Home dbx User Forum dbx Archive Threads DriverRack PA & DriveRack PA+ PA General Discussion

Right side of DRPA dead

s0c9s0c9 Posts: 14
edited November 2009 in PA General Discussion
Last night at my gig, as went went through the sound check, our DRPA [which I bought new 6 months ago, and has been awesome], decided it didn't want to produce anything on the right outputs [mids, highs]. Only sub and left side were working - but they worked fine. So how do I know it's the DRPA you ask ?

FWIW - I runs a 2x5 config, single 1500w sub, stereo [bi-amped] tops.
At first I thought a had a short in my wiring somewhere, upstream or downstream as it kicked in briefly while troubleshooting the wiring. Everything from the console thur snake to DRPA to amps to speakers was doubled checked. Alas, further analysis, including changing input cables, bypassing my amp rack input panel, swapping inputs on L/R sides of DRPA, all pointed to the right side being out ! Meters on front right of panel showed no signal on right at all !!

I tried changing programs, then re-loading my settings and even went thru all the progs parameters to see if something had somehow been changed. Nope. All looked good.

We got thru the gig by daisy-chaining to two tops, reconfiguring the amp/speaker outputs and running in mono. My amp rack is built to be able to do a quick change from bar setup to outdoor setup where I run 4 tops [on same 2x5 prog] and this is the config I used.. running both tops like they were the left side of the "big" setup.

I do plan to pull the rack, speakers, etc. at home later this week [when I get some time] and try to confirm for sure that the DRPA REALLY IS the source of the problem... should still be under warranty right ??
And, I DO have a backup xover that I kept when we upgraded to the DRPA.

However, if anyone has suggestion for troubleshooting this issue or additional insight, I'd sure appreciate y'all sharing your experience....

TIA,

Steve

Comments

  • DennisDennis Posts: 801
    If it's still under warranty, which it sounds like it should be, send it into tech support. If you had it over a year, there is probably some minor stuff you could check under the hood, but if a pro will fix it for free, why bother.

    Dennis
  • s0c9s0c9 Posts: 14
    Should I try a "soft reset" if I find nothing wrong ??
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    The soft and hard resets are there for software issues... the HARD reset will wipe all user settings...I would try both if necessary...I believe voltage issues can cause these problems.
  • s0c9s0c9 Posts: 14
    thanks for the reply Gadget...

    I have heard of voltage [or lack thereof] being an issue with the DRPA, but have used it at this same venue, on same circuits with LESS equipment running on those circuits, THREE+ times since I bought the unit 6+ months ago.

    The venue where this occurred runs big blower/cooling fans off the same set of circuits during summer months as its a "marina" venue on a lake. It gets REAL hot in northern Texas during the summer months and I always split my amp rack powers sources to TWO or more circuits, to prevent low current/voltage situations, and any impact from the blowers.
    My system has no noise from the fans - due to the star grounding effect of having my amps powered from different sources, but with a common ground via chassis contact. Never had a problem with the heat or power at this venue until now..

    Will keep y'all posted. Maybe my findings can help someone else out someday !
  • DennisDennis Posts: 801
    Gadget wasn't refering to overloaded circuits, he was talking about power hiccups from the source...Edison or whoever it is that supplies the power to your neck of the woods. A battery backup would protect your digital gear from them.

    Dennis
  • s0c9s0c9 Posts: 14
    Dennis wrote:
    Gadget wasn't refering to overloaded circuits, he was talking about power hiccups from the source...Edison or whoever it is that supplies the power to your neck of the woods. A battery backup would protect your digital gear from them.

    Dennis

    Gotcha,
    depending on the outcome of this issue, may have to look at that option.... thanx
  • s0c9s0c9 Posts: 14
    So this gets weirder !!
    I pulled everything out last night, connected it all up -- hooking it back up is "club" mode - powered it up and figured I'd see if it exhibited same symptoms before writing down all my settings, and going thru the reset procedure !

    Nothing wrong at all :evil: .. !!!!
    Everything worked fine !!
    Both sides of DRPA are fine. No issues with Left or right side, nor crossover freq, limiters, delay, yada, yada, yada.
    This tells me that there may have been;
    a) issue with the power and the venue [which I'll need to address as we're back there 12/5], or
    b) a problem with my snake [24x8 Whirlwind Medusa], and I'll diagnose that on Tues night when I have to haul it out of the trailer anyway.

    I'll also check the DRPA again Tues night and if results are same, chalk it up to experience.
    I'll post results after Tues night, and thanks for the input guys !
  • s0c9s0c9 Posts: 14
    Checked out the DRPA Tues night - using snake and all.
    Everything worked fine !!

    My guess is there's nothing wrong with it, and I had power issues that night.
    Case closed for now !
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    ****WARNING****
    The DRPA (not the + so much) is VERY intolerant of power issues....if you have one you should REALLY have an UPS...

    G.. and the staff here..
  • s0c9s0c9 Posts: 14
    Gadget wrote:
    ****WARNING****
    The DRPA (not the + so much) is VERY intolerant of power issues....if you have one you should REALLY have an UPS...

    G.. and the staff here..

    Thanks... I'll take that under advisement ! :)
Sign In or Register to comment.