Page 1
® S t u d i o M o n i t o r M a n a g e m e n t S y s t e m Studio User Manual...
Page 2
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WARNING FOR YOUR PROTECTION C A U T I O N READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS: R I S K O F E L E C T R I C S H O C K KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS D O N O T O P E N A T T E N T I O N : HEED ALL WARNINGS R I S Q U E D E C H O C E L E C T R I Q U E - N E P A S O U V R I R...
Page 3
Sandy, Utah 84070, USA Date: June 16, 2003 Specifications noted on the Declaration of Conformity. Operation is subject to the fol- European Contact: Your local dbx Sales and Service Office or lowing two conditions: Harman Music Group 8760 South Sandy Parkway •...
0.1 Defining the DriveRack Studio ......ii 5.1 2X4 Crossover..........30 0.2 Service Contact Info........iii 5.2 Monitor Matrix Switcher.........31 0.3 Warranty............iv 5.3 DriveRack Studio as a Studio Effects Unit..32 Section 1 - Getting Started Appendix 1.1 Rear Panel ............2 A.1 Factory Reset ..........34 1.2 Front Panel .............2...
Page 5
® DriveRack Studio INTRODUCTION INTRO CUSTOMER SERVICE INFO Defining the DriveRack WARRANTY INFO ®...
0.1 Defining the DriveRack Studio The dbx DriveRack Studio is the most effective way to manage all aspects of Loudspeaker man- agement for Studio applications. The DriveRack Studio essentially becomes the only device that you will need for optimizing the playback monitoring in any studio. The following are just some of the features of the DriveRack Studio.
Page 7
The DriveRack Studio has all the tools you need to allow you to tune your own room, creating a listening environment with a near flat frequency response regardless of its fundamental sonic imperfections.
Page 8
The DriveRack Studio has 24 internal presets that are designed to help your monitors imitate what your mix would sound like on other popular monitoring systems and environments.
In all cases, you are responsible for trans- portation charges to the factory. dbx will pay return shipping if the unit is still under warranty. Use the original packing material if it is available. Mark the package with the name of the shipper and with these words in red: DELICATE INSTRUMENT, FRAGILE! Insure the package properly.
In no event shall dbx or its dealers be liable for special or consequen- tial damages or from any delay in the performance of this warranty due to causes beyond their control.
Page 11
Section 1 ® DriveRack Studio Getting Started ®...
Pressing the RTA MIC input button will engage the front panel RTA input XLR connector. Data Wheel The Data wheel of the DriveRack Studio is used to scroll through the program menu, load pro- grams, select parameters and edit parameter values.
Getting Started LCD Display The backlit LCD display of the DriveRack Studio provides the user with all of the vital pro- cessing information of the DriveRack Studio including: signal routing, effect block editing and Wizard Setup functions. The display will also notify the user if any internal clipping is taking place within the unit.
Page 14
• IMPORTANT- It is imperative that the power amps /and or active monitors are turned off prior to cycling power to the DriveRack Studio. Always make sure that these devices are the last item turned on and the first turned off.
Page 15
Section 1 Getting Started The features of the front panel of the DriveRack Studio are as follows from left to right. RTA MIC Input- This XLR input is used for the connection of a RTA microphone. The RTA MIC input button is used to engage the RTA input connector.
Page 16
• Rotate the <DATA> wheel to select the amplifier manufacturer’s specified amplifier sensitivity setting. Once set, press the <NEXT PG> button, and you will now be given the option of optimizing your amp levels with the DriveRack PA. The page will appear something like this: ® DriveRack Studio User Manual...
Page 17
.The Auto EQ Wizard automatically adjusts the response of the system by producing pink noise and adjusting the Graphic EQ until the RTA matches a selected response. From the DriveRack Studio Wizard menu, rotate the <DATA> wheel until the display appears as follows:...
Page 18
Regardless, the display will appear something like this: Auto EQ • At this point, the DriveRack Studio will automatically EQ the room. If you are using indepen- dent left and right graphic EQs, you will auto EQ each side independently. If you are using a stereo-linked EQ, both sides will be EQ’d simultaneously.
Page 19
This unique feature now makes unwanted feedback in a Studio system a thing of the past. The AFS Wizard will lead you through the setup of of the fixed fil- ters of the AFS module. From DriveRack Studio Wizard menu, rotate the <DATA> wheel until the display appears as follows:...
Page 20
L L L L L L • To return to program mode, simply press the <PROGRAM> or <NEXT PG> button. For more information regarding feedback elimination, please see the AFS parameters of the Detailed parameters section. ® DriveRack Studio User Manual...
3. Data Wheel - The Data Wheel is used to move through the pro- gram menu of the DriveRack Studio. The Data wheel is also used to change the values of the selected parameter by simply rotating the wheel. Pressing the Data wheel will toggle between the available parameters on any selected page of the currently selected effect module.
24-36Hz Level - 24-36Hz Subharmonics % 0-100 36-56Hz Level - 36-56Hz The NEXT and PREV buttons scroll through the pages of selected module. Successive presses of the Data wheel will select effect parameters within the currently selected page. ® DriveRack Studio User Manual...
Lift After - 0-60 Number of Fixed filters 0-12 The NEXT and PREV buttons scroll through Successive presses of the Data wheel will select the pages of selected module. effect parameters within the currently selected page. ® DriveRack Studio User Manual...
Length - Delay Time - Course, Fine Units - Seconds,Feet,Meters The NEXT and PREV buttons scroll through the pages of selected module. Successive presses of the Data wheel will select effect parameters within the currently selected page. ® DriveRack Studio User Manual...
Select Type - Mixer Gain Adjust- Fixed Filter Setup down prompt Fixed Filters Low, Med, High mode Done- - 0-12 Successive presses of the Data wheel will select effect parameters within the currently selected page. ® DriveRack Studio User Manual...
Selecting Programs: The quickest way to get up and running with the DriveRack Studio is to use any one of the fac- tory programs that are available in the box. When you reach the factory program, a FACT icon will appear above the factory program name.
DriveRack allows you to save these changes as a custom USER program by pressing the <STORE> button, and the display will appear as follows: NAME: ALL 3 OUTS DATA - SELECTS CHAR PREV/NEXTPG - LEFT/RIGHT: PRESS STORE TO ADVANCE ® DriveRack Studio User Manual...
Page 30
The DriveRack Studio will store 24 user programs in addition to the 25 factory programs. Note: Factory programs cannot be over-written. When storing changes to a Factory pro- gram, you must replace an existing User program.
4.2 Feedback Eliminator In addition to being a great piece for studio applications, the DriveRack Studio is perfect for live applications, and AFS mode is the perfect tool for eliminating feedback. the The DriveRack Studio is the first product in the dbx family to offer the exclusive patent pending AFS (Advanced Feedback Suppression) feedback elimination module.
Page 33
This feature removes unnecessary filters from the spectrum to increase sonic quality. If the feedback is still there (after the filter is removed), it will catch it and notch it out the same. ® DriveRack Studio User Manual...
The DriveRack Studio Crossover can be configured as a 2x3, 4, 5, or 6. Appendix A.5 illustrates each of the available crossovers.
Page 35
Detailed Parameters 4.5 Post-CROSSOVER PEQ In addition to the pre-crossover EQ options within the signal path, the DriveRack Studio also offers a 2 or 3-band parametric EQ after the crossover section. The parameters for the post- crossover EQ are as follows and are user adjustable.
Detailed Parameters 4.6 Compressor/Limiter The DriveRack Studio also offers Compression and Limiter modules. The Compressor is a full bandwidth Stereo Compressor located prior to the Crossover. The Compressor is the perfect tool for tightening uneven signal sources such as vocals and guitars. The Limiters are located on each stereo output channel and have been strategically placed for speaker and amplifier pro- tection.
Page 37
4.7 Alignment Delay The DriveRack Studio offers alignment delay to use for compensating signal delay that occurs due to physical differences in placement of internal speaker components such as horns, speak- ers and subwoofers within and between studio monitors.
Page 38
® DriveRack Studio Section 4 Section 4 Detailed Parameters USER NOTES ® DriveRack Studio User Manual...
This Application guide section is provided to offer suggested installation applications of the DriveRack Studio that will allow you to optimize peak performance of the units. Note that the 24 included application programs represent the extensive flexibility of the DriveRack units.
Connect the outputs from the mixer to the inputs of the DriveRack Studio. 2. Connect the outputs of the DriveRack Studio and run to the selected speaker amplifier. 3. Make sure that the mixer and power amps are turned off prior to powering up the DriveRack Studio.
Page 42
Connect the outputs from the mixer to the inputs of the DriveRack Studio. 2. Connect the outputs of the DriveRack Studio and run to the selected speaker amplifier. 3. Make sure that the mixer and power amps are turned off prior to powering up the DriveRack Studio.
A.1 Factory Reset In the event that a reset is required, the DriveRack Studio offers you the option of performing a “Soft” or “Hard” reset. The Soft Reset resets all operating parameters except user programs. The Hard Reset Procedure will reset all program- mable information back to the factory defaults.
Alignment Delay: 10ms per channel (60ms total) A/D Performance: Type: dbx Type IV conversion system Dynamic Range: >107 dB unweighted, >110 dB A-weighted Type IV dynamic range: 123 dB with transient material, A-weighted, 22kHz BW 121 dB with transient material, unweighted, 22kHz BW 115...
Graphic EQ. With the rest of your system properly adjusted, the Auto EQ can compensate for room resonance and adjust to suit personal taste without large excur- sions in the Graphic EQ bands. A.5 Crossover Diagrams L Mono 2X3(2-band) 2X4(2-band) L Mono 2X5 (3-band) 2X6 (3-band) ® DriveRack Studio User Manual...
Page 48
16 • PortBigSub –a big boost of sub synth (20-60kHz) optimized for ported nearfield monitors ® DriveRack Studio User Manual...
Page 49
® 8760 South Sandy Parkway • Sandy, Utah 84070 Phone: (801) 568-7660 • Fax (801) 568-7662 Int’l Fax: (801) 568-7583 E-mail us at: customer@dbxpro.com or visit us on the web at: www.dbxpro.com A Harman International Company 18-0238-A...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the DriveRack Studio and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers