Community Professional Loudspeakers has released the dSPEC226 loudspeaker processor.
Claimed by its manufacturer to ‘herald an all-new approach to configuring, controlling and commissioning sound system installations, from very small to very large’, dSPEC uses both a high-speed SHARC DSP and a Xilinx Spartan FPGA to provide capabilities and a method of engineered workflow reckoned to be unavailable elsewhere.
All dSPEC models feature a 4-input/6-output fixed-chain DSP architecture that includes 2 x 6 native analogue I/Os. Various expansion cards are available to provide two additional analogue inputs, two AES3 dual-channel digital inputs, or eight CobraNet inputs and outputs. Additional expansion cards will be made available as new digital audio networking protocols gain market acceptance, reducing the cost-burden for system installations that do not require a full array of I/O options.
dSPEC allows users to select from a library of Community loudspeakers and does the rest automatically, assigning factory recommended low-pass and high-pass filters, corrective equalisation (including 1024-points of FIR EQ via CONEQ), protective limiters and phase compensation. Additionally, dSPEC intelligently configures LF and HF outputs with optimal crossover slopes for biamplified loudspeaker models.
Loudspeakers not manufactured by Community are accommodated by selecting from the rich palette of processing functions that include numerous crossover types, comprehensive protective limiters, and 20 configurable filters on each of the six output channels.
‘The introduction of dSPEC will re-define Community’s approach to sound reinforcement for the foreseeable future,’ says Community Product Manager, Chris Barrow. ’We painstakingly studied the market before determining how dSPEC could uniquely serve the needs of our customers. The result is a product that provides an astounding improvement in sonic quality, unsurpassed driver protection, remarkable ease-of-use, and highly functional remote control capability – all available at a price point that applies to virtually any installation scenario. Entire systems can be reconfigured at the touch of a button located almost anywhere, without the need for a computer to be a permanent part of the installation.’
Community is the first company to employ CONEQ Acoustic Power corrective algorithms, Real Sound Lab’s automated loudspeaker equalisation technology. CONEQ provides 1024 bands of low latency FIR equalisation that flatten the Acoustic Power Response of the selected Community loudspeaker(s).
Other advanced capabilities include an Amplifier Calibration Port that measures the output characteristics of each amplifier in the system to precisely calibrate dSPEC’s three discreet stages of limiters (peak, programme and long-term) for highly accurate driver protection.
‘When we developed our control software called Resyn, we wanted to present something altogether new to the industry,’ Barrow says. ‘Resyn’s engineered workflow walks the user through the process of selecting loudspeaker types and models, labeling Inputs and Outputs, setting protection levels, establishing system EQ, configuring user presets, and creating access passwords. And our Effortless Ethernet requires nothing more than simply connecting an Ethernet cable.
Resyn software can be downloaded for evaluation at no charge from Community’s website.
dSPEC is already in use in several applications, including the Sundome multipurpose venue for concerts, shows and sporting events located in Yakima,Washington.
Evaluation: www.communitypro.com/dspec
More: www.communitypro.com
