+ D-BOX BT Remote BT Remote Two Potent Headphone Amps BT Audio BT Audio Separate Sources & Level Controls 5 Sources Talkback From BT Device Selectable Line Out 3 Speaker/Sub Outputs w/Trims 8 Channels of Summing 3 Volume Modes The Dramatic Redesign of the Industry’s most Revolutionary Studio Controller
SAFETY REVIEW ! The Exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying this product. Certain precautions should be taken when using electrical products. Please observe the safety hints by reading the manual and obtaining qualified help if necessary to adhere to the precautions. ! 1. Always use a properly grounded power supply cord with this product.
THANK YOU Thank you for making the right choice from an overwhelming landscape of productswe work relentlessly to create innovative audio equipment. Due to careful design, construction, and component choices by recording industry veterans, you can expect years of reliable service from our gear. If you have any suggestions for applications or future products, feel free to forward them. We are end users (audio addicts) like you.
BACKSTORY 6 OVERVIEW 7 General Feature Set 7 Panel Functionality: Momentoggle & Latch Mode 7 Panel Functionality: Individual and Additive Mode 8 Panel Functionality: Volume Knob, Dim & Reference Level 8 REAR PANEL: Summing Input 8 Analog Input 9 AES/SPDIF Digital Input 9 AES/SPDIF Digital Through 10 USB Digital Input 10 Bluetooth Audio 11 Bluetooth Remote 11 Summing Out 12 Line Out 12 Speaker Outputs 13 Headphone Outputs 13 Power & Switching 14 FRONT PANEL: Input Select
Mono 7 & 8 Button 21 Volume Knob / Dim Button 21 Volume Knob / Set Reference Level 21 SETUP MODE: Setup Mode 22 Analog Input 22 Individual Mode vs. Additive Mode for Input Sources Setup 22 Individual Mode vs.
BACKSTORY The Dangerous D-BOX+ is a dramatic, ground-up redesign of the award-winning controller and summing mixer that provided countless studios the superior sound and versatile control of an analog mixing console, all in just one rack space.
“It’s obvious that Dangerous listens to their clients. The addition of Bluetooth, a sub/3rd output and the gloriously simple but complete app for my iPad takes the D-BOX+ to the next level of usability. The remote talkback feature is the icing on the cake.” RYAN WEST Mix Engineer OVERVIEW 1. GENERAL FEATURE SET •8 channels of summing to restore your headroom, stereo separation, punch and dynamics.
•INDIVIDUAL & ADDITIVE MODE Feature: individual & additive mode functionality is built into all the buttons contained in the phones, ctrl room and speakers Feature: individual mode sections. allows you to choose one selection at a time. Benefit: For example, in the phones or ctrl room section, switch from iTunes/Tidal via usb and your final mix via aes/spdif and your client’s rough mix via bluetooth. (This is the default setup.
“I love the app integration with the talkback mic straight into the vocal booth, everything is adjustable from my couch if I am being a writer or conducting sessions I can control everything from my phone.” KEVIN WILD Producer, Songwriter 4. ANALOG INPUT Feature: analog input may be set for +4dBu or -10dBV Benefit: When plugging in an unbalanced, consumer level source like a headphone computer output, phone, DVD player, the level is low (.315 volts vs. 1.23 volts), so set the input to -10dBV.
EXAMPLE: AES CABLE EXAMPLE: AES to S/PDIF CABLE [AES XLR(F)-XLR(M)] [DIGITAL XLR(M)-RCA] 6. AES/SPDIF DIGITAL THROUGH Feature: Make AES or SPDIF connections here. Benefit: Pass through the AES or SPDIF digital input signal. Use: Monitor an external A/D converter while simultaneously sending to recorder or send the audio back into the session for more processing, or plug into an outboard digital meter or run into another source for expanded monitoring options. 7.
“I’ve been using the original D-BOX for 9 years. It’s the master brain of my studio. I don’t know what I would do without it. The new D-BOX+ is a huge step forward. The additional inputs make it easier to make headphone mixes. A dedicated sub output lets me listen with or without the sub.” TEDDY KUMPEL Guitarist, Producer, Mixer, Songwriter 8. BLUETOOTH AUDIO Feature: Wirelessly connect your handheld device, tablet or computer. Benefit: Monitor your client’s rough mixes or reference tracks via bluetooth.
10. SUMMING OUT Feature: This is the stereo output of the 8 summed inputs. Benefit: Hear your mix BEFORE it hits external processing or the A/D converter while returning back into your interface and DAW. Switch between sources before and after effortlessly. Note: Note: is always live. In other words, if signal is present at the summing input (green LEDs flashing), there will be audio from the summing out unless the sum trim knob is fully counterclockwise at -∞dBu.
“The D-BOX+ is a significant upgrade over the time tested original. Engineers will be extremely pleased with the new monitoring and cue section features. I am getting great image and depth in my mixes from the summing and the D/A is fantastic. The D-BOX+ has taken a quantum leap forward. ” MIKE PICOTTE Mixer, Engineer 12. SPEAKER OUTPUTS Feature: Connect 3 sets of studio monitors or 2 sets and a subwoofer. Benefit: Every studio should have at least two points of reference.
POWER & SWITCHING Feature: Three pin IEC cable. Benefit: Simple to replace if lost or stolen by a jealous bandmate. Feature: Switching power supply auto detects voltage. Benefit: Travel with your favorite gear anywhere in the world while spreading the audio truth. Operation: Unit ships with voltage appropriate fuse value. To change it, use a screwdriver to gently pry the mains inlet module’s cover open and insert the correct voltage. Fuses for the alternate voltage are included in the shipping box.
“The D-BOX+ is everything Dangerous: peerless sound quality, indispensable feature set, intuitive ergonomics and impressive looks.” FAB DUPONT Producer, Mixer Tip: , Run your final mixdown into the aes/spdif or usb input and toggle between sum and the final. Feature: Both usb & aes/spdif buttons are digital inputs that feed separate (but equal) D/A converters. Benefit: Monitoring from the same D/A allows mix decisions to be made, unbiased by different converters.
Operation: See the setup section of this manual for detailed instructions. Note: There are three (3!) D/A converters in the d-box+. aes/spdif, bluetooth and... usb. Yep. usb is a digital language. Just sayin’. *Note: input is plug-and-play when running Mac OS X. The driver will appear in the system window with d-box+ followed by your serial number. (See image below). For Windows systems, please visit our website for a link to download the correct driver. usb 17.
“Around the globe, we made notes of every request at every port and fulfilled every one in the D-BOX+.” MAREK STYCOS Founder, Audio Alchemist 18. SPEAKER SELECTOR (INDIVIDUAL OR ADDITIVE MODE) Feature: individual mode select and audition one set of monitors at a time. Benefit: Test your mixes on up to three sets of monitors toggle between them. (This is the default setup.) Feature: additive mode select and audition multiple monitors simultaneously.
19. SPEAKER SELECTOR CONTINUED (SUB) Feature: sub link when choosing a set of monitors, the third monitor output may be dedicated to a subwoofer instead. Benefit: Link a sub to your monitors, so every time you select them the subwoofer is activated (i.e. press speaker 2 and the sub button turns on). Or choose to keep it independent for low frequency content checks. (The default is independent.) Tip: , Remember to utilize momentoggle. It is programmed into all of these switches.
“Our goal was to beat the original D-BOX in both sound quality and features, while riding the leading edge of the computer-based recording studio. Oh, and keeping it all 1 RU. It took a while, but I think we nailed it.” BOB MULLER Co-Founder of Dangerous Music, Inc. dynamic headphones that are each 32 ohms or higher.) Tip: , Always start with the level control completely counter clockwise (minimum).
23. LINE OUT Feature: Dedicated stereo line out that mirrors either the ctrl room or headphone source. Benefit: The source or sources selected in either the ctrl room or headphone section will output here. Allowing you to send it to an alternate destination.
“Three DACs, more Speaker Outputs, Bluetooth Audio, Remote Control- just listening to the headphone section alone will inspire the best performance.” CHRIS MUTH Co-Founder Lead Design Engineer, Dangerous Music, Inc. noise generator (most likely a plugin). Activate the noise generator and set it to 0dB. Select speaker 1 and slowly turn up the volume knob on the d-box+. Assuming there is little or no level from your speaker, the goal is to get to 1:00 o’clock on the dial.
Operation: See the setup section of this manual for detailed instructions. (This feature defaults to off). Setup Mode 31. SETUP MODE Benefit: setup mode allows the d-box+ behavior to be programmed for the way you like to make music. Operation: To enter setup mode press and hold the usb and aes/spdif setup buttons simultaneously in the ctrl room section- notice they have the magic orange programming (brackets) around them.
“Extremely well set up and unreal how many features are packed in to so little room! The app is absolutely crazy, makes this an essential upgrade from the original D-BOX !” ALJOSCHA MALLMANN Producer, Tresorfabrik Studio, Germany artist. Or simply overwhelm your clients with sound, by latching up to three sets of monitors and playing them at the same time. Operation: Enter setup mode. (See setup mode section.) Then in the speakers section press the (1) button once. The LED will light up green.
37. TALKBACK AND DIM PAIRING Tip: , When engaging the talkback switch, dim is automatically engaged; generally used to keep from blasting the control room speakers into your talkback feed and looking like a tubhead in front of your clients. If you’re smart enough to know why you should override this follow these instructions. Benefit: To override talkback and dim pairing, first enter setup mode. (See setup mode section.) Then, press and hold the talkback button until it turns from bright to dim.
“It is always a pleasure to see how the D-BOX took care of so many needs in the studio. The new D-BOX+ will do that and so much more. It is the complete center controller for any studio environment !” STEFAN HEGER CEO of MasteringWorks 42. BLUETOOTH AUDIO SETUP FOR iPHONE Feature: Play bluetooth audio from your device and control most of the functions via bluetooth simultaneously. Operation: Activate bluetooth functionality on the d-box+ by pressing the bt enable button. LED will change from dim to bright.
43. BLUETOOTH REMOTE CONTROL SETUP FOR iPHONE (iPAD IS ALL IN ONE SCREEN, BUT IDENTICAL FUNCTIONALITY) Open d-box+ app and select scan & select d-box+. Select start scanning & d-box+ will appear under devices. Select the d-box+ and tap connect selected. Both bluetooth icons should turn from red to blue. 44. BLUETOOTH REMOTE VOLUME & DIM Feature: Control the volume, dim and talkback from this page.
Standard volume mode control. dim mode shown here. 45. TALKBACK MIC (SOFTWARE APP) Feature: Communicate with the talent via directly into their cans utilizing your phone, tablet or laptop by leveraging your device’s internal mic as a talkback mic. Benefit: Freedom to communicate with the talent from anywhere within range that you choose. Operation: First check to see that you are connected via Bluetooth (both top icons should be blue not red Open the more page and tap launch device settings app.
Tip: , If pressed and held for more than a second, the function remains engaged until the button is released. [toggle mode] When engaging the talkback switch to speak through your device, bluetooth audio will be disabled. 46. BLUETOOTH REMOTE CONTROL ROOM individual mode additive mode allows you to choose between five different input sources. analog, sum, bluetooth, usb and aes/spdif. Feature: individual mode Benefit: Switch between 5 input sources, one at a time.
47. BLUETOOTH REMOTE SPEAKER SWITCHING individual mode Feature: collective mode individual mode sub follow mode mono follow mode select and audition one set of monitors at a time. Benefit: Test your mixes on up to three sets of monitors toggle between them. (This is the default setup.) Feature: additive mode select and audition multiple monitors simultaneously.
[A] When unlinked in either individual mode or additive mode, the mono button will toggle on and off independently from the speaker group. In other words, if you have the mono button engaged and move from speaker 1 to speaker 2 or 3, the mono button will stay lit until you deselect it. (This is the default setup.) [B] link mode tie the mono button to your monitors, so every time you select them mono is activated. (For example, if you have a single monitor like an Auratone.
Feature: allows you to choose between five (yes, 5!) different input sources. analog (“analogue” if you’re British), sum, bluetooth, usb and aes/spdif. individual mode Benefit: Switch between 5 input sources, one at a time. For example, switch from iTunes/Tidal via usb and your final mix via aes/ spdif and your client’s rough mix via bluetooth. (This is the default setup.) Feature: additive mode allows you to select multiple input sources simultaneously.
The gateway for programming the d-box+. Identical to pressing and holding the usb and aes/spdif setup buttons simultaneously in the ctrl room section on the unit or in the control room app page. See previous sections for further explanation. enter setup mode: enter dim amount: Opens the volume app page. See sections on dim for more details. set reference level: This function defaults to off. To turn it on select .
“The D-BOX+ is one of the biggest game changers in my new setup. It’s the centerpiece of my studio. The Bluetooth function alone comes in handy when your working with artists who love to play there ruff mix or ideas for you. It’s a producers dream to have an all in one box like this.” SUTTER KAIN AKA DJ BLESS Multi platinum Producer / Mix Engineer / Film Maker 54. BLUETOOTH REMOTE (FACTORY RESET) Feature: Reset your d-box+ to its factory default settings.
Appendix ANALOG 8 CHANNEL DB25 (TASCAM PROTOCOL) H = HOT C = COLD G = GROUND PIN OUT WIRING FOR DB25 CONNECTOR CABLE TYPES 34
EXAMPLE: AES CABLE EXAMPLE: MIC CABLE EXAMPLE: ANALOG SNAKE EXAMPLE: AES to S/PDIF CABLE [AES XLR(F)-XLR(M)] [ANALOG XLR(F)-XLR(M)] [ANALOG DB25-XLR(F)] [DIGITAL XLR(M)-RCA] SPECIFICATIONS Note: Dangerous Music, Inc. publishes actual measured specifications, not theoretical numbers derived from data sheets published by chip manufacturers. SUMMING SECTION Frequency Response Flat within 0.1dB from 10Hz to 50kHz THD+N @ +4dBu 0.0019% IMD 0.
USB & AES DACS, MEASURED AT 96KHZ SAMPLE RATE: Frequency Response Flat within 0.5dB from 10Hz to 30kHz THD+N @ -14dBfs 0.0027% Crosstalk Rejection >115dB @ 1kHz Dynamic Range >106dB HEADPHONE AMPS: 4 ohm minimum load per amplifier (6-8 pairs of typical studio dynamic headphones) Power Output 3 Watts / Channel THD+N 0.0066% Crosstalk Rejection >100dB WARRANTY Free 2 year extended warranty with online registration.
Apollo D-BOX+.
Revision V8 09.08.2020 40 Dangerous Music Inc. info@dangerousmusic.com www.dangerousmusic.com 011.845.202.
