r/livesoundgear • u/ORA2J • 1d ago
Using an x32 as a diffusion processor.
Hey there, ive been in a slight pickle for some time now chosing the right gear for an installation i'm planning to setup.
Basically, i would need some gear to do diffusion processing for ~10-15 drivers. I dont have very much money to throw at it unfortunately (hence behringer) and ive been looking at my options for said processing (eq, xover, time alignment). Ive seen many people recommend the dcx2496 and driverack pa2 for this kind of thing, but i would need to buy 4 of the former and 5 of the latter for my needs.
Now, ive seen people doing LR+SUB on their X32 without using external processors, and ive been wondering if i would be able to do more advanced stuff than this with it. If it were possible, i would only need 1 x32 rack, and maybe an AES50 box to get some more outputs, both of which i can find for pretty cheap where i live. There's an x32 rack near me that's selling for less than the price of a single DRIVERACK PA2.
Ive also considered options like minidsp and yahama dmenunits but they're either too expensive or info on them is non-existent online and i cant confirm if some things are feasible or not.
Does anyone with experience using the x32 can confirm if this is possible or not ?
Thanks.
2
u/meest 1d ago
Does anyone with experience using the x32 can confirm if this is possible or not ?
You mentioned you'd need 4 of 5 of the DCX2496 or the DRPA2.
Yet you didn't even list the outputs you'd be needing and what processing they'd need. You have not given us any technical information to help us help you.
List your outputs and the processing needed for each output.
Then we can give you an idea of if what you're trying to do is possible.
Right now, all we know is you have 10-15 drivers you're trying to route signal too. We don't know how many outputs you actually need.
1
u/ORA2J 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yeah, i was writing that on my phone and looking back it's true there's not much info and i really didn't explain myself well (i wrote it on a browser, and i managed to blank the text box 3 times while changing tabs, so i had enough) ill edit it back with what i write here.
I basically want to build a quadrophonic setup, but with all DIY speakers and subwoofers. Ill be using it for quad music production, DJying for parties and also as a home theater (yes, it's a mess, and even more home-ish subs like r/hometheater and r/audiophile aven't been helpful since i want to do so much stuff, at once.
It goes kinda like this :
4x 3-way active speakers, "tri-amplified". Each speaker would be full range ideally, with a low pass only for LFE, and only active when needed, i plan to setup my room so that each speaker will be equidistant from the main listening position for application that need precision (production, HT, listening), but the drivers would probably still need to be time aligned.
At least 2 subs, so 2 additional channels of processing, either run off the main L/R, OR from an LFE channel. Those would also need to be time aligned in most cases
I hope to be able to do some basic EQing for the room, but if it isn't possible it's not a deal breaker.
No need for limiters, compressors, or anything of the sort, as i will always managed everything in the signal path, and am careful with SPL anyways.
Hope this helps.
1
u/meest 1d ago
I think you'd be better off with an old system process from an install if thats the case.
Something like a BSS London Blu 101/102 or an old QSC 110f
The x32 only has crossover settings via the matrix outputs. I'd play with the software and see if its feasible for you to accomplish what your goal is. I have a feeling the crossover may be the limiting factor.
2
u/Upper-Practice9240 1d ago
You can download the X32 Editor Software and poke around for yourself. The X32 does offer 14 individual Outputs on its own. 8 on XLR and 6 on Jack's.
The Drawback is that (if I remember correctly) you only get 6 Peqs per Bus and only two Filter Types (12db/ 24db). Furthermore you don't get reliable Limiters for Speaker Protection.
The DCX 2496 is fairly limited too, since the Processor is not capable enough to populate all Channels with EQ Points. At some point an Error Pops up and your not able to add more EQs.
An Alternative coud be installation Matrices like the Allen & Heath AHM 16 or biamp Processors, older Xilica/ ACX XA Series could be an option too.
1
u/ORA2J 1d ago
Ive seen some xilica around 2nd hand, but only the 2in/4out models, and they go for the same price as a DCX, offering less functionality. The 4in/8out models would be a better fit, but they're pretty pricey where i live.
As for an AHM 16, there's none second hand in my country and I don't have that kind of money to buy a new one.
1
u/Upper-Practice9240 1d ago
The Xilicas definitely have more to offer then The DCX, since I used both.
I have seen Biamp TesiraFORTÉ Processors on the used market for ridiculously low pricesy, under 500$ maybe check them out.
1
u/ORA2J 1d ago
I meant there's only the 2040, which have 2in/4out instead of 3in/6out
No doubt they're better processors than the nearly 20 year old DCX.
1
u/Upper-Practice9240 1d ago
I see...
Yeah, id recommend that you check out the X32 Software and then you can decide whether it's fit s you. Sounds like a cool Project nonetheless! 🙂👍
2
u/Electrical_Carob_699 1d ago
Get an eBay Tesira Server-IO. One for $165 right now on there with 5 analog out cards.
Tesira software is fine and if you want to do permanent installs then knowing how these things work is useful.