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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: Bob Burke on June 04, 2014, 02:49:53 PM
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Hello all. I did a search, but no joy.
I'm looking at the Driverack PX
http://dbxpro.com/en-US/products/driverack-px
for our little PA, and while all the ads say it's for powered speakers, I've read elsewhere that it will work with passives as well. I just wanted to check with you guys first.
Seems it should work, since the mixer/DR/amp/speakers are basically the same as mixer/DR/Powered speakers. Is this correct?
Thanks,
Bob
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Yes that is correct. I have a DRPX and I use it with passives and amps.
I do find the DRPX user interface a little too scary for live use. The DRPX also doesn't have any delay function for aligning subs with tops.
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Hello all. I did a search, but no joy.
I'm looking at the Driverack PX
http://dbxpro.com/en-US/products/driverack-px
for our little PA, and while all the ads say it's for powered speakers, I've read elsewhere that it will work with passives as well. I just wanted to check with you guys first.
Seems it should work, since the mixer/DR/amp/speakers are basically the same as mixer/DR/Powered speakers. Is this correct?
Thanks,
Bob
What do you need such a unit to do?
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You are correct in that all DRs are essentially the same when it comes to outputs. Whether you plug it into a amp or directly to your powered boxes makes no difference.
That being said, for a bit more dosh you can get a better DR unit on the used market and get a lot more functionality to boot. The PX will only give you a high/low split in regards to your x-over and PEQ settings and doesn't have the time delay feature the rest of the lineup has.
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Thanks for responding guys. I'm only running a QSC PLX1804 to some Yammy 4115's - no subs. I would just like to have it to simplify things. It takes me forever to ring out my mains and monitors (Peavey PR-12's), and we usually don't have the luxury of a proper sound check. I'm also interested in the feedback suppression. I run sound from the stage, and I hate tweaking while we're playing.
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Bob -
I am in a similar situation as you - running sound from the side of the stage while playing guitar. I bought a DR PA to try to do exactly what you are planning to do with it. On paper it seems like a great idea - I even bought the RTA mic to use to EQ the mains ahead of the show.
What I found was that for our live shows, it didn't help and the interface was impossible to use in combat audio situations. The feedback suppression didn't really work that well across the main buss. I ended up selling it after 2 gigs.
I bought a Yamaha 01v digital mixer used, and that has helped tremendously with parametric EQ on every input, output and monitor mix. I've gotten used to the interface and can dial in and notch EQ problems quickly. For $350 (including getting the ground issue fixed) it was a great investment.
I think you'd be better with a good 31-band graphic EQ for combat audio; Peavey and ART have ones that include LED's that light up offending frequencies, so that you can see what bands to pull down. 1 for mains and 1 for monitors, and you've got a very tactile solution that you can affect instantly while playing.
Of course, speaker placement and mic technique do wonders, but sometimes you can't control all aspects of the gig, the venue, or other bandmates…
Good luck, hope this helps.
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Seems it should work, since the mixer/DR/amp/speakers are basically the same as mixer/DR/Powered speakers. Is this correct?
One would think so. The owner's manual totally avoids the topic, as if no one on the planet would be tempted to try it. Surely they could've at least tossed in a sentence or two on what functions (wizards?), if any, are lost by having a separate amp in the signal chain.
Having NOT used the product, my only other contribution to the topic is this: I don't know deal you're pondering, but Full Compass and AMS are blowing them out for US$149.95, w/ free shipping to the Lower 48. The other usual online sources still seem to be at $299.99.
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/352456.html
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-DBX-DRPX-LIST
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Bob -
I am in a similar situation as you - running sound from the side of the stage while playing guitar. I bought a DR PA to try to do exactly what you are planning to do with it. On paper it seems like a great idea - I even bought the RTA mic to use to EQ the mains ahead of the show.
What I found was that for our live shows, it didn't help and the interface was impossible to use in combat audio situations. The feedback suppression didn't really work that well across the main buss. I ended up selling it after 2 gigs.
I bought a Yamaha 01v digital mixer used, and that has helped tremendously with parametric EQ on every input, output and monitor mix. I've gotten used to the interface and can dial in and notch EQ problems quickly. For $350 (including getting the ground issue fixed) it was a great investment.
I think you'd be better with a good 31-band graphic EQ for combat audio; Peavey and ART have ones that include LED's that light up offending frequencies, so that you can see what bands to pull down. 1 for mains and 1 for monitors, and you've got a very tactile solution that you can affect instantly while playing.
Of course, speaker placement and mic technique do wonders, but sometimes you can't control all aspects of the gig, the venue, or other bandmates…
Good luck, hope this helps.
Thanks Ned. I already have a dBx 31 band GEQ. I use one side for mains, the other for monitors, so maybe I'll just stick with that. I really love my little Soundcraft EFX8 mixer too. I'm afraid I'm too tech challenged to operate a digital mixer. ;D
Most of the places we play don't require wicked volumes, quite the contrary.
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I will repeat Dick's question - what do you want it to do? It is designed for powered speakers so it does not have a crossover and you already have an EQ. What do you expect the Driverack PX to accomplish for you?
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Thanks Ned. I already have a dBx 31 band GEQ. I use one side for mains, the other for monitors, so maybe I'll just stick with that. I really love my little Soundcraft EFX8 mixer too. I'm afraid I'm too tech challenged to operate a digital mixer. ;D
Most of the places we play don't require wicked volumes, quite the contrary.
Yep, and for that, I don't think you'll get a better result with the drive rack. Even if you let it run its auto-EQ function before the show, it's in an empty room; by the time people show up, the room has changed. It also only measures from one point.
It took me a few shows to get used to the digital Mixer (I had Mackies before) but it works for me now and I really appreciate the parametric EQs - that's helped to clean up a lot.
Forgot to mention - even though our mixer has 12 mic pre's, I subscribe to the KISS principle and only mic our vocals and reinforce the keyboard player's amp. Having minimal inputs has helped mixing on the side while playing dramatically.
On feedback issues, are you having those in the mains or monitors, or both?
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Thanks for responding guys. I'm only running a QSC PLX1804 to some Yammy 4115's - no subs. I would just like to have it to simplify things. It takes me forever to ring out my mains and monitors (Peavey PR-12's), and we usually don't have the luxury of a proper sound check. I'm also interested in the feedback suppression. I run sound from the stage, and I hate tweaking while we're playing.
Bob,
I repeat what others have said. The unit has no functionality that would probably benefit you. The auto eq function isn't that great and you'll need a $99 RTA mic to use it. 31 band eq and some common sense is your best bet for combating feedback outside of better mics and speakers. Since I changed my vocal mics and monitors feedback rarely ever happens on my stages, not even when we're setting the system up during sound check.
I have the DRPA+ and I only use the crossover and alignment delay, 2 things you have no use for. I'm not even sure how well the AFS even works. I find it too much trouble to go thru the menus to tell if it's actually doing anything. If you're just interested in eliminating feedback I think your money would be better spent elsewhere.
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I would also suggest avoiding the Alesis DEQ-830 - while it's great to have 8 channels of 31 band EQ in one rack space - it's useless for mixing while you're playing. Bought it and sold it a gig later.
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I use a 4x8 DSP in my big rig (for the lounge) with biamped mains plus subs and still. I only use the crossover, EQ, and delays for driver alignment and backline.
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The auto eq function isn't that great and you'll need a $99 RTA mic to use it.
FWIW, the $149.95 deal includes the mic. I was tempted to pick one up, but you've all talked me out of it.
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The wrong gear at the right price is still ....
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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the interface was impossible to use in combat audio situations
this.
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Thanks a million guys. I sometimes go for the hype - got a ton of unusable gear to prove it! You just saved me $150. Usually when I come here I end up spending money. ;D
I'll just keep tweaking my dbx 231.
Regards,
Bob