PA System Processors... Don't know??? Don't touch!!!

[Malcolm Boyce]

So, I've seen this many times. Once, I've even had to make a report to void a warranty on a $30,000+ install because of it.

People messing around with system processors that they don't understand, on rigs they can't afford to be screwing up.

It has come to my attention that before I could get to lock out a recent installation's system, someone with enough working knowledge to hook up a computer, load the proper software and mess with the settings, f'd up so many things away from those recommended, that they missed blowing drivers of a brand new rig only by dumb luck.

People, people... Unless you have a COMPLETE understanding of what these boxes do, and the equipment they are attached to, do not touch them!

[Redeye Mojo]

"...they missed blowing drivers of a brand new rig only by dumb luck."

While I do understand the gist of your post, I am a tad foggy on what you meant by that. Could you explain/create an illustration please?

[Roderick]

so were was this ??? im a tad curious

[Malcolm Boyce]

"...they missed blowing drivers of a brand new rig only by dumb luck."

While I do understand the gist of your post, I am a tad foggy on what you meant by that. Could you explain/create an illustration please?

Drivers in a "multi-way" system are capable of reproducing frequencies of a certain range, within their power handling specifications. For example, high frequency drivers are much smaller than low frequency drivers, because they don't need to be as large because of the much smaller bandwidth they are responsible for, as well as being more accurate and efficient in that range as well.

Moving the x-over point of an active system, to allow frequencies to be passed to a driver than cannot reproduce them, and more importantly, isn't designed to handle the physical movement required by these frequencies, is basically a setup for disaster.

Another way in systems with "protection" or limiting, is with improper setup, you could either not "limit" enough thereby overpowering components down the line, or limit too early causing the average or RMS value to rise at the output of the power amps... and smoking your speakers, even though you didn't "clip" anything.

In this particular case, the processor was set in a manner that if sustained high power was applied to the loudspeakers, something would have... well, you know the rest.

Once again, these are complex systems, even in modest rigs these days, and require a comprehensive understanding of the components, and the expected use of the system.

[Redeye Mojo]

Thanx. That makes perfect sense...

I was confused because I was equating "drivers" with software drivers... DOH!

[oddioguy]

Thanx. That makes perfect sense...

I was confused because I was equating "drivers" with software drivers... DOH!

You kids and your crazy computing devices.

[Malcolm Boyce]

Thanx. That makes perfect sense...

I was confused because I was equating "drivers" with software drivers... DOH!

You kids and your crazy computing devices.

That totally made me laugh too Thom!

[Malcolm Boyce]

so were was this ??? im a tad curious

The same way you wouldn't want me to post about your flails on here, I won't post specifics about something like this.

If you don't already know who I'm talking about, I'm not telling here.

[oddioguy]

...Simpsons did it....

[Redeye Mojo]

...OJ Simpson did it....

[oddioguy]

...Marsha Clark did it....