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This is going to out me as a PA noob for sure, but what are the considerations (pro/con) of a multi-function loudspeaker management device as opposed to separate crossovers, eq, compressors, etc? I certainly see the convenience factor and in some cases the economy of the multi function device, but how do they perform as compared to a rack of single function gear?

…and along those lines, if anyone could speak to the subject of power amps that have integrated processing, like the Crown XTi series. Is it better to let the amp just do the amp thing and leave processing to processors (or again, a rack of single function devices?)

Maybe I’m just a diehard analog guy…any guidance would be appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

Hey,

Practically speaking I'm a noob also, I've just been doing it all wrong for 20 years. I've got a Behringer DCX 2496 and I've just recently gotten my head around it more as far as routing goes. It is my crossover, brickwall limiter and EQ, plus I could run 8 Otops and 8 Tubas (which would be absolutely HUGE for me) off only three amps just like it is. My amps do nothing but that, which is what I wanted. I love the crossover and limiter, but the EQ is pretty limited (but I'm still experimenting), so I'll likely have a dedicated graph working before it sometime in the future.

It has saved some rack space for me, but you'll save space either way, with the speaker management box or with these features integrated into the amps. I did try to avoid redundancy however, which may actually not be a good thing. Meaning that, since I've got that box, I looked for amps that didn't have those features since the box had them already. My main rack is six spaces...power strip, DCX2496, then two, two space amps, mixer on top, then my Macbook and Kurzweil for when I'm gigging live, just the Macbook if its a DJ event.

Donny

Stage Craft wrote: Maybe I’m just a diehard analog guy…any guidance would be appreciated.

Analog is to digital as snail mail is to the internet.

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote:

Stage Craft wrote: Maybe I’m just a diehard analog guy…any guidance would be appreciated.

Analog is to digital as snail mail is to the internet.

So get a Driverack and some amps that just "amp" then. Got it.

Thanks, gents.