Using Whirlwind DA-2 as poor man's press box?

D

Daniel Postilnik

Junior
Jan 14, 2011
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San Francisco, CA
Hi all. I saw an ebay listing for a Whirlwind DA-2 distribution amplifier that looks like it can operate as 1-in/8-out signal router.

I do not own press or "mult" boxes but occasionally get requests for them, which I dread because the only shop in town that has them charges a lot to rent.

Would this be a reliable substitute when less than 12 channels are needed? I'm thinking to put this in a 1U soft rack, place it near the cameras, and run a single XLR cable from an aux on my board.

What are potential problems? I haven't worked with press boxes very much and I don't want to end up with a non-usable tool. Thanks.
 
Re: Using Whirlwind DA-2 as poor man's press box?

Transformer isolation is usually a must have when dealing with ENG crews. One good unit to use as an active press feed is the Shure FP-16a which I believe is now discontinued, but still available on ebay for cheap. All the outputs are transformer isolated and switchable mic/line. Mic level outputs are also very important because these days many ENG crews will just throw a Lectro HM or similar device on your feed which may not be happy with a line level signal.
 
Re: Using Whirlwind DA-2 as poor man's press box?

In years passed when I only expected the local news crews to show up I would run a DA into a couple of whirlwind split6 boxes. One for line and one for mic level. I know this isn't proper, but I never had a problem doing it.

When we were doing a "VIP" event where the big boys showed up I always ran a real press feed.

Whichever you do, make sure you have a qbox handy to show them that "yes, there really is tone on the line and it works."
 
Re: Using Whirlwind DA-2 as poor man's press box?

Matt Errend said:
Transformer isolation is usually a must have when dealing with ENG crews. One good unit to use as an active press feed is the Shure FP-16a which I believe is now discontinued, but still available on ebay for cheap. All the outputs are transformer isolated and switchable mic/line. Mic level outputs are also very important because these days many ENG crews will just throw a Lectro HM or similar device on your feed which may not be happy with a line level signal.
Click to expand...

So other than the FP16a, the only other option is whirlwind pressboxes. Their passive units require a line-level signal. Would an aux send from a Mixwizard match this description?

Thanks.
 
Re: Using Whirlwind DA-2 as poor man's press box?

Yeah, passive press boxes work well for smaller events with a limited number of outputs required.
 
Re: Using Whirlwind DA-2 as poor man's press box?

Daniel Postilnik said:
Their passive units require a line-level signal. Would an aux send from a Mixwizard match this description?
Click to expand...

The other easy substitute for a press box is a bunch of passive DIs with the inputs all looped together and fed off a line level aux. Each one has its own transformer and ground lift for isolation, and nobody can feed phantom power back into your equipment. The Press are almost always looking for mic level feeds anyway (and if they expect line level, they either don't know what they're doing, or they have a truck).

GTD
 
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