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XTA announces the latest in next generation audio processing: The 4 Series Audio Management Systems. Based on the already successful DP428 platform, the new 4 Series considerably increase sound company choice. The DP428 takes on the name DP448 to complete the family and share the common technology. The four models in the series are: DP448 - 4 In 8 Out DP446 - 4 In 6 Out DP444 - 4 In 4 Out DP424 - 2 In 4 Out As the demands placed on professional audio systems continue to steadily increase, so must the technology be advanced to maintain the expected quality and useability. Based on a completely new processing platform, running at a native sample rate of 96kHz, the 4 Series set a new standard in terms of performance, flexibility, and ease of use. After the success of the DP226, renowned world-wide as the industry standard for loudspeaker management, these units have a lot to live up to. We have produced a qroup of worthy successors, which will prove both familiar to those who have ever used a DP226, and yet offer unparallelled additional features and benefits, as well as a cutting edge specification. Please take the time to investigate what the 4 Series have to offer, and how they can be used to fit the bill in any system.

Using the latest digital signal processing and high sample rates would be wasted if attention is 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 also offers greatly increased flexibility. Now it's possible to realise (for example) 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 up to 9 parametric sections, in addition to the crossover filters which themselves now offer slopes from 6dB/Octave up to 48dB/Octave. All parametric sections can be reconfigured to many alternate filter behaviours, including the familiar high and low shelves and notch filters, but along with bandpass, elliptic and 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. Add to this sub-millimetre accuracy when introducing time alignment with completely flexible ganging of all channels, and it can be seen that a member of the 4 Series will fit the bill in any system configuration.

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. This allows the unit to be used as a highly sophisicated zone mixer, immediately reconfigurable at the touch of a button.

As more and more live sound distribution takes place in the digital domain, systems need to be able to seamlessly switch between analogue and digital feeds, both for inputs and outputs. Industry standard AES/EBU interfaces are built-in which allow the units to work with both digital inputs, and feed digital output streams. Sample rate converters are included on the inputs, allowing it to accept streams from 32kHz up to 192kHz (output sample rate is fixed 96kHz). The added convenience of the input routing matrix, each of the AES output streams can be any combination of inputs, allowing complete flexibility.

With XTA's Walkabout kit, an entire system of units (including the DP226, the DP224, and the DP6i) can be wirelessly controlled and monitored via any laptop or touchscreen tablet PC. Support for connection to a serial port on a standard PC (or USB port via a converter) is also included, with an RS485 port provided for longer distance networking of units via a simple XLR cable.

Inputs Electronically balanced (transformers optional) AES/EBU (selectable) 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 Series 4 units Source Imp < 60ohms Minimum Load 600ohm Maximum Level +20dBm into 600 ohm load Sampling Rate DP428 – Up to 96kHz internal, up to 192kHz can be accepted and converted. Frequency Response ±0.5dB 10Hz - 32kHz Dynamic Range >116dB 20Hz -20kHz. Unwtd Distortion < 0.001% @ 1kHz, +10dBm Maximum Delay 650 mS. (increment 0.325 µs steps) Output gain Adjustable +15dB to -40dB in 0.1 dB steps and mute Equalisation Filters Parametrics - 8 Per input / 9 per output Additional filters 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 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 Power 3 pin IEC Power 60VAC - 240VAC Consumption < 40 watts Weight 3.5kg. Net (5kg. Shipping) Size 1.75”(1U) x 19” x 12” (44 x 482 x 305mm) excluding connectors Due to continuing product improvement the above specifications are subject to change.