DIGITAL SPEAKER PROCESSOR DS24/DS26 ·User Guide ·Reference Manual professional products ® IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS i CONTENTS Jump ahead to quick start DS24/DS26 and DS26 Features ............................................................v 1 Introduction ..............................................................................vi 2 What is a Speaker Management System? ..........................................1 2.1 Crossover: ..............................................................................1 2.2 Equalization: ...........................................................................1 2.3 Delay: .................................................................................1 2.4 High Pass and Low Pass Filters: ................................................1 2.5 Limiting: .................................................................................1 3 Front Panel .................................................................................2 4 Rear Panel .................................................................................3 5 Quickstart .................................................................................4 6 Installation .................................................................................6 6.1 RACK MOUNTING ..................................................................6 6.2 CONNECTORS ........................................................................6 7 OPERATION .................................................................................7 7.1 Navigating Front Panel Controls...................................................7 7.1.1 Hints for Operation: ......................................................7 7.2 SUBMENUS ...........................................................................8 7.2.1.1 Crossover Submenu ...................................................8 7.2.1.2 Load a Xover: ............................................................8 7.2.1.3 Design a Xover; .........................................................8 7.2.1.4 Store a Xover: ............................................................8 7.2.1.5 Erase a Xover:............................................................8 7.3 Security Submenu.....................................................................8 7.4 Subsystem Submenu ...............................................................9 7.5 Interface Submenu ..................................................................10 7.6 Parameter..............................................................................10 7.6.1 Gain: ........................................................................10 7.6.1.1Inputs: .....................................................................10 7.6.1.2Outputs: ..................................................................10 7.6.1.3Polarity: ..................................................................11 7.6.1.4 Delay: .....................................................................11 7.6.1.5 HPF: .....................................................................11 7.6.1.6 LPF:........................................................................11 7.6.1.7 PEQ: .....................................................................12 7.6.1.8 Limiter: ..................................................................12 7.6.1.9 Name of channel: ......................................................13 7.6.1.10 Input Signal:............................................................13 7.7 DS26 BLOCK DIAGRAM .........................................................14 7.8 DS24 BLOCK DIAGRAM .........................................................16 8 Graphical User Interface (GUI).........................................................17 8.1 MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS .......................................17 8.2 INSTALLING SYSOMAX ON YOUR COMPUTER ........................17 ii ® CONTENTS 8.3 STARTING UP SYSOMAX ......................................................18 8.3.1 From the Start menu: ...................................................18 8.3.2 From Windows Explorer or My Computer: ........................18 8.4 Navigating SYSOMAX ............................................................18 8.4.1 Crossover Types DS24 ................................................19 8.4.2 Crossover Types DS26 ................................................19 8.4.3 Top Line Menu ............................................................20 9 Creating a Program ........................................................................22 9.1 GAINS: ..............................................................................22 9.2 DELAYS: ..............................................................................22 9.3 LIMITERS: ...........................................................................22 9.4 OUT 1, OUT 2, etc. ...............................................................23 9.5 Crossover Filters: ..................................................................23 9.6 Parametric Equalizers: ............................................................23 10 SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................25 11 Service ..............................................................................26 12 Warranty ..............................................................................26 13 Maintenance ..............................................................................27 IMPORTANT !BEFORE YOU BEGIN, PLEASE CHECK THE CONTENTS WITHIN THIS BOX TO INSURE THESE ITEMS ARE INCLUDED: 1. The BBE DS24/DS26 or DS26 Digital Speaker Processor. 2. The BBE DS24/DS26/DS26 Digital Speaker Processor User's Manual. 3. Power cord. 4. Warranty registration card. 5. Software Disc 6. DB-9 type serial cable for connection between unit and PC. If any of these items are found to be damaged or missing, immediately contact the BBE dealer you purchased it from. This manual will help you to effectively utilize the BBE DS24/26. Reviewing the information contained in this manual will answer most of the common questions that our service department receives. If you still have questions, please feel free to call 800-233-8346. iii DS24/DS26 AND DS26 FEATURES Crossovers Parametric Equalizers Driver Alignment Delay Speaker Protection limiter 10 user memories · Choice of 2 X2-way, 2 X 3-way, 2-way + sub, 4-way, 5-way 6-way crossover (depending on model) · DS24 is 2 inputs 4 outputs and includes 4 crossover configurations · DS26 is 2 inputs 6 outputs and includes 6 crossover configurations · Input gain control for each channel · Separate crossover controller · 5 band fully parametric equalizer · Driver Alignment Delay for each output up to 7ms · Output gain and phase control · Security lockout to discourage system tampering · RS-232 remote control PC interface (Windows compatible software included) · Each group parametric equalizer has 31 ISO frequencies with + or - 12dB gain · Each group Q value is from 0.5 to 10 and provides Hi shelf · Lo shelf selects function. · Separate limiter with Attack, Hold, Decay and Threshold parameters · High Pass and Low Pass filter available for each channel @ 6 or 12dB slope · Choice of 18dB, 24dB, 48dB Butterworth, Linkwitz-Riley or Bessel frequency response curve · Memory for up to 10 on-board user programs · 8X7 bit input/output precision digital LED meter. · 2X20LCD backlit. LED Display iv ® INTRODUCTION Thank you for choosing the BBE DS24/DS26 Speaker Management System. This product will enable you to obtain the best possible performance from your loudspeaker system. You can also reduce the amount of outboard gear that is required to transport, set-up and operate as part of the sound system. The DS24/DS26 offers many powerful functions. It is highly recommended that you read through this manual before you begin connection and operation. For those that are familiar with this type of device or if you simply can't wait to hear how good your system will sound, a Quick Start section follows on pages 4-5. SOME TERMS THAT WILL BE USED IN THIS MANUAL: Configuration: This refers to a particular group of settings, with the primary parameter being the crossover type. Program: A program is a configuration with either the factory default or a user-created name. Configuration and Program may be used interchangeably, though a configuration must be programmed for a program to exist. Parameter: A component of a setting such as the center frequency of one band of parametric EQ or the attack time of a limiter. WARNING! To prevent possible speaker or amplifier damage, always power-up peripheral devices first, wait 10 seconds, and then turn on the power amplifier. Turn off power amplifier first, then power-down peripheral devices. v WHAT IS A SPEAKER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM? A Speaker Management System uses digital signal processing to accomplish multiple functions that affect the audio signal between the mixer and the power amplifiers. These functions include crossover, equalization, delay, limiting, high-pass and low-pass filtering as well as signal distribution. Programs may be created, selected and edited with the DS24/DS26's front panel controls. However, to create new programs, it is best to use the included free PC software and configure the programs using the graphical user interface (GUI) and a Windows PC. 2.1 Crossover: This function used filters to divide the audio spectrum into multiple bands, such as Highs, Mids, and Lows. When these separate signals are individually amplified and sent to a speaker matched for that range, the result is a much more efficient system with more punch and clarity as compared to system using a two or three-way speaker box with a passive cross-over. The common terms used for two or three-way systems are "bi-amp" and "tri-amp". 2.2 Equalization: This function provides control of the tonal spectrum. It can be used to compensate for differing acoustic conditions, speaker cabinet responses or boosting/cutting certain frequency ranges to create a specific type of sound. In some rooms, "ringing" or feedback is present due to a number of conditions. Use the PEQ function to reduce the ringing frequencies. 2.3 Delay: This function is used to "time-align" the different transducers in a speaker system. A properly aligned system will have better phase coherence resulting in more focused sound. 2.4 High Pass and Low Pass Filters: These are used to reduce any signal outside of the desired bandwidth and are part of the equalization function. This frees the power amps and speakers from trying to reproduce signals that are not an intended part of the mix or simply beyond the reproduction range of the loudspeakers. 2.5 Limiting: This function prevents a signal from exceeding a certain pre-determined level. It prevents input overload with its resultant distortion and also keeps amplifiers from clipping, which protects the speakers. 1 ® FRONT PANEL 1. LCD The 2x20 backlit LCD displays the program and programming choices of the unit. 2. These buttons allow navigation for selection of sub-menus and some parameter values. 3. Menu This is one of two buttons that will access the front panel programming. This one is used primarily to select which program to call up, edit or save. 4. Gain This is one of two buttons that will access the front panel programming. This, along with the buttons, accesses the various parameters of a program. 5. Quit This exits the programming menu and returns the display to showing the selected program. 6. Enter Hitting this button will write the current selection to memory. 7. Param This acts as the value selection dial when selecting certain parameters or values for certain parameters (such as Gain). It is both a dial and a button. DO NOT PRESS IN WHEN ROTATING OR THE VALUES MAY NOT TRACK CORRECTLY. 8. Meters These display the respective input and output levels of the device. The seven LED segments per display are in 6 dB steps from ­30dbV to ­6dBV, then -3dBV, then Limit (0dBV), then Clip (+8 dBV) 9. Mute Pressing one of these buttons will mute the respective Output channel and the LED will illuminate. All outputs will mute automatically during certain program selection and editing processes, to protect the loudspeakers. 10. Power This turns the power to the unit On and Off. Remember to always turn power amps on last after everything else and turn them off first, before everything else. 2 REAR PANEL 1. Power Jack This accepts a standard IEC type AC bayonet plug. 2. RS232 Interface Connect this to the serial port on a PC using the included cable or other standard DB-9 type cable. With the software installed, the PC can now monitor and program the DS24/DS26. 3. XLR Input These are balanced (Pin 2 Hot) XLR inputs that accept the signal from the (usually main) outputs of the mixer. 4. XLR Output These are b ...