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driverack pa2 question

Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2016 1:36 pm
by himhimself
I have a question that I think I know the answer to now, but wanted to verify with any users out there using the pa2. The outputs are labeled low, mid, and high, but as I understand, they really are 6 discrete outputs, or maybe just 3 discrete pairs? I have two situations I would like to be able to manage and am hoping the pa2 can handles both.
First, if using subs with different drivers, can I send individually limited signals to the subs? For instance, one signal to a pair or four T24s with BP102s, with a second signal to additional t24s loaded with 3010lf's.
Second, for running live sound, can I send lows to subs, plus separately limited and eq'd signals to full range tops and wedges?
From what I have read in the manual, this should be doable, but again, wanting to be sure before hitting the buy it now button for the PA2.
thanks!!!

Re: driverack pa2 question

Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2016 5:17 pm
by Bruce Weldy
himhimself wrote:I have a question that I think I know the answer to now, but wanted to verify with any users out there using the pa2. The outputs are labeled low, mid, and high, but as I understand, they really are 6 discrete outputs!
Unfortunately, no. They are not user definable.
, or maybe just 3 discrete pairs?
Nope. You get three-ways, but I wouldn't call them discrete as you can't split any of the L/R functions other than EQ.
First, if using subs with different drivers, can I send individually limited signals to the subs? For instance, one signal to a pair or four T24s with BP102s, with a second signal to additional t24s loaded with 3010lf's.
No, the limiters can't be split L/R. They can be split hi/mid/low - but that won't help unless everything is running full range. That said, I guess you could run the low and mid with the exact same settings as far as crossover - that would give you control over each section's limiter.

I'd upgrade the BP102s to 3010LFs and save the headache. Or, you could always use the volume controls on the BP's amp to hit your limiter settings. Hard to make sure they stay there though.
Second, for running live sound, can I send lows to subs, plus separately limited and eq'd signals to full range tops and wedges?
!
I not sure whether you want to make the mains/monitor split using L/R or hi/mid. L/R is possible, but the crossover point for the monitors will be the same as the mains, but you can have independent EQ.

Using the hi/mid method, you could make that split.....but honestly, it will get very confusing to try and maintain what's going where. And then you be stuck with montiors using the same EQ as the mains....and that ain't gonna' work.
From what I have read in the manual, this should be doable, but again, wanting to be sure before hitting the buy it now button for the PA2.
thanks!
Actually, if you read the manual closely, you'll see that they never talk about the option of setting the limiters differently on L/R. Also, there's not option of setting EQ differently on hi/mid.


Here's the bottom line.....I own 4 driveracks (just bought another one last week). I have not used the PA2, that's why I just went and read the manual before answering your questions. It appears that the PA2 has no different functionality from it's predecessors other than remote access.

It is a stereo 3-way processor. While you can jury-rig a few things, there's no way to define the outputs....they are what they are. That's one option you have to pay for by stepping up to the bigger models.

I do run two of mine in dual mono (that's only in the EQ section) mode so that I can get two separate monitor mixes through each of them, but they share crossover points, limiting, etc.....the only thing you can set separately is the EQ on each channel (as long as you are running dual mono).

It would be great if the two channels were totally independent, but they aren't. So, you really can't do what you want to. Instead of buying a PA2, buy a couple of used PA, PA+, or PX models. Then you can have one on mains and one on monitors. If you do that, holler at me and I can probably help you get the limiting you want on the second pair of subs by using one channel of the second driverack just for the limiting, leaving the other for monitors.

Essentially, you'd take a split from the lo output on the first driverack and put it into the L side of the second one.....leave the crossover full range (on hi/mid/low) for the monitors, leave the EQ on the L channel totally flat, and then set the limiter for the lows. Use the low output on the left side for your BP amp. The right side would use the right input from your monitor out on the board, then utilize the Mid output on the driverack for the monitor amp....it could be EQed separately in dual mono mode.


Hope that helps.

Re: driverack pa2 question

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 1:32 pm
by BrentEvans
If you're looking for a discrete 6 way look at the venu360 instead of the pa2. They are very similar and the venu has a few more features. Look around online and you can find a decent deal.

Re: driverack pa2 question

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 3:49 pm
by Grant Bunter
If you're baulking at the price of the 360, Behringer has an offering with 6 discreet outs as well.
The DCX2496.

If Behringer is on your no go list, back to the 360...

Re: driverack pa2 question

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:47 am
by BrentEvans
Grant Bunter wrote:If you're baulking at the price of the 360, Behringer has an offering with 6 discreet outs as well.
The DCX2496.

If Behringer is on your no go list, back to the 360...
The venu is a far better product in every respect.

Re: driverack pa2 question

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 2:52 pm
by kekani
I run tops, subs and monitors.off a PA+.

Kicker- its mono, not stereo. On the dbx forums, there's an faq that describes the process.

Basically, tops and subs hi/low out right channel, monitors mid out left channel, something like that. Each out has its own crossovers and eq's. Again, mono, so all tops get the same signal/processing, subs same, and monitors.the same

I haven't figured out how to run the auto programs with this setup, but seems it can be done.

Ideally, 2 would be better, or a 260/360, but I'm a cheap ass and don't gig enough to warrant more stuff. Would be fun, though.

Re: driverack pa2 question

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 5:43 pm
by Bruce Weldy
kekani wrote:I run tops, subs and monitors.off a PA+.

Kicker- its mono, not stereo. On the dbx forums, there's an faq that describes the process.

Basically, tops and subs hi/low out right channel, monitors mid out left channel, something like that. Each out has its own crossovers and eq's. Again, mono, so all tops get the same signal/processing, subs same, and monitors.the same

I haven't figured out how to run the auto programs with this setup, but seems it can be done.

Ideally, 2 would be better, or a 260/360, but I'm a cheap ass and don't gig enough to warrant more stuff. Would be fun, though.
Yep, that's possible....but will be hard for a lot of folks to get their head around.....plus, the AFS would cause havoc....when it shuts down a frequency that feeds back on monitors, it would also drop those from the mains and vice versa.

For the price of a new PA2, I'd get a couple of the older models and have way more control and less headaches.

In your case, it works out since you only need one monitor mix....that's not the norm for most bands. But, I agree that will work......oh, and there's no way to get the autoEQ to work since it affects both channels at the same time....unless there's some magic that I haven't seen. You can run it with the monitors off to get the mains right, then manually manipulate the other channel in dual mono mode.

Re: driverack pa2 question

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 6:30 pm
by himhimself
Thanks all. Really appreciate the perspectives. Grant, I will have to look a bit more closely at the Behringer...been burned on their stuff before, but have been surprised now and then too. Actually have a cheap bass head that has performed admirably. My approach has been to run B stuff non stop for a month or two. If it doesn't fail during a rough breakin, it will probably last a while...