DBX DriveRack PA2 Complete Loudspeaker Management System

Product Information

The crossover frequencies, filter types and slopes can all be adjusted, and the output levels of each band can be set relative to each other to suit the amps and speakers that it is feeding, using the front‑panel controls and nice clear graphics on the small LCD screen. Three filter widths are available per filter, from very narrow for music programme material to a wider 'speech' setting, which acts faster and is more aggressive in terms of what it removes from the overall content. Has a USB port for remote control, the software looks good, it even has one digital stereo AES/EBU input. Also, reports of crackling sound and bad ribbon cables inside, along with hum on the signal make it a gamble I was not willing to take. The DriveRack PA continues the legacy of DriveRack series, which has been created by the company that has been redefining the standard of signal processing for more than 30 years.

Quickly and easily setup your PA system for optimized sound with the dbx DriveRack PA2 Loudspeaker Management System. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required as is 20 years of participation in forums (not all true).The three types are described as speech (the widest setting), music (much narrower) or ‘music/speech’, which is of course somewhere in between and offers a good compromise. Additionally, it supports both wired and wireless control and can be operated by a mobile app, making it convenient and straightforward to use. Let's take a quick look at some of the main processor stages within the PA2, before getting on with how to drive it. One thing to watch out for is to not turn the data wheel immediately after ringing out the feedback, when the fixed filters are all set, without checking that it isn't still focused on the AFS on/off menu entry, or it will defeat the AFS — with possibly unpleasant consequences if the PA is turned up.

From a practical angle, the PA2 couldn't really be easier to use — there is no on/off switch, and when the unit powers up all the output channels are muted, though this can be altered in the utility menu. Yes, the DBX DriveRack PA2 allows you to save multiple presets for different venues, performances, or specific speaker setups. A new, improved AutoEQ algorithm ensures an extremely accurate, fast, and non-intrusive automatic EQ experience. The iOS app has proved to be useful to tweak EQ, compressor, and such on the fly while the rack unit itself is somewhere out of reach.It "listens" to your room via RTA mic (not included), analyzes it, and sets the appropriate speaker levels and room EQ. One of the parametric stages is applied to the input signal, and is initially set by the Auto‑EQ Wizard (though the eight bands can also be manually adjusted if needed).

The PA2 provides a comprehensive array of EQ options, which operate in a different way from the previous DriveRack PA model. Whereas the limiter circuit is mainly there for protection, the PA2 also includes an overall compressor stage before the crossover, and although this affects the whole signal you do have more detailed control of the settings than is the case with the limiter circuit.

The better your problem and question is described, the easier it is for other DBX owners to provide you with a good answer.

I haven't used the limiters yet as the amplifiers and active speakers I've used have had them built in, but I'm sure a properly tuned PA2 would do limiting better and more transparently as well.The Mac software interface follows the layout of the iOS app and is slightly less responsive but does work. After setting it up a friend who is audio engineer and prior to retiring mixed shows for likes of Billy Joel and Van Halen stopped by and saw the PA2 in my rack and said, "that's are really cool idea, lets hear it. With the PA2 app you can control all aspects of the hardware through a network (WiFi) connection allowing you to setup system from any location. The AFS2 does allow different filter types to be set for different filters — if you change the setting, it will only apply to new filters without changing any already set.