Karaoke Forums

Any of you guys used or are using the DBX Drive-Rack -PX? Supposedly, an optimizer for powered speakers. I would like to "optimize" my powered QSC HPR122i tops & QSC HPR151i sub. Not that it needs it, but if I can improve the sound even more from this unit, then I'm all for it.

This unit claims: Auto-EQ to correct audible deficiencies in any kind of room environment, A Subharmonic Synthesizer that will extend low bass response to bottom ends, and also Advanced Feedback Suppression that will kill those nasty mic feedbacks. Really? That good? If it will do all that, then I am sold. Let me know if it is and I will be on my way to GCenter.

Here's the link: http://www.dbxpro.com/PX/index.php

It is and it does.
The feedback suppresion works great, really great.
You get a RTA mic with it so you can eq each different room you play in and you can save those settings, venue specific if you like.
I do not use the sub harmonic synth (didn't feel the need to) so I can't speak to that, but overall the PX was a great addition to my system.

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

Any version of a Driverack will make a system sound better. Well almost, you can't polish a turd. You having decent speakers in QSC's I'd highly reccomend a Driverack and an RTA mic.

You'd be surprised how much a good processor can add to the sound even if you do not think so. The Driverack is a very nice system!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Thanks for responding guys. I will definitely get this item.

I disagree with all of the responses so far, except for Lonman. Yes, a good DSP is a good tool, but the OP must learn how to use it and have the correct expectations about what it will do.

The HPR151i has a basically okay line-level crossover built-in, and when connected correctly with the OP's HPR121i tops, the main benefit of a DriveRack PX would be the ability to apply and save corrective EQ for the loudspeakers.

The auto-RTA function sucks. Yes, there are people who like it. No, it really does not do good things a lot of the time. It's placebo effect. Here is a good article by Bennett Prescott explaining why these things are pretty bogus: http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/prin ... _your_ears

The AFS function might be okay, but it also might guess poorly and eliminate useful sound, while not eliminating feedback. You should not rely on these things. Learn to do it with your ears, because a computer cannot tell the difference between feedback and legitimate program material. It guesses, sometimes well, sometimes badly.

The sub-harmonic synth is, well, a toy. Cool marketing gimmick. I know zero pros who use these things for any purpose in a live setting. Might be cool as an effect in the studio, though.

The posts so far have hit on all the "marketing gimmick" features of the DriveRack and none of the features that are actually useful, and why it is a good tool to have and good for the price:
* many presets can be saved for different PA setups, rooms, etc.
* input and output EQ for speaker and room correction
* enough delay for loudspeaker alignment (not enough for delay stacks)
* good, flexible crossover that is easy to use
* input and output gain adjustments
* peak limiter and compressor for protecting speakers (if you know how to set it up with your amps/speakers correctly)
* useful EQ presets for many common speakers

These are all good features and easily worth the money it costs. The gimmick stuff that every other poster has touched on is sometimes useful, but also, sometimes does more harm than good. IMO that is a bad tool, because an experienced user does not need any of those things, and a an inexperienced user probably can't tell the difference.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

I have a DriveRack PA, and I agree that you probably won't really use the RTA/auto EQ function.

Even the "pros" on the DriveRack forums don't recommend using the Auto EQ. I definitely recommend checking out that forum before you buy. Wealth of info. Read the START HERE post, and you'll know what you are going to need to do to REALLY improve your sound with the PX:

http://www.dbxpro.com/forum/

So that said, the crossover in the DriveRack is excellent. MUCH MUCH easier to use than an analogue crossover or even most digital crossovers, especially when setting the proper slope for each set of frequency ranges. Likewise, the feedback supression is really really good IF (and only IF) you have a properly balanced system to begin with. I play at VERY high SPLs in front of up to 200 people with the singers about 10-15 feet in front of the main speakers, and rarely have feedback (only on SUPER soft singers that I have to jack up the gain HIGHER than my balanced levels).

SO, I would HIGHLY recommend the DriveRack, but follow the suggestions of the pros on the DriveRack forum board, and NOT the instruction manual. A little extra effort, and the DriveRack PX will noticibly improve your sound.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

I am one happy and satisfied karaoke host. I finally hook-up my DBX Drive Rack PX last night at the club where I work. All I can say is WOWWW!!! If I've only known, I should've used this gear long time ago. What a great improvement on my sound. QSC HPR122i tops and QSC HPR151i sub, they sound great, but with this unit connected the sound was awesome! I also added a BBE 882i. I think that helps a lot too. The audio sounds live & clean. The bass has more punch. I followed the advice you guys mentioned above. No auto EQ. And how about the vocals. Auto feedback suppression really works. It used to be feedback city for the not so loud singers. I can make my soft singers a lot louder now and not tripping the dreaded feedback. Not a single feedback last night. Very nice indeed. Thanks again!