DRPX with Samson Auro?

vandy79

Just curious if anybody has used a DRPX with some Samson Powered Auro 15's. My school auditorium is an acoustical nightmare (cinder block walls with slick paint, concrete floor, plastic seating). I am the band director and have been assigned the job of running sound for a chorus concerts, a couple of small theatrical applications, and the most common talent show. While I admittedly am a Noob at this, I am so eager to learn as much as possible.

We are not running any subs but we do have a total of 4 speakers. Two mounted on the front l and r and two more about halfway down the auditorium on either side. Will the DRPX allow me to work with all 4 of these speakers?

OklaPony

Vandy79,

First, welcome to the forum! This is a fantastic place to learn, cuss, and discuss the ins and outs of the dbx gear, in your case the DRPX. It'll definitely work for the application(s) you're describing. As far as being compatible with 4 speakers... no problem. You can always daisy chain from one speaker to the next with the Auro's.

Gadget

There are better units for what you want to do, (Like the DR260 because of the delay function and multiple PEQ's ) But yes, the PX will definitely help. We have provided here, for you, all the basics and if you want to get your learn on you have come to the right place.

On the opening page you will find the START HERE and FAQ sections.. there is the "study hall" for you to learn... Voluminous info available...

What you want to do is....
1. get the speakers response as FLAT AS POSSIBLE, so that it excites the room as little as possible
2. get the speakers oriented so that they get the information (audio) ON the water bags (people) and OFF the reflective surfaces (the Gym)

I built some (although they make them and some speakers have them built in) tilting mechanisms to get the speakers aimed down so that I can get them up as high as possible, and then aim them down on the people...

You will also find that there will be a point where the room will NOT take any more sound pressure...(the sound quality will just start deteriorating) don't attempt to get louder than this PONR...

There are Equalization tricks for live rooms also, That PEQ's are very handy to help with as well, and typical problem frequencies indoors..All this ans more are available to you right here, and were here to help get you through it.

I assume room treatment is not an option?
Gadget

vandy79

Unfortunately no, our School Auditorium has been ignored for many years by administration and I am trying to revive it from the dark ages. My Samson's sound pretty good, but the main reason I bought the Driverack PX was to help me with the technical side of live performance. Being a professional musician, I have a pretty good ear for what sounds good and what doesn't, I just don't always know what button to push.

The biggest issue I am having is with some Bartlett boundry mics. They are great devices, but I am getting a bunch of feedback in the 400Hz range and was hoping the driverack PX would help eliminate this feedback and make my job a bit easier.

It doesn't help that our stage is carpeted (yea, I know) and the floor is concrete with plastic seating. I must say that our roof is very nice in its acoustics, but that is where the good ends and the nasty, i.e. concrete walls shows up.

Gadget

ya, as I said the PEQ's are great for that room buildup, and the FBX will help as well...

So select the EQ's and get [OUT] displayed, indicating you have selected the HI outs...
get the PEQ's on, and select Bell by using the rotary encoder (note .. it has a press function as well) and the <prev and next> buttons to navigate... set up a PEQ @ 400hz with a Q of about 1 or so.. and then cut it an appropriate amount to lower the room mode...

Otherwise use the above to give yourself a BIG advantage...
G

vandy79

Gadget thanks for going easy on me. Our speakers are currently attached to wall mounts by "on stage" brand. I currently have them pointed somewhat inward toward the center of each section. Our auditorium has one center aisle and two sets of seating.

Since this system is fixed and only not be used in different venues, I am assuming that I only need to run the Auto wizard once.

If I am understanding you correctly, you are telling me to go into the EQ button on the PX and follow your instructions for the PEQ.

Sorry if my ramblings are annoying. I am such a visual learner and am doing my best to digest what I am reading.