Crest Audio PCX 88 DSP Matrix & Loudspeaker Management Processor
Professional‑grade DSP matrix processor — precise audio routing, speaker management and multi‑zone control for live sound, venues, or installed systems.
The Crest Audio PCX 88 is a DSP‑based digital audio matrix and loudspeaker management system engineered for professional audio installations, venues, clubs, houses of worship, conference halls or touring rigs. Boasting a 96 kHz sample rate and 32‑bit floating‑point SHARC DSP with 24‑bit delta‑sigma A/D and D/A conversion, it delivers clean, high‑fidelity audio with minimal coloration and reliable performance across inputs and outputs. With 8 balanced XLR inputs and 8 balanced XLR outputs — expandable via optional Dante® digital network card for additional 8‑in / 8‑out digital channels over Ethernet — PCX 88 offers flexible routing, crossover and signal processing to manage front‑of‑house, monitors or multi‑zone speaker arrays with ease.
Key Features
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16‑channel DSP matrix (8 analog in / 8 analog out + optional 8 digital in / 8 digital out via Dante): Route any input to any output — ideal for complex, multi‑zone or multi‑speaker setups.
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High‑quality DSP engine: 96 kHz sample rate, 32‑bit SHARC DSP, 24‑bit Delta‑Sigma A/D and D/A converters for transparent, low‑noise audio processing.
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Comprehensive input processing per channel: Gain, mute, high‑pass/low‑pass filters, 5‑band parametric EQ, polarity/phase, noise‑gate, feedback control, automix (for multiple mics) and +48 V phantom power on analog inputs.
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Advanced output processing per channel: HP/LP filters, 5‑band EQ, gain, compressor/limiter, polarity/phase, delay (up to 680 ms), mute — ideal for crossover, subwoofer management or individual zone tuning.
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Flexible crossover/band‑pass filters: Choose between Butterworth, Bessel or Linkwitz‑Riley alignments; orders from 1st (6 dB/oct) up to 4th (24 dB/oct) — useful for speaker tuning and system protection.
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Built‑in signal generator: Sine, pink noise and white noise — useful for system calibration, room tuning or testing.
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Remote configuration & control: Front‑panel USB Type‑B port or rear-panel Ethernet (or legacy serial) — manage multiple units (up to 255) from a PC for large installations.
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Wide dynamic range and high headroom: Input-to-output dynamic range > 110 dB (A‑weighted), max input/output level +20 dBu on balanced XLR — for clean, professional signal quality.
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Rack‑mountable chassis: Standard 19" form factor — suitable for touring racks, installation racks or permanent studio setups.
Technical Specifications
| DSP & Sample Rate |
32‑bit SHARC DSP, 96 kHz sample rate |
| Analog Inputs / Outputs |
8 × balanced XLR inputs, 8 × balanced XLR outputs |
| Digital I/O (optional) |
8 in / 8 out via Dante network audio card (Ethernet) |
| Input Processing |
Gain, mute, HP/LP filter, 5‑band PEQ, polarity/phase, noise gate, feedback suppression, automix, +48 V phantom (analog inputs) |
| Output Processing |
HP/LP filter, 5‑band EQ, gain, compressor/limiter, polarity/phase, delay up to 680 ms, mute |
| Crossover / Filter Types |
Butterworth, Bessel or Linkwitz‑Riley; 1st–4th order (6–24 dB/oct) |
| Signal Generator |
Sine, pink noise, white noise |
| Max Input/Output Level |
+20 dBu (balanced XLR) |
| Dynamic Range (I/O) |
> 110 dB (A‑weighted) |
| Control Interfaces |
Front-panel USB‑B, rear-panel Ethernet (optional serial RS‑232/RS‑485) |
| Rack Size |
19″ standard rack — 1U (height 44.5 mm approx.) |
Best For
- Multi‑zone installations — venues, auditoriums, hotels, corporate buildings, schools — needing flexible audio routing and zone-based control.
- Live sound FOH or monitor rigs — for mixing, processing and routing multiple inputs to multiple speaker outputs with precise DSP control.
- Houses of worship, conference halls, theatres — where speaker management, crossover control, and multi‑input/output handling is essential for clarity and reliability.
- Portable PA setups and touring systems — rack‑mountable, Dante‑ready, and suitable for complex speaker arrangements or mixed analog/digital sources.
- Audio integrators and installers who need a powerful, flexible “brain” for loudspeaker management, crossover control, signal processing, and routing in one device.