driveRack-you like?

[Stinsok]

I have been researching speaker management units. It looks like the driveRack is the one for me. Tell me the good and bad!

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

I have been researching speaker management units. It looks like the driveRack is the one for me.

Which one?

[Stinsok]

Looking at the PA +.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

I have been researching speaker management units. It looks like the driveRack is the one for me. Tell me the good and bad!

Fairly steep learning curve....that's the only bad thing I can say. Much like TalkBass, the dbx user forum(s) are very helpful. For that fact, I may be of some assistance if you run into any problems. What set-up will you be using....board, amps, speakers, biamp vs. traimp, etc.?

The last couple of pages in the owner's manual should be required reading for any soundguy, amateur or pro. It pretty much gives a comprehensive step-by-step procedure for establishing optimal gain structure amongst the board, dbx DriveRack (especially limiters!), and power amps (those attenuators actually serve a purpose).

I set my PA up in my living room and, using the manual, figured things out before the DriveRack saw its first gig.

Riis

[Stinsok]

Well, here goes...16 channel Mackie 1604 into a Bi-amp system. JBL SR tops and EV loaded 18'' subs. Crest vs900 on the tops, Crest 3001 on the subs. The JBL's are the only thing listed in the settings on the driveRack.

[Passinwind]

Hey Kenny,

I only have direct experience with the first generation DriveRack PA, which I considered a little too buggy for pro applications. The shut-off pop alone was a deal breaker for me. I would hope they've fixed that fatal flaw by now. I suggest you double check that they have done so.

We spec'ed a Peavy VSX-26 in place of ours, which has been quite trouble free for the 3 or so years it's been in service.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

Well, here goes...16 channel Mackie 1604 into a Bi-amp system. JBL SR tops and EV loaded 18'' subs. Crest vs900 on the tops, Crest 3001 on the subs. The JBL's are the only thing listed in the settings on the driveRack.

Don't sweat it...use the "custom" settings and manually set the gains and limiters. The only gear I have listed on the DR templates are my QSC 1450 and 2450. You can update the DR on-line but it's really not necessary if you're using the same gear gig-to-gig.

Do buy the RTA microphone (or equivalent). The auto-EQ works well IMO. I've had no glitches in the two years I've owned my DriveRack Plus.

Riis

[StuartV]

I have 2 Driverack PA's, which I've been gigging with for a couple of years now. AWESOME equipment, in my book.

All my speakers and amps are in the built-in database, which made the learning curve dead simple for me.

Every gig, I use the Auto-EQ to set the EQ for FOH. Then I use the Feedback Wizard to setup hard filters (usually 6, sometimes 8).

I use one Driverack for the FOH, and another one for the 2 stage monitors. I Auto-EQ the stage monitors and run the Feedback Wizard on them, too. Feedback is more likely to come from monitors than FOH, which is the main reason I got the second DR PA. Obviously, I'm not really using crossover capabilities for the stage monitors.

My band consistently gets compliments on how good our sound is - even though we don't use a sound guy. Even compliments from other musicians that I know that come to hear us - and, the ultimate, my dad, who ran sound for big rock'n'roll shows for a living for years.