Behringer DEQ2496 combined with 2 seperate amps

[Michael Ewald Hansen]

Hello guys

I'm in the process of building a setup for a small bar. I just finished building two 112 omnitops and starting two Titan39 next week..

However, I have a few questions what i'm missing. I currently have a Cerwin Vega power amp and a NAD c370 stereo receiver. I was planning on running the subs from the power amp and the tops from the NAD..

However, i need some sort of electronic crossover, volume control and EQ, how do I go about that? 1st thought was to use a MiniDSP as crossover with a volume pot and then load the EQ in to that, however - that gives me a problem with measuring the speakers and getting proper EQ..

2nd thought is to get a Behringer DEQ2496 with a mic in a kit and use that as crossover and the DEQ to measure and auto EQ.. But can I use that with my power amp and NAD, and secondly, how do i control master volume?

Thanks in advance..

[DJPhatman]

First off, you need a DCX2496, not the DEQ2496. The DEQ is an EQ, the DCX is a crossover. Run your signal source to the DCX, split the signal with the subs going to the CV amp, and the mid/highs going to the "Mains In" on the back of the NAD c370. Volume control should be handled at the source of the signal.

[Michael Ewald Hansen]

Ahh yea, I see.. Hmm, but with just the dcx2496 I can't do any EQing right? How do I measure the speakers then?

[BrentEvans]

Ahh yea, I see.. Hmm, but with just the dcx2496 I can't do any EQing right? How do I measure the speakers then?

DCX has enough parametric EQ to tune a system pretty well.. but the DEQ handles it better, and can autoEQ with a RTA mic. To use both, you would run from your source into the DEQ, then into the DCX, then as previously described.

[Michael Ewald Hansen]

Ahh now I got it.. I'm a little short on cash, but i think ill be able to manage buying a DEQ2496 with a mic as a bundle and then a Behringer CX3400 as XO.. I guess that would be fine for my crossover needs?

The crossover/EQ needs to be setup and then not touched more than 3-4 times a year for larger parties at a bigger venue, so I guess the DCX2496 is overkill when I only have 2 omnitops and 2 titan39..

[Gregory East]

You need limiting so the DCX is priority. If needs be you could borrow an Eq unit to play about with and see what the Eq needs are, then mimic that with the parametric in the DCX.

[Michael Ewald Hansen]

You need limiting so the DCX is priority. If needs be you could borrow an Eq unit to play about with and see what the Eq needs are, then mimic that with the parametric in the DCX.

I wouldnt know where to borrow an EQ unit Is limiting more important than EQ'ing? On my cerwin vega amp there are LEDs on the front with the writing: "-20 / -10 / limiter" does that mean the amp has this limiting built in? This amp would be for the subs.. Im using the NAD for the tops..

[BrentEvans]

The "limit" light on the amp might mean that the amp has a limiter built in to prevent amp clipping, but you need a limiter before the amp to prevent over-voltage to your speakers. Your amp can probably push out more volts than your subs can take safely.

So yes, limiting is equally important asEQ, for the saftey of your speakers, but they probably won't sound right without EQ. The DCX can be had very affordably used... just watch ebay and the listings here, as well as your local craigslist, or use a national craigslist aggregator.

[Rickisan]

What is... or really... where can I find a national craigslist aggregator?

Thanks!

[CoronaOperator]

To control the master volume for both amps you can use your nad receivers master volume control. Usefull if your source doesn't have a volume control (ie satellite radio, cd player, etc) The way to do this is to connect the inputs to the x-over to the PRE OUT 1 outputs on the back of your receiver. Then the high/mids (above roughly 100hz) from the crossover goes to the MAIN IN on the back of your receiver. The lows (roughly 100hz and lower) from the x-over then goes to your external sub amplifier. Easy as pie.

I would opt for the dcx2496 for limiting, x-over, and eq. Limiting is necessary in a bar because not everyone using the system will be a trained audio engineer. The x-overs are top notch and the parametric EQ will tune your system. The DEQ may have auto-eq function but your intentions are not that of a mobile dj. Spend a day with a computer, download REW, find a relatively flat mic, set it and forget it. For the odd big party you do you can save the various settings on the DCX2496.

[WB]

You need limiting so the DCX is priority.

Just curious, but what is wrong with using the limiter in the DEQ?

[Grant Bunter]

You need limiting so the DCX is priority.

Just curious, but what is wrong with using the limiter in the DEQ?

Using the limiter on the DEQ, you are limiting the output of one channel. That channel designation is purely left or right, or channel 1 or 2.
When you use a limiter on the DCX it is limiting the channel output designated as a sub output, as distinct from limiting an entire channel, which, depending on your configuration, may be one channel in, but two or three assigned channels out...
I guess you could limit the other, non sub outputs on the DCX to, say, provide power shading????

[Gregory East]

I'm operating on the assumption we would all be using DEQ if it had limiting worth a damn and crossovers and high passes.

[Grant Bunter]

I'm operating on the assumption we would all be using DEQ if it had limiting worth a damn and crossovers and high passes.

Thank goodness for your post Gregory
I just came back to edit my post to say that DEQ doesn't have crossovers, so if you limit with that you are limiting full frequency on output, not crossed HP LP frequency as required for sub use...

[SoundInMotionDJ]

The DCX has more than enough EQ control to be used in (almost) all situations. I have (and use) the DEQ/DCX combo...in that order. Given what I know now...I really only need the DCX. Do NOT obsess over every last bit of EQ. The DCX can apply a parametric EQ to each input, and to each output. That is overkill for the level of complexity you are talking about.

The DEQ is nice, and I like leaving the RTA mic hooked up so I can get a A/B of the signal & room response...but that's really just so I can nerd out.

--Stan Graves