Arcam AVR390 / AVR550 / AVR850 including Dirac Live®

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Thanks John. I'm still getting the message that REW wants permission to use the UMIK-1, but when I click on OK, sometimes it works, but most of the time, it says no soundcard input. No idea why.
Yes, dont understand it but I'm newish to Mac.
 
Anybody on here running REW using a UMIK-1 and MacBook Pro with Mojave? I keep getting error messages that it can't see my sound card, bu it is enabled and REW is allowed to use in my privacy settings. It's driving me nuts!
Steve - I tried a while ago to get REW to work on my iMac. I just gave up and used Fuzzmeasure which is very Mac friendly but requires a license fee. I understand REW is now friendlier with the Mac so i’ll Be interested if you get this working
 
Does this help with REW on a Mac?

UMIK-1 + HDMI on Mac

Not really. That's the guide I mostly used. Everything connected as they say and initial set up screen is the same. Where it doesn't work is the part where you test using the SPL meter and Pink Noise. I get Pink Noise output, so the HDMI lead is working. I only sporadically get an input through the UMIK-1 mic (it does work as it's fine with Dirac on same MacBook and same USB input). The message I get is something like "no input from sound card". If I keep trying, I'll occasionally get it to work. No idea why as no loose connections that I can feel or see. REW just doesn't seem Mac friendly with mojave.
 
Also, I think that file is from an older version of REW as the new screens don't quite look the same.

I am using REW 5.19.
 
It was the pink noise bit I had grief with as well, the measurements went fine though.
 
Hi Steve356, It's probably no help, but I've been using the UMIK-1 on a MacBook pro on High Sierra with REW without any issues and I've just tried plugging it in to my iMac running Mojave and REW started and found it fine. No message about not finding the sound card.

I'm assuming you've got the Umik-1 selected as the input in system preferences - sound. I've had issues before when REW has auto selected the default device and not worked and found it had gone back to the internal mic in system prefs. There is also within the applications folder a utilities folder with audio MIDI setup app. You can test the HDMI output there and I always check that the Umik-1 is selected in there as the input. Not sure if it makes any difference though!

Good luck, I spent a whole day trying to get my old audio input and mic to work in Dirac V2 while it was working fine in REW. It does get frustrating sometimes.
 
Hi Steve356, It's probably no help, but I've been using the UMIK-1 on a MacBook pro on High Sierra with REW without any issues and I've just tried plugging it in to my iMac running Mojave and REW started and found it fine. No message about not finding the sound card.

I'm assuming you've got the Umik-1 selected as the input in system preferences - sound. I've had issues before when REW has auto selected the default device and not worked and found it had gone back to the internal mic in system prefs. There is also within the applications folder a utilities folder with audio MIDI setup app. You can test the HDMI output there and I always check that the Umik-1 is selected in there as the input. Not sure if it makes any difference though!

Good luck, I spent a whole day trying to get my old audio input and mic to work in Dirac V2 while it was working fine in REW. It does get frustrating sometimes.

Thanks Mike. I tried all that, but still got the messages most of the time. I would guess that I succeeded in taking a measurement about 1 in every 10 or more attempts. Very frustrating.

Never had a single problem ever with Dirac, either v1 or v2.

The opposite of you by the sounds of it.
 
Actually ignore the last part of my reply. I just tested the levels and got a message about not having access to the sound card on my iMac running mojave. I upgraded from REW 5.19 to 5.20 beta 5 and it worked okay. Might be worth a try.
 
Actually ignore the last part of my reply. I just tested the levels and got a message about not having access to the sound card on my iMac running mojave. I upgraded from REW 5.19 to 5.20 beta 5 and it worked okay. Might be worth a try.

I'll give the Beta another try, but that also didn't work yesterday when I tried it. I then deleted the file and reloaded the official 5.19 release.

Thanks Mike.
 
Hi anyone here tried the Dirac live 2.1.2.?
Ive been trying to zoom in on part of the curve to no avail, I can't seem to make a box and zoom in like on the old version from arcam...... Any ideas anyone don't know what I might be doing wrong.!...... Also are all you guys useing the 2.1.2 version or still useing the old one from arcam. ?
 
A basic mic stand is a good investment.

/\ this.

Get one of these from Amazon or eBay, it’ll be the best £15 you spend.

Remember you you’re not supposed to be in the way when running DIRAC so placing the mic correctly and walking to your laptop is a lot easier with a dedicated stand.
 
Actually ignore the last part of my reply. I just tested the levels and got a message about not having access to the sound card on my iMac running mojave. I upgraded from REW 5.19 to 5.20 beta 5 and it worked okay. Might be worth a try.

Good news! The issue was fixed by upgrading to 5.20 beta 5. Many thanks Mike. :thumbsup::D
 
The fun continues.........had talk sport on dab this morning before work and I was getting a buzz in my right speaker. Not audible when playing content,but slightly worrying. Placed my head on top of the avr and it sounds like the transformer. Had the radio on for an hour tonight and it’s on now,and can’t hear it
 
Arcam, Rel and Dirac.
There was posts on page 399 of this thread, 11949 - 51 discussing the use of Rel subs using the Rel hi-level and LFE inputs together and the last post seems to think that this setting and Dirac would work against each other, so as a Rel and Arcam owner, I sent posts 1149 and 11951 to Rel for comment and got back the following reply, which is really helpful :-

It’s not High and Low level
Its High level and LFE ( Low frequency EFFECT) its added in bass for movie soundtracks.

Its two quite different things. Does that make more sense?

We use Arcam in the head office – all set with high level and LFE. Let Dirac do its thing with just LFE connected and speakers should be selected to large by the Arcam – if not , override it. This will always sound better than small speaker setting. Let the REL do the crossover work later on and if you can take up the crossover on the Arcam to the high limits ( minimum of 120HTZ) as this is where the higher limit of the recording mix ends up with most films. It’s not down at 80

Only then do you set up the REL on high level. It should work a treat – always does for us.

After asking if it was ok to post the above information I got the subsequent response :-

No problem – it would also help if you mention that we are pleased to be using Arcam at our head office – and have done for several years so we have grown up with how Dirac has advanced.

In fact adding a REL is almost like adding some free room correction as it helps to iron out a lot of the room issues – so in combination with the Arcam Dirac it works really well when you get it aligned correctly.

(Back to me), so hopefully this clears up using Rel subs with Arcam and Dirac.
PS ….. I added the bold twice to show the hi-level outputs are employed after Dirac has been run.
 
The fun continues.........had talk sport on dab this morning before work and I was getting a buzz in my right speaker. Not audible when playing content,but slightly worrying. Placed my head on top of the avr and it sounds like the transformer. Had the radio on for an hour tonight and it’s on now,and can’t hear it
Quite often power supplies making noise can be caused by external devices and noisey mains etc. It may not mean the amps psu making the noise has a fault, it could be your fridge or other electrically dirty devices in your house. Some higher end psu’s are more prome to it, the Naim NAP200 power amp is one. Not sharing cheap 4 gangs with cheap filters and led lights can also help. If it is an issue I’d rule out external influences first just in case as it’s simple enough to do, just plug the amp directly into a wall socket and if still there maybe turn off a few high risk potential culprits.
 
Wow. No wonder they weren’t very helpful last Sunday and Monday. Might be service like that which has done for them! I always go in shops for stuff as I like the interaction,and helping to keep people in jobs! So what’s left in Nottingham now? A year old branch of Sevenoaks and a high end 2chanmel and custom install home cinema dealer. Have often wondered how they kept
Operating. Only so many footballers in the midlands! Hopefully the UMIK 1 turns up early next week. Gave a lead time of a week,i actually expected it to be here by now.
 
Wow. No wonder they weren’t very helpful last Sunday and Monday. Might be service like that which has done for them! I always go in shops for stuff as I like the interaction,and helping to keep people in jobs! So what’s left in Nottingham now? A year old branch of Sevenoaks and a high end 2chanmel and custom install home cinema dealer. Have often wondered how they kept
Operating. Only so many footballers in the midlands! Hopefully the UMIK 1 turns up early next week. Gave a lead time of a week,i actually expected it to be here by now.

Far more likely it is profit margins being crushed by customers expecting physical shops to match online discounters while still being expected to provide a premium service. It’s happening all across specialist retail, we’re the ones making it happen with our buying practices.
 
Quite often power supplies making noise can be caused by external devices and noisey mains etc. It may not mean the amps psu making the noise has a fault, it could be your fridge or other electrically dirty devices in your house. Some higher end psu’s are more prome to it, the Naim NAP200 power amp is one. Not sharing cheap 4 gangs with cheap filters and led lights can also help. If it is an issue I’d rule out external influences first just in case as it’s simple enough to do, just plug the amp directly into a wall socket and if still there maybe turn off a few high risk potential culprits.

Hi

I had this, in fact it was my external power plug... Just one of the ones that coat a £100 -£200 with cleaner and surge protection. Unplugged it and amp went nice and quiet. I think one of the rectifiers must have been breaking down in the external plug.
 
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Arcam, Rel and Dirac.
There was posts on page 399 of this thread, 11949 - 51 discussing the use of Rel subs using the Rel hi-level and LFE inputs together and the last post seems to think that this setting and Dirac would work against each other, so as a Rel and Arcam owner, I sent posts 1149 and 11951 to Rel for comment and got back the following reply, which is really helpful :-

It’s not High and Low level
Its High level and LFE ( Low frequency EFFECT) its added in bass for movie soundtracks.

Its two quite different things. Does that make more sense?

We use Arcam in the head office – all set with high level and LFE. Let Dirac do its thing with just LFE connected and speakers should be selected to large by the Arcam – if not , override it. This will always sound better than small speaker setting. Let the REL do the crossover work later on and if you can take up the crossover on the Arcam to the high limits ( minimum of 120HTZ) as this is where the higher limit of the recording mix ends up with most films. It’s not down at 80

Only then do you set up the REL on high level. It should work a treat – always does for us.

After asking if it was ok to post the above information I got the subsequent response :-

No problem – it would also help if you mention that we are pleased to be using Arcam at our head office – and have done for several years so we have grown up with how Dirac has advanced.

In fact adding a REL is almost like adding some free room correction as it helps to iron out a lot of the room issues – so in combination with the Arcam Dirac it works really well when you get it aligned correctly.

(Back to me), so hopefully this clears up using Rel subs with Arcam and Dirac.
PS ….. I added the bold twice to show the hi-level outputs are employed after Dirac has been run.
Interesting post, thanks. I have 2 subs, one is a BK one at the front of the room that I have connected via high level to the front mains and low level to the centre.

Following this theory, I should disconnect the high level whilst running Dirac.

I am confused as to that being the best thing to do as adding the high level in afterwards will add in a load of non Dirac'd bass to the front mains. But, I'm curious enough to give it a try :smashin:
 
Interesting post, thanks. I have 2 subs, one is a BK one at the front of the room that I have connected via high level to the front mains and low level to the centre.

Following this theory, I should disconnect the high level whilst running Dirac.

I am confused as to that being the best thing to do as adding the high level in afterwards will add in a load of non Dirac'd bass to the front mains. But, I'm curious enough to give it a try :smashin:
No, I think the idea is running Dirac prior to connecting up later via high level will ensure EQ is applied to the full range of sound from FL/FR if these speakers are set to large.
 
No, I think the idea is running Dirac prior to connecting up later via high level will ensure EQ is applied to the full range of sound from FL/FR if these speakers are set to large.
Yes, I get that. And they are set to large. But, the confusion for me is that if I run Dirac with the high level disconnected, then Dirac will EQ the full frequency range of the front left and right speakers down to as low as they go.

Then, I will add the high level input back in, and put a load of bass on top of that which will not be Dirac'd.
 
From whats been posted you are absolutely right. Utter nonsense as usual from Arcam. They really have no idea what they are doing.
 
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