Does this device make sense for speaker design

[andy2]

Do you think this would be helpful in speaker design? Or is there such a device out there already?

How about if there is a DSP instrument which can emulate most type of filters that would usually go into the xover? The software would allow you to sellect different type of filter.

Think of it as a black box active xover that sits between your preamp or cdp and the amplifier. The output of the amplifier would then be connected straight to the driver without going to a xover. During the designing process, instead of designing the xover from various discrete parts, you can play with the DSP black box and fine-tune the filters on-the-flight through a GUI from a computer.

This blackbox DSP for example would have 3 outputs per channel: one for tweeter, one for midrange, and one for the woofer. Each output is independent of each other and can have its own filter. As for input, it would have a digital input to interface directly to the digital output of the transport. It would also have an analog input so that you can connect it to a preamp.

Of course this would only help at the initial stage to give you some idea how each drivers would behave roughly. You still have to deal with other effect of a real xover and how they all interact with the amp and all that such as having a conjugate load or a zobel network. One way is to have the conjugate load or zobel network but the filter will be implemented on the DSP box. You then would just sit at your computer and play with different type of filter.

[paulhfx]

What you've described is part of the emulation software within LSPCad 6.

I haven't used it yet, so I can't comment on how well it works or how easy it is to use.

Paul

[Brett]

Sounds like a Behringer DCX2496

[Nappylady]

Or a Soundblaster Live! running with kX drivers

[bzdang]

Kxproject !
(caution: you may never finish the passive crossovers )

[RobWells]

Originally posted by Brett
Sounds like a Behringer DCX2496

Certainly does. I never moved on to 'custom built active xo's' after using this item. (would of been op-amp based if I'd gone there btw)

Rob

[Brett]

Originally posted by Nappylady
Or a Soundblaster Live! running with kX drivers

Originally posted by bzdang
Kxproject !
(caution: you may never finish the passive crossovers )

Now this is going to sound dumb, but what are KX drivers? Do they allow you to use the PC+SB5.1 card to sim a xover? How many channels and xover ways? Delays too? Where do you get the software? URLs?
I've been contemplating a DCX2496 for the horns I'm playing with, but it's a bit expensive over here, and a cheap, ie the cost of an SB card, project is intriquing. If I could get it to work to my satisfaction with this, cheaply, then the DCX may be a worthwhile purchase.

[Variac]

I see the Behringer DCX2496 online some places now for $250!!
now that's cheap! Either a new model coming out , or they have made so many that their unit cost has plunged!

[bzdang]

Variac, they have mastered the art of China-procurement.

Brett, I will answer any questions that I able able to, but please search for and read my other posts first, there is some kxproject information in them already

Some recommendations to keep in mind --
- it's possible to purchase a wrong soundblaster card, do homework first!
- practice on woofers first
-it's possible to kill tweeters and compression drivers with low freqs, always check your setup and use a cap. to protect them.
- to avoid loud surprises, run the computer audio at maximum non-clipping levels and set your pwramp levels externally
- current version is 3537, don't get 3538 yet, is beta.
- get the ufx plugins for 3537
- I have the simple delay plugin if you can't find it, ask and I'll mail it

Cheers,
Dave

[tiroth]

Wow, the DCX is now cheaper than the DEQ!