DBX DriveRack PA2 Complete Loudspeaker Management System

Product Information

Since then I have owned and used the models that followed, namely the much‑improved second‑generation DriveRack PA+ and the DriveRack PX, which was designed specially for use with active speaker systems. In this way, consumers give each other guidance and give us the opportunity to continuously improve. If you bother learning some of the science behind what this device is for, it'll pay you back in sound quality. Enhanced AFS™ algorithm for faster, more precise feedback elimination, without adversely affecting your system’s tone. This means room adjustments can now be made very quickly, without subjecting the audience to annoying, lengthy broadcasts of pink noise.

Applying post‑crossover limiting has the advantage that, as the different frequency bands are unlikely to reach the limiter threshold at the same time, part of the output signal will remain uncompressed by the limiter meaning that the sound won't all be squashed flat just because one band has reached the limiter threshold, so the gain reduction applied will tend to sound more natural and retain some of the programme dynamics.

You could think about the two types of filters as addressing different aspects of a live show, in that fixed filters are addressing major issues relating to the venue and stage layout, and live filters will cope with anything that happens post–soundcheck, such as increasing monitor levels, or physical changes like singers moving around close to monitors, or even taking the mic out front so that the audience can assist with the choruses! When the fixed filters have been set and confirmed as all done, the AFS2 switches on the live filters, which will swing into action when feedback is detected from that point on. If all live filter slots have been used, and new feedback is detected, then the AFS2 starts to reuse the live slots starting with the ‘oldest’, so it’s always going to address the current feedback issues no matter what has gone before — that’s neatness for you. These features combined with the Wizard setup system, represent a methodical design that is guaranteed to deliver optimal, all-inclusive processing in a completely scalable system. I remember when automatic feedback suppressors first appeared and were hailed (by some, including me) as a wonder of their age.

Just bring a measurement microphone to your next gig, run the "Wizard" setup, and let the DriveRack PA2 take it from there!

Also, reports of crackling sound and bad ribbon cables inside, along with hum on the signal make it a gamble I was not willing to take. Yes, the DBX DriveRack PA2 allows you to save multiple presets for different venues, performances, or specific speaker setups. On this new model there is only a single bypass/clear button for each channel, with all other parameters and preferences being accessed via the data wheel and screen. The front panel is neat, simple and effective, the traditional rows of filter LEDs and dedicated button array complemented with a small LED display screen and rotary selector, similar in size and style to those found on the 1U DriveRack models. The increase in available volume was impressive, and even with all 12 fixed filters set the resultant sound was fine.

Am I reading that distortion vs level graph right that I really dont want to go past roughly -4dbFS on the outputs? You can now take complete control of the DriveRack PA2 with your mobile device or laptop using Ethernet control via an Android, iOS, Mac, or Windows device. The available filter types are Butterworth and Linkwitz‑Riley, which have different crossover characteristics (for example a Linkwitz Riley will commonly be chosen for crossovers as the upper and lower signals are attenuated by 6dB at the crossover point, which results in unity magnitude, (ie. A new, improved AutoEQ algorithm ensures an extremely accurate, fast, and non-intrusive automatic EQ experience. The PA2 incorporates an automatic feedback suppressor (AFS), which can detect the onset of audio feedback at any particular frequency and then quickly apply a very sharp notch filter to attenuate it.It "listens" to your room via RTA mic (not included), analyzes it, and sets the appropriate speaker levels and room EQ. The DriveRack® PA2 provides all the processing you need between your mixer and amplifiers to optimize and protect your loudspeakers. It's easy to set up the crossover filters manually, and what I like most about this function is the live LCD display, which shows the crossover curves changing as you adjust the parameters, which is a great way of understanding what is going on. A dual input–level meter indicates five levels from ‘signal present’ up to digital zero (max), with a clip segment above that.