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DBX Driverack+...any thoughts?

#22
Re: above. You don't have to use the Auto EQ. You can forgo the procedure and manually adjust the DR's onboard GEQ and PEQ. It's a PIA as you'll spend all night spinning the control wheel throughout the available bands. A secondary dedicated GEQ hooked in line may be appropriate for the traditionalists...I have one onboard as a "rescue" unit although I have yet to need it. Either way, the DR still has a nice crossover, limiter, feedback eliminator, and the RTA mic is a blast. www.dbxpro.com has a users' forums dedicated to several DR models.

Edit: Sorry, Arsonaut....not directed at you!

Riis
 
#23
I apologize.

Handcuffs as in having your hands tied behind your back and trying to run sound all at the same time.

If you have loads of time out on the Gig in the best of circumstances, with no distractions, and no one around. You can get the Driverack to work. The idea behind this thing is that people with no ability will have it easy after purchasing this magic little box.........








WRONG.

The less you know about running sound the worse having one of these makes it. The more you know the less you need for having something like it. It's a classic Catch 22. If you think you need it don't get it, if you don't need it don't get it.

My advice is learn how to run sound. Learn how to use your ears and your equipment.

I do suppose after having run sound for 30+ years I have the luxury of some experience. Once you have mastered the simple stuff you can set an EQ in a room so quick it will make your friends think your some kind of genius. I do not need a pink noise to go straight to what is needed for a room. I do not need a device to tell me how to EQ an instrument or what is missing. Learn the basics quickly and throw this kind of gear in the dumpster. This thing is like the pretty fishing lure it catches lots of fisherman.

PS I have used the things in case someone wants to know.
 
#24
I thought it was pretty clever as a onestop shop...
Crossover.
Limiter.
compression.
phase/step delay.
the different eq models, even though I like my "flat eq" better than its "flat eq"...so I still keep an old FOH graphic handy...

I mean, it's not going to replace a dbx166, or a urei 1176...well, it did.
I was using a pair of dbx compressors, the 1176, and a urei 525 crossover.
the end result is not too shabby.
It's not like we spiked our Amek board for a behringer...

If you don't know how the different effect parameters work, you're going to hate this thing everytime someone bumps that 'wizard' button...****ing gandalf...
 
#26
I think the DriveRack PX is all about extracting maximum performance from any powered speaker system without the operator having to do anything complicated or difficult. The whole thing is designed to make things as easy as possible and offers a simple, inexpensive bolt-on approach, which adds functionality and control over the PA. If you've already got a DriveRack PA or higher model, you probably won't be looking too hard at the DriveRack PX anyway, but if you haven't used a DriveRack then the DriveRack PX neatly fills the gap between the more full-featured models and not having one at all. Definitely worth checking out. 0
 
#27
themacinator said:
Well I'll be fiddling with it early next week. Been using our small PA for shows up until now. But we need bigger sound outdoors in two weeks. So I need to learn it.
Click to expand...

Good idea. Do your set-ups / pre-sets / banks with the various power amp & speaker configurations before heading out the door. The only task-at-hand will be "pinking" the venue if desired or appropriate. In those instances where this is impractical, you can get by with an established & stored GEQ curve or run the DR flat using a peripheral EQ device instead.

Post or PM if you have any questions or issues....there's more than a handful of DR users onboard here. You may also want to list your hardware.

Riis
 
#28
So finally got this set up done. Reset the Driverack to factory settings. All we have in the practice room are a set of older Peavey SP2 mains. Did a quick full auto-wizard set up. I was full impressed with the difference it made.

Anxious to try this on Friday with our full PA set up. Mains and subs. So far I can see the DBX Driverack PA+ being a big help.
 
#29
I have one with a SL 16.4.2 and QSC KW series speakers (one 181 and two 122s).

I play bass, sing, and set up and run sound.

If we had someone out in FOH running sound during every show, I think this wouldn't be necessary. Since we don't, I shoot the room before the gig (as possible), save the setup, and set all the feedback channels to L(ive). I've gotten compliments on our sound *every* time I've been able to do this.

Look, my ears aren't perfect, I don't have 30 years of experience running live sound, and we can't afford to hire an engineer for every show. I was lucky enough to be able to invest in what I think is the best midrange small PA money can buy. And if taking five minutes before the gig makes it sound significantly better, the ~$300 I spent on the unit was well worth it.

I don't need the crossover, since my speakers handle that themselves. But every other aspect of the box pays for itself, and putting all that in one rack space was, for me, a no-brainer.

-jb
 
#30
Red Planet said:
I do suppose after having run sound for 30+ years I have the luxury of some experience. Once you have mastered the simple stuff you can set an EQ in a room so quick it will make your friends think your some kind of genius. I do not need a pink noise to go straight to what is needed for a room. I do not need a device to tell me how to EQ an instrument or what is missing.
Click to expand...

Yes, but you do need an EQ. You also need a crossover. If you are running a non trivial system you also should have a limiter, at least on the compression drivers. Three (stereo, if you roll that way) limiters for each of the elements of a triamp rig would be better.

The Driverack PA costs what, 400 bucks? I can't think of an analog EQ you can get for that price that I would use in preference to the one built in to a Driverack. That's just the EQ. I can't think of an analog crossover I would use in preference to the Driverack period.

Yes, the interface sucks and the RTA feature is mostly useless. It's still a totally usable crossover/system EQ/system limiter for crazy cheap.

They sound fine, they provide a bunch of tools you need, and they are cheap. Outstanding piece of equipment.
 
#31
John Bigboote said:
I have one with a SL 16.4.2 and QSC KW series speakers (one 181 and two 122s).

I play bass, sing, and set up and run sound.

If we had someone out in FOH running sound during every show, I think this wouldn't be necessary. Since we don't, I shoot the room before the gig (as possible), save the setup, and set all the feedback channels to L(ive). I've gotten compliments on our sound *every* time I've been able to do this.

Look, my ears aren't perfect, I don't have 30 years of experience running live sound, and we can't afford to hire an engineer for every show. I was lucky enough to be able to invest in what I think is the best midrange small PA money can buy. And if taking five minutes before the gig makes it sound significantly better, the ~$300 I spent on the unit was well worth it.

I don't need the crossover, since my speakers handle that themselves. But every other aspect of the box pays for itself, and putting all that in one rack space was, for me, a no-brainer.

-jb
Click to expand...

Not sure why you would need it with your speakers and mixer.
 
#32
John Bigboote said:
I have one with a SL 16.4.2 and QSC KW series speakers (one 181 and two 122s).

I play bass, sing, and set up and run sound.

If we had someone out in FOH running sound during every show, I think this wouldn't be necessary. Since we don't, I shoot the room before the gig (as possible), save the setup, and set all the feedback channels to L(ive). I've gotten compliments on our sound *every* time I've been able to do this.

Look, my ears aren't perfect, I don't have 30 years of experience running live sound, and we can't afford to hire an engineer for every show. I was lucky enough to be able to invest in what I think is the best midrange small PA money can buy. And if taking five minutes before the gig makes it sound significantly better, the ~$300 I spent on the unit was well worth it.

I don't need the crossover, since my speakers handle that themselves. But every other aspect of the box pays for itself, and putting all that in one rack space was, for me, a no-brainer.

-jb
Click to expand...

This is me in my band. Play bass, sound engineer, and lighting technician (foot switch). So since I can be at the FOH I believe the Driverack is the best option for me. Using it tonight for the first time. Thanks for the tip on the feedback channels.
 
#36
Love this piece of equipment. I play bass, run sound and lights as well. The pink noise generator WILL piss of customers in a bar so if you can set it up ahead of time when there is no one around its win win. Saving the presets for your next gig is priceless. The Auto EQ is way better for tuning a room than my ears will ever be. At my age I can't hear anything above 11-12K anyway. Save your self the money and get eh cheaper PX model. Set it to custom amps/speakers. 10 minutes to Auto Level and EQ is just amazing.
 
#37
I bought a used PA rack that came with two PA+ units. I'm only using one and may sell the other eventually. I know I've not used it to it's fullest potential. Not getting the bass out of the subs that I would expect. I think I have not gotten the hang of the crossover and low pass filters yet.
 
#38
themacinator said:
I bought a used PA rack that came with two PA+ units. I'm only using one and may sell the other eventually. I know I've not used it to it's fullest potential. Not getting the bass out of the subs that I would expect. I think I have not gotten the hang of the crossover and low pass filters yet.
Click to expand...

May I assume you did an Auto EQ and the procedure attenuated the <400 hz material by 3-6 dB? You can check the resulting GEQ for verification. PM if you need some assistance.

Riis
 
#40
themacinator said:
I bought a used PA rack that came with two PA+ units. I'm only using one and may sell the other eventually. I know I've not used it to it's fullest potential. Not getting the bass out of the subs that I would expect. I think I have not gotten the hang of the crossover and low pass filters yet.
Click to expand...

You can hang the subs off an aux from the board and leave them out of the driverack. Might work better, might not...
Aux-fed subs are the new fad on the theory that you can feed them just the bass guitar and kick drum, and not muddy your sub frequencies. I say, "Heh? Who's going to hear mud at 40 Hz and below?" Anyway at least it won't get you any disrespect.
 

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