PA2x Pro Sound problem

[rishi]

Hi all I recently purchased (Exactly 3 days) a brand new PA2X Pro after saving for a long time. I have a PA50 for some time and loved both the sounds and styles and had extremely high hope for the PA2X. Anyway here is the problem the sounds that's coming out of the PA2X are ok but compared to the exact same sounds and style of my PA50 (Factory Defaults), PA2X sounds much less bright and I hear some sort of unusual noise if I really pay attention across all sounds and style. I can't define the noise it's not very noticeable but I can feel it. I have good quality Mixer and near field monitors and compared the sounds of the PA50 and PA2x using exact setup including the same cable and mixer input just to be sure with the factory default settings. When I use head phone for both the difference is still audible but they sounds much closer in quality. I did couple of recordings in Logic Pro just to be sure and I noticed the same issue. Also I tried using the SP/DIF output instead of the regular unbalanced L/R output with no difference what so ever.

Now my question to you guys do you think I got a lemon? Or I need to do some change in default settings to make it shine? I mean EQ, Reverb etc. I have the latest OS.

Thanks in advance.

[Rob Sherratt]

Also I tried using the SP/DIF output instead of the regular unbalanced L/R output with no difference what so ever.

I think that's one of your problems. The Pa2x outputs are balanced not unbalanced. You need TRS "stereo" plugs and cables to connect to the Pa2x and balanced inputs on your mixer. If your mixer uses XLR sockets for its balanced inputs then you will need a pair of leads, a "stereo" TRS plug on one end and an XLR the othert.

I'm not sure why there would be no improvement using S/PDIF, what are you using the other end of the S/PDIF interface to monitor the audio, and does that provide balanced or unbalanced outputs to your mixer?

If you want some idea of the quality of sound from the Pa2x, listen to the demos I posted on the "Irish Acts Mega Pianos" thread. Try recording direct to MP3 yourself, and then listen to the MP3 files on a different system.

Regards,
Rob

[rishi]

Rob,
Thanks for your response. I will try with balanced TRS cables and post back the results. I have a Motu Mk3 set at 48KHz where the SP/DIF is plugged from the PA2x. The quality of the sounds from the regular L/R and SP/DIF are very similar as well as same noise that I was mentioning. Any global Audio settings I need to worry about here?

[looo]

........
Now my question to you guys do you think I got a lemon? Or I need to do some change in default settings to make it shine? I mean EQ, Reverb etc. I have the latest OS.

Thanks in advance.

Hello,

Don't know about the PA50 but PA2X/PA800 with latest firmware have global EQ that's turned off by default. Turn it on and try to boost high (and possible low) frequencies. Sound will noticebly change.
Not sure though you'll get 100% authentic sound of PA50.

[rishi]

I tried both the suggestion but that noise is still there and the sounds still seems like dull then my PA50.
I listened the sample provided by Rob and they sound awesome but not from my unit though may be I just got a lemon. This baby is going back to store I guess.

[abo59]

The Pa2x outputs are balanced not unbalanced.

Hmm... I don't know about your source of information, but in my Pa2x Pro manual v2.0 it says -

on page 14 "point 6 - AUDIO OUTPUT": Use these balanced/unbalanced connectors to send the audio signal
(sound) to a mixer, a PA system, a set of powered monitors, or your hi-fi system.

and on page 338 "Technical specifications": Outputs - 4 Analog Balanced/Unbalanced (Left/Right/Out1/Out2), 1 Digital (S/PDIF 48kHz).

[Rob Sherratt]

The Pa2x outputs are balanced not unbalanced.

Hmm... I don't know about your source of information, but in my Pa2x Pro manual v2.0 it says -

on page 14 "point 6 - AUDIO OUTPUT": Use these balanced/unbalanced connectors to send the audio signal
(sound) to a mixer, a PA system, a set of powered monitors, or your hi-fi system.

and on page 338 "Technical specifications": Outputs - 4 Analog Balanced/Unbalanced (Left/Right/Out1/Out2), 1 Digital (S/PDIF 48kHz).

Sorry, yes. The sockets on the Pa2x switch to balanced mode line drivers if you insert a "stereo" TRS plug instead of a "mono" TS plug. So if your mixer desk needs unbalanced inputs, you must use "mono" TS plugs.

[kimbol4]

Hi Rob,
Would the audio outputs from the pa800 be the same as the pa2x ?

Thanks , John

[Rob Sherratt]

Hi Rob,
Would the audio outputs from the pa800 be the same as the pa2x ?

Thanks , John

Hi John,

No they are not. The Pa800 sockets are unbalanced only. You cannot connect them to anything requiring balanced inputs unless you use something like a Behringer dual DI D120 box in between.

Best regards,
Rob