements. The NAD T777V3 and M17V2 also have a wired network port if a wired connection can be used.

Any changes to the configuration of your NAD Product will over-ride DIRAC and turn off any filters as they no longer match the setup it was designed for. For example, If you add Height Channel speakers, they were not part of the original calibration. DIRAC can’t be forced back on. A new calibration will need to be performed, or the added channels must be disabled.

The Microphone should be in “free air” and pointed up with no sources of reflection. A mini or full‐size tripod is very helpful here.

Notes

  • The DIRAC software needs an open internet connection. The software must be able to communicate with DIRAC HQ for proper filter creation.
  • A third party microphone can be used. Please review your third party microphone documentation for calibration instructions
  • Your NAD Product and the computer or mobile device using teh DIRAC Software must be connected to the same network.
  • Antivirus programs and firewall software have been known to impede the DIRAC app from
    functioning properly. These should be disabled before proceeding with the DIRAC calibration.
  • If possible, run the DIRAC software with Administrator permissions on your PC.

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