Thus I embarked to find out more about the P4800, first downloading its user software from the Shure web site on my new Dell Inspirion 8000 computer. P4800 Software Version 3 requires a PC with 20 MB of available hard disk space, CD-ROM drive and a VGA monitor with 640 x 480/256 color (or higher resolution).

The GUI (graphical user interface) made the software easy to navigate. After installation of the software , I began by grabbing processors from the “toolbox” and dragging and dropping them onto the signal path on the screen.

Design mode: Draw, drag, drop and link.

After dragging and dropping for a while, I decided to try the common Windows “cut and paste” feature, using the “ctrl c” command combination to copy and the “ctrl v” command combination to paste. To my (somewhat) surprise, this worked well, and it was all so easy, intuitive and stable that I had my first “sample” system - matrixed and multichannel (why start simple?) - set up in less than 15 minutes.

Having worked with numerous DSP devices over the years, big and small, I can state that this software is the easiest to use and the most straightforward for system design purposes that I’ve used to date.

After assembling my system, I uploaded the software files into the P4800. My computer, unfortunately, proved obstinate in this quest, not allowing me to connect anything to the “Comm” (RS232) port other than my handheld PC. A couple of frustrating hours later, I borrowed a Toshiba Teccra computer, transferred my P4800 system design file to it, and then easily uploaded it to the processor. (Click here for further explanation from Shure on this issue.)

By clicking on the “Live” mode, I was able to alter and refine settings further as well as interchange processing devices, and then re-save. All in all, this first time out, I had a system design and all settings done, including several presets providing flexible configuration options, complete and uploaded within three hours.

I felt confident that the processor and software are stable, and that even if it were to “crash” for some reason, I had reliable backup, storing each preset on my laptop as well as on the P4800. Over the years, I’ve used many other DSP devices where hushed prayers have been muttered during the set-up phase, hoping that these devices wouldn’t crash or lock up (or go off-line), thereby wasting time and losing ongoing settings not yet saved.

Overall, I was impressed enough with the P4800 to specify a single unit as the heart of a sound system project in a large cafeteria/meeting space at the world headquarters of Gentex Corporation in Zeeland, MI. (Click here for a report on that project.)