Wiring rig question

[kevynknevik]

got a behringer active crossover and a berhinger exciter...which would you guys recommend to patch into first...the crossover to the exciter then to amp...or exciter to crossover then to amp...? advise much appreciated!

[BrentEvans]

got a behringer active crossover and a berhinger exciter...which would you guys recommend to patch into first...the crossover to the exciter then to amp...or exciter to crossover then to amp...? advise much appreciated!

Exciters in live situations are a great way to create feedback where it did not previously exist. They rarely add anything desirable to the sound (the sole exception that I've heard was a Sonic Maximizer used with Bose 802s, it actually made them listenable). The proper setup would be Mixer>EQ>Crossover>Amp(s). Trade that exciter for a good EQ unit, at least the the DEQ2496 or FBQ3102. The EQ will let you precisely control where you want to cut and boost, where an exciter is is more broadband.

[kevynknevik]

got a behringer active crossover and a berhinger exciter...which would you guys recommend to patch into first...the crossover to the exciter then to amp...or exciter to crossover then to amp...? advise much appreciated!

Exciters in live situations are a great way to create feedback where it did not previously exist. They rarely add anything desirable to the sound (the sole exception that I've heard was a Sonic Maximizer used with Bose 802s, it actually made them listenable). The proper setup would be Mixer>EQ>Crossover>Amp(s). Trade that exciter for a good EQ unit, at least the the DEQ2496 or FBQ3102. The EQ will let you precisely control where you want to cut and boost, where an exciter is is more broadband.

Great advise...thx much!

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Exciters in live situations are a great way to create feedback where it did not previously exist. They rarely add anything desirable to the sound (the sole exception that I've heard was a Sonic Maximizer used with Bose 802s, it actually made them listenable). The proper setup would be Mixer>EQ>Crossover>Amp(s). Trade that exciter for a good EQ unit, at least the the DEQ2496 or FBQ3102. The EQ will let you precisely control where you want to cut and boost, where an exciter is is more broadband.

+1. Exciters will make a bad speaker sound better, but a good speaker sound worse.

[bzb]

What does an exciter actually do to the signal?

[BrentEvans]

What does an exciter actually do to the signal?

Exciters add high frequency gain, in various ways. Some are more complex than others. They were originally a way to overcome the problem of poor HF response in analog magnetic tape but quickly became xcessively used as a recording tool and then improperly deployed in live audio (where they simply do not belong). These days there is almost no use for them at all (unless you're a Bose junkie).

[kevynknevik]

The one i have is this;


http://www.behringer.de/EN/Products/DSP1424P.aspx


Any opinions out there...?

[kevynknevik]

Oh i forgot to mention i'm a dj not live band if this makes a difference..using peavy pr 15's and home made sub cabs until i get the plans for the OT12's n T39's...it'll be a summer build this year.....I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

[BrentEvans]

The one i have is this;


http://www.behringer.de/EN/Products/DSP1424P.aspx


Any opinions out there...?

I have one. First of all, that's not just an exciter. It has an exciter built in, but you shouldn't use it, it stinks, as does the useless "thickness" control it has. The limiter is pretty good, but the whole unit adds noticeable latency. It's actually a mastering processor, and it's not really designed for live use. It's designed to push a recording to the wall without killing the sound, and it's OK at doing that. I used it for years before going all digital to keep a tape deck feed at a constant level, which it did quite well. I'd still trade it for a good EQ if you don't' have one already, it probably won't do much for your sound, and definitely not as much as a good EQ will.

Also, the pic on the product page highlights what a fun company Behringer can be.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

What does an exciter actually do to the signal?

Basically it's a fuzzbox. It clips the incoming signal, creating high harmonics of the original signal, high passes them and mixes them with the original signal. It adds brightness to speakers that lack good highs, but if the speakers have good highs the added harmonics can sound harsh.

[bzb]

Wow, I think I now understand why so many mobile DJ systems in Atlanta hurt my ears. I've seen these things in so many racks over the years.

Well, that and a lot of guys just don't know how to use the faders. Maybe they're deaf from it so they need to push everything into the red.

[kevynknevik]

Thank you for the "input" on the "output" guys...n have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Guess I'll see yaz next year...

[mattaudio]

No matter if you want to ... double the loudness of your PA system without adding more amplifier power, the DSP1424P is the perfect tool.

I'm buying one tonight! lol

[bitSmasher]

one? I'm going to get TWO!

[BrentEvans]

No matter if you want to ... double the loudness of your PA system without adding more amplifier power, the DSP1424P is the perfect tool.

I'm buying one tonight! lol

Assuming you guys are joking...