EAW Exhibits UX8800 Dual-Mode Digital Signal Processor

EAW exhibits its UX8800 Dual-Mode Digital Signal Processor. The UX8800 is a 4-input by 8-output digital signal processor that brings the company's landmark Gunness Focusing™ technology to an ever-increasing number of conventional EAW loudspeakers, with true dual-mode capability making it equally adept as a loudspeaker processor or an overall system processor.

Gunness Focusing involves the application of sophisticated, custom DSP algorithms designed specifically to correct loudspeaker response anomalies. The result is the elimination of the time smear, horn "honk" and low-frequency cone resonances that plague conventional reinforcement system designs. (EAW is rapidly developing Gunness Focusing settings for its loudspeaker systems, posted on a regular basis for free download on the EAW website)

In addition, the UX8800 is intimately linked to both EAW Smaart and EAW FChart acoustic measurement and analysis platforms. This is crucial to users and engineers in that it guarantees processing that exactly matches the processor settings determined in the laboratory by EAW engineers.

In the UX8800's loudspeaker processor mode, the user can establish up to four individual loudspeaker specific processing units, each with locked down product-specific settings for crossover, equalization, alignment processing, and limiting. Output channels are assigned for each of the loudspeaker's separately amplified subsystems (2-way, 3-way, etc.).

Further, by entering the gain and maximum voltage ratings of the power amplifiers being driven by each output channel, the UX8800 calculates the correct output limiter settings (such as excursion and power handling) of the individual drivers. In addition, a distance and humidity-dependent air loss pre-emphasis filter can be engaged to overcome expected air losses over longer projection distances.

Also in loudspeaker processing mode, each processing unit offers a full complement of user-adjustable DSP parameters (EQ, level, delay and polarity). This provides the critical alignment control that is normally required for overall system alignment and adjustment.

In system processor mode, all settings and parameters for both inputs and outputs are user-adjustable. The processor's 4-input x 8-output architecture is custom-configured by the user to suit the particular application.

The powerful UX8800 digital engine features state-of-the-art 48-bit/96-kHz efficiency. Both input and output connectors are XLR type, with digital inputs to accommodate AES/EBU and the coming EAW U-Net connectivity while eliminating A/D and D/A stages.

The front panel offers access to all operational, user-controllable parameters via buttons, encoders and a brightly back-lit LCD panel. More advanced setup and tailoring can be done via EAW Pilot software (supplied with the unit) on a PC plugged in via an RJ45 port on the front panel.

EAW is exhibiting at Booth 5676 (Hall B) at the 2009 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA.