System information
X-Array Touring Loudspeaker Systems – Applications Notes – Page 6
1.5 Identifying and Marking Enclosures
For ease of identification, the input-panel labels on all of the main X-Array™ enclosure have different
colors that are readily visible from a distance. All SUB systems (Xds) are green, all LF systems (Xb and
Xcb) are black, all near-field systems (Xn and Xcn) are red, and all far-field systems (Xf) are blue. This
color system makes it easy to quickly identify enclosures from the rear, facilitating fast array set-ups and
wiring.
Many users find it advantageous to add their own label or marking to the loudspeaker systems to indicate
array position, or amplifier wiring or truck-pack location. A china marker may be used to write anywhere
on either the input-panel label or the rigging-warning label. The markings from the china marker will be
semi-permanent – they will not easily rub off under normal use; however may be easily removed with
most household cleaners that will remove crayon.
2. GENERAL DIGITAL-SIGNAL PROCESSING
2.1 Signal-Processing Overview
Electro-Voice maintains a library of digital processing parameters developed specifically for the X-
Array™ loudspeaker systems in the form of spreadsheets. The latest versions of these spreadsheets are
always available on the Electro-Voice website (www.electrovoice.com). It should be recognized that
loudspeaker-array configurations and signal-processing requirements will vary with different venues and
different applications. As such, the user should consider the digital parameters included in these spread-
sheets to be a starting point. For optimal performance in a specific application, changes may be required
in the equalization, input and output levels, delay settings, compressor/limiter settings, expander gate
settings. These configurations provided by Electro-Voice have been designed specifically to make it easy
for the user to modify the parameters to meet real-life loudspeaker-array signal-processing requirements.
A general discussion of the settings is presented below along with suggestions and guidelines for making
adjustments. These general discussions would apply to any digital controller used with the X-Array™
systems. A discussion of settings specific to the Klark Teknik DN8000 is included in the appendix.
HELPFUL HINT: The most up-to-date digital-controller settings available for the X-Array loudspeaker
systems will always be found in the latest revision of these applications notes or separately on the Elec-
tro-Voice website (www.electrovoice.com). As such, the factory presets in any given digital controller in
the field may not reflect the most current recommendations. The user may want to compare the factory
presets in their controller to the settings in these notes and manually program updates as necessary.
2.2 Loudspeaker-System Considerations
Several points about the digital parameters should be noted. First note that the drive-signal requirements
for the Xn MB and HF sections are identical to that of the Xcn. In addition, the drive-signal requirements
for the Xb woofers are identical to that of the Xcb. Thus, the Xcn systems may be substituted for Xn MB
and HF sections, and Xcb systems may be substituted for Xb systems using the same digital parame-
ters.
When Xds subwoofers are used, maximum sonic performance of the entire system is obtained when the
Xds subwoofers are driven with their own optimized signal. Furthermore, optimal system performance
with stereo program material is obtained when the Xds drive signal is mono summed instead of in stereo.
Although not optimal, the Xds may be driven with the Xb/Xcb LF drive signal if necessary.
The performance of the Xf, Xn and Xcn systems is best when the MB and HF drive signals are left in ste-
reo and are not mono summed. The Xn, Xb and Xcb LF drive signals may be left in stereo or mono
summed.