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Just purchased a DRPA+

Fender30Fender30 Posts: 3
edited April 2010 in PA General Discussion
I'm hooked on using a system controller like the DRPA+, and understand the general functions.
Please don't pick on me, but I was using an inferior Behringer product for this task in my former
life. Of course it failed on me right during the middle of a show at the worst possible time,
so I decided right then and there not to try to accomplish something this critical on the "cheap"
next time. So... after doing some research and on the recommendations of several "friends" &
acquaintances I bought the dbx Driverack PA+. It has similar features that I was used to (comp,
EQ, FBX, Limiters) to - but the new hardware interface presents a steep learning curve for me.

Q: I thought that the USB port meant that the system was addressable by a computer, or
could be controlled by a computer interface... although it appears that it is useful only for
firmware upgrades (when released). Is that assumption correct?

Q: Should I have gone for the 260 instead of the DRPA+ if I need this feature?

Q: Can anyone offer a good swift kick if I ever buy another piece of Behringer gear?

Also... please feel free to offer any advice that would help me get a good running start with the
new Driverack PA+. Since it completely replaces the crossover in the amp rack, I know that
I will be purchasing another drop snake for the feeds from my main snake over to my stack of
QSC amplifiers. Previously, I simply ran a stereo pair from the (now failed) Behrihger DEQ2496.

(I have 4 PLX2-3102's and one PLX2-3602 for the subs & we run a stereo 2-way biamp with mono
subs not bridged but PARALLEL on the PLX2-3602 for best impedance match). My 2 subs are
custom built tuned 35Hz ported venturi cabinets with dual Peavey 1808HP-lowriders and each
cabinet can handle 2Kw easily. My mains are a mix of pole mounts for small rooms and for bigger
events I use PV115 scoops + SP3 horn cabinets with additional Altec Lansing 811 horns & passive
crossovers for protection. The full system is controlled from an Allen & Heath 32-channel GL2200
series mixer & outboard gear by a variety of vendors, including dbx, Ashley, Peavey, Rane, BBE.

I need all the good advice I can get, as I have to get up to speed on this thing quite rapidly. :oops:
I am not fond of the little bitty screen, though it appears to be easy to read in different light.

Comments

  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    Greetings.
    Q: I thought that the USB port meant that the system was addressable by a computer, or
    could be controlled by a computer interface... although it appears that it is useful only for
    firmware upgrades (when released). Is that assumption correct?
    correct
    Q: Should I have gone for the 260 instead of the DRPA+ if I need this feature?
    yes, and it's way more than 10 times the processor the DRPA+ is
    viewtopic.php?f=60&t=2114
    Q: Can anyone offer a good swift kick if I ever buy another piece of Behringer gear?
    Ya, and he (Uli) just bought Midas :roll:

    Please check out the Welcome thread:
    viewtopic.php?f=61&t=959

    and the FAQ section, as there is a wealth of info.
    viewforum.php?f=60

    Sounds like you will want to set up several different presets for the different setups.

    Did you get the measurement mic? one of the coolest things about the Driverack is the auto eq..

    Always here...

    Gadget
  • Fender30Fender30 Posts: 3
    Gadget

    I took the DRPA+ back to the dealer and upgraded to the DR 260.
    Looking forward to the learning curve on this one, now.

    I hope to get the system up and running with it by this weekend,
    so I guess I need to hit the tutorial pages pretty heavy.

    Thanks again for your advice. :)
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    Why?
    BBE.
    make sure you loose that as a system processor and use it as an effect on a per channel basis...

    Why the use of the altec horns? dissimilar speakers (especially horns) covering the same space will suffer debilitating frequency anomalies and phasing and cancellations...not good...Are those the old cellular long throw horns?

    Make sure to get the GUI up and running, as you know it makes the process much easier.

    Other than that, setup is a breeze, it's the tuning that takes the effort...and the knowledge. Were here to take you every step of the way. If you have some info on those PV115 scoops that would be good (because I don't remember anything like that from them)

    You have the mic?

    Gadget
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