| Sabine Navigator NAV4800 System Processor [message #159507] |
Mon, 30 October 2006 10:18  |
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The good folks at PSW Road Test sent me a nice new Sabine NAV4800 Navigator 4x8 DSP Unit. I've had the chance to put it to work at a few shows so far and the experience has been positive.
Initial impressions:
Build quality of the unit is fairly solid. From my understanding, these units are very similar if not identical to the Xilica DLP4080 processors. It comes shipped with a copy of the control software and all the paperwork. Right out of the box the unit is easy to navigate (as the namesake would suggest.) It does seem to take a long time to boot compared to the XTA and DBX Driverack units.
In Use:
I programmed it for my first show via the front panel with ease. As many of you know, some DSP units are a bit clumsy to work with if you're not programming them on a PC, but this wasn't the case. The first show was a simple rig...a GL3300 console to the navigator to a couple compact speakers on poles and a pair of SB1000 subs. The navigator performed well.
I decided to program it for a stereo 4-way system (Turbo Flashlight) via the control interface software (see screenshots below.) The software is easy to use and is very straightforward. Enough DSP horsepower is available for any application that I can think of.
In use with the Flashlight system, unscientific listening tests proved that it sounded as good as my usual flavor of DSP (XTA DP226 or Driverack 480.) I can't say how the EQ filters sounded, as the Flashlight boxes do not require any output EQ as per the factory settings. I assume the output parametrics sound as good as anything.
The Navigator offers a pretty good DSP package (4x8 in 1U of rack space) for a competitive price. For those of us who can't afford a Dolby Lake or an XTA DP448, the Sabine NAV series are a good option. They're also available in 3x6 and 8x8 models.
Good:
-Full featured, affordable DSP
-Flexible Routing
-Software Interface is well designed
-Decent sound quality
-Easy to use
Not as good:
-Encoder wheel on front panel seems fidgety
-Takes longer than expected to boot up
See below for some pics.
-JB
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| Re: Sabine Navigator NAV4800 System Processor [message #159509 is a reply to message #159508 ] |
Mon, 30 October 2006 10:20  |
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Screenshot of the Navigator software with a Flashlight program:
Attachment: navigator.JPG
(Size: 91.96KB, Downloaded 1958 time(s))
[Updated on: Mon, 30 October 2006 10:20]
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| Re: Sabine Navigator NAV4800 System Processor [message #159751 is a reply to message #159509 ] |
Tue, 31 October 2006 01:22 |
 Matt McCord
Messages: 93
Registered: July 2005
Location: Norman, Ok |
Nothing Better To Do |
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When you say that it takes longer than expected to boot, how long does it actually take? I'm considering the NAV3600 for a system that I'm designing and so it would be very helpful to know. Thank you for your review.
Matt McCord
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| Re: Sabine Navigator NAV4800 System Processor [message #159980 is a reply to message #159751 ] |
Wed, 01 November 2006 03:08 |
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Matt,
I just got a NAV3600 based on the 3x6 configuration and my need for stereo 2-way plus sub mix. The specs and features are impressive for the price.
I just powered up the NAV3600.
start up: 15-20sec to fire up with last used program
loading a new program: 15-20 sec
No huge issue but much slower that the Driveracks I am used to.
15-20 sec would seem an eternity if a power issue caused a reboot in the middle of a show... i just tried flipping the switch off and on as quick as possible to see if there was any forgiveness for a less than 1 second loss of power... nope...
You should know that the NAV3600 has only 2 lines of display as opposed to 3 lines on the 4xxx models. This makes it slower to program as you have to page more. I have only powered it up on my desk, paged through the menus and browsed the manual. I created a simple program and saved it with a name but it wont reload properly. I haven't hooked it up to anything yet. It doesn't seem to have any presets so you have to start from scratch (unless some are on the CD ROM). okay i see the website seems to have added presets...maybe new models will come loaded.
Also - i figured it out - it only saves 30 programs and I saved my test program in space 31... somehow it let's you think you are saving to #31 when it doesn't have a space for it.. (maybe it's the temporary storage space?)
I am not slamming the NAV3600, just letting you know what I noticed so far. I do not plan on doing very much programming without a computer interface.
FYI Mine is firmware v5.10... one rev behind
I am hoping the sound quality makes me forget about these EARLY disappointments (mainly because I did not realize there was such a rudimentary screen, an assumption on my part)
John Brearton
The Right Sound Company
http://www.therightsoundco.com
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| Re: Sabine Navigator NAV4800 System Processor [message #161453 is a reply to message #159980 ] |
Wed, 08 November 2006 11:52 |
Doran Oster
Messages: 17
Registered: November 2004
Location: Alachua, FL |
Here Often |
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Sabine is releasing a new firmware rev soon that speeds up the process of loading preset programs. We recommend using a computer to for the initial Navigator programming and reserve the front panel for tweaks in the field. The front panel design allows you to select some or all channels and update them simultaneously. This is much easier than editing one channel and then copying the edit to other channels.
A new computer interface scheduled for release at the end of the year. It is even more intuitive than the current version. Firmware and software upgrades can be downloaded free from our website www.Sabine.com and they are backwards compatible.
I look forward to your comments about the sound quality, flexibility, and the quality of the interface. Call me at Sabine if you have any questions.
Doran Oster,
President
Sabine, Inc.
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| Re: Sabine Navigator NAV4800 System Processor [message #161463 is a reply to message #161453 ] |
Wed, 08 November 2006 13:09 |
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| Doran wrote on Wed, 08 November 2006 12:52 |
Sabine is releasing a new firmware rev soon that speeds up the process of loading preset programs. We recommend using a computer to for the initial Navigator programming and reserve the front panel for tweaks in the field. The front panel design allows you to select some or all channels and update them simultaneously. This is much easier than editing one channel and then copying the edit to other channels.
A new computer interface scheduled for release at the end of the year. It is even more intuitive than the current version. Firmware and software upgrades can be downloaded free from our website www.Sabine.com and they are backwards compatible.
I look forward to your comments about the sound quality, flexibility, and the quality of the interface. Call me at Sabine if you have any questions.
Doran Oster,
President
Sabine, Inc.
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Hey stranger, good to see you!
The mods are going to ask you to add your last name to your profile, just thought I would give you a heads up on that.
New product looks nice!
Phill Graham
Doctoral Candidate
Georgia Tech
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| Re: Sabine Navigator NAV4800 System Processor [message #161772 is a reply to message #159507 ] |
Thu, 09 November 2006 18:04 |
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Jeff Knorr - Cobra Sound
Messages: 494
Registered: April 2004
Location: Berwick, PA |
Has No Life |
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We have been using the Nav-3600's with Ethernet this summer with great success. The sound quality has been very good and the built-in FBX capabilities have helped us make the most of some non-ideal situations. It is possible to make changes through the front panel but it is definitely easier with the help of the GUI. I'm looking forward to the GUI revisions and can't wait to try them out.
Jeff
PS. The NAV-3600's work great for using subs off of an aux send (and thus why we originally replaced DriveRack 260's).
[Updated on: Fri, 10 November 2006 18:11]
Cobra Sound
An authorized Allen&Heath, Ashly Audio, Audix, BenQ, Da-Lite, Danley Sound Labs, FBT, Mackie/TT24, QSC Audio, RCF, Sabine, Whirlwind, and Yorkville Sound dealer
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| Re: Sabine Navigator NAV4800 System Processor [message #163156 is a reply to message #159507 ] |
Wed, 15 November 2006 13:28 |
Jens Droessler
Messages: 344
Registered: May 2004
Location: Germany |
Has No Life |
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Has anyone compared the Sabine units to the original Xilica ones, feature-wise and handling-wise (firmware, PC software)?
"The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either."
You Americans better remember the words of your founding fathers and keep on reminding your government.
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| Re: Sabine Navigator NAV4800 System Processor [message #164237 is a reply to message #159507 ] |
Mon, 20 November 2006 16:53 |
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This thread had been "sabine's party" so to speak, so I wasn't gonna ask. Now that the Xilica name has been mentioned, however.... What are the differences between these two (as well as the adamson and community OEM), aside from the obvious fbx stuff, and any "our speaker box" settings??
Lee Jacobson
Technical Director
Brevard Sound Systems
Titusville, FL
321 225 2539
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| Re: Sabine Navigator NAV4800 System Processor [message #164256 is a reply to message #164237 ] |
Mon, 20 November 2006 18:00 |
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My understanding is that the Sabine Navigator goes beyond a simple re-brand. They've re-written parts of the firmware in the box to fit in their feedback killing algorithms, I was told they've cleaned up some of the existing code, and of course you get Sabine's software and support, which may be a big point for you.
-- Bennett Prescott
Director of North American Sales
EONA ADRaudio d.o.o.
Cell: (518) 488-7190
An amateur practices until they get it right. A professional practices until they can't get it wrong.
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| Re: Sabine Navigator NAV4800 System Processor [message #164262 is a reply to message #159507 ] |
Mon, 20 November 2006 18:38 |
Jens Droessler
Messages: 344
Registered: May 2004
Location: Germany |
Has No Life |
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Yeah, my question mainly aimed at that part.
Let's whisper a bit: Maybe one can put in the Sabine firmware in the original Xilicas.... I think the original Xilicas would be cheaper...
"The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either."
You Americans better remember the words of your founding fathers and keep on reminding your government.
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