MiRA Multi-Configuration Feature Guide
Executive Summary
MiRA (Multi-channel Real-time Analyzer) now supports a powerful multi-configuration system that allows audio engineers and system integrators to work with multiple input configurations simultaneously. This feature addresses the common need to analyze different channel formats (stereo, 5.1, 7.1, Atmos, etc.) within the same session without constantly reconfiguring the analyzer.
The multi-configuration system separates RTA (Real Time Analyzer) configurations from Measurement configurations. RTA configurations are designed for general audio analysis with various channel formats, while Measurement configurations are specifically optimized for system tuning and live event work, featuring response microphones and a reference channel for transfer function analysis. Each scope (Meters, Spectrum, Spectrogram, etc.) can be independently assigned to any available configuration, enabling workflows where you might monitor a stereo mix on one scope while analyzing a surround configuration on another.
This flexibility is particularly valuable in complex production environments such as broadcast facilities, post-production studios, and live sound venues where multiple audio formats coexist and need simultaneous monitoring.
Detailed Documentation
1. RTA Configuration Management
What is an RTA Configuration?
An RTA (Real Time Analyzer) configuration defines a set of input channels that can be analyzed together. Each configuration has:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | A custom identifier (e.g., “Main Stereo”, “Surround 5.1”, “Atmos Bed”) |
| Color | A visual identifier displayed in scope headers and configuration selectors |
| Channel Format/Layout | The number and arrangement of channels (Mono, Stereo, 5.1, 7.1.4, etc.) |
| Input Assignments | Hardware or Sample Grabber inputs mapped to each channel |
| Phase Invert Options | Per-channel phase inversion settings |
Creating a New RTA Configuration
- Open the IO Setup page (accessible from the main menu or toolbar, or with the shortcut
Alt + ,) - Locate the RTA Input Configurations section
- Click the Add input config button (+ icon)
- A new configuration is created with default settings
The Essential license is limited to a single RTA configuration. Multiple configurations require the Studio, Live or Ultimate license.
Editing an RTA Configuration
- In the RTA Input Configurations grid, click on the configuration you want to edit
- The RTA Configuration Detail section appears below, showing:
- Channel list with input assignments
- Number of channels selector
- Channel format/layout selector
- For each channel, you can configure:
- Input Source: Select from available hardware inputs or Sample Grabber channels
- Direct Output: Route the channel to a hardware output (for monitoring)
- Phase Invert: Toggle phase inversion for the channel
Selecting Channel Format
The channel format determines how many channels are in the configuration and their semantic meaning:
| Format | Channels | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mono | 1 | Single channel |
| Stereo | 2 | Left, Right |
| LCR | 3 | Left, Center, Right |
| Quad | 4 | L, R, Ls, Rs |
| 5.0 | 5 | L, C, R, Ls, Rs |
| 5.1 | 6 | L, C, R, Ls, Rs, LFE |
| 7.1 | 8 | L, C, R, Lss, Rss, Lrs, Rrs, LFE |
| 7.1.4 | 12 | 7.1 + 4 height channels |
| Custom | Variable | User-defined channel count |
Removing an RTA Configuration
- Select the configuration in the RTA Input Configurations grid
- Click the Remove selected input config button (- icon)
The first (default) RTA configuration cannot be removed.
Configuration Colors
Each RTA configuration has an associated color that:
- Appears in the scope header when that configuration is selected (scope name and setup button)
- Helps visually distinguish which scopes are using which configurations
- Can be customized by clicking the color swatch in the configuration grid
2. Measurement Configuration
What is the Measurement Configuration?
The Measurement configuration is a specialized configuration designed for system tuning and live event SPL measurement. Unlike RTA configurations, there is only one Measurement configuration, but it has unique capabilities:
- Response Microphones: Multiple measurement microphones for capturing room/system response
- Reference Channel: A single reference input (typically the console output) for transfer function analysis
- SPL Calibration: Per-microphone SPL reference calibration for accurate sound level measurements
Configuring Response Microphones
- Open the IO Setup page (using shortcut
Alt + ,orMiRA > IO Settingsmenu) - Locate the Response Microphones section
- Click Add measurement to add a new response microphone
- For each microphone, configure:
- Name: Descriptive identifier (e.g., “FOH Mic”, “Stage Left”)
- Input: Hardware input assignment
- Color: Visual identifier for traces
- Phase Invert: Toggle if needed
- SPL Reference: Calibration value in dB SPL
Configuring the Reference Channel
The reference channel is used as the “source” signal for transfer function measurements:
- In the Measurements Configuration section
- Set the Reference Input to your console output or source signal
- This reference is compared against response microphones for transfer function analysis
3. Scope Types and Configuration Options
Each scope type in MiRA can be assigned to a specific configuration. The available configuration options depend on the scope type.
Configuration Options Summary
| Scope Type | RTA Configs | Individual Mics | All Response Mics | All Resp. Mics + Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum (Magnitude) | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spectrogram | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transfer Function | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Impulse Response | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| RMS Meter | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Peak Meter | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| True Peak Meter | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wave Scope | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spatial Spectrogram | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Stereo Vector Scope | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Surround Scope 2D | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Surround Scope 3D | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Leq Meter | — | ✓ | — | — |
| Loudness Meter | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Meters History | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Statistics | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Statistics Incident | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
4. Assigning Scopes to Configurations
Using the Scope Setup Panel
- Click the Setup button (
) on any scope - In the setup panel, locate the IO section
- Click the Input config dropdown
- Select from available options:
- RTA 1, RTA 2, etc.: Individual RTA configurations
- All response microphones: All response microphones (no reference)
- All response microphones + reference: All response microphones plus reference channel
- Response mic. 1, Response mic. 2, etc.: Individual microphones (Leq only)
Sample Grabber Integration
When connected to a Sample Grabber (DAW plugin):
- The default RTA configuration can automatically adopt the Sample Grabber’s channel layout, if the Override default RTA config with Sample Grabber layout option is enabled in the IO Setup page.
- Otherwise, you can manually assign the RTA configuration to match the Sample Grabber’s channel layout, or used independent channel in several configurations.