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Purchase Driverack PA or PX?

I am a newbie to this forum. Don't see specifc subject for PX. Read lots about the PA. My question is a little complicated. I want to buy a Driverack PA or PX. I can pick up either for about the same price. Apprx. $350-399, since the PA seems to be selling for a bit less since it is (and has been) more mass produced.

Anyway, I have (2) Bose L1 Classic sound systems that I am running as a L and R conventional PA system from a Mackie 1402VLZ Mixer. These have there own pre-amps and remote mixers, which also invits lots of problems. Yet, I have managed to get them to sound pretty nice. I just have lots of feeback problems. I have tried a Behringer EQ6200 w/ feedback contrl, but it is a bit of a joke, not to mention JUNK, and talk about noisy!!

I am now considering the DBX PA or PX. Since the Bose will be acting, essentially, as powered speakers, do you think the PX is a good choice, or since the PA is available for the same $ (or even less on E-Bay), what about it ?? Is either of these a good choice for my setup?

I have been runnig the main outs to a Mackie SRS1500 powered Sub, where I engage the High Pass outs to the Bose L1s, which have no bass modules attached (poor-mans sub). THis sends on the Mids and Highs to the the L1s.

Given also that my backup PA is (2) Mackie SRM450s (powered), do you think I should get a PX or the PA? Again, the PA is actually about $50 less.

One more question: do I need the mic that comes with the PX?
Thanks so much! Humbley......SingCommercialDave.

Comments

  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    Well.. depends on a couple things The PX would probably do the job, and the mic comes in handy for flattening the system. The DRPA actually has a few more features, (outputs) but the PX has brick wall limiters.

    I would run the subs and the L1's strait out of the Driverack. Hi outs to l1's and low outs (mono left low outs to the sub and cross with the Driverack, rather than the sub... I wonder what propagation delay would be on the L1.. ? For alignment purposes.

    Beware... there has been banter @ the PSW (quite a bit from the pros) that the L1's response(hi frequencies) falls off dramatically after a number of months of operation...If you like I can find the link, but they were also talking about a delay factor when using subs...this could be the killer here since the DRPA and PX don't have much delay available...The 260 however would be the perfect tool...more denaro though...

    One further caution... not all Driverack dealers on EBAY are authorized. Some sell units with out serial #'s and without warranty cards... make sure the realer is and AUTHORIZED seller or you will have NO warranty...

    gadget
  • THanks for the quick response, Gadget. What are the brick wall limiters on the PX you mentioned? Do I need them? Versus what feature on the PA?

    Also, I can't find a \"Authorzed Dealer Locator\" on the DBX website. Do you know how I can check them out?
    THNX again.
  • Fanman20Fanman20 Posts: 223
    Hi

    The cross over point would be interesting to predict.
    Because the L1's wouldn't go very low. (Difficult to find info on net)
    Maybe 120hz. What do you think??
    I just have lots of feeback problems. I have tried a Behringer EQ6200 w/ feedback contrl, but it is a bit of a joke, not to mention JUNK, and talk about noisy!!

    The design to the L1 would cause feedback problems. Bose 802 have similar problems. (I own a pair and love them)

    The driveracks feedback elimination is very good.
    Some state that the DRPA has a small amount of noise. I personally think it is quiet.

    5 cents worth from down under

    PS couldn’t find info on “Behringer EQ6200� Do you have a link?

    Mark
  • Thanks Fanman.

    Sorry I quoted the wrong Behringer. It's the FBQ6200. Here's tHe link:
    http://behringer.com/FBQ6200/index.cfm?lang=ENG.

    Note, in my setup the Mackie SRS1500 Subs X-over is at 120Hz. The L1s then get everything above it, which works fine. Volume adjustments to the sub can be made from the Subwoofer level knob.

    Lots of high end. Seems full spectrum with the sub, yet, like I said, ithe L1s give lots of feedback.
  • Fanman20Fanman20 Posts: 223
    Thanks for the link
    The DRPA or the PX is far better at eliminating feedback that the Behringer. By a long shot.
    Mark
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    More info please... about the setup... the mics (number and position relative to the sticks)... sub location... application (I.E. music type) venue size/type...

    Also I need the angular duality of the causial angle with regard to the immediate primary lobe of the left sticks relationship to the sub woofer... :lol:

    Sorry... just having fun with you ... Actually the first line would be helpful in all the detail you can give...I'm off to do one of my favorite bands... The Loose Cannons! should be a fun rockin night!
    Be well
    Gadget
  • DraDra Posts: 3,777
    The \"Brick wall limiter\" will not let a signal above the set point pass. For example, if the threshold is set to 15db with an over shoot of 2db, and you send a 25 db signal to the PX all that will make it through is 17db, no more so your amps CAN'T clip. The overshoot allowance sets the \"brick wall\". The PA will only \"soft limit\" the signal so that you may get a clip at the amps. It will stop MOST of the overage, but not all.

    Check (call) Full Compass for some good pricing on any of the Driveracks (260 included). Don't go by the \"online\" price. It will be higher than the phone price.

    DRA
  • Could anyone recommend the proper settings on my PX for the typical party DJ? House, Hip Hop, Top 40 and voice announcements? The sales person told me this thing is easy to set up and it seems true but I have very little knowledge of compression/limiting and other technical settings. I am using 2-JBL 15 EON G2 and/or 2-10 EON G2's and 2-JRX 18's depending on the size of the room. Also do I have to set the mic up on a stand? I don't carry one now.
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    Eddie the JBL's have limiters built in, you obviously didn't read the \"READ ME FIRST BEFORE POSTING\" section did you....Go there and find a whole bunch of answers to questions you didn't even know you had...THEN if you have specific questions ... ask away...

    Also under the \"search\" dongle on the blue bar above you can type in JBL EON and you will find a number of recent threads on the Eon speaker setups...
    Gadget
  • ok I will look through the forums but when I did a search for The PX this all that came up. I don't mind reading but if there are any past forums you would like to point out it would be greatly appreciated. I am getting frustrated and the idea of returning the driverack seems to be looking like a good idea. I am willing to learn just looking for a point in the right direction. Sorry if I'm breaking the forum code of ethics. No harm intended.
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    Eddie..

    Well with the words JBL EON I found this...
    http://www.dbxpro.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... ht=jbl+eon

    http://www.dbxpro.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... ht=jbl+eon

    and this is in the FAQ's section...

    http://www.dbxpro.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1193

    As for the limiter setting ...proper setup is a difficult thing to get right... too much and too early it will squash the sound and limit the output, too little and you stand a good chance of damaging your speakers. The limiter setting is different for every speaker and every amp combination, and is exacerbated by the powered speakers that don't allow for proper gain structure. The process is tied to the gain structure and knowing exactly where each piece of equipment clips. Difficult at best with the powered speakers. Another thing that makes it difficult is that no one can seem to agree on how much headroom you should have in the system, and many run the ragged edge ALL THE TIME because they are under powered.. or don't have the equipment to do what they do properly..or they just don't know any better...You also DON\"T have any control over the limiter in your EON's, or ability to turn it on or off... so you'd be stacking limiters which I don't like ...

    I'm sorry your frustrated but this new digital technology offers a lot of tools and a steep learning curve. All the answers are here for most of your questions, you just have to dig a little...We are all volunteers here and in the summer especially, don't have a lot of free time.. with that in mind I created the FAQ/READ ME FIRST sections... it's all pertinent, and you will learn something in each section that may come in handy in the future if nothing else.. I have for instance included Dra's Limiter setup in this section:
    http://www.dbxpro.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=959

    Which includes gain structure and setup info...

    So we don't mind answering questions that have a \"cut and dried answer\" (There's another one for you brother Mark) ... but ones that have no real good answer ... hard to answer cogently...

    As far as the \"mic\" thing I assume you are talking about auto EQ? read these:
    http://www.dbxpro.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=953
    http://www.dbxpro.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1058

    Gadget
  • Ok, so I printed out all this text you sent me (thank you) and have been reading it and trying to understand what it is I am supposed to set this stuff up at. I guess I am just not cut out for this end of the business. I wanted to take things to the next level with my sound and was sold on the idea that I plug the thing in, go through then wizard and it it does it all for you. If I knew I needed to have a complete understanding of curves and frequencies and what not, I would have never bought the thing. Because I have no knowledge.

    I thought that the JBL presets would balance all this out. Again I thank you for your work and help but there is nothing in the links that you sent that will help me detenine the following:

    Which Eq responce to pick (A thur D / Low , Medium, High) or what is the difference.

    I am pretty sure that for my use I would set the AFS to all LIVE. But the sensitivity to what Medium??? I guess.

    Subharmonic(%/Hz) , Bandpass, Compressor/Limiter(over easy/threshold/ratio/gain)), GEQ/PEQ ????? I have no idea.

    I bought this piece to protect my speakers and it seems that if i don't set this right it will harm them. And the more I read the more confussed and frustrated I get. Maybe the excitement turned to frustration is not allowing me to comprehend this clearly? :cry:
  • DraDra Posts: 3,777
    Alright.
    Tell us what system that you want to set up.
    List speakers and amps used. (no, you can't use both the 15 and the 10 at the same time. At least for what you are asking us to do with the PX.)

    DRA
  • I will primarily use the 2- EON15 G2's and the 2- JRX 18's coming out of a Pioneer DJM3000. A typical venue is 200 to 400 people and I play the normal DJ music. I also do some outdoor events and Club type events where I will play Dance music (house, electro and hip hop)

    Again, I understand how to set up the rack I just don't understand what to set the settings to.

    Any extra information will GREATLY be appreciated. :D
  • DraDra Posts: 3,777
    Ok. I'll ask again. What JRX 18\" subs do you have and what amp do you use with it?

    DRA
  • JBL JRX-118SP Sorry just assumed you know they were self powered by the use of the PX driverack.

    There are no amps because the speakers and the sub are \"self-powered\" or active.
  • DraDra Posts: 3,777
    Aren't the Eons and the JRX's in the wizard lists?

    DRA
  • yes I know....are thet already set?????????????

    do I have to change anything?
  • DraDra Posts: 3,777
    Have you set the volume knobs on the speakers as shown on the screen?

    If you have, ten I get your ready. The only other thing that you may want to do is flatten the speaker a bit as described in the outdoor out eq method in the READ ME FIRST section.

    DRA
  • 10 I'll give ya 20 if you get me through this. :lol:
  • DraDra Posts: 3,777
    If you have, ten I get your ready.
    oops.
    If you have, then I guess you're ready.
    You didn't answer the question.

    DRA
  • yes I turned the knob.
  • Ok let me get this straight. Are you saying I don't have to set anything else up once I select the speaker and set the volumes ??

    What I was asking about it:

    Which Auto EQ responce should I use?
    (Flat, Low, Medium or High or A thru D) what's the difference?

    Do I leave the AFS to All LIVE? What is the correct Q?
    I assume not speech. It's Music Low, Music Medium or Music High?

    When I increase the mixer gain are the line volumes supposed to be raised also?

    What is the correct High-pass and Bandpass Filter setting?

    What is the proper Subharmonic setting?

    As far as the Compresser/Limiter how do I find out threshold, gain and ratio?

    EQ - GEQ or PEQ?

    If the instructions explain this than I apologize I don't get it. If this thing is less complicated than I think and the preset feature does these setting already based on the type of speaker than someone PLEASE tell me.
  • DraDra Posts: 3,777
    Auto EQ - flat (note read \"the section\")

    AFS - How much feedback do you have? Even the speech setting is more narrow than a 1/3 octive EQ. Typically I use Music Med. Since you are a DJ you'll want to go 6/6 or 9/3. Lift at 5 secs.

    Lines volumes - don't know what that is

    Filters - already set, but I'd set an HPF for the sub at it's -3db point / BW18

    Subharmonic - I don't use it. There are no correct settings. You're on your own. Your subs won't handle the \"lower setting\". If you use use the \"upper setting\" only.

    Compression - If you're smart you won't use it.

    Limiting - Set by the wizard. (I think) But if you want to set yourself... connect 1 Eon and bring up until the eon's limiter goes red. With an overshoot of 2, overeasy at 4. Adjust the PX's limiter threshhold for that output until it puts it out. Repeat for the sub.

    PEQ / GEQ - Your only have a pre GEQ and post PEQ. GEQ for TEMPORARY room adjustments. PEQ for PERMANENT speaker adjustments (as described in the RMF section)

    DRA
  • MUCH Thanks! :D

    I really appreciate your time. If you know of any sources for me to gain better knowlege I am up for it.
  • DraDra Posts: 3,777
    Gadget lists many knowledge links in the RMF section. Combined with the info in the section itself all is a good source.
    Book learnin' is good (and important), but doin' learnin' is as, if not more, important.

    DRA
  • What I mean by line volume is the channels on the mixer. line/cd 1 - line/cd 2, etc
  • what? where? is the RMF section?
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    The... \"Read Me First\" ... before posting section...RIGHT AT THE TOP of the initial screen for the driverack...has voluminous info about setup and ...including setting up Input faders... output faders and gain structure in general...
    Gadget
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