Using a Driverack PA+ with powered speakers
Tom99
Posts: 18
Hello, hope you can help me please.
I have been using the DRPA+ for a while with my passive speakers and amp and love it.
I have now decided to purchase powered speakers - two Electrovoice ZXA1 tops and two Electrovoice ZXA1-Subs which go together beautifully. Can I use the DRPA with these or should I buy a PX? I can press a 100Hz low-cut button on the ZXA1 that keeps the bass in the subs when they are joined together. I just wondered if I actually need to use the DRPA anymore with the powered speakers, or would the DRPA make a huge difference in sound quality? If so, can you help me please? I am not sure what to do.
Thanks,
Tom
I have been using the DRPA+ for a while with my passive speakers and amp and love it.
I have now decided to purchase powered speakers - two Electrovoice ZXA1 tops and two Electrovoice ZXA1-Subs which go together beautifully. Can I use the DRPA with these or should I buy a PX? I can press a 100Hz low-cut button on the ZXA1 that keeps the bass in the subs when they are joined together. I just wondered if I actually need to use the DRPA anymore with the powered speakers, or would the DRPA make a huge difference in sound quality? If so, can you help me please? I am not sure what to do.
Thanks,
Tom
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Comments
DRA
Electrovoice ZXA1 tops:
Amplifier Power 800 Watts (RMS)
Input Connections XLR and TRS Combo; XLR with Independent Gain
Power Requirement 120V: 95V - 132V, 50 - 60 Hz, 0.6A 230V:190V - 264V, 50 - 60 Hz, 0.4A
Speaker Type Full-range, powered monitors, powered speakers, two-way, wedges
Frequency Response (-3 dB) 60 - 20000 Hz Full Range Mode
Frequency Response (-10 dB) 48 - 20000 Hz Full Range Mode
Recommended High-Pass Frequency 36 Hz User Selectable
Max. SPL/1m (calc) 126 dB
Coverage (Nominal -6 dB) H 90 ° Rotatable
Coverage (Nominal -6 dB) V 50 ° Rotatable
LF Transducer 8-inch EV8L
HF Transducer 1.25-inch DH2005
Crossover Frequency 1800 Hz
Electrovoice ZXA1-Subs:
Amplifier Power 800 Watts (RMS)
Coverage (Nominal -6 dB) Omnidirectional
Input Connections (2) XLR Stereo Input, (2) XLR Stereo Output
Power Requirement 120V: 90V-132v, 1.0 A, 50-60Hz 230V: 190V-264V, 0.6A, 50-60Hz
Speaker Type Powered Subwoofer
Frequency Response (-3 dB) 53–93 Hz Half Space
Frequency Response (-10 dB) 44–118 Hz Half Space
Max. SPL/1m (calc) 126 dB Half Space
System Power Handling (Continuous/Program/Peak) 700 Watts
LF Transducer (1) EVS-12S, 305mm (12�) Woofer
Crossover Frequency 100 Hz
The reason I want this system is because the tops are so small and light - great for my poor old back. May I have your expert opinion about this system? Hope I am not doing the wrong thing now I have read about some speakers like JBL and Bose being made elsewhere and not being so good. Thanks.
You use preset if you wish and the modify it, but it is really just as easy to use the wizard and start from scratch. I like to set up a program for each config set-up. For example, 1 for two tops (full range), 1 for 2 tops and subs, etc. The x-over freq and type are done in the x-over module. You have to set the filter for each output band.
Typical powered (with internal processing) sub setting - 30hz BW18 - 100hz LR24. Be sure to set the sub's (if adjustable) x-over filter to max (high) to get it out of the way.
Typical top setting - 100hz LR24 (or matching to the freq chosen.
DRA
Also, the manual says:
frequency response Frequency Response (-3 dB) 53–93 Hz Half Space
Frequency Response (-10 dB) 44–118 Hz Half Space
I don't know what that all means but I'd be interested to know why you recommend the sub setting at 30hz LR 24? Isn't that much lower than the speaker can handle?
Thank you for your valuable help.
Tom
XLR out to sub input, out sub to speaker input (follow manual). Set the top's to the sub setting.
Set the HPF to 40hz BW18. You'll still have full graphic EQ, AFS, limiter, and 3 PEQs for tonal control.
DRA
Once again, thank you. You don't know how much I appreciate your help.
May I ask a couple of more things please? If I am using a pair of EV ZXA1's by themselves as a full range speaker (without a sub), what would the setting for the x-over be please? I also plan to use a pair of them as stage monitors this evening and I don't think I would need to use them full range. Could you recommend a setting for monitoring purposes too please?
Thank you and Happy Christmas.
DRA
May I ask you another gain-structure related question please? This is regarding setting up gain structure on my reverb unit (TC Electronic M350) and I am not sure if I am doing this correctly.
1. I run a signal through the mixer and look at the post-fader Aux Send meters (to the reverb) and put them just under clipping.
2. I set the input of the reverb unit to just under clipping.
3. I set the return channel to just under clipping...
The problem is, the level going to the reverb unit is dry and the return from the reverb back to the mixer is 100% wet. This is going to send a much smaller wet level back to the mixer and ruin the gain structure. How do I do this properly please? It is the only thing in my system that is not gain structured.
Hope you can help.
Thanks.
I think you can simply skip the auto level.
DRA