MiniDSP Flex User manual

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Table of Contents
miniDSPFlex
Product Overview
The Flex family
DiracLive upgrade
Typical applications
Software Installation
System requirements
Windows
macOS
Download the miniDSP software
Install the miniDSP software
Install on macOS
Install on Windows
The miniDSP Device Console
Finding connected devices
Connecting to a device
Using template devices
Settings
Input sources
Using presets
Selecting a preset
Renaming
Importing and exporting
Resetting
Firmware updates
Convert to Flex (DL)
1. Purchase the Dirac Live upgrade
2. Activate the Dirac Live upgrade
Basic Operation
Front and rear panels
Basic operation
Rear panel connnections
All versions
miniDSP Flex

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Flex/Balanced
Flex/Digital
Playing Audio
Connecting sources
Connecting an amplier and speakers
Bluetooth audio
About USB Audio
macOS
Windows 11
ASIO
Remote control
Using the miniDSP remote
Using a third-party programmable remote
Programming a Logitech Harmony remote
Android/iOS control app
Signal Flow
Signal ow
Input Channels
Channel label
Current RMS level, Level meter
Channel gain
PEQ
Mute
Signal routing
Overview
Basic routing
Mixing
Routing examples
Subwoofer integration
Two-way active speaker
Output Channels
Channel label
Signal routing
PEQ
CROSSOVER
FIR
Time delay
Gain adjustment

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Invert
Mute
Current RMS level, level meter
DSP Reference
Parametric EQ
Overview
Editing lters
Disabling individual lters
Filter mode
Basic mode
Frequency
Gain
Q
Filter type
Jumping between channels
Linking channels
Reset to default
Advanced mode
Programming a single biquad
Loading a biquad le
Biquad design software
Crossover
Overview
Crossover mode
Basic mode
Enable
Cut-off frequency
Filter type
Jumping between channels
Linking channels
Hiding channels
Advanced mode
Setting biquads for the crossover block
Biquad design software
FIR Filtering
FIR ltering overview
The FIR lter pane
Enabling and disabling the lter

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Allocating taps

Loading lters

File mode

Manual mode

Jumping between channels

FIR lter design software

Tips

Compressor

Overview

Enable

Jumping between channels

Additional Information

Migrating to DC

1. Check that you have the latest version of Device Console

2. (Windows only) Check that you have the latest USB driver

3. Update DSP Firmware

4. Download the Migration Pack

5. Upgrade the rmware in your Flex

6. Migrate your conguration presets

Troubleshooting and support

Trouble-shooting audio issues

No sound during playback

Strange soundstage

Obtaining support

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miniDSPFlex

Product Overview

The miniDSPFlex is a stereo-input, four-channel output compact high-resolution audio processor. It features stereo

analog inputs, two digital inputs, USB audio, Bluetooth streaming with LDAC™ and aptX™ HD codecs and automatic

Bluetooth input selection, and an OLED front panel with physical volume control.

The Flex family

There are several versions of the 2-in 4-out miniDSP Flex with different I/O congurations. Refer to the Flex product

page (https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/ex) for the complete list.

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I O

SPDIF

TOSLINK

D

A 

C

USB

RESET

GND

DC 12V

PWR

INPUTS OUTPUTS

SPDIF

TOSLINK

D

A 

C

USB

RESET

GND

DC 12V

PWR

SPDIF

TOSLINK

D

A 

C

USB

RESET

GND

DC 12V

PWR

SPDIF

TOSLINK

OUT 34OUT 12

SPDIF

TOSLINK

OUTPUTS

INPUTS

Flex

Our standard model with stereo analog input

and four channels of analog output, all on RCA

connectors. The perfect tiny digital/analog

preamp and room correction device.

Flex/Balanced

For those with balanced equipment whether

audiophile, studio, or on-the-go professional

sound use. TRS jacks keep the compact profile

and are easy to adapt.

Flex/Digital

For specialized needs including driving active

speakers with digital input, use with separate

DACs, or to capture an analog source into a

digital system.

SPDIF

TOSLINK

USB Audio

Bluetooth Audio

Common Inputs

DiracLive upgrade

The miniDSPFlex can be upgraded to run stereo (two-channel) DiracLive® room correction. This requires an

additional purchase for the DiracLive license. You can either purchase the miniDSPFlex with DiracLive already

activated, or purchase the DiracLive upgrade at a later time from within the Device Console. Refer to the instructions

here:

Convert to Flex (DL)

Note that the upgrade applies per device.

Typical applications

The miniDSPFlex has a wide range of applications in home and professional audio. This section illustrates a few of

them.

Figure 1 shows the miniDSPFlex used as a digital preamp with subwoofer integration. The Flex provides accurate and

exible integration between the subwoofers and the main speakers as well as comprehensive EQ and tuning options.

This is a very cost-effective way to build a complete audio system that includes all the benets of modern DSP

technology. Add the optional DiracLive software upgrade for world-class room correction.

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Analog

3.0dB

Preset 3

Phono preamp

Power amplifier

Powered

subwoofer

Loudspeakers

Computer

USB audio

Digital sources

Turntable

miniDSP

Flex

Figure 1. miniDSPFlex as preamp with subwoofer integration

Figure 2 illustrates a similar use of the miniDSPFlex as a digital preamp, but the output channels have instead been

congured to act as crossover for a pair of active 2-way speakers. Amplication can be via a multichannel power

amplier as shown, or a pair of stereo ampliers.

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Analog

3.0dB

Preset 3

Phono preamp

Multichannel

power amplifier

Left speaker

Computer

USB audio

Digital sources

Turntable

miniDSP

Flex

Right speaker

Figure 2. miniDSPFlex as preamp and active crossover

In Figure 3, the miniDSPFlex has been used as an accessory in a home theater system, to manage multiple

subwoofers. Driven from the A/V receiver's subwoofer output, the miniDSPFlex can be used to independently adjust

gain, delay and parametric EQ of each subwoofer for optimum multi-sub performance.

Analog

3.0dB

Preset 3

Subwoofer output from AVR

Up to four independent subwoofers

A/V Receiver

miniDSP

Flex

Figure 3. miniDSPFlex for multi-sub management

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Software Installation

The miniDSPFlex is congured with software running on a PC or Mac.

System requirements

Windows

Windows 10 or later, with all updates installed

At least a dual core i3, i5, or i7 processor, or AMD equivalent

At least 4 GB RAM

One free USB 2.0 port

Internet connection

macOS

OS X 10.11 (El Capitan), or macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or later

At least a dual core i3, i5, or i7 processor, or an Apple ARM processor (M1/M2/Pro/Max)

At least 4 GB RAM

One free USB 2.0 port

Internet connection

Intel and Apple ARM processors are supported with separate binaries.

Download the miniDSP software

If you purchased your Flex directly from miniDSP, your software will be available from the User Downloads

(https://www.minidsp.com/userdownloads) section of the miniDSP website when your order ships. To access the

download, you will need to be logged into the website with the account you created when purchasing.

If you purchased your Flex from a miniDSP dealer, you will receive a coupon together with the product. Redeem this

coupon at this page:

Redeem your miniDSP software (https://www.minidsp.com/support/redeem-coupon)

The User Downloads link is visible from the drop-down menu at the top right of the website:

Info

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Navigate to the miniDSP Device Console section and select the download according to your platform: Windows,

macOS with Intel CPU, or macOS with Apple ARM CPU.

Install the miniDSP software

Install on macOS

1. Double-click on the downloaded miniDSP Device Console-x.y.z.dmg image le to open it. (The version number

x.y.z embedded in the le name will change over time.)

2. Drag the miniDSP Device Console application icon to your Applications folder.

3. To run the miniDSPDeviceConsole, locate it in the Applications folder and double-click on it. To make it easier to

run in future, right-click on its dock icon and select Options -> Keep in Dock.

The macOS version of miniDSP Device Console is installed for all users on the computer.

Install on Windows

1. Double-click on the downloaded MiniDSP Device Console Setup x.y.z.exe installer to run it. (The version number

x.y.z embedded in the le name will change over time.)

2. Install the miniDSP UAC2 USB Audio driver:

Info

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