System information
X-Array Touring Loudspeaker Systems – Applications Notes – Page 28
In the X-Array™ Touring DN8000 Parameters spreadsheet the DN8000 limiter thresholds are set for 2
dB below P3000 amplifier limiting in the HF outputs, 2 dB above P3000 amplifier limiting in the MB out-
puts and 4 dB above P3000 amplifier limiting in the SUB and LF outputs. These settings will allow would
allow some amplifier limiting to occur in the SUB, LF and MB sections, but would prevent most limiting
and clipping from occurring in the HF sections. These settings allow for a significant amount of dynamic
peak capability with reasonable degree of loudspeaker protection. The DN8000 limiter thresholds may be
adjusted lower, but should not be increased because of the increased risk of loudspeaker failure. If am-
plifiers other than the Electro-Voice P3000 are used, the limiters must be calibrated for those amplifiers
as detailed in the limiter calibration procedure earlier in these application notes. The user should note
that, in the DN8000, the limiter is post output level; therefore, turning up the output level will increase lim-
iter gain reduction.
For the Xw12 and Xw15 systems, the DN8000 limiter thresholds in the Xw Monitors DN8000 Parameters
spreadsheet are set for 2 dB below P3000 amplifier limiting in the HF outputs, 1 dB above P3000 ampli-
fier limiting in the Xw12 LF outputs and 2 dB above P3000 amplifier limiting in the Xw15 LF outputs.
With the output meters displaying in "dB from Limit" (as set from the "Options" menu), the 0-dB red LED
will light when the limiter threshold in that frequency band has been exceeded and gain reduction has
occurred. During loud portions of program material, it would be typical to see these LEDs flashing. The
limiter parameters in the spreadsheets will allow a small amount of amplifier limiting and/or clipping on
instantaneous peaks; however, the limit/clip indicators on the amplifiers may not turn on when the
DN8000 0-dB red LEDs turn on, because the response time of the amplifier LEDs may not be fast
enough.
HELPFUL HINT: When tuning an X-Array system, the user may turn the limiter thresholds lower for ad-
ditional driver protection, but should not turn the thresholds higher because of the increased risk of loud-
speaker failure. It would be typical to see the 0-dB red LED flash during loud portions of the program
material, indicating that threshold of the limiter has been exceeded and gain reduction has occurred. Be-
cause the limiter is post output level, limiter gain reduction will be affected by output-level adjustments.
The limiter thresholds in the included digital-parameter spreadsheets have been calibrated for the Elec-
tro-Voice P3000 power amplifiers. (If amplifiers other than the P3000 are used, the DN8000 should be
recalibrated as detailed in the limiter calibration procedure earlier in these application notes.)
D.9 Compressor Parameters
The DN8000 provides a compressor on each output. The threshold settings shown in the included digi-
tal-parameter spreadsheets effectively disable the compressor function. The user should adjust the com-
pressor parameters as necessary for the desired degree of gain reduction based on personal preference
for aesthetic effect or additional loudspeaker protection. The short release times shown in the spread-
sheets were selected to allow the compressors to reduce instantaneous peaks and then quickly return to
normal gain, thus minimizing dynamic-spectral-balance shifting between frequency bands. The com-
pressor settings may require adjustments based on program material and personal preference. The user
should note that the compressor is pre output level; therefore, output-level adjustments will not affect
compressor gain reduction.
A useful feature of the DN8000 is that the output meters automatically change to display gain reduction
whenever any one of the adjustable compressor parameters is displayed on the screen when in the "Dy-
namics" edit menu. This function is particularly useful when adjusting the compressor thresholds.
HELPFUL HINT: When tuning an X-Array system, the user should adjust the compressor parameters
as necessary to match the dynamics of the program material. To check the compressor action, set the
DN8000 output meters to display gain reduction by scrolling to any one of the compressor parameters in
the "Dynamics" menu. As set in the tables, the compressor should have a negligible amount of gain re-
duction prior to the limiter threshold being exceeded. The compressor parameters may be adjusted as