new DCX owner

[jollygt78]

just picked up a used unit at a good price. wasn't there a lot of issues with
these units at first. code date on the one i purchased is 0303. i haven't
hooked it up yet so i don't know if there are any issues. this unit will be
used for live sound only (band). i have read all these stories about this and
that and modding.... makes we wonder if it was a bad purchase. another thing,
should i try updating the operating software or any other updates for the unit? i posted on this forum because it seems a lot guys use these here.

thanks
Scott

[doncolga]

I will say that one is pretty old, but just use it and see. There are no guarantees that anything will work. Warranties are great, but its not going to immediately help me with a failure at a gig. I got a new DCX this past Fall and it has performed just fine. So far my experience with Behringer products has been great. I've still got and use one of the first compressors that I've had for about 15 years. I've used three different mixers and have had no problems with any of them over the past 14 years. I picked up two EPQ 1200 amps along with the DCX 2496 and so far all is well.

I do wish their warranties were longer, but IMHO, take all the bashing you hear with a grain of salt. Of course they have some duds, as I believe any company has. I've been fortunate to not have any. Over the years I've had two Crown amps shoot fire and smoke, multiple failures with Mackie amplifiers even after US factory repairs, Roland devices that have failed during gigs, and Tascam devices that also shot fire and smoke. People talk about Chinese products, but so many manufacturers make products there, to me thats a moot point. No audience member or client has every made a negative comment about my Behringer gear.

Relax and enjoy your DCX.

Donny

[jollygt78]

alright, i'm going to try it this weekend. another question, i currently run 3 way stereo with my low output in mono. how do i combine my low outputs into one or is that possible. am i just summing the low output channels.

[doncolga]

alright, i'm going to try it this weekend. another question, i currently run 3 way stereo with my low output in mono. how do i combine my low outputs into one or is that possible. am i just summing the low output channels.

Yes, just sum the low outputs.

[jjohnson]

alright, i'm going to try it this weekend. another question, i currently run 3 way stereo with my low output in mono. how do i combine my low outputs into one or is that possible. am i just summing the low output channels.

When you are setting up the low output channel, set the input for the channel to A+B so that it sums the inputs from channels A+B to make a mono output. You might also consider changing the gain on the channel to cut 6dB, I found this to be the amount of gain when combining the two inputs.

[kickinit]

If you will allow me to revive this thread...

I too just picked up a DCX2496 for my system. Might one of you good folks suggest what settings to use to configure the limiter?

My system is on the smaller side... I have 2 powered Mackie speakers to be used as tops (mids/highs), 2 T39s with a single BP102 in each for subs, powered by a crown XLS1000.
I have the routing and crossover points configured as suggested by others in this forum, but I don't know what/how I should configure the limiter.

Anyone care to help me out of the starting gate?

Any other gotcha's to consider?

much appreciated!

[BrentEvans]

There is no magic number. You must measure the voltage coming out of your amp to configure your limiter. Use a tone generator of some sort to generate a tone within the passband of the speaker you're limiting and play this through the system (without speakers connected). For subs, this is usually 60-80hz. Turn the volume attenuators on your amp wide open and measure the AC voltage coming off the back of the amp. You want to drive the amp so that it is just below clip. Reduce the limiter threshold until the AC voltage is that which is specificed in the plans for your cab and driver.

Don't worry about trying to limit the Mackies with the DCX, they have built in clip limiters and they'll distort way before there's any damage happening.

[jcmbowman]

Don't worry about trying to limit the Mackies with the DCX, they have built in clip limiters and they'll distort way before there's any damage happening.

They're mackies. They'll distort way before anyone in the second row can even hear them.

[BrentEvans]

Don't worry about trying to limit the Mackies with the DCX, they have built in clip limiters and they'll distort way before there's any damage happening.

They're mackies. They'll distort way before anyone in the second row can even hear them.

Easy now. You know that Mackies make it clear back to the fourth row before they give out.


And kickinit, we're just having some fun at your expense. Don't mind us.

Although.... once you get the T39s up and going, you know you're going to want some DRs to replace those Mackies....

[kickinit]

And kickinit, we're just having some fun at your expense. Don't mind us.

Although.... once you get the T39s up and going, you know you're going to want some DRs to replace those Mackies....

No worries
Fortunately ( huh) I am in a band with not enough following to justify a 2nd row... so we are all good there...

No doubt about building the tops... baby steps my friend... had the itch to do that for a while now... mostly so I don't have to keep lugging the Mackies up and down the stairs to/from the practice room...

Thanks for the info about setting the limiter... makes sense now.

[kickinit]

... Reduce the limiter threshold until the AC voltage is that which is specificed in the plans for your cab and driver....

I am using BP102 4 ohm speakers in my T39s. The plans state the max voltage for the BP102 is 35 volts, but I am assuming that is for 8 ohm speakers?

Can someone tell me if I am making the correct calculations for the 4 ohm version?


P = I^2 x R
also
P = V x I

Power rating for the bp102 = 200w
Resistance = 4ohms

thus...

200 = I^2 x 4

solving for I...
I = sqrt(50)

solving for V...
V = P/I...
= 200/sqrt(50)
= 28.28volts

Is that the proper way to find my voltage limit?

[BrentEvans]

... Reduce the limiter threshold until the AC voltage is that which is specificed in the plans for your cab and driver....

I am using BP102 4 ohm speakers in my T39s. The plans state the max voltage for the BP102 is 35 volts, but I am assuming that is for 8 ohm speakers?

Can someone tell me if I am making the correct calculations for the 4 ohm version?


P = I^2 x R
also
P = V x I

Power rating for the bp102 = 200w
Resistance = 4ohms

thus...

200 = I^2 x 4

solving for I...
I = sqrt(50)

solving for V...
V = P/I...
= 200/sqrt(50)
= 28.28volts

Is that the proper way to find my voltage limit?

In theory, but it's a question for Bill and his spiffy horn modeling software. Pe doesn't determine output, xmax does, and your cabs may be limited to less than Pe.

[kickinit]

Hi all... It's been a while since I have been here. I must say that I am very pleased with my BP102 loaded T39's. They have exceeded my expectations!

I wanted to bump this thread because I never was able to find a solid answer for this... being, what would my voltage limit be for the BP102-4? I just applied Ohm's law to the 35v for the 8 ohm driver to get my limit for the 4 ohm version (see above posts). But if they are able to be pushed a little harder, I would like to do so. Anyone have an answer?

Much appreciated...

BTW, will soon be building some T39's loaded with 3012lf drivers!

[bassmonster]

If Bill comments here I'm sure he'll say that if you really need to push them that hard, you need more cabinets.

[kickinit]

That's the thing... I am trying to find out if I am pushing them "that hard". If I have my limit set very low, there is no sense in more cabs if what I have will handle what I need.

I hope Bill does comment here. I think I have a legitimate question. The plans state what a safe limit should be for the design and drivers. All I want to know is if the limit stated in the plans applies to the 4 ohm version as well, or does the lower impeadence affect the limit... and if so, what is that limit. Leland is unsure (as from the correspondence I have had with him), the fine folks who read this thread don't have a definitive answer. So my last hope is for Bill to chime in.