miniDSP TIDE16 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 16ch AV audio processor

miniDSP TIDE16 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 16ch AV audio processor

The Tide16 is miniDSP’s first immersive-audio platform offering Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and the full Dirac Research room correction suite. A powerful Quad-Core ARM processor delivers pristine audio processing with low power consumption and minimal heat. With this future-proof architecture and superb audiophile specifications, the miniDSP Tide16 delivers an unprecedented level of performance and flexibility for home theater, professional studios and audiophile use.

The Tide16 can decode up to 16 channels from HDMI depending on speaker layout and Atmos/DTS:X content. It provides three HDMI inputs plus eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) for sources routed through an eARC-capable TV. At its core for speaker processing, miniDSP is once again partnering with Dirac Research by including Dirac Live (RC), Bass Control (BC) and Active Room Treatment (ART) licenses at no extra cost. A flexible matrix mixer, advanced bass management and miniDSP’s full processing suite operate on all sixteen outputs, simplifying setups with multiple subwoofers, active speakers or multi-speaker studio configurations.

Stereo functionality remains robust: numerous stereo inputs are available, including USB, Bluetooth (LDAC and APTX HD), analog on RCA and XLR, and four S/PDIF digital inputs (coax and optical). Audiophile-grade analog circuitry and converters preserve stereo fidelity while the Tide16 simultaneously handles advanced home-theater processing, making it ideal for combined stereo and home-theater systems.

Hardware Features

• Processor: Quad Core ARM processor / 1.8GHz 
• HDMI 2.0 + EARC/ARC interface (3x1)
• Atmos/DTS:X decoder and upmixers
• Included License: Dirac Live® 3.x full range, Dirac Live Bass Control (DLBC) and Active Room Treatment (ART)
• Audiophile performance with very low noise floor and distortion (SNR @127dB(A), THD+N @ -118dB (0.0001%)
• Inputs: Stereo digital (SPDIF x 2 / Optical x 2), Analog input (XLR/RCA), Multichannel USB Audio (8ch), Bluetooth, Multichannel HDMI
• Outputs: 16 fully balanced audio (XLR) 
• 1080p Color OLED front panel controller with IR control
• Control and configuration by web user interface and miniDSP Device Console (DC) 

What's in the box?

• Digital Audio Processor - Tide 16
• IR remote
• UK/EU/US/AU IEC plug
• USB, Ethernet cable  
• Removeable Rack EARS

Optional Items

• UMIK-1 or UMIK-2 Measurement microphone
• AMP-8 multichannel Class D amplifier, 8x300W
• Microphone tripod

NOTE: The UMIK-1/2 are measurement microphones approved by Dirac Research. Knowing the major effect a wrong calibration/measurement would have on the final results of Dirac Live tuning, we strongly recommend that you select a UMIK-1/2 microphone together with your platform for a plug&play experience leading to best results. Any issues related to 3rd party microphones such as ASIO/USB audio driver incompatibility/Latency problems or incorrect calibration process will not be under our support structure by our support team.

Audio Precision APX555 measurements

Digital to Analog (Input 1 kHz, 0 dBFS) / AES17 20kHz LPF / All procesing disabled

User Interface

Tide16 leverages miniDSP Device Console (DC) and its own WebInterface for live control of your unit. 

Tide16 for Active Speakers 

In application note, we will show you how to design an active stereo speaker system using the miniDSP Tide16. While the Tide16 is an A/V processor, it has extremely high audio specifications and the full Dirac Live suite including Active Room Treatment, making it also suitable for demanding stereo playback systems.

Tide16 + AMP8 = Match in Heaven

Specifications: