Product Description for the Yorkville UP215 Stereo Processor for U215

Every Unity™ enclosure can be used with an optional, dedicated stereo processor, which is designed to optimize the performance of that specific cabinet. The 19" rack-mountable processors interface between the output of the mixer and the input of the power amplifier(s) to provide both pre-equalization and crossover facilities, plus enhanced subsonic protection and hum-rejection.

Subwoofer outputs feature user variable 90Hz to 150Hz crossover frequency controls. Bass frequencies destined for the full-range enclosure's woofer, which are more effectively reproduced by the subwoofer, are rolled off. A two or three way system can be achieved by adding a subwoofer to your existing élite system. Additional features include push buttons for live/playback mode, bi-amp/full range mode and subwoofer in/out.

All processors feature balanced 1/4" TRS (XLR optional) inputs and outputs and can be used with all Yorkville subwoofers – they are even compatible with our competitor's subs! All feature a signal-to-noise ratio of better than 97dB and a max output of 8Vrms, 20dBm at 1kHz.

Question - If I’m not bi-amping the system, do I still need the processor?

Answer - Unity™ boxes do sound great on their own, without much tweaking or external processing. The simple answer is no, you don’t absolutely need it, as much as you may want it after trying the system with and without the processor.

Confused? Don’t be. In reality, all of the Unity™ cabinets will operate just fine without the processor in the system. There is a tuned passive crossover network in every élite loudspeaker, and the component protection is part of that crossover network. (Unlike the processed TX systems where that processor is the only crossover system, and is integral to protect the components.)

However, there are advantages to having that processor around.

First of all, the élite processors are designed for specific cabinets and must be used in the right combination. If you’re using the U15 then there is the UP15 processor, likewise the U215 should have a UP215 processor. The reason for this is that our processors provide a proper overall pre-EQ’d tone and are tweaked for their specific cabinets. They take into account the cabinet’s design characteristics and know where to boost and to cut some frequencies for optimum even and most efficient response.

When using Unity™ cabinets with subwoofers, the processor becomes the active crossover as well. Again, it optimizes the frequency response of the ‘top’ cabinet, taking into account that there is a subwoofer present, and properly crosses over and phase aligns the system. Simply throw the switch on the processor from one-way to two-way mode and the crossover kicks in, the top box becomes smooth mids and highs only, and you have a balanced output to feed the low frequency program to a subwoofer system.

Larger élite cabinets like the U215, and U15 can be bi-amped internally and the processor is by far your most cost effective solution. Again, by switching into three-way mode in a U215 the processor EQ’s for the bi-amped system set up, and provides balanced outputs to feed the multiple amplifier array.