New Behringer digital EQ/crossover

JohnR · « **on:** 23 Jan 2003, 10:05 pm »

Why not kick this circle off with a new piece of (affordable) digital wizardry? Behringer announced a new digital eq and three-way crossover:

http://www.behringer.ca/02_products/prodindex.cfm?id=dcx2496&lang=eng

It would be interesting to see if anyone applies it in a hifi system. I imagine it has the same issues as the UltraCurve ie input/output levels, pro connectors, and really needing some tweaks/mods for hifi, but it looks like it might be an interesting tool.

I've read some good (and some bad) comments about the DBX Driverack PA, which is a similar unit I believe.

Harbinger of things to come?

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Jan 2003, 02:29 am »

Cool, great to see the Digital Domain up and running! I was just joking about the "Perfect Sound Forever!"

I know, be careful what you wish for...

That looks like a cool piece of gear. I use a Behringer Feedback Destroyer in parametric eq mode for my subwoofers, but that new one looks even better; the limiter feature would potentially be nice as a subwoofer protection. I can't say how transparent mine is as I've only used it on the low passed feed to the subs. This new model may potentially be more so if the digital ins are used.

JohnR · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Jan 2003, 07:44 am »

My understanding with the digital I/O is this. Pro gear uses 48 kHz, whereas consumer gear uses 44.1 kHz. Having read reports that the Ultracurve digital I/O wasn't so hot, I'm guessing that internally the algorithms are all based on 48 kHz, and if you connect a 44.1 kHz source, then it has to convert between the two rates. Because those numbers are not a simple ratio the conversion is not straightforward, it is easy to introduce artifacts in the process. It might be that an analog to digital conversion is preferable to a poorly-done digital-to-digital conversion.

I'm just guessing, but I believe this is certainly possible.

JohnR

JohnR · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Jan 2003, 07:50 am »

BTW here's some info on the Driverack PA:

http://www.driverack.com/PA.htm

nathanm · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Jan 2003, 07:33 am »

Mmmm...adjustable crossover slopes...

I keep thinking that's why my crossover doesn't quite seem right, but who knows? It looks very interesting but something tells me my less-than-favorable experience with the other digital EQ thing might spell out similar problems. And man oh man, does this thing have plenty of wrong buttons to push! Eek! Tons of rope to hang yourself with!

Hopefully it's quieter than the EQ as that thing gave out a pretty decent high frequency hiss.

Kinda seems like a device with TOO MANY options for a home listening application. Maybe.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Jan 2003, 05:31 pm »

I nearly smashed my BFD to bits on the porch steps, and that's not an exaggeration. Once I finally figured it out, it wasn't too bad. But the guy who wrote the manual should be flogged around the fleet.

The new unit may offer more flexibility than most people need, but I'm gonna check it out. I would only use it as a bass, anyway.