Driverack PX

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stewsdjrescue

New DJ
Sep 2, 2007
178
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MD
www.impactdj.com
I couldn't come up with much info about these. I currently run a QSC HPR rig with (2) 122i and (2) 181i.

What will this unit do for me? Will the sound be clearer, louder, anything?

I had heard that this will make my system more efficient and sound even better than it already does.

So any info, reviews, suggestions? Is it worth it?

Thanks!
 
I have one and i use it w/ jbl eon g2's and jrx118sp jbl powerd subs . It sounds a lil better w/ th drive rack but if i could do it again i would save the money a buy some better speakers.
 
The DRPX is not a magic bean. It is an EQ, crossover, limiter, RTA, and more. If you know how to setup/use those effects then you can improve the overall sound quality.

ALL modern PA cabinets will benefit from EQ. The crossover will allow you to better control the separation and integration of sound from your subs and tops - when compared to using the built in settings. Until you have spent the time to develop your critical listening skills, an RTA is very nice to have.
 
If you just plug it in and expect it to do much, it won't... However...

This is a powerful tool if you take the time to learn how to use it.
It is like having a huge rack of processing gear in a tiny box. The best part is, you don't have to use everything it offers to get a benefit. You can use as little or as much as you need for any situation. You can also create custom settings that can be recalled for different speaker configurations or different venues.
 
stewsdjrescue said:
I couldn't come up with much info about these. I currently run a QSC HPR rig with (2) 122i and (2) 181i.

What will this unit do for me? Will the sound be clearer, louder, anything?

I had heard that this will make my system more efficient and sound even better than it already does.

So any info, reviews, suggestions? Is it worth it?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Its a GREAT unit, however you need to first identify your needs, then learn how to use the unit to fulfill these needs. Its basically every piece basic pro audio processing gear all rolled into a digital unit. Compressor/Limiter/Gate, EQ, Feedback Suppression, Amp/Speaker Presets, Room Presets, etc. The best feature I've found in using them is the RTA mic and its ability to "Sense" the acoustics of a room, and EQ your system to sound its best within that room.

I'm going to pick up one with my new speakers next month!
 
I run a DBX Driverack PA on EVERY system I operate.

PA vs PX
Now the only difference really between that and the PX is that the PA also has a cross-over in it. If you are using a complete active speaker set, than it is usually better to use the active crossovers built in to the system. When we purchased the PAs, the PX didn't exist yet. If it had the PX would likely have been purchased instead for most, but not all the systems.

I run Stew's exact setup on a few rigs: 2 HPR122i, 2 HPR181i
Now since I moved over to the QSCs from what I was using, I find that I use the driverack's capabilites less, but it doesn't mean I don't use it.

In a lot of cases I will use the parametric EQ in the driverack for one or two minor sound tweaks depending on the room. A good parametric EQ usually costs a lot more than the driverack and is usually not as easy to operate.

In the most difficult of rooms, I can RTA the space, then tweak the eqs and save my settings for that room forever.

I can also use the same system with complete different speaker setups if I want to without having to change my settings for each. They can each be called from memory.

What's also nice is that if I loan the system out to someone, I can set up the limiter so that don't kill the equipment. Or if I am in a situation where I feel I need to engage a little compression or do some leveling, I can do that as well, because it is all there in one box.

I agree this is a real powerful piece. The beauty is using only what you need, when you need it, but having a rackful of gear at your disposal in 1 space. Sometimes it's the subtle uses of the box that make the biggest difference in the sound.
 
I use the Behringer DCX2496 instead it is a bit more flexable.
 
I have to tell this story... I love my Driverack PAs! (audio geek-out time) :sqerr:

Remember I said the PX would have been purchased for most but not all of our systems? There are a couple of reasons why...

I absolutely love the Driverack PA on our large passive rig. The crossover in there is very precise and allowed for the exact setting recommend to me by EV for our ZX5/MTL1x combo. What's also nice, is that because we place the concert sub a bit forward, like a stage platform, I can delay the sub. The effect is you don't hear any bass coming from the sub (even though it is definitely producing it!). The bass virtually sounds like it is coming out of the tops!

Interesting reason for using the PA over a PX with active systems
In my case, I am actually happy that the PX didn't exist at the time we purchased the PAs. Why? You can also do some interesting tricks with the Driverack PA by utilizing the crossover in a unexpected way.

I do this regularly with our live sound rig, and sometimes in real interesting audio situations (people who saw me running sound for Camp Mobile Beat would have experienced this).

I would hook up my gear by running out of the high output of the Driverack PA (which also functions as full range when not using the xover) to my sub and then from my sub to my top. (Basically the normal way you would hook up an active system using the internal xover in the powered sub.)
Now here is where it gets interesting...

I set the crossover to split 2 ways: High/Low.
Then I set both the High and Low outputs as 20hz-20k.
What this means essentially, is that I am using the driverack as an active splitter. I now have 2 sets of full range outputs. This on it's own could come in handy in a number of sound situations. It gets interesting still... (I Love This!) :sqerr::sqerr:

I connect the Low Outputs to the input of my In Ear Monitor system. My In Ear Monitor System acts as a transmitter to transmit the audio to a Wireless Mic receiver that I connect into powered speakers that I place elsewhere in the room (if needed)

I delay the Low output. Now my audio signal is in-time from mains to fills.

I do sound reinforcement with this setup with Front of House speakers and sidefills. The great thing is, if you are in front of the sidefills, you hear everything coming from the FOH. If you are behind the sidefills, you hear the sidefills, but perceive that it is coming from the FOH. It's very cool!

I never would have even been able to pull of some of the interesting configurations I have done had the driverack not been as flexible, or had the capabilities not been available to me.

Now these situations, might not be applicable to most, but I did just want to get across how extremely flexible the driveracks are and that if you think outside the box, they do more than meets the eye... The Driverack PA is an amazing swiss army knife for audio geeks... But even without the crossover features the PX is almost as flexible and powerful. Either way, you can't go wrong with these pieces, IMO.
 
NLfx Specials said:
If you just plug it in and expect it to do much, it won't... However...
Click to expand...

You know, this caught my eye and it made me think of something else that I had to pass on.

A few years back I ran into a local DJ, and we started talking shop. He was using the FBT Maxx speakers, but expressed to me his displeasure with the Driverack that I and others had recommended so highly to him.

He argued that it didn't do anything to make his speakers sound any better. That it sounded absolutely no different in or out of the chain and that he was getting rid of it.

I asked him a serious of questions and it turns out that all he did was plug it into his audio chain. He didn't set the driverack to his speakers. He didn't use the EQs, compressors, Cross-overs, RTA, ANYTHING! He didn't even crack the manual or touch one button!

He expected it to be a magic box... Where you plug it into the chain and automatically miraculous things happen to your sound. I explained that you had to setup the driverack and configure it. He responded, Nah... It was a waste, I don't think it really does anything. :sqconfused:

If you are going to get a driverack, or any gear for that matter, take the time to learn how to use it. It just may do some great things. Don't judge it on what you think it doesn't do, before your learn what it actually does! :sqwink:
 
Neat stuff.

I purchased a used dbx260. I knew what it could do. Getting it to do it is another story. You can know what parametric eq is, describe each variable and know how it should be set BUT unless you can negotiate the software menu, good luck translating that or any of the other functions into the machine.

To all those of you that find menus, little LCDs and little tersely described buttons no opposition to easy use I say more power to ya! My hat is tipped in yer general direction! And yes, I did read the manual before turning the unit on.

Taking the 260's null modem cable and hooking it up to the host software so that a SVGA screen now provided a software interface well, I see said the blind man. What a difference - simplicity itself.

When I was a kid, it took a rack of stuff to do what these driveracks do and it took 5X or more cash in 1970's dollars. It really is neat stuff.

By the way, it would seem if you don't set anything, all you end up with is a very expensive connector [wire] between your program source and power amp.
 
(people who saw me running sound for Camp Mobile Beat would have experienced this).
Click to expand...

Thanks for that input Steve....

The only thing I remember was that loud "Pop" from your one cabinet, then everything going DOA.... :sqwink:

Oh wait, that was after watching Fligg's showgirl videos! :sqlaugh:



Seriously, the uses of a Driverack PA have definately come in handy for this user too... and just running the compressor/limitter for that occ. karaoke gig...it's saved my speakers from damage, I'm thinking.... ;)

Cheers,

Joe
 
Alphabet said:
Thanks for that input Steve....

The only thing I remember was that loud "Pop" from your one cabinet, then everything going DOA.... :sqwink:

Oh wait, that was after watching Fligg's showgirl videos! :sqlaugh:



Seriously, the uses of a Driverack PA have definately come in handy for this user too... and just running the compressor/limitter for that occ. karaoke gig...it's saved my speakers from damage, I'm thinking.... ;)

Cheers,

Joe
Click to expand...

Yeah that was because of Brian's rig. Something in it was causing a lot of noise. His entire system was connected to our system through his direct box. I personally think that there was something wrong with his Direct Box... perhaps it melted because of Fliggy's videos! LOL
 
For anyone interested in a Driverack PX:

JBL is offering a fantastic deal!
Purchase any PAIR of PRX500 Series "Crown-Powered" speakers during June & July from NLfx Professional and get a DBX Driverack PX FREE by Mail-in offer!

http://www.nlfxpro.com/blog/prxmrx
 
And another deal that can get you savings on a Driverack (and a whole slew of other things!):

Purchase any new in the box, non-accessory product from three or more participating Harman Brands (AKG, Crown, dbx, JBL, Lexicon, and/or Soundcraft) in a single receipt transaction purchase from NLFX Professional between April 1-June 30, 2009 and receive Cash Back!

http://www.nlfxpro.com/blog/hideal
 
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