BillFitzmaurice.info

In my rack I have a DEQ2496 (I know, I SHOULD have gotten a DCX), 31 band eq, and two amps. Up till now, I've been schlepping along my home pc (yes, a tower, ugh. no laptop) and piloting my PA with Sys Architect at gigs. I really like it's total control over every aspect of my system, especially it's seemingly odd ability to get a LOT more power out of the amp and into the speakers. (Why is that? The crossover window's gain slider seems to access power that might otherwise be left unused.)

My question is: shouldn't I be able to use S.A. to program my XTi4000 enough that it's ready to go on its own, sans PC? I don't want to not bring it and find I should have.

I use the System Architect software, Band Manager 1. And have been for 3 yrs. It eliminates the extra Processors, such as an external EQ, DSP, etc...

http://www.crownaudio.com/bandmanager

Once you have set your Xti Amps with Band Manager, it is good to go. Settings are saved in the Amp and no longer do you need to bring along a computer. Though, I have my computer for my DJ setup, I also am able to make any changes to the Xti 2000 and Xti 4000 if needed, at a gig.

Very seldom do I need to make changes once I am setup. I have spent many hours tuning the 2 Dr250's and 4 T39's using BM. I have yet to download BM2, but will soon.

If there is anyway to reduce my setup and gear overall weight, for sure I always take advantage of less gear is better. Without compromising sound.

Is band manager different from system architect? I'm not familiar with it by that name.

Band Manager and System Architect are both a HiQnet software product. I have downloaded and worked with SA a few times. But found that BM was much easier to use and run. Check it out. Lastcat.

I just downloaded it and it's very similar, with just a bit handier interface: "up" navigation button, etc.

It recognized my Crown, I fiddled with the settings, got them close to where I want them, and saved the settings, in both formats: as a Band Manager file and as a Crown file (these aren't the exact terms). When I closed it, and reopened, it would not find or open the saved settings. Any tips?

Rich4349 wrote:When I closed it, and reopened, it would not find or open the saved settings. Any tips?

Not sure how to help you here. Its all about files and folders. When I named my settings for the DR250's they were saved as DR250Best, DR250Jazz, DR250Rock, etc.. Same for my T39's. Search your hard drive for specific file names, then try locating those files in BM.

I was able to save files, transfer, move settings from amp to amp. Copy and paste settings from one channel to the next. Also as a tip, if your right click on a channels settings, you can copy those to the next channel. Its hard to explain via internet, but try the best you can. You will eventually get it worked out. If all else fails, try the manual.

LC

I ended up downloading Audio Architect and using that. For some reason the sub menus on Band Manager never would click open. AA worked as well (better, since it worked!) as BM.

I still never figured out how Band Manager gets SO much more out of my XTi. I mean A LOT. Like 18-24 dB. Without Band Manager, it sounds like my t-60 is being pushed with 50 watts, maybe. (I know, it's volts, volts that count.) I haven't measured the volts output without BM running. The crossover slider squEEEEEEEzes out the volts.

Rich4349 wrote:I still never figured out how Band Manager gets SO much more out of my XTi.

shhhhhh.......it's magic!

I have been using a 8 port USB hub, an IOGear device server and a wireless router for years with system architect and it works flawlessly. I also made a RS232-XLR and operate my DCX2496 through my main snake. As far as "getting more out of your amp using system architect" sounds like your just getting your gain structure a little more dialed in.