dbx DriveRack PX, User Manual

Page 1: ...User Manual Powered Speaker Optimizer Featuring Powered Speakers PX ...

Page 2: ... source indicated on the equipment rear panel To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock refer servicing to qualified service personnel or equivalent Safety Instructions Notice For Customers If Your Unit Is Equipped With A Power Cord WARNING THIS APPLIANCE SHALL BE CONNECTED TO A MAINS SOCKET OUTLET WITH A PROTECTIVE EARTHING CONNECTION The cores in the mains lead are coloured in accordance with...

Page 3: ...ration of this unit within significant electromagnetic fields should be avoided use only shielded interconnecting cables U K MAINS PLUG WARNING A molded mains plug that has been cut off from the cord is unsafe Discard the mains plug at a suitable disposal facility NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU INSERT A DAMAGED OR CUT MAINS PLUG INTO A 13 AMP POWER SOCKET Do not use the mains plug withou...

Page 4: ...ction 19 3 11 Navigating the Store Section 19 Section 4 Operating Functions 20 4 1 Preset Definition 20 4 2 Navigating Factory Presets 20 4 3 Editing Factory Presets 21 Section 5 Detailed Parameters 23 5 1 Stereo Input Graphic EQ 23 5 2 AFS Automatic Feedback Suppression 23 5 3 Subharmonic Synthesizer 25 5 4 Compressor Limiter 26 5 5 Filter SETUP 28 5 6 Output Parametric EQ 3 band 28 Section 6 App...

Page 5: ...d speakers The following are just some of the features of the DriveRack PX DriveRack PX features Stereo Feedback Elimination with 12 feedback notch filters Stereo 28 band Graphic EQ Classic dbx Compressor 120A Subharmonic Synthesizer Stereo Multi band Parametric EQ Stereo PeakPlus Limiters Pink Noise Generator Auto EQTM with 28 Band RTA JBL and other popular powered speakers included in Setup Wiza...

Page 6: ... product to the factory for service you MUST first contact Customer Service to obtain a Return Authorization Number No returned products will be accepted at the factory without a Return Authorization Number Please refer to the Warranty information on the following page which extends to the first end user After expiration of the warranty a reasonable charge will be made for parts labor and packing ...

Page 7: ...nd labor will be covered up to a period of two years A Return Authorization number must first be obtained from dbx by telephone The company shall not be liable for any consequential damage as a result of the product s use in any circuit or assembly 4 dbx reserves the right to make changes in design or make additions to or improvements upon this product without incurring any obligation to install t...

Page 8: ...Switch This switch selects between 10dBV and 4dBu nominal operating levels When the switch is in the in position the 10dBV operating level is selected When the switch is in the out position 4dBu is selected 2 2 Front Panel Connections SETUP AFS RECALL SUBHARMONIC COMP LIMITER UTILITY PRESET NEXT PG STORE EQ WIZARD Inputs Sub Outs UTILITY PREV PG WIZARD 0 6 12 24 36 SIG Headroom dB Headroom dB Head...

Page 9: ...to enter the first page of the Auto EQ Wizard PRESET RECALL Press and release to return to the preset view showing preset number preset bank user or factory preset name and signal path Press and hold to activate the RECALL button function which allows the selection and loading of a new preset STORE UTILITY Press and release to enter the Store menu which allows the user to store the current state t...

Page 10: ...ys make connections prior to applying power to the unit Connect the output from the sending device mixer to one or both of the two XLR input connectors shown below Make output connections from Outputs XLR connectors shown below to the inputs of the powered speakers If a subwoofer or subwoofers are to be used make output connections from Sub Outputs XLR connectors shown below to the inputs of the s...

Page 11: ... 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 preset menu of the DriveRack PX The Data Wheel is also used to perform editing functions to signal processing and utility menu features Button Array Operational editing is done using this 9 button array A complete descrip...

Page 12: ...peakers For example if you re using subs and they have a polarity setting make sure they re both set to the same polarity Also if your powered speakers have a Mic Line setting make sure they re both set to Line and if they have their own EQ settings disable the EQ settings on the powered speakers The following section walks you through each of the wizards Setup Wizard From preset mode press and ho...

Page 13: ...w next to the speaker name to scroll by speaker name Once you have selected your SUB speaker option press the NEXT PG button You will now be given the option of optimizing your main speakers levels with the DriveRack PX The page will appear something like this Adjust speaker levels as shown 31 Level Main Speaker Levels Turn the volume level knob on each of your main powered speaker s to the positi...

Page 14: ...his Auto Level You will now proceed to Pink the room by adjusting the Pink level The range of bar graph is Inf dB to 20dB Be certain to raise the pink noise level to the level of loudness intended during the performance Once the Pink level has been adjusted to the desired volume press the Next Pg button and the Auto Level sequence will begin The DriveRack PX will adjust balance levels for your mai...

Page 15: ...he included dbx M2 RTA microphone The display will appear something like this MED You can now select any one of the several different Frequency responses for the Auto EQ The options are Flat 0 and Responses A D You can also select Low Medium and High Precision Press the Data Wheel to toggle between selecting Response and Precision Turn the Data Wheel to scroll through the available options Once yo...

Page 16: ...ing the Auto EQ section please refer to the Auto EQ Optimization Tips information located in the Appendix section AFS WIZARD The DriveRack PX also offers its exclusive patented AFS Advanced Feedback Suppression module This unique feature makes unwanted feedback in a PA system a thing of the past Once you have completed the Auto EQTM wizard the AFS wizard will lead you through the setup of the fixe...

Page 17: ...sic High Ultra Narrow Notch These types pertain to the Q sensitivity and algorithm type The filter is established by using the formula Q Freq divided by Bandwidth This means that a higher Q will produce a filter that is more narrow Values are Speech Bandwidth 1 5 octave and Q 7 25 Music Low Narrow notch filter Bandwidth 1 10 octave and Q 14 5 Music Medium Very Narrow notch filter Bandwidth 1 20 oc...

Page 18: ...E mode To return to preset mode simply press the PRESET or NEXT PG button For more information regarding feedback elimination please see the AFS parameters of the Detailed parameters section DriveRack PX Section 2 Getting Started 14 ...

Page 19: ...page in the currently selected menu SETUP AFS RECALL SUBHARMONIC COMP LIMITER UTILITY PRESET NEXT PG STORE EQ WIZARD UTILITY PREV PG WIZARD NEXT PAGE Moves to the next page in the currently selected menu SETUP AFS NIC COMP LIMITER UTILITY NEXT PG STORE EQ WIZARD UTILITY WIZARD SETUP Press and release to enter the high pass and bandpass filter editor Press and hold to enter the first page of the Po...

Page 20: ...nd bandpass filter module navigate through the pages of the selected high pass and bandpass filter module by pressing the Next Page or Prev Page buttons successively until arriving at the desired Page Freq 20Hz Out Type BW6 24 LR12 24 Freq 20kHz Out Type BW6 24 LR12 24 Gain Inf to 20dB Type BS BW L R Frequency Type BS BW L R Frequency Successive presses of the Data wheel will select effect paramet...

Page 21: ...hin the currently selected page COMP LIMITER 3 6 Navigating the EQ Section The EQ button toggles through the EQs used in each channel of the selected preset menu PEQ GEQ or Navigating the EQ Section To edit the parameters of the EQs used in a selected preset simply use the following procedure From preset mode press the EQ button to reach the EQ module to be edited Successive presses of the EQ butt...

Page 22: ... and hold the UTILITY button Pressing the Data Wheel will select the parameter to be edited 3 9 Navigating the Wizard Section The NEXT and PREV buttons scroll through the pages of selected module Navigating the WIZARD Section Input Setup Stereo or Mono SETUP PRESS AND HOLD TO ACCESS SETUP WIZARD Main Speaker Select See list Sub Speaker Select See list Main Speaker Levels Load New Preset Connect Mi...

Page 23: ...reset mode press the STORE button Press the NEXT and PREV buttons to select characters in the preset name Turn the Data wheel to change the selected character Press the Data wheel to toggle between uppercase lowercase punctuation and numeric characters Press the Store button to save the name and advance to preset location screen Turn the Data wheel to select a preset location press the Store butto...

Page 24: ... routing configurations that have been designed to accommodate common sound reinforcement and installation applications The factory presets offer explanatory titles to help get you up and running in a timely manner These presets can also be used as templates or starting points for the user to create custom user presets Selecting Presets The quickest way to get up and running with the DriveRack PX ...

Page 25: ...r preset Press and hold to adjust LCD contrast Auto EQ plot selection RTA or GEQ and Sales Banner on off AFS Press and release to enter the AFS editor Press and hold to enter the first page of the AFS Wizard 4 3 Editing Factory Presets Once you have reached the module that you wish to edit simply use the PREV PG and NEXT PG buttons to move through the pages within the module The DATA wheel is used...

Page 26: ...Replacing PRESS STORE TO ADVANCE STORE ROCK VENUE U1 DJ Setup Rotate the DATA wheel to select the user preset number to be replaced and press the STORE button again and the existing preset will be replaced with the new preset The DriveRack PX will store 25 user presets in addition to the 25 factory presets Note Factory presets cannot be over written When storing changes to a Factory preset you mus...

Page 27: ...ckup or microphone in phase AFS uses Precision Frequency Detection and state of the art processing to determine the exact portions of a given frequency of your feedback that need to be removed instead of taking out large sections of your sound The AFS module of the DriveRack PX allows the user to optimize the elimination of feedback In the past graphic equalizers were used to eliminate feedback fr...

Page 28: ... In LIVE mode the live filters automatically detect and remove feedback during the performance When all of the live filters have been used they begin to round robin Essentially this means that the first filter set is replaced where a new feedback is detected and notched out This mode is useful because feedback frequencies may change as the microphone is moved and or as the characteristics of the v...

Page 29: ...essional applications including nightclub and dance DJ mixing theatre and film sound music recording live music performance and broadcasting The Subharmonic Synthesizer module s two separate bands of subharmonic synthesis provide the best combination of smoothness and control and the independent low frequency boost circuit is designed to get the most out of high performance low frequency speaker s...

Page 30: ... 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 OverEasy compression starts to compress before the level of the signal reaches the threshold and reaches full compression after the level has gone above the threshold OverEasy compression by its ver...

Page 31: ...n the volume of the sound is limited gradually OverEasy limiting starts to limit before the level of the signal reaches the threshold and reaches full limiting after the level has gone above the threshold This OverEasy limiting by its very nature sounds much smoother and more natural When it is gentle natural sounding or light limiting that you are looking for the limiter offers VariKnee VariKnee ...

Page 32: ...e and LR12 24 for Linkwitz Riley type with slope of 12 or 24 dB Octave Gain Sets the gain of the selected output band INFdB to 20dB For each Low Pass filter there are two parameters Frequency Adjusts the frequency of the Low Pass filter from 20Hz to OUT greater than 20kHz Type Selects the filter type Selections are BW 6 12 18 24 for Butterworth type filter with slope of 6 12 18 or 24 dB Octave and...

Page 33: ... Mute L R 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Pan 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Pan 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Pan 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Pan 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Pan 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Pan 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Pan 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Mute L R 5 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Mute L R 6 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Mute L R 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 A...

Page 34: ...0 1 2 3 4 5 Pan 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Mute L R 5 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Mute L R 6 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Mute L R 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 ...

Page 35: ...n 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Mute L R 5 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Mute L R 6 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Mute L R 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 A...

Page 36: ...2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Pan 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Pan 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Mute L R 5 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Mute L R 6 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Mute L R 10 0 5 10 20 30 5 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 1 0 2 4 6 8 10 Aux 2 0 2 4 6 ...

Page 37: ...actory Presets all Utility settings will be defaulted and all Security settings will be defaulted Pressing the Preset button will abort the Factory Reset sequence and the unit will reset normally System SOFT Reset Press and hold the COMP LIMITER button at power up until the following message appears SOFT RESET Yes PREV PAGE No Preset Pressing the PREV PAGE button will start a System Reset All Util...

Page 38: ...hen press the AFS button to continue booting in the selected state The System Unlocked state allows normal operation The System Locked state is the complete lockout state No user button input of any kind will be acted upon The Filter Unlocked state is the same as the System Locked state except that the PRESET and AFS buttons are accepted Pressing AFS once will go to the AFS edit page with the Clea...

Page 39: ...anced RF filtered Impedance 120 Ω Max Output Level 20dBu A D PERFORMANCE Type dbx Type IV conversion system Dynamic Range 110dB A weighted 107dB unweighted Type IV dynamic range 123dB with transient material A weighted 22kHz BW 121dB with transient material unweighted 22kHz BW 115dB typical with program material A weighted 22kHz BW Sample Rate 48kHz D A PERFORMANCE Dynamic Range 112dB A weighted 1...

Page 40: ...try different microphone positions and adjust the location of your speakers then repink the room for a more effective Graphic EQ adjustment Adjust Output Gains If your system setup or the response you have chosen results in the Auto EQ lifting or cutting a number of consecutive bands of the Graphic EQ you can adjust the level of either the main OUT gain or the subwoofer SUB gain depending on which...

Page 41: ...t Mono Right Mic Input Outputs Stereo Compressor AFS Notch Filters SubHarmonic Synth 3 Band PEQ 2 Band PEQ PeakPlus Limiter PeakPlus Limiter High Pass and Band Pass Filter Section Stereo Mono Pink Noise Micr Pre amp RTA Meters Sub Outputs DriveRack PX Section A Appendix 37 ...

Page 42: ...nge speakers with 2 JBL PRX518 powered subwoofers EON10G2M118 2 JBL EON10G2 powered full range speakers with 1 JBL JRX118 powered subwoofer EON10G2S118 2 JBL EON10G2 powered full range speakers with 2 JBL JRX118 powered subwoofers EON15G2M518 2 JBL EON15G2 powered full range speakers with 1 JBL PRX518 powered subwoofer EON15G2S518 2 JBL EON15G2 powered full range speakers with 2 JBL PRX518 powered...

Page 43: ... level Amplifiers are fixed gain devices turning down the amplifier input levels does not change the potential output of the amplifier it only requires more input voltage to get full output power Many amplifiers will clip with an input level greater than 6 dBu when the input controls are turned all the way up Most mixing mixers can deliver over 18 dBu of output level before clipping This means tha...

Page 44: ... PX and turn on the limiter for each output Make sure that the threshold is all the way up to 20dB Now slowly reduce the threshold until the clip indicator of the powered speaker turns off You have successfully set the output limiter up and the powered speaker will not be able to go into clipping no matter what the input is You should now proceed to the next output and go through the same process ...

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Page 48: ...uth 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 com A Harman International Company 18 1023 A ...