mrgrumpy1
Anyone have experience with this optimizer?
Posté Fri 03 Jan 14 @ 8:41 am
groovindj
Why do you think you need one?
Reading up on what it does, it seems fairly redundant to me, as powered speakers usually have onboard protection and are already EQed to sound "correct" by the manufacturer. As for compression, most modern music is squashed to within an inch of its life already!
Reading up on what it does, it seems fairly redundant to me, as powered speakers usually have onboard protection and are already EQed to sound "correct" by the manufacturer. As for compression, most modern music is squashed to within an inch of its life already!
Posté Fri 03 Jan 14 @ 9:11 am
kradcliffe
I have one in the club I work in and it's a nightmare. I disabled everything and just run it on setting 2, full range with sub.
The limiter is too aggressive and it's a complicated nightmare to set up from scratch.
Keith
The limiter is too aggressive and it's a complicated nightmare to set up from scratch.
Keith
Posté Fri 03 Jan 14 @ 9:27 am
mrgrumpy1
Well guys that sure answers that question! Nix the rack. Thanks fellas.
Posté Fri 03 Jan 14 @ 10:25 am
drzinc
The Dj's that use powered speakers are not like the old school mobile Dj's that know how to tune and set up their systems. I am a old school passive system type of guy so i can use processors properly....
Posté Fri 03 Jan 14 @ 5:05 pm
groovindj
Hey, that's fighting talk!
I'm a DJ who uses powered speakers, and I'm also an old school DJ who used to use passive speakers and have a graphic EQ in my amp rack.
It's not a case of "using processors properly" - in most cases a mobile DJ doesn't need to process the sound in any way.
The tracks DJs play are already processed and EQed to sound as good as they can. It's not like setting up a PA for live sound, where things may need a little more tweaking. Also, if you feel the need to "enhance" the sound from you speakers, then it's your speakers (or other parts of your source kit) that are the problem. As the saying goes, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
I'm a DJ who uses powered speakers, and I'm also an old school DJ who used to use passive speakers and have a graphic EQ in my amp rack.
It's not a case of "using processors properly" - in most cases a mobile DJ doesn't need to process the sound in any way.
The tracks DJs play are already processed and EQed to sound as good as they can. It's not like setting up a PA for live sound, where things may need a little more tweaking. Also, if you feel the need to "enhance" the sound from you speakers, then it's your speakers (or other parts of your source kit) that are the problem. As the saying goes, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
Posté Fri 03 Jan 14 @ 6:21 pm
djcity
The driverack can pretty much be your best friend.
It's an amazing piece of equipment and it's waaaaay more than a graphic EQ.
The compression is pretty much to tame the bass and highs so your bass is TIGHT, DEEP and STRONG. not Boomy and dirty.
The crossover can take your powered subs from 100 down to 85 or so and that will clean up all those mids you hear coming from the sub.
Use the RTA mic to EQ or SET UP the room. It will produce pink noise and "listen" to the sound of the room and TUNE your whole sound.
Don't listen to ANYONE that tells you a driverack is not worth it! They do NOT know what they are talking about!
This is coming from someone that has been DJ'ing and running sound for over 25 years.
A Driverack is one of the BEST investments you can make as far as sound is concerned.
It's an amazing piece of equipment and it's waaaaay more than a graphic EQ.
The compression is pretty much to tame the bass and highs so your bass is TIGHT, DEEP and STRONG. not Boomy and dirty.
The crossover can take your powered subs from 100 down to 85 or so and that will clean up all those mids you hear coming from the sub.
Use the RTA mic to EQ or SET UP the room. It will produce pink noise and "listen" to the sound of the room and TUNE your whole sound.
Don't listen to ANYONE that tells you a driverack is not worth it! They do NOT know what they are talking about!
This is coming from someone that has been DJ'ing and running sound for over 25 years.
A Driverack is one of the BEST investments you can make as far as sound is concerned.
Posté Fri 03 Jan 14 @ 7:32 pm
groovindj
The Driverack mentioned by the OP claims to be specifically for use with powered speakers.
Your bass should already be "tight deep and strong". If it's not, then your speakers are the problem. The tracks have already been compressed by studio engineers. They don't need any more compression!
In most cases a crossover will be already built in to powered subs - and it will be set to work at the correct frequencies for that sub.
No need for external processing to change that.
In theory it might sound like a good idea, but it can actually make your sound worse - despite being "correct".
Example: I used a 31 band graphic RTA to check the frequency response of my RCF speakers. The result showed that there was a hole at a certain frequency. I corrected that, listened, and found that there was now a harsh sounding peak.
If you use decent kit and are DJing in a typical venue, then there's no need for RTA, pink noise and all that. You're not setting up a 30K system at Wembley for Pink Floyd!
.....and I've been doing it for over 35 years.
djcity wrote :
The compression is pretty much to tame the bass and highs so your bass is TIGHT, DEEP and STRONG.
Your bass should already be "tight deep and strong". If it's not, then your speakers are the problem. The tracks have already been compressed by studio engineers. They don't need any more compression!
djcity wrote :
The crossover can take your powered subs from 100 down to 85 or so and that will clean up all those mids you hear coming from the sub.
The crossover can take your powered subs from 100 down to 85 or so and that will clean up all those mids you hear coming from the sub.
In most cases a crossover will be already built in to powered subs - and it will be set to work at the correct frequencies for that sub.
No need for external processing to change that.
djcity wrote :
Use the RTA mic to EQ or SET UP the room. It will produce pink noise and "listen" to the sound of the room and TUNE your whole sound.
Use the RTA mic to EQ or SET UP the room. It will produce pink noise and "listen" to the sound of the room and TUNE your whole sound.
In theory it might sound like a good idea, but it can actually make your sound worse - despite being "correct".
Example: I used a 31 band graphic RTA to check the frequency response of my RCF speakers. The result showed that there was a hole at a certain frequency. I corrected that, listened, and found that there was now a harsh sounding peak.
If you use decent kit and are DJing in a typical venue, then there's no need for RTA, pink noise and all that. You're not setting up a 30K system at Wembley for Pink Floyd!
djcity wrote :
They do NOT know what they are talking about! This is coming from someone that has been DJ'ing and running sound for over 25 years.
.....and I've been doing it for over 35 years.
Posté Sat 04 Jan 14 @ 6:55 am
djcity
I'm not speaking about theory. I'm speaking about reality.
I own and use both the driverack pa+ and the driverack PX.
1st, 100htz is a very high crossover point for any sub. At 100htz, you get lower mid frequency coming through. It makes the sub sound louder but it is a dirty sound. 85htz is a much better crossover point for subs as it removes the mids from the sub giving you real bass.
2nd, compression of a sound system has nothing to do with the recorded music at all. Compression of a mp3 is so different than compression of a sound system.
3rd, graphic eq is nice but you do realize that the driverack also has a panoramic eq right ? Do you know what that is? I'm thinking not because you used a mic with a graphic eq. (Who does that).
4th, the driverack has a compressor, limiter, gate, panoramic and graphic eq, feedback eliminator, delay correction, sub harmonics and more.
I have Yorkville ls801pb's matched with EV Zxa5's.
I have QSC KW181'S matched with EV ELX 115p ' or ZLX12'S depending on the venue.
I have other various powered subs and tops as well.
I have so much passive gear I will not even try to list it here.
I am a true professional and have been for a very long time.
Anyone that tells someone they don't see a need for sound processing on powered speakers truly has no idea of what he or she is talking about.
I have seen your posts over time and you really need not post as much about things you don't know a lot about cause you tend to look a fool.
I'm not trying to be rude or negative but you seem like you try in your own way to be helpful. The problem is you try to help with things you don't have enough knowledge about and end up sounding not as smart as I'm sure you are.
I'm sure others with actual KNOWLEDGE would be happy to educate you on the driverack or how to properly use a graphic eq or simply educate you on how pro audio actually works.
Until you learn, please stop misinforming people based on your assumptions.
I own and use both the driverack pa+ and the driverack PX.
1st, 100htz is a very high crossover point for any sub. At 100htz, you get lower mid frequency coming through. It makes the sub sound louder but it is a dirty sound. 85htz is a much better crossover point for subs as it removes the mids from the sub giving you real bass.
2nd, compression of a sound system has nothing to do with the recorded music at all. Compression of a mp3 is so different than compression of a sound system.
3rd, graphic eq is nice but you do realize that the driverack also has a panoramic eq right ? Do you know what that is? I'm thinking not because you used a mic with a graphic eq. (Who does that).
4th, the driverack has a compressor, limiter, gate, panoramic and graphic eq, feedback eliminator, delay correction, sub harmonics and more.
I have Yorkville ls801pb's matched with EV Zxa5's.
I have QSC KW181'S matched with EV ELX 115p ' or ZLX12'S depending on the venue.
I have other various powered subs and tops as well.
I have so much passive gear I will not even try to list it here.
I am a true professional and have been for a very long time.
Anyone that tells someone they don't see a need for sound processing on powered speakers truly has no idea of what he or she is talking about.
I have seen your posts over time and you really need not post as much about things you don't know a lot about cause you tend to look a fool.
I'm not trying to be rude or negative but you seem like you try in your own way to be helpful. The problem is you try to help with things you don't have enough knowledge about and end up sounding not as smart as I'm sure you are.
I'm sure others with actual KNOWLEDGE would be happy to educate you on the driverack or how to properly use a graphic eq or simply educate you on how pro audio actually works.
Until you learn, please stop misinforming people based on your assumptions.
Posté Sat 04 Jan 14 @ 7:52 am
djcity
Go to the thread "This is my set up, what's yours"
Go to page 12 about 1/2 way down.
http://www.virtualdj.com/forums/96897/General_Discussion/This_is_my_setup____Whats_Yours_.html?page=12
Go to page 12 about 1/2 way down.
http://www.virtualdj.com/forums/96897/General_Discussion/This_is_my_setup____Whats_Yours_.html?page=12
Posté Sat 04 Jan 14 @ 8:10 am
groovindj
djcity wrote :
1st, 100htz is a very high crossover point for any sub. 85htz is a much better crossover point
It's Hz, not htz. Where are you getting this 100Hz figure from anyway? The OP is asking about a Driverack - he hasn't even mentioned what speakers he's using, so how is your 100Hz comment relevant?
Are you seriously trying to say that if a manufacturer makes a powered sub with a crossover at 100Hz, they've got it wrong?!
djcity wrote :
2nd, compression of a sound system has nothing to do with the recorded music at all. Compression of a mp3 is so different than compression of a sound system.
Your ignorance is showing. Where did I say anything about MP3 compression? What I'm saying is that the music DJs play is already mastered. It's been compressed (audio compression that is) in the studio by the engineer. You don't need to add more compression when you play it. Nothing to do MP3 compression at all.
djcity wrote :
do realize that the driverack also has a panoramic eq right ?
Panoramic EQ? I guess you mean parametric - the type of EQ that can be tuned to exact frequencies and the Q (width) adjusted?
djcity wrote :
you used a mic with a graphic eq. (Who does that).
No I didn't. I said that I used a 31 band graphic RTA. In other words a digital display of the frequency response that shows 31 bands in real time (hence RTA - Real Time Analysis).
Quote :
you tend to look a fool.
please stop misinforming people
please stop misinforming people
I could say the same about you, Sir.
Posté Sat 04 Jan 14 @ 8:54 am
djcity
I tell you what. Let's agree to disagree.
I speak of the driverack from personal experience not from reading up on what it does.
I'm not saying you are a fool.
Compression of sound systems it totally different from the compression of recorded music.
I'm not saying any manufacturer got it wrong as much as playing it safe because the average consumer will not process the powered speaker signal.
One CAN get waaaay more out of their powered set up by processing the signal. The driverack is an easier way of doing that without having to have a separate crossover, limiter, gate, compressor, eq, sonic maximizer.
Please do not try to argue facts with assumptions
Good day to you sir.
I speak of the driverack from personal experience not from reading up on what it does.
I'm not saying you are a fool.
Compression of sound systems it totally different from the compression of recorded music.
I'm not saying any manufacturer got it wrong as much as playing it safe because the average consumer will not process the powered speaker signal.
One CAN get waaaay more out of their powered set up by processing the signal. The driverack is an easier way of doing that without having to have a separate crossover, limiter, gate, compressor, eq, sonic maximizer.
Please do not try to argue facts with assumptions
Good day to you sir.
Posté Sat 04 Jan 14 @ 9:24 am
groovindj
djcity wrote :
I tell you what. Let's agree to disagree.
OK, if you'd rather not offer any explanations of why things I've said are (in your opinion) wrong, fair enough.
djcity wrote :
without having to have a separate crossover, limiter, gate, compressor, eq, sonic maximizer.
without having to have a separate crossover, limiter, gate, compressor, eq, sonic maximizer.
All I'm saying is that DJs with powered cabs don't need all that stuff anyway. Powered speakers already contain crossovers, limiters, EQ and so on. There's no need to add even more.
It's up to the OP to decide whose word to take.
Posté Sat 04 Jan 14 @ 10:10 am
A Man and His Music
Sometimes, when I touch my equipment, I get all tingly inside. But that's another story. I bought a Driverack PA years ago used, and it is still in the box, in the garage. It was going to replace my equalizer, compressor limiter, and BBE unit. Never got around to it, and sold my mixer, and got another controller, and got rid of the rack. Then they came out with the PX, and I was like wow, I should get that. Nope, never used the one I have. So what does this all mean, with regard to the universe? If you ask ten people, you will get a few different answers, and still won't know what to do. I am sure that there is some benefit to having this piece of equipment, but that is an individuals decision. Do some more research, and see if it will help you. On a side note, I just started a new club. Not talking about it just yet, because I may not keep it. However, they have a PX unit there in the same rack as the.................wait for it............power amps!!!!!!!!!!!
Posté Sat 04 Jan 14 @ 6:48 pm
mp3jrick
Have the original, main difference being you have to assign the frequencies yourself, speaker specs and its pretty simple and never had to change it.
Decided to travel light once, I don't travel light anymore, it goes where I go.
I am not exactly sure why the sound is so different, but the sound has scored gigs I've been told.
My small case holds my sub amp, Furman and DR.
Have the mic, used it once because it pisses people off wondering what the hell is wrong with my system and haven't needed it really.
Had one time when it shut down at the start of a gig, because it was seeing 91 volts. (big knob is the reset with a push)
What City is saying is correct, and if you don't own one or haven't used it.... Happy New Year.
Decided to travel light once, I don't travel light anymore, it goes where I go.
I am not exactly sure why the sound is so different, but the sound has scored gigs I've been told.
My small case holds my sub amp, Furman and DR.
Have the mic, used it once because it pisses people off wondering what the hell is wrong with my system and haven't needed it really.
Had one time when it shut down at the start of a gig, because it was seeing 91 volts. (big knob is the reset with a push)
What City is saying is correct, and if you don't own one or haven't used it.... Happy New Year.
Posté Sat 04 Jan 14 @ 9:15 pm
groovindj
mp3jrick wrote :
What City is saying is correct, and if you don't own one or haven't used it....
So everything I've said is wrong because I don't own a Driverack? :-0
You don't need to own something to know what it does, or to have knowledge of it.
FYI I do own similar products by other manufacturers (which should be clear from what I mentioned in my posts above)......but I don't use them on my DJ rig - because my sound is just fine without them.
Not a single one of my clients has ever approached me and said "Your sound is so awful. Why are you not using a DBX Driverack?".
I suppose it's like those youths who fit big fat exhausts to their hatchbacks so they sound like monster trucks... they don't
need it but it makes them happy. :-)
Posté Sun 05 Jan 14 @ 7:46 am
mp3jrick
mrgrumpy1 wrote :
Anyone have experience with this optimizer?
^^^ THIS was the question, nothing I said was directed at you.
If anything it was a shot at my brotha for having one and not using it.
Posté Sun 05 Jan 14 @ 10:21 am
groovindj
mp3jrick wrote :
nothing I said was directed at you.
OK fair enough. I apologise for thinking it (just the last line of your post) was.
...in which case, just ignore the first of line of my reply.
The rest stands. Not as reply to you necessarily, just as a comment about products such as the Driverack.
IMO though a lot of what djcity said wasn't correct, or was at the very least misleading, which is why I responded to his posts.
Posté Sun 05 Jan 14 @ 11:23 am
mp3jrick
Not sure how I can form an opinion without using something first, or put down others who have dismissing their experiences.
Like I said, my go without DR test was very confirming for me.
I was not taking anybody's side or looking for conflict.
Technology today is far ahead of what it was 25 or 35 years ago.
I have had powered speakers fail, and I've had some that had terrible freg response.
Why don't more dj's use Yorkville?
Is it because its not the talk or because they are very expensive?
I don't know, but my experience tells me neither of those reasons are valid after 10 years of hard personal use. (Nx 750P's)
Another example, as much as I like Bose gear at home no matter what it is, there are those that swear by the L series systems.
I wouldn't bash Bose like some do, but I wouldn't go buy one to have an opinion either, therefor I don't offer one.
Same goes for software, most people who express opinions about Serato and VDJ have never become proficient at both before they offer their opinions usually slanted based of what they own.
Like I said, my go without DR test was very confirming for me.
I was not taking anybody's side or looking for conflict.
Technology today is far ahead of what it was 25 or 35 years ago.
I have had powered speakers fail, and I've had some that had terrible freg response.
Why don't more dj's use Yorkville?
Is it because its not the talk or because they are very expensive?
I don't know, but my experience tells me neither of those reasons are valid after 10 years of hard personal use. (Nx 750P's)
Another example, as much as I like Bose gear at home no matter what it is, there are those that swear by the L series systems.
I wouldn't bash Bose like some do, but I wouldn't go buy one to have an opinion either, therefor I don't offer one.
Same goes for software, most people who express opinions about Serato and VDJ have never become proficient at both before they offer their opinions usually slanted based of what they own.
Posté Sun 05 Jan 14 @ 12:56 pm
Dazmax
Here's a thought. Why not rent one for a couple or three gigs and see if you find it a usefull addition to your Rig?
Lots more could be said on this but will wait and see how the string goes ;-)
Daz
Lots more could be said on this but will wait and see how the string goes ;-)
Daz
Posté Mon 06 Jan 14 @ 5:29 am
