dbx recently announced the launch of its new Driverack VENU360 loudspeaker processor, which allows installers and rental companies to optimize the quality of their sound systems with maximum precision. The Driverack VENU360 is the successor to the acclaimed Driverack 260 and adds a number of features beyond it, including control from mobile devices, more input channels, improved DSP and simpler operation.
"The Driverack VENU360 offers a level of loudspeaker tuning that goes far beyond anything available on the market until now" says Jason Kunz, Market Manager, Portable PA and Recording & Broadcast at Harman. "The result: sound systems that simply sound better, with the great advantage of having full control of the VENU360 from a laptop, a tablet or even a smartphone".
The Driverack VENU360 is a highly configurable and flexible device that includes the latest advances in dbx's AFS™ and AutoEQ™ algorithms (originally featured in the famous Driverack PA2). It offers expanded input processing and includes useful automatic feedback suppression, which detects feedback and eliminates the frequencies causing it. Other important parts of the input processing are the 31-band graphic EQ, the 12-band parametric EQ with notch filtering capabilities, dbx compression, subharmonic synthesis for improved bass impact, backline delay and noise gates.
Multi-crossover configurations are possible for full-range, 2-way and 3-way modes (mono 4-, 5- and 6-way configurations are also available). Output processing features 12-band auto-EQ (8 auto-EQ bands and 4 user-configurable bands), dbx compression, automatic gain control, subharmonic synthesis, noise gates, delays for towers (up to 1000 ms per output), an 8-band parametric EQ (for loudspeaker tuning), dbx limiting and driver alignment delays.
Connecting a dbx RTA-M measurement microphone (sold separately) to the RTA mic input lets you use dbx's proprietary Level Assist and AutoEQ algorithms to equalize the room automatically and accurately and achieve a more balanced frequency response. Because AutoEQ sits in the output processing module, independent sections of a system can be equalized automatically. This allows AutoEQ to be used on the PA system as well as on monitors, zones and delay towers. The DriveRack VENU360 can be set up and operated from a compatible iOS, Android, Windows or Mac device through an easy-to-use app and a standard router connected to the Ethernet port on the rear panel.
The VENU360 also has a front-panel LCD display offering map-style navigation, input and output meters and mutes for system tuning and monitoring. The improved setup wizard of the VENU360 now also includes stage monitors in its list, making the tuning of a complete sound system easy and accurate. The wizard automatically configures hundreds of audio parameters at the push of a few buttons, with no previous audio experience required. Among the wizard's many functions are Level Assist, Auto EQ, AFS, and built-in JBL amplifier and loudspeaker tunings.
In addition, up to 75 user configurations can be stored, eliminating the need to enter the same system or room settings over and over again. The dbx VENU360 offers balanced analog and AES digital inputs for connecting a mixer, with mono, stereo, LCR and aux-fed sub configuration options. Six balanced XLR outputs can be configured for the PA system, stage monitors, delay towers, zones and more.
It is also compatible with BSS Contrio Ethernet wall controllers. Firmware updates can be carried out via the USB port and the firmware update utility.
All these features and improvements make the new dbx VENU360 an optimal loudspeaker processor that will let both installers and rental companies get the most out of their sound systems.
