Software update
It may seem trivial, but it is actually extremely urgent to keep your device firmware up to date. This is how Dirac Live runs perfectly on these devices.
Anyone who owns a model from the Lexiconcompany can download an update from the Lexicon.comwebsite. You can find the firmware fastest by clicking this linkand scroll down a bit to "Manuals & Downloads". Now please select "Unit Software – Rest of the World". (This update applies to the RV-6, RV-9, and MC-10.) Transfer both downloaded .fw files to a USB drive that has no other files stored on it. Then plug this drive into the AV receiver. To activate the update, press the "info" and "display" key combination. You will then be required to perform a device reset by pressing the front menu button for 5 seconds. When the display shows "Setup Menu", press "ok" and "direct".
It’s also important to note that the reset will restore the device to its factory settings. This means you will need to reconfigure all settings after the software update, otherwise you will have to repeat this work.
Basic settings
Manually note the number of speakers and their size in the device. Unfortunately, Dirac cannot detect this automatically. Set the device control to IP and the language to German. (We are referring to Lexicon devices here. However, at least the Arcam AVR 550 has the same menu.)
Dirac Live
As with the model software update, Dirac Live must be up to date on your laptop/desktop computer. To do this, visit the live.dirac.comwebsite. If you have not already done so, create a user account here. You can then in the download sectiondownload the latest software.
Now you can set the preliminary preferences for the program: Lower the master volume. The microphone sensitivity should be rather low. You can then adjust the volume of each individual channel until all bars are green.
Then clamp the microphone vertically at ear height into the appropriate stand. Pay attention to precise positioning. Most importantly, do not move the microphone again after this!
As an aside, it is recommended to purchase a higher-quality microphone than the one included. However, the included microphone can also be calibrated. For this, download the corresponding calibration file, which is calibrated to the type of microphone. If you follow this, the results will be even better. If you do not, however, the results will not suddenly be worse. This note is not a requirement.
Common sources of error
From our experience, there are two key sources of error when setting up Dirac Live: If the device is not detected by Dirac Live, first check whether the control has been set to IP. Then, overmodulation (clipping, to use the term) often occurs if the speaker level is set too high.
Conclusion
Dirac Live is a very advanced program. Its room correction aims to reproduce sound exactly as it was originally intended, without compromises due to the interaction of speakers, positioning, and room spaces. Experiencing difficulties during this process is normal.
Incidentally, you can get another impression of the capabilities of Dirac Live from our video with AV Consultant Raphael Vogt.
Update 18.05.2020: Our colleague Alex completed a full Dirac Live calibration on camera using a Lexicon RV-6. This video is intended to support you so that you can navigate the process more easily.
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