home ... previous article ...next article

Audio. Under new management.
The 4 Series
Designed to provide the finest audio quality, best possible specifications, and ultimate reliability.

Download 4 Series brochure (568 kb)
Download 4 Series Manual (7.2 megs)

Raising the industry standards

As audio systems become increasingly powerful and complicated, our approach to Audio Management has evolved. Drawing on the success of the industry standard DP226, we have developed new technology to meet the needs of today’s live sound professionals.

Based on a completely new processing platform, running at a native sample rate of 96kHz, the 4 Series sets a new standard in terms of performance, flexibility, and ease of use. Combining masses of DSP power with multiple I/O (including digital), the 4 Series provides a range of products that make it easy to configure even the largest and most demanding audio systems.

dp4

Features

Using the latest digital signal processing and high sample rates would be wasted if attention was not paid to capturing the signal as faithfully as possible, and reproducing it accurately. The range uses high-performance 24-bit converters on the inputs and outputs, running at 96kHz to give a bandwidth of over 30kHz and a dynamic range in excess of 116dB. With two or four fully-balanced inputs, and up to eight fully-balanced outputs, it’s possible to realise four two-way monitor systems, or your favourite DP226 configuration with an additional stereo processing channel, all in a single 1U unit.

The 4 Series processing platform has been designed to operate at a native sampling rate of 96kHz, and also be powerful enough to cope with the additional inputs and outputs. Available on each input channel is a 28-band graphic equaliser, in addition to 8 bands of fully parametric equalisation. Each output path features each gain control, polarity, delay and up to 9 parametric sections, in addition to the crossover filters which offer slopes from 6dB/Octave up to 48dB/Octave. All parametric sections can be re-configured to many alternate filter behaviours, including the familiar high and low shelves and notch filters, along with bandpass, elliptic & variable ‘Q’ shapes, and phase adjustment, in 2 degree steps. Each output also features a combination of limiters - a limiter which is designed to protect individual drivers from over-excursion/over-driving, and an additional look-ahead “D-Max” limiter for added safety.

With multiple inputs and outputs, the 4 Series are able to offer much more than a simple crossover system. To make configuration as simple as possible, a selection of templates are available to set the system up, taking care of routing and selecting useful crossover points.

However all of this is easily adjustable, including the routing. Any output may be fed from any input, or combination of inputs, forming a completely flexible matrix.

Equalisation

  • Parametrics - 8 per input / 9 per output
  • 28-band graphic on each input
  • Each parametric can be switched to Bandpass, Allpass, Notch, VariQ, Shelf and Elliptical response
  • Phase filtering - 2 degree steps on each input and output

Inputs

  • Electronically balanced (transformers optional)
  • AES/EBU fitted as standard to all Series 4 units
  • Impedance >10k Ohms
  • CMRR >65dB 50Hz - 10kHz Outputs
  • All electronically balanced (transformers optional)
  • AES/EBU fitted as standard to all 4 Series units
Crossover Filters

  • Bessel / Butterworth 6/12/18/24/48dB per octave and Linkwitz-Riley 12/24/48dB per octave Limiter
  • Threshold +22dBu to -10dBu, Attack time 0.3 to 90 milliseconds
  • Release time 4, 8, 16 or 32 times the attack time
  • Clip/D-max Limiter Look-ahead attack time, Fast, Medium or Slow release times

Connectors

  • Inputs - 3 pin female XLR
  • Outputs - 3 pin male XLR
  • RS485 In/Out XLRs
  • RS232 9 Pin (Female) D Connector

home ... previous article ... next article