In the 1950s, I'd take the family television's vacuum tubes down to Willow Grove Radio and TV Repair, check them with the giant tester machine, buy new replacement tubes, and reassemble the repaired television, so my mom and dad could enjoy their precious, respectively, Dean Martin and Red Skelton shows. In the 1960s, I studied radio and electronics at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. After college, in the early 70s, I joined a rock 'n roll band as the soundman, learning how to operate the electronics that make music sound good. Then, I worked in a music store in Austin manufacturing, installing, repairing, and operating sound systems and components for recording studios, nightclubs, and touring bands. I moved back to Charlottesville permanently in 1984 and opened a little demo recording studio. I also attempted to put to practical use the creative writing degree I had picked up along the way. In 2006, I finally came to my senses and got this job at Crutchfield where they actually pay me to ramble on, rant, and explain the things I love about music, electronics, and getting good sound.

More from Buck Pomerantz. DriveRack PA2 with iPad® and smartphone displaying 8-band parametric equalizer controls Not too long ago, getting good sound at a live show required a lot of know-how and racks full of expensive gear, all connected by a rat's nest of cables. You needed graphic equalizers to fine-tune the sound for a venue's space, and peak limiters to protect the speakers when things got too loud. To properly set the equalizers, you needed a real time analyzer or a very well-trained ear. Now you can get one small signal processing box that does the work of several, and it will do most of the work automatically.

Learning how to use these devices is straightforward, thanks to “wizards” that lead you through the processes. This article will help you understand dbx speaker management systems. It will also explore the features of the three models Crutchfield offers and help you choose the right one for your needs. What's a speaker management system? A speaker or PA management system is a multi-function signal processor, connected between the mixer and the amplifiers of a PA. Once it has been properly set, it automatically keeps the final mix sounding good and the speakers safe from damage. Features include limiting and equalization to match the equipment and music to a venue's space.

A PA management device may also provide crossover and signal-routing functions for a large multi-speaker system. Features to look for All DriveRack systems include:. Advanced Feedback Suppression, which senses whenever a particular frequency starts to “ring out” and then reduces the volume at that frequency to stop the noise. Auto-EQ that automatically adjusts your system's frequency response to attain the best-sound possible. Setup wizard, which balances the levels of the system's amps and speakers and sets a peak limiter to protect the speakers from being overdriven. LCD arrays that indicate input and output levels, and a large selector knob to scroll through menus and enter data. If your venue is large and you use a lot of speakers, you may want to get a model that includes time alignment, or delay, so speakers in the rear can be coordinated with the front speakers and sound clear, with no echoes.

Setup wizard The setup wizard matches the levels of your left and right speakers, and sets the limiter for your amplifiers and speakers so no amount of raising the volume of the mixer will ever damage your speakers. You'll need the optional dbx ($100) to run the Setup and Auto-EQ Wizards. You select your powered speakers or amplifiers from a list, and the Setup Wizard recommends a level setting, and then uses the built-in RTA and noise generator to set the limiter levels automatically.

Auto-EQ wizard To use the auto-EQ wizard you first choose a target response curve from a list of thirteen suggested equalization curves. Then, using the built-in RTA, noise generator, and the reference microphone, the Auto-EQ sets the DriveRack's equalizers to match that curve as closely as possible. It only takes a few seconds, but since it's done at performance volume, you'll probably want to do it while wearing ear plugs, and when nobody else is in the room. Advanced Feedback Suppression (AFS) wizard The feedback suppression wizard further tweaks the equalization to prevent the howling noise that happens when sound from the speakers is picked up a microphone and then re-amplified. The wizard walks you through several steps:. After all your microphones have been set up and activated on stage, you start by turning the mixer's master volume down. Then the AFS Wizard will ask you how many of the 12 available notch filters you want to be fixed and how many you want to be live.

The fixed filters stay put after being set, the live filters will change and move to a new frequency if needed, which comes in handy if mics get moved during a show. Next you choose how narrow you want the notch filters to be. You can choose a wide 1/5 of an octave band, for a speech-only application, or narrow it all the way down to an incredible 1/80 of an octave for precise feedback control that won't adversely affect the music.

Then you turn your mixer's master volume beyond normal to try and induce feedback. The AFS will instantly set the filters to prevent any ringing or howling, and you're set to return to normal levels and go for the show. DriveRack PA2, for touring PA systems where remote control is needed The Complete Loudspeaker Management System does all that the PA+ can do plus it features:. An Ethernet connection so you can connect your wireless router and use your portable device (Android, IOS, Mac, and Windows) to control the PA2 from anywhere in the room. The larger graphics and touchscreen control of your portable device make it easier to operate, too. An input delay so you can align the front PA speakers with the amps and instrument speakers from the back of the stage, for total band clarity.

The Auto-EQ uses an 8-band parametric equalizer and plays short frequency sweeps for its setup, which is a lot less annoying than using pink noise, like the other DriveRack models do. There's a dual 31-band graphic equalizer on the input section that includes Quick Curve options so you can instantly dial in an EQ curve that'll work for you.

The PA2 has 75 factory presets and 75 user presets. DriveRack 260, for large permanent PA installations The is for fixed installation in a large multi-room theater or house of worship. Graphical user interface is accomplished by way of your Windows-based PC.

Wired zone controls lets you remotely control some features of the DriveRack 260 from up to 1,000 feet away. Other unique features include a noise gate, that keeps sounds isolated from one another, polarity and phase adjustments, and up to a 2.7 second delay for those far-away zone applications. Conclusion The DriveRack series contains a diverse group of sound processors that provide control of equalization, limiting, and loudspeaker management that can be used and appreciated in every kind of venue, for small bands on the go, nightclubs, all sizes of churches, and on to the big-time. Replacing a stack of expensive equipment with one single-space box shows just how far musical electronics and technology has advanced in the last few years. Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield Posted on 5/1/2015 Vichith, This is what it says in the dbx DriveRack PA2's owner's manual: 'The USB or Ethernet connector on the back panel of the PA2 can be used to perform firmware updates. Connect the USB port to a Windows® PC for performing firmware updates using the PA2 Firmware Update Utility application.

The latest PA2 Firmware Update Utility application will be made available on the DriveRack PA2 product page at www.dbxpro.com as updates become available. If using the DriveRack PA2 control app, you can also update the PA2 via the Ethernet port straight from the application, regardless of the device you're using for control (i.e., iOS®, Android®, Mac®, or Windows® device). Follow the included instructions provided with each application to perform the update procedure.'

I hope that helps.

Dbx DriveRack PA2 Speaker ManagementThe dbx DriveRack PA2 provides all the processing you need between your mixer, and amplifiers to optimize and protect your loudspeakers. With advancements in dbx's proprietary AutoEQ and AFS algorithms, an input delay module for delaying the FOH system to the backline, Ethernet control via an Android, iOS, Mac, or Windows device - along with updated Wizards - the DriveRack PA2 continues in the legacy of great-sounding, powerful, and affordable loudspeaker management processors. AutoEQThe improved AutoEQ algorithm ensures an extremely accurate, fast, and non-intrusive automatic EQ experience. With the RTA Mic 'listening' to your room, updated DriveRack PA2 AutoEQ algorithm sets speaker levels and room EQ automatically in a matter of seconds. This means room adjustments can now be made very quickly, without subjecting the audience to annoying, lengthy broadcasts of pink noise. Enhanced AFS Feedback EliminationEnhanced AFS algorithm for faster, more precise feedback elimination, without adversely affecting your system's tone.

Nothing turns audiences away like annoying and potentially painful audio feedback. Fortunately, dbx engineers have revisited their already-stellar Advanced Feedback Suppression algorithm and made it work even better. The DriveRack PA2 listens for and anticipates feedback and adjusts speaker output automatically before it even has a chance, while never altering your sound. Updated Wizard Setup FunctionsUpdated Wizards make initial set up easy, while ensuring speaker tunings and other settings are up-to-date. Wizard functions on the DriveRack PA2 guide you through easy, step-by-step processes to help you get the most from your loudspeaker system. Helps you easily configure level balancing, AutoEQ, Advanced Feedback Suppression, and provides access to built-in and constantly updating speaker tunings from most major speaker manufacturers. Input: (2) line inputs, (1) RTA Mic input - Input Connectors: (2) Female XLR line inputs.

(1) Female XLR RTA Mic input - Input Type: Electronically balanced/RF filtered - Input Impedance: 50 kohm - A/D Converter: dbx Type IV Conversion System - CMRR: 45dB - Mic Preamp Phantom Power: +15V DC (RTA) - Mic Preamp Equivalent Input Noise (EIN): 110 dB A-weighted, 107dB unweighted - THD+Noise: 0.003% typical at +4dBu, 1kHz, 0dB input gain - Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz, +/- 0.5dB - Interchannel Crosstalk. Sound: Once installed and configured for the system it is amazingly simple to setup for different venues. The wizards walk you though everything and even tell you how much to boost or cut the attenuaters on your power amps. This is really amazing in clubs that have odd configurations or walls sitting in the way. For example it will tell you to decrease your right top cabinet by 5db if it is needed to correct for the shape of the room.

Feature: It only takes one rack space at replaces an entire rack of effects and processing units, The feed back suppression is pretty amazing you hear that low level feedback starting and before you can turn and look at it, the feedback is gone. The wizards and android control app are extremely easy to use. The speaker offsets are something I would have never thought of but I am convinced that little details like that are what makes this such an amazing product. Ease of Use: With the wizards it is pretty painless to set-up the only thing I can see that would improve it is to have wireless functionality on-board so that an external router is not needed. Quality: It is sturdy.

I expect that short of something drastic happening to still be using this when I get too old to play anymore. Value: In short for a gigging band that is never in the same venue two nights in a row, you cannot afford to not have this if you want clean consistent sound. Manufacturer Support: I had a question regarding my particular speaker configuration and posted a question to the manufacturers site and got an answer almost immediately.

The answer was one that I may have figured out on my own given time, but was pleasant timely and accurate. This allowed me to get up and running sooner, with less worry. The Wow Factor: Wow is an understatement, our sound is so clean that we even had a club owner mention (as they all seem to do) You were a little loud tonight but with sound that clean it doesn't really matter. Overall: I needed to buy a crossover, I needed to upgrade my EQ and I was interested in automatic feedback suppression because mixing sound from stage is complicated enough. It seemed a good value to get all of that in one unit.

The unit is not overly complicated but it is not plug and play either. There are still functions on it I have not enabled (subharmonic synth) due to the fact that we do run sound from stage and I simply cannot listen, play and sing while adjusting them to learn how to use them to the best advantage. From the first gig with it our sound was greatly improved and has only gotten better as we become more familiar with the unit.

Style of Music: I have played in many different bands over the years. Overall: We are a Grateful Dead Tribute band and we are in a different room every night. We have a rather odd speaker configuration.

2 JBL JRX 115s for our high ends, 2 JBL JRX 118’s for our mids and two SoundTech scoops for our bottom end. We demand the best sound we can give our fans and the difference between using a standard crossover and the DriveRack PA2 are night and day! Before getting the crossover and eq’s set was a nightmare and always sounded somewhat muddy. First night with the DriveRack and WOW Crisp highs, great mids and the punchy bottom end were looking for.

Although we can’t use the wizards for speaker and amp setup, going into the preset 13 (3 way stereo) and setting all the crossover points and roll offs was a cinch. Storing this new configuration was easy and painless. Now we walk in set everything up, do an initial gain structure set up without the cabs hooked up and then plug in the cabs. Hit the RTA and select Auto EQ and Level assist and it will tell you what amp and channel (right or left) to raise or lower the attenuation and gives you the db steps to raise or lower! As for quality, this thing is built like a tank!

And only one rack space Tech support was fantastic. I had a few questions and they were patient and precise. If you’re on the road and in a new venue every night this is money well spent! We still haven’t used all the functions, we only run 2 monitors and really don’t push a lot through them so feedback is generally not an issue but, it’s nice to know that if it occurs, we have the tool to fix it. The sub harmonic synth is really not something we need with the scoops, and so far have not tried it.

This is not a plug and play device as you will have to read the directions a couple of times to take in all that this unite is capable of doing. But with a little knowledge and careful reading you should have no issues with setting it up!

Overall this is the best investment we have made for the band period. We went for good sound to GREAT sound! Style of Music: Jam band. Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval. We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity. It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front! No paperwork.

Nothing to track. No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card. We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear! When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay® checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use. Need it now but short of cash?

All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments! Fast approval.

We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity. It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front! No paperwork. Nothing to track. No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay.

Dbx Driverack For Powered Speakers

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We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear! When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay® checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

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