What would be a good DSP?

[dsw1204]

Hey folks, last Christmas I upgraded my 17-year old niece's sound system in her 2003 Ford Escape. I got her a pretty nice Pioneer head unit (don't remember the model #, however), Polk Audio DB5251 5.25" two-way components for the front stage, Polk Audio DB571 5"x7" Coaxial Speakers for the rear, and I gave her my old Alpine 3527S 4-channel amplifier (very clean power, but not very powerful).

This was a HUGE improvement over the stock stuff. She is only a high school junior but she knows what she wants to do when she "grows up". She wants to be a sound engineer and work in a studio doing whatever sound engineers do there. She will be visiting a college in Florida next week that specializes in that sort of stuff. Her interest in sound engineering is why I upgraded her car audio. But, now, I want to do a little more for her. And, I am thinking of getting her a DSP. This should be right up the wheelhouse of someone who wants to be a sound engineer, right? Maybe not exactly what she wants to do, but it will give her a taste of what is involved.

So, what would be a good DSP for a beginning sound engineer? I was considering the Precision Power DSP-88R. Can anyone tell me the good and the not-so-good of this unit? Also, I'm looking into the Minidsp. I figure the Minidsp would be a good alternative for a beginning DSP, but I am not familiar with DSPs and i could be mistaken about what is a good choice for a first-time DSP.

So, can anyone help me with the choice I will be making? Your input will be greatly appreciated.

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[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

Alpine

arc audio

zapco

audison

 

[Savackz]

The MiniDsp 2x4 if only running 1 4channel might be the cheap, most cost effective method.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Try the minidsp You'll want to combo it with a umk-1 and use in conjunction with room eq wizard. Should give her a taste of how to tune things and how different things sound in each acoustical environment.

 

[dsw1204]

The MiniDsp 2x4 if only running 1 4channel might be the cheap, most cost effective method.

If you are referring to only running 1 4-channel amp, then yes that is what she is doing...at least at this point. So, the Minidsp 2x4. What does the 2x4 actually refer to? Does that refer to how many channels the stereo is running? Or, does it refer to how many drivers being driven? She's pushing 4 channels, but with components up front she is driving 6 drivers altogether in her system. So, would the 2x4 be enough? You see, I am very DSP stupid. I've got a lot to learn.

 

[Savackz]

If you are referring to only running 1 4-channel amp, then yes that is what she is doing...at least at this point. So, the Minidsp 2x4. What does the 2x4 actually refer to? Does that refer to how many channels the stereo is running? Or, does it refer to how many drivers being driven? She's pushing 4 channels, but with components up front she is driving 6 drivers altogether in her system. So, would the 2x4 be enough? You see, I am very DSP stupid. I've got a lot to learn.

2 insert in, 4 out

 

[dsw1204]

Try the minidsp You'll want to combo it with a umk-1 and use in conjunction with room eq wizard. Should give her a taste of how to tune things and how different things sound in each acoustical environment.

Hey Jeff, which Minidsp would you recommend? I looked at their website and there is a myriad of products there. I was thinking of their C-DSP 6x8, but as I mentioned is my previous post to zcarlson1, I know next to nothing of DSPs and am pretty lost here. So, I do not know if the C-DSP 6x8 would be a good choice or not.

 

[dsw1204]

2 insert in, 4 out

Please forgive me here, but what does the 2 insert in and the 4 out actually refer to?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Please forgive me here, but what does the 2 insert in and the 4 out actually refer to?

two rcas in and 4 rcas out. 6 x 8 = 6 rcas in 8 rcas out.

Other budget options such as ppi 88r and soundstream harmony have 2 in and 8 out. so for only two rcas in, you get 8 rcas out.

I'd recommend looking it some videos on youtube and see what its all about to see if you would like to tackle learning to use it with your daughter or choose a simpler DSP/software.

 

[Roland 10+ year member]

The new "MiniDSP HD" at $205 is a no brainer for someone wanting to be be a sound engineer. It just came out and it is a very advanced DSP with Fir filter and very advanced phase control. In some ways it's better than some $1000 DSP's.

Other wise if you don't want the advanced capabilities, the C- DSP 6x8 is very good with a nice remote and it takes care of 8 channels.

 

[dsw1204]

I've been following the Massive Audio Core-1 on Amazon because someone (I can't remember who) suggested it to me awhile back. It was going for about $350 but today I see it at $255. I'm tempted to jump on it because tomorrow the price will probably jump back to $350. What do you think of this DSP? It looks like it has 8 inputs and 8 outputs. How do you guys like this compared to the Minidsp C-DSP 6x8?