The use of a crossover is rendered partly redundant by some self‑powered speaker systems (those that have their own high/low-pass filtering built in), but the ability to set different curves using the PA2 as an external processor can significantly improve system performance in some difficult venues. It's easy to set up the crossover filters manually, and what I like most about this function is the live LCD display, which shows the crossover curves changing as you adjust the parameters, which is a great way of understanding what is going on.
The rear panel houses all the analogue I/O (one stereo input plus three stereo outs), as well as the Ethernet port, which allows for remote control via an iPad when connected to a wireless router.The user manual has some useful information on setting up crossovers, and goes some way to explaining the audible difference between the two filter types. a smooth flat overall transition), and although these will often be precisely specified by speaker manufacturers, they can be freely adjusted if desired. The available filter types are Butterworth and Linkwitz‑Riley, which have different crossover characteristics (for example a Linkwitz Riley will commonly be chosen for crossovers as the upper and lower signals are attenuated by 6dB at the crossover point, which results in unity magnitude, (ie.
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. it has two input sockets and six outputs). The DriveRack PA2 takes a two‑channel input and processes it into a one-, two- or three‑way stereo output (ie. There's not anywhere near enough room here to cover all the functions and features on offer, but if this review interests you, you can learn more about it by downloading the manual - and the wireless control app - from the Dbx web site.
Let's take a quick look at some of the main processor stages within the PA2, before getting on with how to drive it. All that it does, it does at a 'system level' in other words it processes the main signal going to your rig (or monitors) and not individual elements within the mix, although you could use it on any insert point like any other piece of outboard kit.Īlthough the functions within the PA2 can be used and controlled individually, one of the benefits of having an integrated one‑unit solution is that they can be set up together, and the PA2 incorporates a fully automatic Setup Wizard that guides the user through the whole process, and is designed to apply the processing needed to optimise a live‑sound setup quickly and easily, and without requiring any specialist knowledge of the functions involved.Įven though the DriveRack PA2 is a somewhat simplified version of its upmarket siblings, it is still a powerful machine with many functions, including the ability to control many parameters from the front panel, and this new model has various updates and improvements to both its processing algorithms and to the user interface. To carry out this role it incorporates various functions including an active crossover, compressor/limiter, equaliser, feedback eliminator and more. In simple terms, the DriveRack PA2 is something that sits between your mixer outputs and your power amp (or powered speaker) inputs, and it acts as a comprehensive speaker‑management system.
Now there's the DriveRack PA2, which is still in the affordable price bracket, but comes with an extended and more user‑friendly feature set, including network and Wi‑Fi control capabilities for iOS, Mac, Android, and Windows‑based devices. The DriveRack PA did what its makers said it did, and represented a lot of processing in a small affordable 1U package, but without some of the flexibility of the more upmarket 'pro' DriveRack models. Since then I have owned and used the models that followed, namely the much‑improved second‑generation DriveRack PA+ and the DriveRack PX, which was designed specially for use with active speaker systems. The Dbx DriveRack range has been a strong seller since it first appeared a few years back, and I remember trying out the original DriveRack PA and buying one in the same week, as it offered so much functionality for a very reasonable price. The original DriveRack PA was already a cost‑effective processor, and now Dbx have upgraded it, with more features and wireless iOS control.