® ® ® Complete Equalization & Loudspeaker Control System PA Featuring Custom Tunings User Manual
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WARNING FOR YOUR PROTECTION PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING: CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS A T T E N T I O N : RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR W A R N I N G : TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE The symbols shown above are internationally accepted symbols that warn of potential hazards with electrical products.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS LITHIUM BATTERY WARNING CAUTION! This product may contain a lithium battery.There is danger of explosion if the battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with an Eveready CR 2032 or equivalent. Make sure the battery is installed with the correct polarity. Discard used batteries according to manufacturer’s instructions. ADVARSEL! Lithiumbatteri - Eksplosjonsfare.Ved utskifting benyttes kun batteri som anbefalt av apparatfabrikanten.
® DriveRack PA Table of Contents Introduction Section 5 - Application Guide 0.1 Defining the DriveRack® PA .........................ii 0.2 Service Contact Info........................................iii 0.3 Warranty...........................................................iv 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 2X6 Crossover.................................................30 2X5 Crossover.................................................31 2X4 Crossover.................................................32 2X3 Crossover....
® DriveRack PA INTRODUCTION INTRO CUSTOMER SERVICE INFO Defining the DriveRack WARRANTY INFO ®
® Introduction INTRODUCTION DriveRack PA Drive your PA to a whole new level of performance with the DriveRack® PA Complete Equalization & Loudspeaker Control System. The DriveRack PA from dbx Professional Products represents a complete integration of the key elements that help ensure optimal loudspeaker system management in PA-specific applications.
® DriveRack PA Introduction By including every form of processing necessary to drive the signal from the mixer to the power amp, the DriveRack® PA allows you to eliminate all other processing devices normally found in large and cumbersome traditional drive rack systems of the past. The DriveRack® PA Loud Speaker Management System includes two balanced XLR inputs, as well as six balanced XLR output connectors. 0.2 Service Contact Info If you require technical support, contact dbx Customer Service.
® Introduction DriveRack PA 0.3 Warranty This warranty is valid only for the original purchaser and only in the United States. 1. The warranty registration card that accompanies this product must be mailed within 30 days after purchase date to validate this warranty. Proof-of-purchase is considered to be the burden of the consumer. 2. dbx warrants this product, when bought and used solely within the U.S., to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service. 3.
® DriveRack PA Section 1 Getting Started ®
® Section 1 Getting Started DriveRack PA 1.1 Rear Panel Connections Left/Mono Left/Mono IEC Power Cord Receptacle The DriveRack® PA comes with a power supply that will accept voltages ranging from 100V120V at frequencies from 50Hz-60Hz. An IEC cord is included. EU version accepts 220V-240V at frequencies from 50Hz-60Hz. Outputs 1-6 The output section of the DriveRack® PA offers six electronically balanced XLR connectors.
® DriveRack PA Getting Started Section 1 LCD Display The backlit LCD display of the DriveRack® PA provides the user with all of the vital processing information of the DriveRack® PA including: signal routing, effect block editing and Wizard Setup functions. The display will also notify the user if any internal clipping is taking place within the unit. The following message will appear: CLIP.
® Section 1 DriveRack PA Getting Started Signal Path Block Diagram The following diagram shows the logical and intuitive signal path of the input, effect modules, and output of the DriveRack® PA.
® DriveRack PA Getting Started Section 1 The RTA MIC input button is used to engage the RTA input connector. LCD DisplayAll operational information of the DriveRack® PA is displayed here. The display will also notify the user if any internal clipping is taking place within the unit. The following message will appear: CLIP. Data Wheel - The data wheel is used to scroll through the program menu of the DriveRack® PA.
U 1 St Tri-Amp Section 1 Rack PA WIZARD em Setup EQ WIZARD WIZARD Rack PA WIZARD em Setup EQ WIZARD WIZARD Setup Input as MONO REO. O Rack PA WIZARD em Setup EQ WIZARD WIZARD Q t mic to RTA Press RTA button. EQ Setup EQ as Dual Stereo no turn down the gain. Press when done. Warning T button pressed. eaker Main PA X X Passive umber of lters.
® DriveRack PA Section 1 • You will now rotate the wheel to match the same setting as your amplifier of choice. Note that based on your amp selection, the DriveRack® PA will initially display the recommended setting of that particular amp for obtaining maximum headroom. This is done to match unity gain from the DriveRack® PA and your amplifier. Note that if Sub Speakers are included in the speaker selection, you will be asked if the sub woofer is bridged or mono.
ri-Amp Section 1 ® DriveRack PA Getting Started Highand Amplifier High Amplifier AmpItLevel Amp the Bridging panel RTA XLR input, press the High button. is recommended that Low you use Select Sensitivity Select an amplifier Adjust level Select microphone. If you wish to bypass the previous optional dbx RTA-M Crwn MacroTech 1202 same as your amp same as your amp 0.
® DriveRack PA ack PA WIZARD m Setup EQ WIZARD IZARD U 1 ack PA WIZARD Tri-Amp m St Setup EQ WIZARD IZARD DriveRack PA WIZARD System Setup Auto EQ WIZARD AFS WIZARD AFS Please turn down the mixer gain. Press AFS Select Number of fixed filters. > 6 NEXT PG when done. F F F F F F L L L L L L AFS Select fixed type > Speech Q t mic to RTA Press RTA button.
Select Main PA JBL SRX >SR4702X Passive Dual o ning Select an amplifier >None >Crwn MacroTech 1202 DriveRack PA Getting LStarted Auto EQ : Pink Noise R Auto EQ : Pink Noise Mic Level Mic Level Turn Up Level Turn Up Level Pink Level > 18dB Pink Level > 18dB Auto EQ type has been selected, press the button and the display will read: AFS Select fixed type > Speech Slowly Increase the mixer gain to desired level.
® DriveRack PA Section 2 Editing Functions EDITING FUNCTIONS ®
Section 2 Editing Functions ® Editing Functions DriveRack PA The DriveRack® PA has been carefully designed and engineered to ensure that all aspects of operation are intuitive and logical. Simply stated, the DriveRack® PA operating system was designed with user’s best interest in mind. 2.1 Basic Navigation Modes Navigational aspects of the DriveRack® PA are clear, concise and more important: flexible.
® DriveRack PA Editing Functions Section 2 2.3 Navigatingthe the EQ Section (28-GEQ and PEQ) Navigating "EQ Section" To edit the parameters of the EQs used in a selected program, simply use the following procedure. From program mode, press the EQ button to reach the EQ module to be edited. Successive presses of the EQ button will move through each channel. Navigate through the Pages of the selected EQ section by depressing "Next Page" or "Prev Page" successively until arriving at the desired Page.
Successive presses of the Data wheel will select effect parameters within the currently selected page. ® Section 2 DriveRack PA Editing Functions 2.5 Navigating the XOVER Section Navigating the Delay Section To edit theFrom parameters the Crossover in button. a selected program, use thewill following procedure. From program mode, programofmode, press theused Delay Pressing thesimply Data Wheel select the effect parameter to be edited. press the X-OVER button.
® DriveRack PA Editing Functions Section 2 2.7 Navigating the Comp/Limiter Section Navigating the Compressor/Limiter Section From program mode, press the comp/limiter button to move to eithter the Compressor or Limiter module. Once you have reached the Crossover module, successive presses of COMP/LIMITER button will move through each channel that utilizes either a Compressor (pre Crossover) or Limiter (post-crossover) module.
The NEXT and PREV buttons scroll through the pages of selected module. Section 2 Successive presses of the Data wheel will select effect parameters within the currently selected page. ® DriveRack PA Editing Functions Navigating the Utility Section 2.9 Navigating the Utility Section Navigating the Utility Section From program mode, press the UTILITY button. Pressing the Data Wheel will select the effect parameter to be edited. UTILITY UTILITY From program mode, UTILITY button.
® DriveRack PA Section 3 SOFTWARE OPERATING FUNCTIONS ®
Section 3 ® DriveRack PA Operating Functions The Operation section of the DriveRack® PA will be your key to successful navigation of the operation of the DriveRack® PA. The following information provides descriptions about program functions and operating functions of the DriveRack® PA. 3.1 Program Definition The first step in understanding the thorough programming capabilities of the DriveRack® is to understand the elements involved, that when combined, define a complete “program.
® DriveRack PA 3.3 Editing Factory Programs Once you have reached the module that you wish to edit, simply use the and buttons to move through the pages within the module. The wheel is used to edit parameter values.
Section 3 ® Operating Functions • Rotating the wheel will change the icons on the currently selected position. • Pressing the wheel will toggle between upper and lowercase letters, numbers or symbols. • Use the and button to move icon positions.
® DriveRack PA Section 4 PARAMETERS DETAILED PARAMETERS ®
® Section 4 DriveRack PA Detailed Parameters The DriveRack® PA offers complete editing flexibility, by offering in-depth control over every parameter within each effect module. The following section will provide you with descriptions and explanations of all parameters within the DriveRack® PA. 4.1 Pre-Crossover The DriveRack® PA’s Pre-Crossover EQ section may be configured as a single or linkable 28 band graphic EQ. EQ On/Off Turns the GEQ on and off.
® DriveRack PA Detailed Parameters Section 4 Clear Live/All This parameter clears the filters. If Clear Live is selected, then (if invoked) the live filters are reset. If Clear All is selected, then (if invoked) all of the filters are reset. When either Clear Live or Clear All is selected, the third parameter row displays “Start w/ Data Wheel.” If Clear (none) is selected, then nothing is displayed on this row.
Section 4 ® Detailed Parameters DriveRack PA 4.3 Subharmonic Synthesizer The Subharmonic Synthesizer module has been specifically optimized to enhance Bass audio material for use in a variety of professional applications, including nightclub and dance DJ mixing, theatre and film sound, music recording, live music performance and broadcasting.
® DriveRack PA Detailed Parameters Section 4 4.5 Post-CROSSOVER PEQ In addition to the pre-crossover EQ options within the signal path, the DriveRack® PA also offers a 2 or 3-band parametric EQ after the crossover section. The parameters for the post-crossover EQ are as follows and are user adjustable. PEQ On/Off Turns the PEQ band on and off. The following figure shows the constant Q parametric filter. Flatten/Restore This parameter either flattens the PEQ or restores the PEQ to its original shape.
Section 4 ® Detailed Parameters DriveRack PA 4.6 Compressor/Limiter The DriveRack® PA also offers Compression and Limiter modules. The Compressor is a full bandwidth Stereo Compressor located prior to the Crossover. The Compressor is the perfect tool for tightening uneven signal sources such as vocals and guitars. The Limiters are located on each stereo output channel and have been strategically placed for speaker and amplifier protection.
® DriveRack PA Detailed Parameters Section 4 LIMITER Limiter On/Off Turns the Limiter module on and off. OverEasy (O) Off to 10 There are ten levels of OverEasy® that can be used for the limiters. The point when the compressor starts to compress is the "knee." When the compressor starts to reduce the level of a signal abruptly as it passes over the threshold this is called "hard knee" compression. OverEasy® (soft knee as it is sometimes called) is when the volume of the sound is compressed gradually.
Section 4 ® Detailed Parameters DriveRack PA USER NOTES ® ® ® 28 DriveRack® PA User Manual
® DriveRack PA Section 5 APPLICATION GUIDE ®
® Section 5 DriveRack PA Application Guide This Application guide section is provided to offer suggested installation applications of the DriveRack® PA that will allow you to optimize peak performance of the units. Note that the 25 included application programs represent the extensive flexibility of the DriveRack® units. These applications can be used verbatim, or as sample reference guide templates for designing countless audio applications. 5.1 2X6 Crossover Hardware 1.
® DriveRack PA Section 5 Application Guide 5.2- 2X5 Crossover Hardware 1. Connect the outputs from the mixer to the inputs of the DriveRack®. 2. Connect the outputs of the DriveRack® PA and run to the selected speaker amplifier. 3. Make sure that the mixer and power amps are turned off prior to powering up the DriveRack® PA. Software 1. From Program mode, select factory program #F2 (3 Way w/mSub) as a template, or use the Wizard to setup the specific program. 2.
Section 5 ® DriveRack PA Application Guide 5.3 2X4 Crossover Hardware 1. Connect the outputs from the mixer to the inputs of the DriveRack®. 2. Connect the outputs of the DriveRack® PA and run to the selected speaker amplifier. 3. Make sure that the mixer and power amps are turned off prior to powering up the DriveRack® PA. Software 1. From Program mode, select factory program #F14 (MP212 2X4) as a template, or use the Wizard to setup the specific program. 2.
® DriveRack PA Application Guide Section 5 5.4 - 2X3 Crossover Hardware 1. Connect the outputs from the mixer to the inputs of the DriveRack®. 2. Connect the outputs of the DriveRack® PA and run to the selected speaker amplifier. 3. Make sure that the mixer and power amps are turned off prior to powering up the DriveRack® PA. Software 1. Use the Wizard to setup the specific program. 2. Once the program has been chosen, press the DATA wheel to load the program.
Section 5 ® Application Guide DriveRack PA USER NOTES ® ® ® 34 DriveRack® PA User Manual
® DriveRack PA Appendix ®
Appendix A ® DriveRack PA A.1 Factory Reset In the event that a reset is required, the DriveRack® PA offers you the option of performing a “Soft” or “Hard” reset. The Soft Reset resets all operating parameters except user programs. The Hard Reset Procedure will reset all programmable information back to the factory defaults. All Power-Up Functions require a button(s) to be pressed and held as the unit power is turned on. DriveRack PA Power-Up Button Functions Factory (“Hard”) Reset.
® DriveRack PA Appendix A A.3 Specifications Analog Inputs: Number of Inputs: Connectors: Type: Impedance: Max input line level: CMRR: RTA Mic Phantom Voltage: RTA Mic EIN: (2) Line inputs.
® DriveRack PA Appendix A out positive affect. You may be able to see if a lifted band is a mode by manually adjusting a lifted EQ band - if no change in the EQ is perceived, you probably are seeing a mode in your frequency response. To reduce the effect of this mode, try different microphone positions and adjust the location of your speakers, then repink the room for a more effectual Graphic EQ adjustment.
® DriveRack PA Appendix A Right Low Left Low Right Mid Left Mid Right High Meters Outputs Left High A.
® DriveRack PA Appendix A A.
® DriveRack PA Appendix A A.8 System Setup and Gain Structure The DriveRack PA offers a wide range of tools for sound system design and setup. These tools can make your system more efficient and better sounding, but to get the best possible sound it is important to use these tools properly. In the DriveRack PA we have included a Wizard setup tool to help in system setup. If you use the Wizard to set up your DriveRack PA it will automatically set the limiters for some amplifier selections.
Appendix A ™ DriveRack Once you have found the clip point of your amplifiers, you can mark this position and turn the amplifiers back up to the point where they are clipping. You can now use the output limiters in the DriveRack PA to protect the amplifier from clipping no matter what you do at the console. With the amplifiers clipping, now go to the Limiter page of the DriveRack PA and turn the limiter for each output band on. Make sure that the threshold is all the way up to +20dB.
™ DriveRack Appendix A USER NOTES ® ® ® ® ® ® 43
® 8760 South Sandy Parkway • Sandy, Utah 84070 Phone: (801) 568-7660 • Fax (801) 568-7662 Int’l Fax: (801) 568-7583 E-mail us at: customer@dbxpro.com or visit us on the web at: www.dbxpro.
