Dale: In my opinion the best bang for the buck in DSP today is the White Paramedic 26.
The XTA DP226 is also a good unit but more expensive than the White unit.

CharlieH: What is your preferred method for setting gain structure through a DSP-based unit?

Dale: Good Question! I prefer to set the gain structure of a system so that everything goes into clip at the same time. This means that I usually set the DSP to unity, which works OK for most of the DSP units out there but sometimes you may have to do some fine-tuning.

Dale (continued): For this I like to run a tone into the units and set them just below clip on the input. Over the years we have found that gain structure through DSP devices is usually not a problem.

Bryant: So way back when you got your BSEE, did you think you would have to know as much about software and programming as you do?

Dale: Actually, I was a late bloomer, I started college when I was 36 years old and graduated in 1994 at the age of 42.

yam4000vca: Do you mean real clip or when a light comes on?

Dale: I mean real clip. The limiting part of the DSP device is the ability of the A-D converter to handle the incoming signal.

Bill M: Do you foresee a time, sooner or later, when dedicated audio-only DSP boxes go away, replaced by some form of off-the-shelf PC or whatever?

Dale: I haven't really thought about it much. We are seeing some amazing stuff that manufacturers are working and I think it is going to get more cost effective, and have a
much more open platform. Very similar to the MediaMatrix platform.

Dale (continued): By the way, everybody in the crowd needs to applaud the guys at Peak for what they have done to help this emerging technology.

CharlieH: To prevent the A/D converter from overflow, do you ever put an analog limiter in front of it?

Dale: Always!!! As a matter of fact, we have convinced White to make an analog comp/limiter as a option on their new 37 & 48 devices.

yam4000vca: I have been displeased with EAW KF750 boxes in touring situations. Have you used these in any installs and what have you done to tame them a bit? Any magical suggestions?

Dale: The EAW KF750 and KF850 boxes are definitely designed to get loud. However we do not use them in permanent install situations. We prefer to use the MQ Series boxes, they sound much better. They also do require a little work to make them sound really good but, in my opinion, they sound better than the KF series boxes in general.
As to how to tame them, be cautious around 2.5Khz.

Jeff: Where do you put the DSP in the audio chain?