Dayton Audio KABX DSP Control Software Guide

KABX DSP Control Software Guide

Overview

• The KABX DSP Control software is

compatible with new generation

Bluetooth 5.0 w/aptX HD KAB amplifiers
when combined with a KPX
programmer. This software offers easy
but extensive DSP customization with no
experience required.

• The software provides simple control of
10 band of PEQ, High Pass Filters, Low
Pass Filters, Compressor / Limiters, Bass
Effects and More

• KPX Programmer connection is only

needed temporarily, DSP presets can be
saved to the KAB amplifier itself and the
programmer can be removed. This also
means that one programmer can
program as many amplifiers as needed.

Overview

What do I need to get started?

• A KPX Programming Board

• A KABX DSP Control compatible KAB

amplifier. This includes KAB amplifiers
with Bluetooth 5.0 w/aptX HD.

• KAB-250v4 (2x50W), KAB-230v4(2x30W), KAB-

100Mv2(1x100W)

• A USB cable with one end being USB
Type C.

• The other end can be either type A or type
C, depending on what type of port you have

on your computer

• A Windows PC with available USB port
and permissions to install the KABX
Software

KAB-250v4

KPX Programmer

KAB-230v4

Connection Process

• Connection of the KPX programmer to your

KABX compatible amplifier is simple, but for

more details see the KPX User Manual.

1. Set your KPX programmer to “KABX”

mode (see back of board)

2. Connect your KPX programmer to your

Windows PC with a USB type C cable

3. Connect your KABX compatible amplifier

to your KPX programmer using the 4-pin

connector included with the KPX

programmer.

4. Launch the KABX software. It should

connect immediately.

Saving to Non-Volatile Memory

(Retaining Settings After Power Cycle)

• While using the KABX Control software, changes to DSP will be
able to be heard immediately, and those changes will exist while

the connected KAB amplifier has power and it turned on.

However, these changes will be lost when power to the KAB
amplifier is lost.

• To prevent this, the current program must be saved to “non
volatile” memory, which means memory that holds data even
when power is lost. To do this, you must press the “save” button

in the top right corner whenever you are ready. This will make
sure your program remains after a power cycle. The software will
also prompt you to save when you exit the program.

• The top bar of the KABX software, when connected to a

compatible amplifier, will display “KABX” or “ * KABX” in green.

This means that the amplifier is connected, but also shows save
status.

• When “KABX” is shown, that means that current DSP preset is saved to non-volatile

memory of the KAB and will be retained even after a power cycle.

• When “* KABX” with an asterisk shows, this means that your DSP preset is NOT saved

to non-volatile memory. This means that even though you can hear the changes you’ve
made, you will lose these changes if power to the KAB is lost. To prevent this lost, press
save in the top right corner.

EQ Controls

• Stereo vs. Mono

• Compatible KAB amplifiers at the time of

release have 2 audio output types. The first
is the stereo powered output via J2, and the
second is a mono, line level output via J12.

These outputs can have completely

independent EQ.

• Bypass

• This button will turn off all bands of EQ, but

will not reset values. Perfect for testing EQ
presets against the original sound.

• Reset

• This button will reset all EQ values to default.

EQ Filter Types

• The KABX DSP software offers 4 filter

types for each EQ band.

• Peaking

• The default and most common type of EQ filter. It

has adjustable center frequency, Q (bandwidth) and

gain value.

• Useful for creating bass boosts, treble boosts and so
much more.

• There is an inverse relationship between the Q
value and the bandwidth of the filter, which means

as you increase the Q value, the bandwidth
reduces, and as you decrease the Q value, the

bandwidth increases

• Notch

• Notch filters will remove a very narrow bandwidth

of frequency content. Useful for removing the
sound caused by an unwanted resonance.

Peaking

Notch

EQ Filter Types

• High Pass

• High pass filters cut out frequencies lower than the targeted

frequency. The high frequencies “pass” through the filter

unaffected. Used in crossover circuits to prevent tweeters
from playing low frequencies, or for protecting ported
systems or small drivers from playing bass notes lower than
they are capable.

• Low Pass

• Low Pass Filters cut out frequencies higher than the targeted

frequency. The low frequencies “pass” through the filter

unaffected. Generally used in crossover circuits to prevent
woofers from playing high frequencies.

• This type of filter is essential for a subwoofer or bass shaker

• The Q value of a HP or LP filter will determine the

alignment of the filter. This will be described on the next
page.

High Pass

Low Pass

High and Low Pass Filters – Slopes and Q

• Slopes

• The slope of the HP or LP filters offered

in the KABX Software is 12 dB per
octave, which can easily be seen in the

software’s graph.

• Higher order (steeper) slopes can be

achieved by using multiple filter bands
set to HP or LP filters.

• The Q value of the HP or LP filter will

determine the alignment of the filter.

• Q = 1.0 – Chebychev

• Q = 0.707 – Butterworth (Maximally flat)

• Q = 0.58 – Bessel

• Q = 0.49 Linkwitz-Riley

Compressor / Limiter

• A configurable compressor is

accessible by pressing
options -> dynamic range

compressor.

• Compressors can also be
used as limiters by setting

the ratio very high (the

maximum is 1000)

Effects Menu

• The effects menu can be
found by pressing options

-> effects on the main
screen.

• The oval buttons can be

pressed to enable/disable
each effect.

• Green means enabled,
grey means disabled

• Enter parameters by
typing into the boxes.

• Reset to defaults by

pressing the reset button

Import and Export Preset Files

• Your current DSP configuration can

easily

be saved to your computer by using

the export button, and then reloaded by

importing.

• These functions can be used to easily

program multiple KAB amplifiers the

same way, for A/B testing

DSP configurations, or for sharing your

configuration with others!

Notes and Troubleshooting

• I am getting no output from my amplifier after connecting to the software.

• Make sure that your volume is not muted by looking at the bottom left corner of your screen in the

volume box, and try turning up the volume of the slider. Click the icons below to change the mute

status.

• Check your input volume levels and also your volume level in the KPX Software

• Check all connections are secure and your input source is working correctly

• If crackling or other unwelcome sounds are heard while changing DSP

settings, such as sliding around a band of EQ, this is normal and due to

the rapid changing of EQ parameters in real time. This noises will not

occur after the change has been made.

• Preventing this would prevent the changes from happening in real time / saves significant
cost on DSP hardware to keep amplifier costs low. These noises do not affect the overall
performance of the DSP processing at all.

• If the software will not connect-

• Make sure your amplifier is powered

• Your KPX programmer is set to “KABX” mode

• You are connecting to a KABX compatible amplifier (do not use a KABD amplifier)

• Your USB cable is working properly, free from damage and fully connected.

• Try flipping the USB C side of your cable upside down and plugging it back in

• Your 4-pin cable is free from damage and fully connected

• Try running the software in administrator mode

• Try reinstalling the software

• My DSP settings are lost when my amplifier turns off and back on again.

• You must press the save button. See the “Saving to Non-Volatile Memory” section of this guide

UNMUTED MUTED