xilica xp-4080

Been playing around with the XILICA XP-4080 today. Linked all 3 together using an ethernet switch and got the Xpanel communicating with the units.

The software was a bit of a pain to get going, until i figured out that i had to assign my pc a static ip address the program would crash every time i tried to get the units on line. On line manuals are quite vague so i can imagine there might be a bit more of this sort of fun and games to come!

The xpanel is brilliant software wise. Every parameter you can allow it to modify has max and min settings that are software based, all unit functions are available to be assigned to it but obviously its down to you. Only thing i would say is the buttons are a bit flimsy, would much prefer some nice rubber ones but overall build quality is pretty good.

The XP-4080 is a 4 input 8 ouptut unit based around there earlier models that i think many of us are familiar with. The Screen only has 2 lines, few some reason i was under the impression it would of kept the same, larger screen used on its predecessor. This makes inputting data from the front panel a little bit slow but its the same layout as the dp range so it takes no time to get around once you've had a look around.

One thing i did notice on the software for the unit was that it has a compressor available to you across the input. At last i say! I spoke to the guys at XTA a while ago about offering this on a 1048 so you weren't relying on the output limiters to protect the speakers from destruction in an install but i think it fell on deaf ears. This means that in an install situation you aren't relying on the output limiters to keep the system safe when your not around, this results in much smoother limiting when the unit is under heavy load.

This means now the drawmer speaker protectors could be a thing of the past, not that i don't like the units, i just prefer keeping the total number of units in the signal path to an absolute minimum. Also with the control units in most installs being locked this means no fiddling which is also a bonus.

The front panel doesn't have any buttons to let you access the input and output controls by the looks of it. Each channel has a mute button but these units are obviously laptop only. The front panel has usb and rs 232 inputs and the on the rear there is an Ethernet input so i guess they've covered all the bases.

Not actually had any audio through these ones yet, will let you know how that goes when it happens but first impressions are all good!

B

I use them on my installs

Bryan M wrote: ..The front panel doesn't have any buttons to let you access the input and output controls by the looks of it. Each channel has a mute button but these units are obviously laptop only... Not actually had any audio through these ones yet, will let you know how that goes when it happens but first impressions are all good! B

If I understand you right .. not laptop only.. 

You can access to all features without laptop (of course if you know password - if it is set).
To select inputs or outputs you want to control or change parameters keep pressed one of "menu" buttons (same left or right) .. and while "menu" is pressed just press button under channels you want to control.

You can select only one output or select/deselect more of them at will by pressing "mute" buttons under each channel level meters (as said..while keeping "menu button pressed).
When output(s) or input(s) is selected green LED will lit on so you see on which channels you work

Than it is pretty intuitive -easy ..
"menu" buttons will move you from page - to page
"cursor" buttons move you through parameters and "sub-pages" of each page .. (huhhh) :)
"rotating dial" ..change values ..

Only setting or changing password/locking depth can be done only through laptop. .. (however can be unlocked without laptop but at power off-on will  be returnrd in "locked" state).

bump , what's the verdict these days? 

how do i make a 3 way stereo programme in xilica xp4080

It's not totally clear how to use these when not using them through the laptop interface .