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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

2387.0. "DBX160 problem/question??" by JUPITR::BREEN () Mon Jul 09 1990 16:32

    I am currently using two DBX 160s in a small sound reinforcement setup
    to protect the tweeters. I have them placed just after the EQ and just 
    before the power amp in the audio path. I am also using a AC power
    distribution unit and have ALL of the setup powered from there.
    
    The problem is that when I turn on the amp I get a loud "POP" in the 
    speaker systems. I have tried different power up schemes and the only
    thing that seems to help is to unplug the 160s. They don't seem to do
    a lot of limiting that way.
    
    Should I set my audio path differently? Board-EQ-DBX-Amp-Spkr is what 
    I have now. I used to have it Board-DBX-EQ-Amp-Spkr but don't recall
    if I had the POP at power up. Any help anyone can provide is welcome.
    
    BTW if anyone has a manual for the 160 and/or the 163 they could copy
    for me, I would be greatful!
    
    
    thanx
    kpb
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
2387.1guarantee'd to save tweeters...LEDDEV::ROSSshiver me timbres....Mon Jul 09 1990 18:1115
    
    No problem.
    
    Power up the amp AFTER the rest of the system.
    
    Yes, that means pressing 2 switches instead of one.
    
    Otherwise, you have a job isolating who the culprit is
    that doesnt control it's output(s)  while power-on transients
    occur......
    
    easy.
    
    ron
    
2387.2JUPITR::BREENMon Jul 09 1990 19:287
    I do...I do
    
    The 160s have no power switch. They are normaly ON before I power the
    amp up. I have tried the other way around with the same result.
    
    next...
    
2387.3LEDS::ORSIIwillnotdrawpicturesofnakedladiesinclassTue Jul 10 1990 16:3812
    
    	Unfortunately, the "pop" or "thump" you hear when powering
    	up your amps is the power supply capacitors in the amp
    	charging up. Most amps do this. Some have relays built in
    	that eliminate the thump by shutting off the outputs until
    	the supply has stabilized. Although you should observe a
    	specific power-up sequence, (i.e. amps on last, off first)
    	it has little to do with the power-up thump or pop.
    
    	Neal
    
    
2387.4just how LOUD is it?AISG::WARNERIt's only work if they make you do itThu Jul 12 1990 16:517
Do you worry when you put a loud kick drum through your speakers? If not, don't
worry about the thump, unless it's a lot louder than the kick (which I doubt).

This is the reasoning that Michael Blacker gave me when he set up my recording
studio (UREI 811B speakers); he also put together the upgrade at Blue Jay about
four years ago.
2387.5"Hey, EQ that kick into a POWER kick!"LEDDEV::ROSSshiver me timbres....Fri Jul 13 1990 19:4231
    
    Im sorry, but you guys just are missing it here. If the amp
    is turned on last, all transients have stabilized. Unless your
    amp was designed around the time that the Mayflower sailed, or
    is capable of less than 10 watts max.....
    
    Ok, we'll go the long route:
    
    Disconnect every input to the power amp. Power on. If thump,
    then buy a new amp (fersure) or live with it until you need to
    buy replacement speakers...(start saving...)
    
    If not_thump, Connect one new item at a time, but always POWER
    *THOSE* up separately......BEFORE powering up the power amp by
    it's SEPARATE on/off switch....
    
    The only thing *this* will prove is some obscure ground loop or
    loss_of_ground or other Twilight Zone problem. If it's NOT the
    amp, then it's someone elses outputs, and if so, turning on the
    amp LAST (after everything is stable) will work. period. end of
    discussion.
    
    And, for those of you who think a bass drum kick sounds like a
    power on transient....back to Physics of Sound 101....sorry.
    
    ron_1200watts_each_switch_throw  (I need to get it right, ya know?)
    
    
    
    
    
2387.6Time to dust off the Oscope!JUPITR::BREENSat Jul 14 1990 15:5917
    In my standard power up sequence I DO turn on the amp last. I do it for
    the very reasons you mentioned. The problem that I have is ONLY witn
    the DBX 163s in the circuit. If I remove (bypass) the 163s I no longer
    get the THUMP.(Dr.Dr. it hurts when I go like this) 
    
    I think that if I had a better idea of exactly how the 163s work (ie.
    schematic/manual) I could troubleshoot the problem. The idea of a
    limiter wih one control is a little strange to me and having no
    doc. makes it even more strange. 
    
    I am starting to think that it is a malfunction in the 163s but the
    fact that both sides do it makes less sure. For now I have removed them
    from the rack. If anyone can help out with documentation of some sort I
    should be able to solve it on my own. 
    
    thanx
    kpb     
2387.7run em on batteries!LEDDEV::ROSSshiver me timbres....Mon Jul 16 1990 14:2520
    Buzzzzarre.
    
    The only thing that I can think of is that when you turn
    on the amp, the power supplie(s) in the DBX do something
    funny and cause a blip on the outputs....
    
    Possible if you have a 'big' amp....and it's gotta be the
    DBX since when you bypass them theres no thump.
    
    Yeah, that sounds good. If the DBX supplies CANT filter
    the garbage and line fluctuation the amp load (on turn on)
    creates.....yep, that would explain it.
    
    You could beef up the filter caps in the DBXs.....hmmmmm, or
    MAYBE a line filter would work (connect the DBXs to it ONLY),
    which is 'easier' to try, but more expensive...
    
    ron
    
    
2387.8sounds like line droopSTROKR::DEHAHNTue Jul 17 1990 17:4417
    
    Are we talking 160 or 163? The 163 is a less than pro unit and it
    wouldn't surprise me if this was normal.
    
    If I remember correctly the 163x has a wall bug power supply. Is this
    on the same circuit as the power amp(s)? Do the lights flicker when you
    turn the power amp on? It could be that the power amp is sucking so
    much startup current that it's causing a voltage drop on that circuit,
    enough so that the itsy bitsy power suppkly in the 163x is shutting
    down for a few hundred milliseconds, which would be like turning it off
    real quick. That would cause a pop.
    
    Try using a different circuit for your power amps than the one for your
    board and fx.
    
    CdH