PA+ Config for Crown Macrotech-I 12000 amps
metalman1100
Posts: 3
Hi,
This may be in the forum somewhere but I have not found the info so far. I have a \"mixed\" system that I am setting up which consists of the following:
Yamaha MG32 Mixer(hope to pick up a new Soundcraft soon but not yet)
DriveRackPA+
(2) Crown Macrotech-i 12000 amps for powering 2 JBL SRX728 and 2 pairs of JBL SRX 718 subs
(2) QSC PLX3602 amps for powering 4 JBL SRX 722 mids
(2) Crown XTi 1000 amps for powering the 4 JBL SRX 722 horns
As you can see, I am going to triamp the system and have a couple of questions.
I have experience with the original Driverack PA so I know my way around the unit pretty well. But my \"problem\" lies in the fact that the new Macrotech-i amp settings are not loaded into the PA+ and I have no idea what amp setting to use to set them up with in the configuration wizard. I contacted dBX and they said that as of now(August'09), that they do not plan on a firmware upgrade to the PA+ to input the Macrotech-i settings.
The QSC PLX and Crown XTi amps are in there and I can feel comfortable setting those with the wizard without any problems. As I am not very savvy on custom setups, I am letting the \"machine\" do the setting up for me and I was curious if you guys might would be able to share what your thoughts would be as it pertains to choosing an existing amp setting in the PA+ for the Macrotech-i 12000 amps?
I thought about using the original Macrotech settings that are in the PA+, but I know that the new amps are based on a completely different technology(as I was reading Gadget's post about the new and old amps) and I really don't know what to use. I don't want to \"burn\" out the JBL subs so I am kind of at a loss for what setting(voltage mainly) as to use. I know that the voltage is the same(mostly) as the gain dial on the settings but just want to make sure.
Any ideas or suggestions would be most appreciated. I have also downloaded the pink noise cd, and I will be setting my gain structure according to Gadget's directions.
Thanks for any help.
This may be in the forum somewhere but I have not found the info so far. I have a \"mixed\" system that I am setting up which consists of the following:
Yamaha MG32 Mixer(hope to pick up a new Soundcraft soon but not yet)
DriveRackPA+
(2) Crown Macrotech-i 12000 amps for powering 2 JBL SRX728 and 2 pairs of JBL SRX 718 subs
(2) QSC PLX3602 amps for powering 4 JBL SRX 722 mids
(2) Crown XTi 1000 amps for powering the 4 JBL SRX 722 horns
As you can see, I am going to triamp the system and have a couple of questions.
I have experience with the original Driverack PA so I know my way around the unit pretty well. But my \"problem\" lies in the fact that the new Macrotech-i amp settings are not loaded into the PA+ and I have no idea what amp setting to use to set them up with in the configuration wizard. I contacted dBX and they said that as of now(August'09), that they do not plan on a firmware upgrade to the PA+ to input the Macrotech-i settings.
The QSC PLX and Crown XTi amps are in there and I can feel comfortable setting those with the wizard without any problems. As I am not very savvy on custom setups, I am letting the \"machine\" do the setting up for me and I was curious if you guys might would be able to share what your thoughts would be as it pertains to choosing an existing amp setting in the PA+ for the Macrotech-i 12000 amps?
I thought about using the original Macrotech settings that are in the PA+, but I know that the new amps are based on a completely different technology(as I was reading Gadget's post about the new and old amps) and I really don't know what to use. I don't want to \"burn\" out the JBL subs so I am kind of at a loss for what setting(voltage mainly) as to use. I know that the voltage is the same(mostly) as the gain dial on the settings but just want to make sure.
Any ideas or suggestions would be most appreciated. I have also downloaded the pink noise cd, and I will be setting my gain structure according to Gadget's directions.
Thanks for any help.
0
Comments
If the new amps are anything like the older VZ.. gain structure with the Macs is going to be difficult...I haven't figured a good way yet...but if you let the gain structure set the input level as we discussed in the \"start here\" thread you will be ok.. I like to first use the sensitivity rating of the speakers as a gauge, and if you are perfectly powered then a unity setting on the xover gain is a good place to start, but real world usually takes some monkeying around...
Lets take a look at where I ended up with my current rig...
Subs...LABsubs (3.2ohms dc resistance), 2 per amp, Mac 3600vz
Mids ...OAP 112 (12\" Neo mids) 2 per channel (4.1 ohms) QSC 4050HD
Horns...2x B&C 750 2\" exit (4.0 ohms) Carver (NOT carvin) 850 2 per channel...
I ended up with the MAC @ 100%, the 4050 @ 100%, and the Carver @ 3 Oclock...with the Xover gains @ -3, -0-, and -7 db respectively...Last night I was running 110 db @ 5 meters, I figure I was running about 10% system volume :shock: the system is dead quiet @ Idle and will blow your socks off... form -0- to flapping your pants in 1.1 seconds
One of the reasons I specify the gain structure method is it's simplicity... setting the amp sensitivity to spec is no guarantee that you will not hurt your speakers...the Mac,s have a \"power supply\" health indicator.. (the red lights at the bottom of the pyramid... if they start to dim...that's all the amp has got.. if they go out....you WILL let the smoke out of the speakers...
Not sure if that helps... or answers your question, but if system health is your goal... take the DRPA+ back.. and get a 260, and let the brick wall limiters be the safety...Oh and I figure your most vulnerable (just my thinking here) in the mids...Me too, and really strange since I should have WAYYYY more power for the mids than anything else ... go figure..
G
I'd Like to know how you like those Mac I amps... on paper your under powered for those subs..
That makes your problem go away as far as gain structure issues. If you are asking about system balancing, the PA+ should take care of that. I guess to get close, just choose amps are have the same wattage output and Db gain, then let the PA+ finish up.
DRA
PS - Nice set-up, by the way.
Just thinking out loud here, and this is more of a question than a statement. Rather than technically correct sensitivity settings, are these not \"factory default\" sensitivity settings. I thought the technically correct settings would depend on the output level of the previous piece of equipment. If that is a DRPA+ which outputs +4dB then the 1.4V setting for the 12000i would indeed be correct but, for the sake of argument, lets say my complete system was a mixer that clips at +22, a Crown Macrotech 12000i, and a suitably sized pair of speakers. If I did a gain structure with the mixer outputting (is that a word?) somewhere close to clip, would 26dB gain not be a better sensitivity setting? But since I am an oldschool guy, I would probably run the mixer closer to unity for my gain structure, in which case, .775V would be a better choice (but .775V is not offered on a 12000i so I would have to do more home work to determine the best setting offered) Of course, a lot of this can be controlled by the gain pots on the amp but the selection of a sensitivity setting seems to set an appropriate range for a specific application.
Dennis
I will take the info that you have given and continue to experiment with what works best for my situations.
I know that the subs are underpowered but you know how it is...my wallet is underpowered right now from buying all of the other equipment, but I plan on picking up two more 12000i in the next month or so.
Gadget..to answer your question...I really like the i series macrotechs so far.
Of course, it is not really the same technology as the original series(of which I did own a 5002VZ) but it seems very reliable and able to power the subs efficiently. It does use the 20 amp plugs, so you really have to either have a 20 amp breaker dedicated or you have to use a conversion type unit to convert the 20 amp back to say a more \"standard\" 15 amp plug. I have used them both ways, and even with the 15 amp plug conversion, I have still got an amazing sound out of them without tripping any breakers or causing any noticeable problems. They are very light(about 1/3 the weight of the old style) and seem to be built well.
Thanks again for your help.