IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING FOR YOUR PROTECTION READ THE FOLLOWING: KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS HEED ALL WARNINGS FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS The symbols shown above are internationally accepted symbols that warn of potential hazards with electrical products. The lightning flash with arrowpoint in an equilateral triangle means that there are dangerous voltages present within the unit.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY This unit conforms to the Product Specifications noted on the Declaration of Conformity. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • • t his device may not cause harmful interference, and this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Operation of this unit within significant electromagnetic fields should be avoided. • use only shielded interconnecting cables. U.K.
DriveRack PA+ ® Table of Contents Section 1- Introduction........................... 1 1.1 Defining the DriveRack PA+.............. 1 1.2 Service Contact Info........................ 2 1.3 Warranty........................................ 3 Section 2- Getting Started....................... 4 2.1 Rear Panel Connections................... 4 2.2 Front Panel Connections.................. 5 2.3 Installation Steps........................... 6 2.4 Quick Start....................................
DriveRack PA+ ® Introduction Section 1 Section 1- Introduction Drive your PA to a whole new level of performance with the DriveRack PA+ Complete Equalization & Loudspeaker Management System. The DriveRack PA+ from dbx Professional Products represents a complete integration of the key elements that help ensure optimal loudspeaker system management in PA-specific applications.
Section 1 DriveRack PA+ ® Introduction 1.2 Service Contact Info If you require technical support, contact dbx Technical Support. Be prepared to accurately describe the problem. Know the serial number of your device - this is printed on a sticker attached to the chassis. If you have not already taken the time to fill out your warranty registration card and send it in, please do so now. You may also register online at www.dbxpro.com.
DriveRack PA+ ® Introduction Section 1 1.3 Warranty This warranty is valid only for the original purchaser and only in the United States. 1. The warranty registration card that accompanies this product must be mailed within 30 days after purchase date to validate this warranty. You can also register online at www.dbxpro.com. Proof-of-purchase is considered to be the responsibility of the consumer. A copy of the original purchase receipt must be provided for any warranty service. 2.
Section 2 DriveRack PA+ ® Getting Started Section 2- Getting Started 2.1 Rear Panel Connections IEC Power Cord Receptacle The DriveRack PA+ comes with a power supply that will accept voltages ranging from 100V-120V at frequencies from 50Hz-60Hz. An IEC cord is included. EU version accepts 220V-240V at frequencies from 50Hz-60Hz.
DriveRack PA+ ® Getting Started Section 2 2.2 Front Panel Connections RTA MIC Input This balanced XLR input is used for the connection of an RTA microphone. This allows the PA+ to measure pink noise that is sent through the speakers. The Auto-EQ Wizard can then optimize the EQ settings for any room. You can also use the full-time RTA feature to monitor levels and make adjustments yourself.
Section 2 DriveRack PA+ ® Getting Started 2.3 Installation Steps Make sure that the power outlet that your DriveRack® PA+ is to be plugged into is correct and appropriate for the unit you purchased. Using the mounting screws provided, screw the DriveRack PA+ into an appropriate rack. Make sure that there is proper ventilation. The sides and back of the device should be free of any obstruction that would prevent airflow. Using the appropriate plug provided, plug the unit into an electrical outlet.
DriveRack PA+ ® Getting Started • Make output connections from the six output XLR connectors on the back panel to the input of the selected power amplifiers. (Low out to low amp, mid out to mid amp and high out to high amp as needed) • If you will be “pinking” (Auto-EQing) the room through the use of the pink noise generator, RTA microphone and the Auto-EQ Wizard, connect the RTA microphone to the front-panel XLR input.
Section 3 DriveRack PA+ ® Editing Functions Section 3 - Editing Functions 3.1 Basic Navigation Modes The DriveRack PA+ has been carefully designed and engineered to ensure that all aspects of operation are intuitive and logical. Simply stated, the DriveRack PA+ operating system was designed with the user’s best interest in mind. Navigational aspects of the DriveRack PA+ are clear, concise and more important they are flexible.
DriveRack PA+ ® Editing Functions Section 3 UTILITY - Used to access the Utility menu. STORE - Used to store any preset changes. RTA - Press to access the full time RTA module, where you can monitor frequency levels. This information can help experienced users make fine-tune adjustments. SETUP - Press and hold to enter the first page of the SYSTEM SETUP WIZARD. AUTO-EQ - Press and hold to enter the Auto-EQ Wizard.
Section 3 DriveRack PA+ ® Editing Functions 3.3 Navigating the EQ Section Navigating the "EQ Section" To edit the parameters of the EQs used in a selected preset, simply use the following procedure. From preset mode, press the EQ button to reach the EQ module to be edited. Successive presses of the EQ button toggle between the input and the output EQ. Navigate through the Pages of the selected EQ section by depressing "Next Page" or "Prev Page" successively until arriving at the desired Page.
DriveRack PA+ Section 3 ® Editing Functions 3.5 Navigating the Crossover Section To edit the parameters of the Crossover used in a selected preset, simply use the following procedure. From preset mode, press the XOVER button. Once you have reached the Crossover module, Navigate through the Pages of the selected Crossover module by pressing the "Next Page" or "Prev Page" buttons successively until arriving at the desired Page.
Section 3 DriveRack PA+ ® Editing Functions 3.7 Navigating the Comp/Limiter Section Navigating the Compressor/Limiter Section From preset mode, press the COMP/LIMITER button to move to either the Compressor or Limiter module(s). Successive presses of the COMP/LIMITER button will toggle between the input and output modules. Navigate through the Pages of the Compressor module by pressing the "Next Page" or "Prev Page" buttons successively until you arrive at the desired Page.
DriveRack PA+ ® Editing Functions Section 3 3.9 Navigating thethe UtilityUtility Section Section Navigating From preset mode, press and hold the UTILITY button. Pressing the Data Wheel will select the parameter to be edited. UTILITY UTILITY LCD Contrast 1-16 Meter Page MAC Address AEQ Plot - RTA/GEQ Sales Banner - On/Off Gain and Threshold meters Firmware Version Successive presses of the Data Wheel will toggle between parameters within the currently selected page. 3.
Section 4 DriveRack PA+ ® Operating Functions Section 4 - Operating Functions The Operation section of the DriveRack® PA+ will be your key to successful navigation. The following information provides descriptions about preset functions and operating functions of the DriveRack PA+. 4.1 Preset Definition The first step in understanding the thorough preset capabilities of the DriveRack PA+ is to understand the elements involved, that when combined, define a complete “preset.
DriveRack PA+ ® Operating Functions Section 4 4.3 Editing Factory Presets To edit the currently loaded factory preset, press a module’s button (COMP/LIMITER, for example), then use the PREV PG and NEXT PG buttons to move through the pages within the module. Turn the Data Wheel to edit parameter values.
Section 4 DriveRack PA+ ® Operating Functions The DriveRack® PA+ will store up to 25 user presets in addition to the 25 factory presets. Note: Factory presets cannot be over-written. When storing changes to a preset, you must replace an existing User preset.
DriveRack PA+ ® Detailed Parameters Section 5 Section 5 - Detailed Parameters The DriveRack® PA+ offers complete editing flexibility, by offering in-depth control over every parameter within each effect module. The following section will provide you with descriptions and explanations of parameters within the DriveRack PA+. 5.1 Graphic EQ The DriveRack PA+’s Graphic EQ section may be configured as a Dual Mono or linkable 28 band graphic EQ. EQ On/Off Turns the GEQ on and off.
Section 5 DriveRack PA+ ® Detailed Parameters AFS Comparison Chart AFS On/Off Turns the AFS® module on and off. If AFS is Off, the filters are bypassed, and the algorithm is halted (the filters are not updated). If AFS is On, the filters are active, and they are updated according to the current selected mode (Fixed or Live). Clear Live/All This parameter clears the filters. If Clear Live is selected, then (if invoked) the live filters are reset to “0” boost or cut.
DriveRack PA+ ® Detailed Parameters Section 5 Number Fixed - 0-12 This will range from values 0-12. The total number of filters will stay at 12, and the number of live filters will be = Total Num Filters – Num Fixed. If this is changed before the filters are reset, then the filters will be reset one by one as the number changes. For example, if the number of Fixed filters goes down, then the last fixed filter set will be reset.
Section 5 DriveRack PA+ ® Detailed Parameters bottom end with these systems may not be possible and may result in over-stressing or even damaging your speakers. It is generally not a good idea to use this feature without a subwoofer. In any case, please refer to your mains’ and subwoofer speakers’ frequency response specifications, and avoid forcing them to reproduce low frequencies that they are not designed to reproduce. 5.
DriveRack PA+ ® Detailed Parameters Section 5 Flatten/Restore This parameter either flattens the PEQ or restores the PEQ to its original shape. Type This parameter selects the PEQ type. Types include: 1. Bell-All parametrics are bell-shaped 2. HShelf - One shelf is High, while all others are bell 3. LShelf - One shelf is Low, while all others are bell and 4. LHShelf - One shelf is High and one is Low, and the others are bell.
Section 5 DriveRack PA+ ® Detailed Parameters a level that is lower than -10dBu is left at the same signal level. Light compression is where only the loudest parts of the signal go over the threshold. Very heavy compression can be achieved by setting the threshold low enough that almost the entire signal content is over the threshold. For most signals the most natural compression is achieved when most of the signal content remains just below the threshold and only the peaks cross the threshold.
DriveRack PA+ ® Detailed Parameters Section 5 Units - Seconds, Feet or Meters Selects the unit of measurement for the delay. Length Sets the amount of Speaker Alignment delay time. Delay times include: Seconds- 0.00-10.00 ms, Feet- 0.00-11.3 and Meters - 0.00-3.43. Fine adjustments are made in .02 ms increments. Coarse adjustments are made in .21 ms increments. Press the Data Wheel when length is selected to switch between coarse and fine options.
Section 6 DriveRack PA+ ® Application Guide Section 6 - Application Guide This Application guide section is provided to offer suggested installation applications for the DriveRack® PA+. Note that the 25 included application presets represent the extensive flexibility of the DriveRack units. These applications can be used as sample reference guide templates for designing countless audio applications. 6.1 Stereo 3-Way Hardware 1. Connect the outputs from the mixer to the inputs of the DriveRack PA+. 2.
DriveRack PA+ Section 6 ® Application Guide 6.2 Stereo 3-Way with Mono Sub Hardware 1. Connect the outputs from the mixer to the inputs of the DriveRack® PA+. 2. Connect the outputs of the DriveRack PA+ to the selected speaker amplifier. 3. Make sure that the mixer and power amps are turned off prior to powering up the DriveRack PA+. Front Panel Editing 1. From Preset mode, select factory preset #26 (Stereo 3-Way) as a template, or use the Wizard to set up the specific preset. 2.
Section 6 DriveRack PA+ ® Application Guide 6.3 Stereo 2-Way Hardware 1. Connect the outputs from the mixer to the inputs of the DriveRack® PA+. 2. Connect the outputs of the DriveRack PA+ to the selected speaker amplifier. 3. Make sure that the mixer and power amps are turned off prior to powering up the DriveRack PA+. Front Panel Editing 1. From Preset mode, select factory preset #27 (Stereo 2-Way) as a template, or use the Wizard to set up the specific preset. 2.
DriveRack PA+ ® Application Guide Section 6 6.4 Stereo 2-Way with Mono Sub Hardware 1. Connect the outputs from the mixer to the inputs of the DriveRack® PA+. 2. Connect the outputs of the DriveRack PA+ to the selected speaker amplifier. 3. Make sure that the mixer and power amps are turned off prior to powering up the DriveRack PA+. Front Panel Editing 1. From Preset mode, select factory preset #27 (Stereo 2-Way) as a template, or use the Wizard to set up the specific preset. 2.
Section A DriveRack PA+ ® Appendix Section A - Appendix A.1 Factory Reset In the event that a reset is required, the DriveRack® PA+ offers you the option of performing a “Soft” or “Hard” reset. The Soft Reset resets all operating parameters except user presets. The Hard Reset Procedure will reset all presets information back to the factory defaults. A.2 DriveRack PA+ Power-Up Button Functions All Power-Up Functions require a button(s) to be pressed and held as the unit power is turned on.
DriveRack PA+ ® Appendix Section A Use Wheel to Change Restart Preset Number • • Turning the Data Wheel will select the preset you wish to load at initial power-up. Press the PRESET/RECALL button again when the selection is complete. Normal startup will continue.
Section A DriveRack PA+ ® Appendix A.
DriveRack PA+ ® Appendix Section A A.7 AUTO-EQ Optimization Tips By using the Setup Wizard, cross over output gains and post cross over parametric EQ settings are set to match your system. The Auto-EQ Wizard can be used to adjust your system to compensate for room effects, and adjust the response of the entire system to your liking. After allowing Auto EQ to “pink the room” your system will sound tighter.
Section A DriveRack PA+ ® Appendix Right Low Left Low Right Mid Left Mid Right High Meters Outputs Left High A.
DriveRack PA+ ® Appendix Section A A.9 System Setup and Gain Structure The DriveRack® PA+ offers a wide range of tools for sound system design and setup. These tools can make your system more efficient and better sounding, but to get the best possible sound it is important to use these tools properly. In the DriveRack PA+ we have included a Setup Wizard tool to help in system setup.
Section A DriveRack PA+ ® Appendix attenuators until the amplifier clip indicator begins to turn on. Turn the attenuators down slightly, so the clip indicator no longer is on. You have just maximized the gain through your system. This amplifier setting should give you maximum gain without clipping, another way to say this is that when the output of your console is clipping you will also be at the clip point of your amplifiers.
DriveRack PA+ ® ® Appendix Section A 35
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