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amps, one for the processing, one for the
digital EQ – now it all comes together). And
no more weird adapters like a RS232-to-
USB just to run your laptop; it’s all over
Ethernet! The 4800 works best when con-
nected to a tablet-style PC for its ability to
manipulate functions via touch screen.
Ringing out a room can now be done with
just a stroke or two of the pen. One of my
later complaints about the 480 was it was
very hard to get in and around the unit with-
out having the remote.
On the 4800 you can
access everything from
the front panel and noth-
ing is more than a one or
two button push. I mentioned earlier about
the labeling of all your ins and outs per pro-
gram. This is a great time saver especially
for a company like ours that has upwards of
40 different programs for all combinations
of speakers and applications. For the old
480 we had a full sheet charted out per pro-
gram of the input and corresponding output
that you would have to reference every time
you used it. Now it is all on the front panel
display in full color.
Now, it is great to talk about the control
and functional ease of the 4800; but how
does it sound? Well, in one word great. It is
just as good and better than the 480 due to
the 96 kHz upgrade and greater “tuneablity”
of the pre and post EQ. If you have used any
product from the DriveRack family you will
be doubly impressed by the 4800.
SUMMARY
Over the years I have noticed what
seems to be an evolutionary/de-evolution-
ary ebb and flow to mankind’s pursuit
towards perfection. We never achieve per-
fection, but we always seem to get closer,
and I think dbx has its greatest shot at it
yet with the 4800. They have beat all the
shortcomings from its predecessor and
forged ahead with future thought, to not
only how this unit will be used today, but
also next year and years after.
David Rittenhouse is a senior live sound
engineer at RCI Sound Systems and a reg-
ular contributor to Pro Audio Review.
Review Setup:
Yamaha PM5D, Yamaha 3500-40
consoles; EAW KF760, KF761, KF730,
KF300 speakers; laptop PC.
Contracting
➤
dbx from page 10
190 View Circle Felton, CA 95018
toll-Free: (800) 421-0888
telephone: 831-335-5299 fax: 831-335-5543
toll-Free: (800) 421-0888
telephone: 831-335-5299
fax: 831-335-5543
wb@dk-technologies.com www.dk-technologies.com
12 Pro Audio Review – July 2006
Product Points
Plus:
+ 96 kHz DSP
+ Full color QVGA display
+ HiQnet
+ Gain/mute knobs on the front
panel with lighted rings
Minus:
- People stuck in the archaic 1990s
might feel left out
- The overwhelming urge to get a
tablet PC
The Score:
More than just an upgrade and
totally new and much better product!