kevin: What are the biggest advantages of a digital console? As a worship tech director, what would be the advantages, what would make my life easier if we were to go with a digital console?

Dale: The biggest requirement would be multiple services of differing programs. This would require multiple setups and EQ settings on the console and make the digital console very attractive.

JM: How easy is operation on a digital console?

Dale: It is different with each console. Every console, either analog or digital, will require some learning curve. I have found that the Innova-Son is the easiest to learn.

Curtis: Have you run across a good DSP solution for those of us with smaller budgets and smaller tastes/needs?

Dale: Absolutely, the QSC DSP-3. It attaches on the back of the PL & CX amplifiers, uses very open architecture, and is powerful for its size. Also, the White PM2600 is typically selling for around $1,700 and gives you two “ins” and six “outs” with enough DSP that I have never been able to use it all, and I’ve gotten pretty silly with some of the post crossover EQing.

Jeffro: What about the Rane unit?

Dale: I will say this only because I said it to Steve Macatee the other night. The Rane RPM is a box waiting for a DSP. Once you set the crossovers, you only get two filters per output, and are only left with two filters on the input. That's not enough and Rane knows it.

Marc: Interesting that certain manufacturer names come up - what do you value most in your relationships with manufacturers?

Dale: Whether they make equipment that solves the problems we run into. We are not beholden to any manufacturer and the ones I have talked about here have proven themselves to be problem solvers.

CharlieH: What sort of loudspeaker protection, if any, do you program into the DSP units you use?

Dale: I don't ever use the on-board limiters in the DSP units. If you set the gain structure of the system properly and limit the input to the DSP, you will not blow up loudspeakers.

Bill: Have you ever had a DSP “wig out” and blow stuff up?

Dale: Yes, we have a very high profile project here in the DFW area where MediaMatrix wigged out and blew up several loudspeakers. The manufacturer stood behind his product and made it good.

Bill: Is wigging out just a fact of life or can you protect yourself?