DRPA for mains and mons?

[kekani]

Okay, I've been searching, maybe not hard enough, but its time to ask: how do you setup a dbx Driverack PA for mono mains and monitors? I could do 2 channels on each, but prefer not to carry the extra amp.

Also, for those in the know, would the extra $$$ be worth the PA Plus?

Yes, I'm looking at getting one, especially since I had mains feedback last week, so I'm hoping the FBD in the drpa could handle it. Basically, setup was correct, mains in front of the mics (only 2) on a small stage, but I had the hardest time figuring it out on the fly. I did eventually, but I'm thinking I could spare the sweat with a Driverack. What say?

Aaron

[Bruce Weldy]

Okay, I've been searching, maybe not hard enough, but its time to ask: how do you setup a dbx Driverack PA for mono mains and monitors? I could do 2 channels on each, but prefer not to carry the extra amp.

Also, for those in the know, would the extra $$$ be worth the PA Plus?

Yes, I'm looking at getting one, especially since I had mains feedback last week, so I'm hoping the FBD in the drpa could handle it. Basically, setup was correct, mains in front of the mics (only 2) on a small stage, but I had the hardest time figuring it out on the fly. I did eventually, but I'm thinking I could spare the sweat with a Driverack. What say?

Aaron

The quick answer is - you can't.

The long answer is - you can, but you won't get auto EQ on both mains and monitors, and the monitors will be high passed where the mains are. It's possible, but not really feasible. The PA+ won't do it either.

I use one PA+ for mains and an older PA for monitors. I did have WH10s running on one side and some Yamahas running on the other - I auto EQ the WH10s and set the EQ on the Yammys by ear. But they were high passed the same.

It really can't be done properly on a DRPA if you are running mains with subs. If you are just running fullrange tops, then yes, you can do it. But....I would just get a 31 band eq for the monitors and call it a day.

[kekani]

Okay, I've been searching, maybe not hard enough, but its time to ask: how do you setup a dbx Driverack PA for mono mains and monitors? I could do 2 channels on each, but prefer not to carry the extra amp.

Also, for those in the know, would the extra $$$ be worth the PA Plus?

Yes, I'm looking at getting one, especially since I had mains feedback last week, so I'm hoping the FBD in the drpa could handle it. Basically, setup was correct, mains in front of the mics (only 2) on a small stage, but I had the hardest time figuring it out on the fly. I did eventually, but I'm thinking I could spare the sweat with a Driverack. What say?

Aaron

The quick answer is - you can't.

The long answer is - you can, but you won't get auto EQ on both mains and monitors, and the monitors will be high passed where the mains are. It's possible, but not really feasible. The PA+ won't do it either.

I use one PA+ for mains and an older PA for monitors. I did have WH10s running on one side and some Yamahas running on the other - I auto EQ the WH10s and set the EQ on the Yammys by ear. But they were high passed the same.

It really can't be done properly on a DRPA if you are running mains with subs. If you are just running fullrange tops, then yes, you can do it. But....I would just get a 31 band eq for the monitors and call it a day.

Thanks Bruce!

Let me make sure I got this, by restating a different way if you don't mind. . .

The only way to utilize the features of the drpa is to get one for mains, and one for mons. Since I currently have a dbx231, I could/should run the drpa for the mains, and eq for the mons, and carry two amps. And call it a day

I should've mentioned, Jack112 for mains, no subs, Wedge6 for mons. Not sure if that makes a difference. I was hoping by running it mono, the auto eq could split, as could the fbd, but I couldn't find this setup, and now you've told me why. . . Can't be done.

Okay, if I wanted only 1 processor, would the Driverack 260 be it, and accomplish the initial question?

Aaron

[Bruce Weldy]

The only way to utilize the features of the drpa is to get one for mains, and one for mons. Since I currently have a dbx231, I could/should run the drpa for the mains, and eq for the mons, and carry two amps. And call it a day

That would be the easiest route

I should've mentioned, Jack112 for mains, no subs, Wedge6 for mons. Not sure if that makes a difference. I was hoping by running it mono, the auto eq could split, as could the fbd, but I couldn't find this setup, and now you've told me why. . . Can't be done.

Again, with no subs you could use the DRPA, but since you have the EQ already - I wouldn't bother.

Okay, if I wanted only 1 processor, would the Driverack 260 be it, and accomplish the initial question?

At $1000 for the 260, I'd buy two used DRPA, +, or PX ....... Then have money left over for a new pony.

[Razor]

The only way to utilize the features of the drpa is to get one for mains, and one for mons. Since I currently have a dbx231, I could/should run the drpa for the mains, and eq for the mons, and carry two amps. And call it a day

That would be the easiest route

I should've mentioned, Jack112 for mains, no subs, Wedge6 for mons. Not sure if that makes a difference. I was hoping by running it mono, the auto eq could split, as could the fbd, but I couldn't find this setup, and now you've told me why. . . Can't be done.

Again, with no subs you could use the DRPA, but since you have the EQ already - I wouldn't bother.

Okay, if I wanted only 1 processor, would the Driverack 260 be it, and accomplish the initial question?

At $1000 for the 260, I'd buy two used DRPA, +, or PX ....... Then have money left over for a new pony.

The 260 does seem a bit over-priced to me. I do like the fact that it has a 48dB slope filter and a brickwall limiter, which the lesser models don't have, but $1000? Really?

[Bruce Weldy]

The 260 does seem a bit over-priced to me. I do like the fact that it has a 48dB slope filter and a brickwall limiter, which the lesser models don't have, but $1000? Really?

It certainly has more features - and if you needed 'em, it probably wouldn't seem too expensive. But, for what most of us are doing? Nope.

[kekani]

Okay, got it, and it can be done, but not in stereo, which I don't run anyway.

No, I didn't figure it out myself - been lurking on the dbx forums, its in the faqs. Interesting concept there, with the mods stating stuff like "do NOT auto-eq like the manual states", "use xxxxx (not dbx) measurement mic as best bang for the buck" and things to that effect.

So, just in case anyone is interested:
Basically, I setup a 2 way system and run the Jacks mono left high, and the Wedgehorns mono right low.

As I understand, 2-way systems with monitors need to be setup as a 3-way with tops mono left high, subs mono left low, and monitors mono right middle.

Now I gotta figure out the auto eq - the "new" indoor method sucked out the bass. Of course I skipped that part that says to eq the bottom later because the indoor method can usually suck out the bass, or something like that.

In any case, here's the kicker - 1 Crown XLS2000 and 1 DRPA+ = WAY WAY lighter than QSC GX5 and dbx 231. All of that topped with a Soundcraft Mfxi8 in one custom rack.

If I ever have the need to run stereo, I still have another Crown XLS1500 and the dbx231 which I can hook up for monitors (as was the directions from posts above).