Running Dirac Live on AudioControl X/XR (Setup)

This is the installer commissioning walkthrough for running a Dirac Live room calibration on a Maestro X processor or Concert XR receiver. Work through it in order during handover — the volume calibration step is where most failed runs come from.

1. Get the device and laptop on the same network

Patch an Ethernet lead from the router or switch to the rear-panel Ethernet port on the processor or receiver. A wired laptop connection is recommended, though Wi-Fi will work provided the laptop is on the same SSID as the device.
Leave the device in DHCP mode while calibrating so both the device and the laptop pull an IP automatically. DHCP is on by default. Confirm the address on the front panel: Menu > Network, then note the IP and MAC.
Set the control method to IP so Dirac can talk to the device: Menu > General Settings > Control > IP. The installer can revert this to RS232 once calibration is finished.

2. Set the speaker types

Dirac needs to know which speakers are physically connected. Sending test audio to a channel with no speaker throws a "LOW SIGNAL TO NOISE" error during room measurement.
Front panel: Menu > Speaker Types — set each one to match the install.
Do not set speaker levels or distances by hand. Dirac writes these automatically once calibration completes.
Before connecting Dirac, close the AudioControl web interface and drop the network connection to any home-automation processor (Crestron, Control4, Savant, Élan, URC and similar). Two controllers fighting for the device will break the session.

3. Download Dirac and connect the mic

Download Dirac Live from dirac.com/live/downloads/.
Plug the supplied calibration mic into a USB Type A port on the laptop. A mic stand is required.
Do not plug the mic into the rear USB port on the processor or receiver — it must go to the laptop.

4. Launch Dirac and select the device

Create or log into a Dirac account. On first use, the "Create or manage your account" link sits bottom-left of the login screen.
Dirac ties projects to the logged-in account — a project saved while logged in will not load when logged out, so keep the same login throughout.
After login, Dirac locates the device on the network automatically. Select it.

5. Choose the recording device

Select the supplied calibration mic as the recording device. It must be plugged into USB Type A before Dirac is launched.
Critically, pick the calibration mic — not the laptop's built-in mic. The internal mic is low quality and will fail the calibration.

6. Load the mic calibration file

Download the mic calibration file from the device's product page on audiocontrolpro.com (Resources tab), then extract it.
Without it, Dirac still runs but the final EQ curve will be off. In Dirac: No microphone calibration > Load from file, then select the file.

7. Volume calibration — the most important step

Three controls are in play:

Master Output — overall level, the equivalent of the front volume knob.
Mic Gain — mic sensitivity; start at 100% and lower only if the room has a high noise floor.
Channel Volume — per-channel fine tuning.

Procedure:

Start with Master Output at -70 dB and Mic Gain at 100%.
Each channel has a play button that sends pink noise with a level meter. Raise the master so each speaker reads above -12 dB; if any channel pushes above 0 dB, bring the master back down.
Aim every channel at roughly -12 dB (±2 dB). Target the subwoofer at around -15 dB.

Too loud and Dirac errors on the room measurement (distorted signal); too quiet and it throws the "Low signal to noise" error.

8. Pick the listening arrangement

Choose Tightly Focused, Focused or Wide to match a small, medium or large room. Wide is the common choice — most installs are multi-seat home cinemas or large living rooms.

9. Measure the room

The main position matters most; every other position is measured relative to it. Keep the mic on its stand, pointing straight up, and still.
Space the measurement positions 40–60 cm apart. Minimise ambient noise — a slammed door, a dog or a cough will spoil a position, so re-measure it.
More positions give a better result. Set the main position where the client sits most (centre of the sofa, middle row) with the mic at seated head height.
"Measure selected position" sweeps a tone through every speaker. If one speaker is loud enough to abort the measurement, drop it 1–2 dB on the Volume Calibration page.
If a full set isn't practical, take at least five: one central plus four surrounding the main position.

10. Design the filter

The grey line is the target curve and its points are adjustable. Try the default first — it evens out highs, mids and lows.
With multiple subwoofers, switch on Bass Control (top-right).

11. Export the filter

Select "Proceed to filter export", choose slot "1 – empty", name the curve, then "export filter".
X-series processors and XR receivers hold three EQ curve slots.
Export takes a few minutes and gives no success pop-up. Watch the front panel cycle: "DIRAC Receiving" > "DIRAC Saving" > "DIRAC Measurement". Do not close Dirac until it reverts to "DIRAC Measurement".

12. After calibration

Save the Dirac project file.
Engage room EQ per input using any of: front panel Menu > Input Config > Room EQ, the AUDIO button on the IR remote, the app's MEDIA > AUDIO tab, or the web interface.
Volume usually sits lower with Dirac engaged — this is normal, as the amplifier is working to conform to the EQ curve.
Room EQ must be engaged per input/source. The front display shows "Room EQ On/Off".
Save and back up the project file. A firmware update requires a factory reset, which erases the stored EQ files — reload the curve after updating.

This article was adapted from AudioControl's original guidance: "Dirac Live: Setup for X / XR Series Processors and Receivers" — https://support.avproglobal.com/portal/en/kb/articles/dirac-live-setup-for-x-xr-series-processors-and-receivers-14-11-2025 Habitech-edited for UK trade installer context. Original © AudioControl (via AVPro Global KB).

Running Dirac Live on AudioControl X/XR (Setup)

1. Get the device and laptop on the same network

Patch an Ethernet lead from the router or switch to the rear-panel Ethernet port on the processor or receiver. A wired laptop connection is recommended, though Wi-Fi will work provided the laptop is on the same SSID as the device.
Leave the device in DHCP mode while calibrating so both the device and the laptop pull an IP automatically. DHCP is on by default. Confirm the address on the front panel: Menu > Network, then note the IP and MAC.
Set the control method to IP so Dirac can talk to the device: Menu > General Settings > Control > IP. The installer can revert this to RS232 once calibration is finished.

2. Set the speaker types

Dirac needs to know which speakers are physically connected. Sending test audio to a channel with no speaker throws a "LOW SIGNAL TO NOISE" error during room measurement.
Front panel: Menu > Speaker Types — set each one to match the install.
Do not set speaker levels or distances by hand. Dirac writes these automatically once calibration completes.
Before connecting Dirac, close the AudioControl web interface and drop the network connection to any home-automation processor (Crestron, Control4, Savant, Élan, URC and similar). Two controllers fighting for the device will break the session.

3. Download Dirac and connect the mic

Download Dirac Live from dirac.com/live/downloads/.
Plug the supplied calibration mic into a USB Type A port on the laptop. A mic stand is required.
Do not plug the mic into the rear USB port on the processor or receiver — it must go to the laptop.

4. Launch Dirac and select the device

Create or log into a Dirac account. On first use, the "Create or manage your account" link sits bottom-left of the login screen.
Dirac ties projects to the logged-in account — a project saved while logged in will not load when logged out, so keep the same login throughout.
After login, Dirac locates the device on the network automatically. Select it.

5. Choose the recording device

Select the supplied calibration mic as the recording device. It must be plugged into USB Type A before Dirac is launched.
Critically, pick the calibration mic — not the laptop's built-in mic. The internal mic is low quality and will fail the calibration.

6. Load the mic calibration file

Download the mic calibration file from the device's product page on audiocontrolpro.com (Resources tab), then extract it.
Without it, Dirac still runs but the final EQ curve will be off. In Dirac: No microphone calibration > Load from file, then select the file.

7. Volume calibration — the most important step

Three controls are in play:

Master Output — overall level, the equivalent of the front volume knob.
Mic Gain — mic sensitivity; start at 100% and lower only if the room has a high noise floor.
Channel Volume — per-channel fine tuning.

Procedure:

Start with Master Output at -70 dB and Mic Gain at 100%.
Each channel has a play button that sends pink noise with a level meter. Raise the master so each speaker reads above -12 dB; if any channel pushes above 0 dB, bring the master back down.
Aim every channel at roughly -12 dB (±2 dB). Target the subwoofer at around -15 dB.

Too loud and Dirac errors on the room measurement (distorted signal); too quiet and it throws the "Low signal to noise" error.

8. Pick the listening arrangement

Choose Tightly Focused, Focused or Wide to match a small, medium or large room. Wide is the common choice — most installs are multi-seat home cinemas or large living rooms.

9. Measure the room

The main position matters most; every other position is measured relative to it. Keep the mic on its stand, pointing straight up, and still.
Space the measurement positions 40–60 cm apart. Minimise ambient noise — a slammed door, a dog or a cough will spoil a position, so re-measure it.
More positions give a better result. Set the main position where the client sits most (centre of the sofa, middle row) with the mic at seated head height.
"Measure selected position" sweeps a tone through every speaker. If one speaker is loud enough to abort the measurement, drop it 1–2 dB on the Volume Calibration page.
If a full set isn't practical, take at least five: one central plus four surrounding the main position.

10. Design the filter

The grey line is the target curve and its points are adjustable. Try the default first — it evens out highs, mids and lows.
With multiple subwoofers, switch on Bass Control (top-right).

11. Export the filter

Select "Proceed to filter export", choose slot "1 – empty", name the curve, then "export filter".
X-series processors and XR receivers hold three EQ curve slots.
Export takes a few minutes and gives no success pop-up. Watch the front panel cycle: "DIRAC Receiving" > "DIRAC Saving" > "DIRAC Measurement". Do not close Dirac until it reverts to "DIRAC Measurement".

12. After calibration

Save the Dirac project file.
Engage room EQ per input using any of: front panel Menu > Input Config > Room EQ, the AUDIO button on the IR remote, the app's MEDIA > AUDIO tab, or the web interface.
Volume usually sits lower with Dirac engaged — this is normal, as the amplifier is working to conform to the EQ curve.
Room EQ must be engaged per input/source. The front display shows "Room EQ On/Off".
Save and back up the project file. A firmware update requires a factory reset, which erases the stored EQ files — reload the curve after updating.

Running Dirac Live on AudioControl X/XR (Setup)

1. Get the device and laptop on the same network

2. Set the speaker types

3. Download Dirac and connect the mic

4. Launch Dirac and select the device

5. Choose the recording device

6. Load the mic calibration file

7. Volume calibration — the most important step

8. Pick the listening arrangement

9. Measure the room

10. Design the filter

11. Export the filter

12. After calibration

Running Dirac Live on AudioControl X/XR (Setup)

1. Get the device and laptop on the same network

2. Set the speaker types

3. Download Dirac and connect the mic

4. Launch Dirac and select the device

5. Choose the recording device

6. Load the mic calibration file

7. Volume calibration — the most important step

8. Pick the listening arrangement

9. Measure the room

10. Design the filter

11. Export the filter

12. After calibration

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