Running Solely DCX and amps

[DJ Higgumz]

Ok, I know the general thought is to run Deq and Dcx 2496, but if you are not interested in RTA, is the eq in the dcx sufficient enough for DR's and tuba's? How many bands can you generally get out of the processor if you have limiters active, and 3 input sources?

[CoronaOperator]

Not very many bands are available depending on the slope of the crossovers you are using. If using steep crossover slopes, then maybe 3 or 4. It's disappointing because the EQ section is great, however the processor runs out of juice too soon.

[DJ Higgumz]

is that total bands? or for just one channel? I wonder if there is a way to upgrade the processor...

[Grant Bunter]

While writing this:
http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewt ... =4&t=20833
(EQ is second half of the thread)

I got to filter number 7, but didn't go any further as that achieved what I wanted.
I would say there are 10 filters per channel.
I used the EQ in the input side, and it seemed to not chew up processor space so quickly.
After 6 filters, I was still in the high twenties percent for available processor space.

No one here has mentioned that their DCX glitched out due to lack of processor space.
Or has reported it as a a problem...

edit: that was for a mono setup, not sure if repeating the EQ settings in two more channels would eat up processor space totally.

[escapemcp]

is that total bands? or for just one channel? I wonder if there is a way to upgrade the processor...

There is... it's called the "Driverack" upgrade

[Grant Bunter]

There is... it's called the "Driverack" upgrade

not for three inputs...

[SoundInMotionDJ]

Ok, I know the general thought is to run Deq and Dcx 2496, but if you are not interested in RTA, is the eq in the dcx sufficient enough for DR's and tuba's? How many bands can you generally get out of the processor if you have limiters active, and 3 input sources?

Yes. I do this with most of my "two tops & two subs" setup. While not ideal....it is more than workable. I have also had one DEQ fail in the middle of a gig, and I moved it out of the signal chain with only minor changes to the overall sound in the room. I tend to keep the EQ to a minimum.

[doncolga]

Ok, I know the general thought is to run Deq and Dcx 2496, but if you are not interested in RTA, is the eq in the dcx sufficient enough for DR's and tuba's? How many bands can you generally get out of the processor if you have limiters active, and 3 input sources?

Yes. I do this with most of my "two tops & two subs" setup. While not ideal....it is more than workable. I have also had one DEQ fail in the middle of a gig, and I moved it out of the signal chain with only minor changes to the overall sound in the room. I tend to keep the EQ to a minimum.

+1 I don't use more than three bands of parametric on my DEQ. The graphic does a little on the bass, but nothing that couldn't be accomplished on the DEQ.

[BrentEvans]

There is... it's called the "Driverack" upgrade

not for three inputs...

That's called the Ashly 3.6SP ugrade then.

[CoronaOperator]

No one here has mentioned that their DCX glitched out due to lack of processor space.
Or has reported it as a a problem...

I just did, second post.

I wonder if there is a way to upgrade the processor...

I just found out they already did that ... a long time ago

I've owned the DCX2496 since it first came out. It used to reside in my car but now I use it at work to run two sets of delay stacks. I use 2 inputs, 3 outputs. 1st output 48dB/octave HP, 60ms delay. 2nd output 48dB/octave HP, 97ms delay. 3rd output 48 dB/octave HP/LP 105 ms delay. With those settings my unit would only allow 3-4 input EQ's before the warning "processor out of space, lower x-over slopes or set EQ to zero". That unit crapped out on me a couple weeks ago and I have been waiting for a new one to arrive. I was reading this thread when the doorbell rang (literally 10 minutes ago) and Mr. Postman surprised me with the new unit. Curious as to how Grant managed to get 10 EQ's going I started to play around. On the same settings for the club as my old unit I can now get 15 bands of EQ on this unit! With lower slopes or less delay, even more are possible. I learned a few things from this thread:

1. Check for firmware upgrades for your equipment! The EQ on this unit is now totally sufficient to run a PA.

2. While seeing how far I could go I found out that 9 bands/channel is the limit on EQ. You can however do nine on your input and another nine on an output for more control.

3. Without this thread, this new unit would've been swapped out for the dead unit and I still wouldn't have realised its potential. I see tweaking in my future .

DJ Higgumz, It seems you'll be ok with just the DCX2496. I didn't mean to mislead you on the 2nd post, my old unit was crap with EQ. If you post how you want to configure your unit with x-overs, slopes, limiters, input/output assignments I can give you an exact number of eq bands available. Easier for me before Friday when this unit goes to work at the club.

ps. Mr. Postman also brought me my new drivers for the delay stacks that burned out while running them without being highpassed. It's going to be a good weekend at work .

pps. 3 inputs ??? I can't for the life of me figure this one out. It's not a mixer, there are no faders on it.

[Grant Bunter]

Corona Operator,
Thanks for your post!

Because of it, I checked my Firmware version on 2 units.

So, to qualify my earlier post:
With a DCX with firmware V 1.17 what I said is correct. Date code on that = 1007 (I presume Oct 2007). My other unit date code is 1107 ( I bought it much earlier than the "new" one.) and also V 1.17.
For everyone:
To check firmware version:
Powerup.
Press SETUP button.
Press <-- PAGE (page button on the left) to get to page 6
V x.xx will be in the top right corner.
I also found something else, will post that in the my setting up a DCX thread.

Damn shame your old unit crapped out (Is it possible to ressurect with "restore factory settings" reset?).

Firmware grades are available, how high you can upgrade to depends on date of unit I believe.
For instructions:
http://www.icycolors.com/nu9n/deq2496.html

Note: Your computer needs to be midi able. And you need a USB to serial port cable (with it's driver(s) ) if you have a modern puter.

[CoronaOperator]

Damn shame your old unit crapped out (Is it possible to ressurect with "restore factory settings" reset?).

I'm pretty sure the power supply is giving me the trouble. It'll work for awhile then all of a sudden I lose output except for slight distortion and the display freezes (screen and VU meters). A reboot (on/off button) and then the screen flashes blank green and all the VU meters flash to maximum at about a rate of 1 Hz. If I leave it alone for a few days it'll work fine again and even hold all the presets. Once it warms up, same thing. I just looked up my receipt and I bought it Feb 2010. It's been on pretty much non stop 24/7 since then. Ribbon cables, etc all are fine. I'll send it in for service and see what the techs say.