Selection & Application: Part 4

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Now let’s dive a little bit deeper into each one of these scenarios using some System Design Examples, starting with ATMOS.

For Immersive systems like Dolby Atmos, we always recommend a Q-SYS approach which includes a Core processor and CX-Q Series network amplifiers.

Q-SYS allows for easy network audio connection direct from the Atmos processor and offers full remote control and monitoring capabilities.

Our Core Nano and Core 8 Flex processors have plenty of capacity for small to medium sized Atmos systems

while for very large Atmos systems (with larger channel counts), we recommend the Core 110f or Core 510 processors.

Here’s a system design for a Medium-sized Atmos room.

Notice that each surround requires its own dedicated amplifier channel

and that we wire the surrounds in “arches” that span from the Left wall, across the ceiling, to the Right wall.

This makes it easier to keep track of which channel is feeding a particular loudspeaker.

Immersive systems like Atmos can be fairly complicated, and if you have any doubts,

this is another situation where we would strongly recommend that you contact a QSC Application Engineer for some design assistance.

Now let’s take the same room, still using the Q-SYS Ecosystem for maximum efficiency, simplicity, and minimal cost.

But rather than for an ATMOS room, this will be an Advanced 7.1 system.

Since we’re using Q-SYS, we’ll still use CX-Q Series 8-channel network amplifiers.

First we’ll connect a DCIO, a Core processor, and our network amplifiers to our network switch.

Then we’ll connect this first 8-channel amplifier to the Left and Right bi-amplified screen channels, subwoofer 1, and the Left and Right rear wall surrounds.

Then we’ll connect the second 8-channel amplifier to the Center bi-amplified screen channel, subwoofer 2, and the Left and Right Side Wall surrounds.

And that’s it! All using just two amplifiers.

Now let’s explore a more conventional approach for a Basic 7.1 Sound System for a MEDIUM sized room, let’s say… 65 feet and about 300 seats.

We’re not using Q-SYS in this example so we’ll use our DPM 300 processor with DataPort enabled DCA amplifiers.

The DPM provides a cinema processor, booth monitor, DSP, crossovers, and connections for HI, VI, and non-sync, all in a single, easy to install package.

And DataPort wiring speeds installation with DCA amps – you just connect one cable for each two channels of audio

and get a host of additional processing features including our Intrinsic Correction DSP Presets for QSC loudspeakers.

And using the free DPM Director App, you can add Remote control and monitoring capabilities.

Here’s the system design using the DPM 300 with bi-amplified screen channels and FOUR DCA Series amplifiers.

With the Left and Right screen channel loudspeakers in bi-amp mode we’ll use two channels for each on the first 4-channel DCA 1644.

The Center channel loudspeaker, and the front Side Surround zones will use the second DCA 1644.

We put the Center Screen channel on a separate amplifier so in the unlikely event that one amplifier might fail, the audience will still hear sound from behind the screen.

A pair of SB 7218 subs are powered by one DCA 3422, two channel amp, with one sub per channel.

Then we’ll put the second group of Left and Right Surrounds, and Left Back Wall and Right Back Wall surrounds on individual channels of the DCA 1824.

This system can be used with the DPM 300 processor- or with the DCM,

if you’re using a non-QSC brand processor and just need the crossovers and booth monitor functions.

The last System Design Example we’ll look at for now is for small, Critical Listening applications.

For these, our Reference Monitor System is hands-down the best choice.

The Reference Monitor System is unique in that it’s designed as a Q-SYS based system but uses our DCA Series amplifiers.

Each Screen Channel loudspeaker has its own dedicated subwoofer, the RSB-212.

And as we mentioned earlier, all processing is handled by a Core 510 with Dataport I/O cards that are connected to the DCA amplifiers.

Here’s what a typical system design using the Reference Monitor System looks like.

Note that each Left, Center, and Right screen channel loudspeaker system plus subwoofer is driven by a pair of DCA amplifiers.

In this diagram, the RSC-112 and RSB-212 are shown with the optional baffle wing kit.

As another option for rooms of this size and even slightly larger, the SC 414 four-way screen channel loudspeaker

is a Premium class screen channel system that produces excellent results in quad amp mode.

We can use a single 4-channel DCA amplifier to quad-amplify each screen channel loudspeaker.

Unlike the Reference Monitor System, this design will require a standalone subwoofer,

and one 2-channel DCA amplifier in bridged mode should provide ample power for a single SB-7218.

As with the RMS example, all eight surrounds can be powered by a single 4-channel DCA amplifier.

We get a variety of questions at QSC around wiring amplifiers and loudspeakers. It’s understandable.

Two-way, 3-way, bi-, tri-, quad-amp,… Which amplifier model should I use? There are so many options, it can be confusing.

Well, fear not, we’ve added some handy Application Guidelines, in the Links & downloads section for this course. Might be worth a look.

Alright! You wrapped up another one. And if you’re still unsure on which cinema products are right for your application, contact your QSC representative for more help.

Thanks for watching!