DBX DriveRack Guide
FOH Application Guide
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DriveRack™
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Table of Contents
Welcome..................................................................3
Defining the DriveRack™ System..........................3
Applications ............................................................6
Making Connections.............................................10
Crossover Block Diagrams...................................21
Specifications ........................................................26
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Welcome! This application guide has been created to provide you with pertinent information
about the DriveRack™ complete equalization and loudspeaker management system which will in
turn help you optimize the DriveRack™ unit(s) in a Front of House application.
The dbx DriveRack™ Loud Speaker Management System is the most effective way to manage all
aspects of post mix processing and signal routing. The following are just some of the features of
the 480, 481, 482 and 480R DriveRack™ units.
480 DriveRack™ features:
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4 Input and 8 Outputs with routing
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31 band graphic or 9 band parametric equalizer on every input (pre-crossover)
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Dual Real Time Audio Analyzers (on inputs 3&4)
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Butterworth, Bessel or Linkwitz-Riley crossover filters
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27 Different Crossover Configurations
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Time Alignment and Transducer Alignment Delays
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Compressor/Limiter on every output
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Speaker Compensation EQ (post crossover)
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Multi-level Security System
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Separate House and Show EQ with individual lockouts
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Triple redundant back up of all parameters when running network, 480R or PC GUI
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TYPE IV™ Conversion System
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Electronically balanced/RF filtered XLR Inputs and Outputs
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Proprietary RS-485 Control Network
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RS-232 GUI Interface for computer display and configuration
481 DriveRack™ features:
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4 Input and 8 Outputs with routing
•
31 band graphic or 9 band parametric equalizer on every input (pre-crossover)
•
Dual Real Time Audio Analyzers (on inputs 3&4)
•
Butterworth, Bessel or Linkwitz-Riley crossover filters
•
27 Different Crossover Configurations
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Time Alignment and Transducer Alignment Delays
•
Compressor/Limiter on every output
•
Speaker Compensation EQ (post crossover)
•
Multi-level Security System
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Separate House and Show EQ with individual lockouts
•
Triple redundant back up of all parameters when running network, 480R or PC GUI
Defining the DriveRack™ System
FOH Application Guide
DriveRack™
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FOH Application Guide
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TYPE IV™ Conversion System
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Electronically balanced/RF filtered Euroblock Inputs and Outputs
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Proprietary RS-485 Control Network
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RS-232 GUI Interface for computer display and configuration
482 DriveRack™ features:
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4 Input and 8 Outputs with routing
•
31 band graphic or 9 band parametric equalizer on every input (pre-crossover)
•
Dual Real Time Audio Analyzers (on inputs 3&4)
•
Butterworth, Bessel or Linkwitz-Riley crossover filters
•
27 Different Crossover Configurations
•
Time Alignment and Transducer Alignment Delays
•
Compressor/Limiter on every output
•
Speaker Compensation EQ (post crossover)
•
Multi-level Security System
•
Separate House and Show EQ with individual lockouts
•
Triple redundant back up of all parameters when running network, 480R or GUI
•
TYPE IV™ Conversion System
•
Electronically balanced/RF filtered XLR Inputs and Outputs
•
Proprietary RS-485 Control Network
•
RS-232 GUI Interface for computer display and configuration
480R DriveRack™ features:
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Dedicated remote interface to control all 480, 481 and 482 DriveRack™ units
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31 Motorized faders for equalization control
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32 assignable hot-keys with up to 64 different assignment capabilities
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Built-in Real Time Audio Analyzer (with rear-panel XLR connector)
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System Mute button
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Proprietary RS-485 Control Network
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RS-232 GUI Interface for computer display and configuration
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480P Power Supply Included
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Responds to MIDI command from mixing consoles including: Soundcraft™ SM20
and Series 5, Allen & Heath™ ML5000 and Midas™ Heritage
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By including every form of processing necessary to drive the signal from the mixer to the
power amp, the DriveRack™ allows you to eliminate all other processing devices that are normally found in traditional drive rack systems of the past.
The 480 DriveRack™ Loud Speaker Management System includes four balanced XLR inputs,
as well as eight balanced XLR outputs, which can be routed for any configuration. The 481
and 482 DriveRack™ units feature the identical processing power of the 480 DriveRack™, but
utilize streamline front panel interfaces. In addition, the 481 offers euroblock connectors as
opposed to the XLR connectors found in the 480 and 482 DriveRack™.
The 480, 481 and 482 include features such as: pre-crossover EQ, dual RTAs, notch filters,
speaker delays, multiple crossovers, compression/limiting, as well as numerous other features.
Dual RTA analyzers can be run simultaneously with RTA source inputs capable of being remotely switched on the fly. The 480 DriveRack™ is fully programmable from the front panel, and
can control other devices in a network including the 481 and 482. The entire system can be
controlled via the 480R DriveRack™ remote controller or through the included GUI interface.
FOH Application Guide
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FOH Application Guide
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The following information and illustrations indicate several ways to optimize a DriveRack™ system for use in Front of House systems.
1) Utility amp racks, controller at FOH
With its 4X8 configuration capabilities, the DriveRack™ is the perfect unit for building utility amp
racks. One DriveRack™ and 4 amps in a single rack let you drive anything from a 4 way stereo
module to 4 bi amp boxes all from a single rack. The easiest and most versatile way to do this is
to put the DriveRack™ units in with the amps and then run a controller (480R or GUI) from the
FOH position. A set up such as this can include up to 99 amp racks, and can be controlled from
the FOH position by a single remote, GUI or both. One of the unique advantages of utilizing the
GUI, is its ability to save and recall venues settings. This makes for quick and convenient setups.
The amp racks no longer have to placed in the same position each night. Simply set the ID correctly for each DriveRack™, and the GUI will automatically set up all of the parameters of the previous night. Since you can run 500ft of cable from the remote to the PSU and 4000ft between the
PSU and the first DriveRack™, and another 4000ft between each additional DriveRack™, having
the remote at FOH and the DriveRack™ units with the amps works well in even the largest halls
with out giving up any control. In the shop, the shop tech may want to set the crossovers and
transducer delays and lock them down. The house tech will have access to the House EQ and
use this to flatten the room. The mixing engineer is left with only access to the Show graphic EQ.
In a festival situation, this allows the House tech to flatten the system quickly between each act.
Note that the illustration indicates that left right outputs are run to both sides. This is done to preserve stereo imaging with compressors.
2) Delay towers on the network
When working at large venues, delay towers must be added. By configuring your system with the
utility amps racks mentioned in application 1, delay towers can also be controlled from the FOH
location. With the maximum input delay time of 680 ms, delay towers can be placed up to 770
feet apart. Note that in this application how we have routed the two inputs to the 3-way crossover
and the full-range outputs so that an auxiliary splitter is not required. Because of the networking
capabilities of the units, all the FOH DriveRack™ units and the Delay tower units can be controlled
from a single location.
3) DriveRack™ at FOH
For smaller systems (or for systems when no remote is available), a DriveRack™ still works if located at the FOH position. For this application it is best to use a 480 so some level of control is
granted to the operator. However, a 481 or 482 can also be used if no control is needed. Simply
patch out of the console into the DriveRack™, and out of the DriveRack™ to the amps via the
snake to the amps. No other form of processing is needed between the console and the amps.
4) Delay towers from FOH
If a single DriveRack™ can drive a 3-way FOH and two full-range delay towers simultaneously.
With its 4 inputs and 8 outputs, the DriveRack™ will run most systems from a single unit. If two
DriveRack™ units are required, both can be controlled by a master 480.
Applications
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2. Delay Towers on the network
1. Utility Amp Racks (Controller at FOH)
FOH Application Guide
DriveRack™
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FOH Application Guide
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4. Delay Towers from Front of House
3. DriveRack™ at Front of House
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FOH Application Guide
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FOH Application Guide
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IEC Power Cord Receptacle
The 480 comes with an International power supply that will accept voltages ranging from 100V240V at frequencies from 50Hz-60Hz. An IEC cord is included.
MIDI In and Out/Thru Connectors
These connectors provide MIDI functionality to the 480 DriveRack™. The In, Out and Thru jacks
allow you to use the 480 DriveRack™ at any point in the MIDI chain.
RS485 Control Bus Input (DB-9 connector type)
This input network connection is used to receive information being sent from other units in the
DriveRack™ network link.
RS485 Control Thru Bus (DB-9 connector type)
This Thru network connection is used to pass information to other units in the DriveRack™ network link.
RS485 Control Bus Input (RJ-45 connector type)
This input network connection is used to receive information being sent from other units in the
DriveRack™ network link.
RS485 Control Thru Bus (RJ-45 connector type)
This Thru network connection is used to pass information to other units in the DriveRack™ network link.
Termination LEDs
These LEDS indicate when network is properly terminated. The Green LED indicates that the network has been correctly terminated.
Remote Controller In Connection
This DB-9 type input connection is used to receive information from the 480R Remote Control unit.
RS232 Host Connection
This DB-9 type connection is used to send and receive information to and from the GUI interface.
Outputs 1-8
The output section of the 480 DriveRack™ offers eight electronically balanced XLR connectors.
Rear Panel Connections (480)
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