Ashly Protea DSP Series

The Protea 4.8SP four-input/eight-output and Protea 3.6SP three-input/six-output 1RU digital signal processors offer a user interface, plus PC control software, and comprehensive DSP, including crossover, equalization, delay and limiter functions, according to Ashly.

Gain, delay and six filters (each a choice of parametric, low or high-shelf) may be applied to every input, each of which employs 24-bit, 48 kHz delta-sigma A/D converters with 128x over sampling. Outputs may be assigned from one or a combination of inputs. Butterworth, Bessel and Linkwitz-Riley crossover filters with up to 48 dB/octave slopes are available on the outputs, along with four parametric, low or high-shelf filters plus compressor/limiters to control feedback problems. Time delay adjustments, output gain and polarity reverse may also be applied to the outputs, which include limiters for speaker protection.

Ashly’s Protea Software Suite is provided for remote PC control via USB (one is located on the front panel and another on the rear, and a six-foot cable is provided) or RS-232 port. The software provides an intuitive visual representation of the audio routing and control process as well as greater preset capacity, according to Ashly. Both units store up to thirty presets, which are snapshots of all current settings. Existing .pcc files from previous Ashly units such as the Protea 4.24C may be loaded into the new units.

Front panel buttons on both units are designed to provide direct control of all audio functions and system tools without the need to access sub-menus. A backlit, two-line, twenty-character LCD displays all channel and function settings.

Inputs and outputs are balanced and on XLR connectors. There is front panel metering of all individual inputs and outputs.

For more information, visit their web site at www.ashly.com.