Drive Rack PX

HiltonHeadEd · #1 06-11-2011, 08:12 AM

If I want to use this piece for FOH powered setup, could it also be used for 2 monitor mixes. My guess is no. Would I need 1 or two more to accommodate?

I run sound from the stage.
Set up is

2 powered subs with powered top cabs (FOH)

2 monitor mixes with 4 powered cabs. (two on each mix)

1604 VLZ Pro board

MX200 vox fx

dbx 266s compressor (did I even need this? figure I can use for drums if the drive rack(s) accomplishes compression for the mixes)

Still growing and learning thanks.

modulusman · #2 06-11-2011, 08:55 AM

With good quality powered speakers a driverack isn't really necessary. The processing is done inside the speaker so alot of the Driverack features are not needed. I would buy a pair of good Dual 31 band Graphic EQs and use one for mains left and right and the other for monitor mix 1 and 2. I use this model. dbx 1231 Dual 31-Band Graphic Equalizer: Shop Pro Audio & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

Zooberwerx · #3 06-11-2011, 08:56 AM

I believe you would need at least one more to run 2 monitor mixes. My DR Pro + has dual inputs (L & R) and the EQ can be run as dual-mono or stereo-linked...you'll want dual-mono. Run monitor feed #1 from the mixer to the L input and feed #2 to the R input. I assume you will be using the Auto-EQ with an RTA mic to balance the mix? If so and IIRC, the dual-mono setting will "flip" from the left channel to right and establish flat independent EQ settings for both. Same holds true for the feedback filters.

Riis

HiltonHeadEd · #4 06-11-2011, 09:47 AM

Hey Mod you are right on - but it will work just as good, no? I like hands off as much as possible and my ear sucks for knowing what to do with the EQs. I can get the feedback under control and then tone sucks. I know its just trial and error, but I have little patience for that.

Thanks too Zoo - (heh, thats a good rhyme) So I can get by with 2 total. Thats what I thought. (my next question will be the signal chain and how to use) LOL, guess I better be a contributing member if I keep getting all this help and not just the standard, look it up, answer.

I have a bid on one PX but, I accidentally also bid on a drive rack PA. Since I am all powered the PX is the right choice, no? I asked him to cancel my bid.

Zooberwerx · #5 06-11-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiltonHeadEd

Hey Mod you are right on - but it will work just as good, no? I like hands off as much as possible and my ear sucks for knowing what to do with the EQs. I can get the feedback under control and then tone sucks. I know its just trial and error, but I have little patience for that.

Thanks too Zoo - (heh, thats a good rhyme) So I can get by with 2 total. Thats what I thought. (my next question will be the signal chain and how to use) LOL, guess I better be a contributing member if I keep getting all this help and not just the standard, look it up, answer.

I have a bid on one PX but, I accidentally also bid on a drive rack PA. Since I am all powered the PX is the right choice, no? I asked him to cancel my bid.

IIRC, the PA+ can be used for both passive and powered enclosures so it's a suitable choice. Check the website for details....dbx® Professional Products.

Here's another trick that sometimes works. Use your existing DriveRack to Auto-EQ the monitors. Go into the EQ sub-program and note the boost and attenuation t/o the EQ freq bands. Translate your findings onto a conventional GEQ and stick that in line with your monitor mixes. Note: decent used graphic EQ's can be had for low-dough and may be more than adequate....we are talking monitors here. My system is cheaper than that. I use the mic channel EQ's solely, run the mixes thru a BBE Sonic Maximizer, > power amps, all feeding a trio of cast-off Fender PA enclosures. Sounds decent with no feedback and I have no clue as to why.

Riis

modulusman · #6 06-11-2011, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiltonHeadEd

Hey Mod you are right on - but it will work just as good, no? I like hands off as much as possible and my ear sucks for knowing what to do with the EQs. I can get the feedback under control and then tone sucks. I know its just trial and error, but I have little patience for that.

Thanks too Zoo - (heh, thats a good rhyme) So I can get by with 2 total. Thats what I thought. (my next question will be the signal chain and how to use) LOL, guess I better be a contributing member if I keep getting all this help and not just the standard, look it up, answer.

I have a bid on one PX but, I accidentally also bid on a drive rack PA. Since I am all powered the PX is the right choice, no? I asked him to cancel my bid.

Yeah any of the driverack units will work. I'm just old school and have been using Graphic EQs forever. If something starts to feedback while I'm mixing from stage I like the idea of grabbing a slider to turn it down instead of scrolling menus.

I know that the driveracks have feedback suppression so they should catch it if it starts to feedback.

REME7178 · #7 03-18-2013, 01:36 AM

Someone owed me money and gave me a pair of powered speakers and this unit. I do not like or care for the powered speakers I will not use them also I already run a pasive system. Will the DBX Drive Rack PX work with pasive speakers also, and does this unit take the place of the crossover and the EQ that I already have mounted in my rack? If i chose to use a Drive Rack would I be better off useing the DBX Drive Rack PA+? The amps and speakers I run are (4) Yamaha S215V PA speakers, (2) Yamaha SW118V PA subs, and (1) Yamaha SW218V PA sub powered by (4) QSC PLX3602 power amps.

Zooberwerx · #8 03-18-2013, 04:27 AM

^ Here's the link...I haven't read the PX manual so I don't know the whole story:

http://www.dbxpro.com/en-US/products/driverack-px

Given your stated enclosures & power amps, the DR PA+ will be fine. I see them used in the $250-300 range. They do offer crossover, GEQ, and PEQ capabilities (amongst other things) but I keep a conventional GEQ on board for "on-the-fly" rescue work as required.

Riis

4Mal · #9 03-19-2013, 07:34 PM

The PX will work fine. It replaces the crossover and provides a final limiter on the mains. Adds in RTA, feedback suppression, sub-octave. Some other goodies. All in 1 rack space... Does have on board 'graphic' and /or parametric Eq's driven by menu depending on your setup choices.

I don't use the on board EQ as my board and mac setup has SMAAR RTA working which I find more intuitive for me. Not necessarily for anyone else... YMMV and all that

REME7178 · #10 03-20-2013, 01:49 AM

Thank you fro the help. I might just keep it and try it in place of my crossover, but I think I will keep using my crossover. Do you just bypass the EQ on the PX unit?

uhdinator · #11 03-23-2013, 10:23 AM

One of the differences between the PX and the PA+ is the PX has no delay function for time aligning HF/LF.

The other main difference is the presets, which I don't use anyway.

There is a way to use the DR for FOH and one monitor mix IF you are running a mono system bi amp config.

You set up a 3 way custom preset.
Mono out from mixer to L input.
Use L outputs LF/HF to amps.

Mixer monitor out to R input of DR
R mid Freq out if DR to monitor amp.

Now you set your LF xover around 100hz and HF down to 100hz

set your mid band to overlap the HF around 150-200hz-16k if only running vocals to monitors. (Now you got the mud out of your vox monitors)
One of the nice things about the DR is you can overlap the Freq bands.

Now your mains are fed HF/LF only

DBX forums/site has more info on how to do this.

Now you have feedback suppression on your monitors and mains. You have to be mindful that anything above 100hz on the GEQ will effect monitors and mains. Then you have the parametric Eq on each band. As long as no drastic EQ is needed it will work fine.

Zooberwerx · #12 03-24-2013, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uhdinator

The other main difference is the presets, which I don't use anyway.

There is a way to use the DR for FOH and one monitor mix IF you are running a mono system bi amp config.

Pretty dang clever! Too bad I'm using two monitor channels. Someday I may a 2nd DR dedicated to monitors but, in the meantime, I'll stick with the GEQ with livin' heck kicked out of the 400-600 hz & 4-6 khz sliders.

The presets are no big deal. IIRC, they pretty much define the xover freq's and slopes and that's about it. OTOH, the auto EQ templates can yield some interesting results.

Riis