MiniDSP SHD Series User Manual

SHD SeriesSTEREO HIGH-DEFINITION NETWORK STREAMER AND HIGHDEFINITION AUDIO PROCESSORWITH DIRAC LIVE ROOM CORRECTION TECHNOLOGYUser ManualSHDSHD PowerSHD StudiominiDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice1

Revision liminary version of this manual that incorporates Dirac Live 2.(See the SHD Series User Manual Legacy Support version for earlierchange history.)Catalina support. Corrections throughout. Still marked preliminary.Added user preferences.Corrections and updates for new firmware.DiracLive documentation moved to separate miniDSP Dirac Live UserManual.Remove legacy support (“Dirac Live 1”)Adobe AIR and Flash no longer neededDate12 December 201927 January 202015 April 202030 April 202030 June 202017 December 20201 February 2021SUPPORTED OSminiDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice2

Table of ContentsIMPORTANT INFORMATION. 61Product Overview . 81.1Dirac Live. 91.2Typical usage . 102Hardware Overview . 112.1SHD . 112.2SHD Power . 122.3SHD Studio . 132.4Front panel . 143Software Installation . 153.1Windows 10 . 153.1.1Download and install the DiracLive application . 153.1.2Download the miniDSP software . 153.1.3Install the miniDSP software . 163.2macOS 10.14 Mojave and 10.15 Catalina . 173.2.1Download and install the DiracLive application . 173.2.2Download the miniDSP software . 173.2.3Install the miniDSP software . 184 Playing Audio . 194.1Digital sources . 194.2Analog sources (SHD only) . 194.3Network audio . 204.3.1Ethernet connection . 204.3.2Wi-Fi connection. 214.3.3The Volumio web interface . 234.3.4Playing audio from USB stick . 244.3.5TIDAL and Qobuz . 254.3.6Spotify . 264.3.7Accessing multiple processors. 274.4USB Audio . 284.4.1macOS . 284.4.2Windows . 305 Remote control . 325.1Using the miniDSP remote . 325.2Programming a Logitech Harmony remote . 335.3Android/iOS control app . 335.4Alexa voice control . 345.5Learning third-party remote codes . 345.6Legacy miniDSP remote . 35miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice3

6The SHD Plugin. 366.1Plugin user interface. 366.2Connecting to the processor . 376.3Key features . 386.3.1Master control . 386.3.2Configuration/preset selection . 396.3.3Inputs . 396.3.4Input selection . 396.3.5Routing matrix . 406.3.6Outputs . 406.4Setting user preferences. 416.4.1Display Settings . 416.4.2Selectable Input Sources . 426.4.3Speaker Impedance (SHD Power only) . 426.5Configuring back-end processing . 436.5.1Signal flow . 436.5.2Configuration procedure . 446.6A note on using external DACs with the SHD Series processors . 446.7Configuration for subwoofer integration . 456.7.1Connect the subwoofer . 456.7.2Configure the plugin . 456.7.3Check subwoofer integration (optional) . 476.8Other configurations . 496.8.1Dual subwoofers . 496.8.2Stereo supporting woofers. 506.8.3Two-way active speaker . 517 Dirac Live Calibration . 52miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice4

8Plugin Reference . 538.1Input channel status . 538.2Routing . 538.3Output channels . 548.3.1Channel label . 548.3.2Level metering and gain adjustment . 548.3.3Parametric EQ. 558.3.4Crossover. 578.3.5Compressor . 598.3.6Invert and mute . 598.3.7Time delay . 608.4Custom biquad programming . 608.4.1What’s a biquad? . 608.4.2Using custom biquad programming . 618.4.3Biquad design software. 628.5Working with configurations . 638.5.1Online and offline mode . 638.5.2Selecting a configuration . 638.5.3Saving and loading configurations . 648.5.4Relationship with Dirac Live . 648.5.5Restoring to defaults. 658.6Keyboard shortcuts . 659 Additional Information . 669.1Specifications . 669.1.1All SHD Series processors . 669.1.2SHD . 679.1.3SHD Power. 689.1.4SHD Studio. 699.2Plugin and DSP upgrade. 709.3Volumio software update . 719.4Firmware upgrade . 729.4.1Windows . 729.4.2macOS . 749.5Finding the SHD’s IP address. 769.6Solving connectivity issues. 789.6.1No Internet connection . 789.6.2SHD Series processor not detected . 789.7Trouble-shooting audio issues . 799.8Obtaining support . 809.9Open source licenses . 80miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice5

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONPlease read the following information before use. In case of any questions, please contact miniDSP via thesupport portal at support.minidsp.com.System RequirementsTo configure the miniDSP audio processor, you will require a Windows PC or Apple Mac computer with thefollowing minimum specification:Windows Microsoft Windows 10, latest version with all updates At least a dual core i3, i5, or i7 processor At least 2 GB RAM (4 GB preferred) Two free USB 2.0 ports Internet connectionmacOS macOS 10.14 Mojave or 10.15 Catalina, latest version with all updates At least a dual core i3, i5, or i7 processor At least 2 GB RAM (4 GB preferred) Two free USB 2.0 ports Internet connectionDisclaimer/WarningminiDSP cannot be held responsible for any damage that may result from the improper use of this product orincorrect configuration of its settings. As with any other product, we recommend that you carefully read thismanual and other technical notes to ensure that you fully understand how to operate this product. The miniDSPaudio processor is a powerful tool, and misuse or misconfiguration, such as incorrectly set gains or excessiveboost, can produce signals that may damage your audio system.As a general guideline, you should perform the initial configuration of the miniDSP audio processor beforeenabling audio through any connected output device or amplification. Doing so will help ensure that thesoftware is correctly configured.Finally, note that the miniDSP audio processor is a very flexible device, and many of the questions we receive atthe tech support department are already answered in this user manual and in the online application notes onthe miniDSP.com website. So please take the time to carefully read this user manual and the online technicalsupport. Thanks for your understanding!Warranty TermsminiDSP Ltd warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of oneyear from the invoice date. Our warranty does not cover failure of the product due to incorrect connection orinstallation, improper or undocumented use, unauthorized servicing, modification or alteration of the unit in anyway, or any usage outside of that recommended in this manual. If in doubt, contact miniDSP prior to use.miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice6

FCC Class B StatementThis device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: This device may not cause harmful interference. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesiredoperation.Warning: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection. Thisequipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordancewith the instructions, may cause interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee thatinterference will not occur in a particular installation. If this

(See the SHD Series User Manual Legacy Support version for earlier change history.) 12 December 2019 2.1 Catalina support. Corrections throughout. Still marked preliminary. 27 January 2020 2.3 Added user preferences. 15 April 2020 2.4 Corrections and updates for new firmware. 30 April 2020 2.5 DiracLive documentation moved to separate miniDSP Dirac Live User Manual. 30 June 2020 2.6 Remove .