Products / Loudspeakers

CSM Series

Concert Stage Monitors

Information on Positioning & Application

By Brian English

The CSM Series is designed as a “Best in Class” stage monitor system package focused at competing with any high-end monitor product in the global pro audio market today. Its technology, physical design attributes and output performance stand alone in comparison to all other high end stage monitors. Achieving all this requires very specific power and digital processing. The amazing performance of the CSM models is a result of extensive and sophisticated application of digital signal processing. The processing algorithms can not be readily replicated on other DSP platforms.

CSM Series speakers are designed only for use with the appropriate QSC processing. QSC will not offer these products for sale or demonstration in applications where non-QSC processing will be used.

Download DSP voicing files for CSM Series

All three models in the series, the CSM10, CSM12 & CSM15 require:

• One channel of a PL380 for the LF driver. Up to four monitors of the same model may be driven.
• One channel of a PL325, PL340 or PL380 for the HF compression driver. Up to four monitors of the same model may be driven.
• A digital controller from the QSControl.net series of processors (i.e. – BASIS XXXxx, RAVE XXXxx or DSP XXXxx). One processor is required for every four mixes

The criteria for selecting the proper QSControl DSP controller is whether or not the application requires digital inputs (CobraNet or AES), or the use of a non data-port amplifier. Which ever QSControl processor is selected, it is limited to four separate mixes per processor (regardless of outputs available) due to the DSP resources required to process those mixes.

The BASIS, RAVE or DSP unit becomes in essence a “black box” processor because four separate mixes will use the majority of internal available DSP processing power of that unit. However, each mix will include a user adjustable six-band parametric EQ and a compressor/limiter, as well as a pink noise generator.

If additional digital processing (graphic EQ; delay; mixers, etc) is required for the system, an additional RAVE unit must be included as a “front end master controller”, that will feed the “black box” controllers in the system digitally via CobraNet (up to sixteen mixes). Both solutions will include their own custom GUI control panels.

The CSM speakers also have an internal passive crossover to allow use in full range, utility application. Separate QSControl DSP files will be used to optimize their performance in passive / full-range mode. The internal cross-over will be just that – a simple crossover with no tuning or EQ contour. Without the processor in line, its performance will be quite ordinary comparatively speaking.

A minimum 4-mix system package includes:

• Four CSM loud speakers - any mix of models – multiple (same model) units can be combined / jumped together per mix.
• One BASIS unit - 922az (with CobraNet), 722az (without CobraNet); 922dz (AES inputs)
• Two PL325 amplifiers (HF)
• Two PL380 amplifiers (LF)

If non-data port amps are too be used in system you must use:

• One RAVE522aa or a DSP322ua as the processor
• LF amplifier must deliver at least 1500W @ 8Ω; 2500W @ 4Ω & 4000W @ 2Ω
• HF amplifier must deliver at least 500W @ 8Ω; 850W @ 4Ω & 1250W @ 2Ω
  

NOTE: All CSM Series monitors use 8Ω components so in Bi-amp or Passive/Full-range each unit represents an 8Ω load per amp channel.

The processor settings along with a step-by-step guide to loading them into BASIS, RAVE or DSP processors are available on the QSC web site.

Q&A

Q: Why won't my current processing work just as well? Can't you just tell me what the settings are and I'll load them into my Lake, DriveRack, XTA, etc.?

A: The days of simple processor settings consisting of a crossover point and slope plus a few EQ bumps and dips are long gone. Systems today incorporate far more sophisticated settings that include time/phase adjustments, narrow band EQ, complex dynamic processing and more. Various processors handle these functions in different ways. Much of what we were able to accomplish with CSM is the result of precise application of signal processing. If one were to take the parameters from processor A and input them exactly into competing processor B, the results will not be the same and the magic won't be there. This isn't about QSC trying to sell more DSP boxes. This is about the entire CSM system being capable of performing to its full and impressive potential.

Wiring Diagrams

Click any of the diagrams below to open a larger version

Basis Custom GUI Control Panel

RAVE Front-end Custom GUI Control Panel

CSM Intro  Specifications   Dimensions