dbx DriveRack 480, DriveRack 482, DriveRack 480R, DriveRack 481 Monitor Application Manual
Monitor 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 Monitor 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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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
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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
•
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
Defining the DriveRack™ System
Monitor Application Guide
DriveRack™
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Monitor Application Guide
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482 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)
•
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
•
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 DriveRack™ 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™ units.
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.
Monitor Application Guide
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Monitor Application Guide
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The following information and illustrations indicate several ways to patch in and optimize a
DriveRack™ system for use in stage monitoring systems.
1) DriveRack™ on Outputs (x-over and EQ):
What you need for monitor wedges is: EQs, Notch filters, Crossovers and Compressors For In-ear
monitors, you need a stereo EQ with stereo Compressors. Standardize on one unit which will
meets all of your monitor needs. Simply patch from each mix output on the console into an input
on the DriveRack™ and then from the outputs into the power amps. Now since the EQ is on the
outputs and not the inserts of each mix when you AFL that mix the EQ setting will not appear in
your sample wedge. To correct this the sample wedge input must be set to "cue" and then each
channel input on the DriveRack™ is set to "to cue". What happens now is that every time you
recall a channel on the 480R, the pre x-over setting for that channel is also copied into the "cue"
channel and thus you hear the EQ etc. in your sample wedge and are better able to dial in the
mix for the musician on stage. Also when using a Soundcraft SM20, Series 5M, Allen & Heath
ML5000 or Midas Heritage mixing desk, the desk will send a midi message to the 480R that will
automatically cue the appropriate DriveRack™ channel when the AFL or PFL button is pushed on
one of the console outputs.
2) DriveRack™ on Inserts (EQ only)
To use the DriveRack™ on inserts as an EQ only unit, simple patch into 4 insert points on the console and select a full range x-over on each of the input channels. This gives you four 31-band
graphic EQs or four 9-band parametric EQs per input as well as all the delay, phase, and compressor/limiter functions with using the x-overs. Sample EQ and AFL as you would with the same
number of analog devices patched. With the MIDI functionality of the DriveRack™, when an AFL
is pressed on either the Soundcraft SM20, Series 5M, Allen & Heath ML5000 or Midas Heritage mixing desk, it will automatically recall the appropriate channel on the DriveRack™ unit.
3) DriveRack™ on Outputs (x-over only)
To use the DriveRack™ in an crossover only application, first patch the DriveRack™ on the output section. From Program mode, manually bypass the all of the EQs that are being utilized in
the DriveRack™. Once the EQs have been bypassed, make any edits to the crossover sections
from the program edit mode.
4) DriveRack™ on both inserts and Outputs (EQ and x-over)
To do this two separate DriveRack™ units must be used. One patched on inserts (as above) the
other on outputs (as above). All the units can be controlled from a single control surface. By
utilizing an additional DriveRack unit on the inserts as well as the output section, the performance
exceeds that of a high-priced all-analog system, at a substantially lower price.
Applications
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2. DriveRack™ on Inserts (EQ only)
1. DriveRack™ on Outputs (X-over and EQ)
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4. DriveRack™ on both inserts and Outputs (EQ and X-over)
3. DriveRack™ on outputs (X-over only)
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Monitor Application Guide
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Monitor 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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