Qsc PLD4.2 Owner's Manual
Multi-Channel System
Processing Amplifiers
Processing Amplifiers
PLD Series
PLD4.2 | PLD4.3 | PLD4.5
PLD4.2 | PLD4.3 | PLD4.5
Features
• Total power up to 5,000 watts.
• Flexible Amplifier Summing
Technology
™
(FAST) drives most any
loudspeaker system or configuration
by distributing total amplifier power
across one, two, three or all four
channels.
by distributing total amplifier power
across one, two, three or all four
channels.
• Four channels of full function
onboard loudspeaker DSP with
Crossover and Parametric EQ Filters,
Limiting and Alignment Delay
eliminate the need for outboard
loudspeaker processors.
Crossover and Parametric EQ Filters,
Limiting and Alignment Delay
eliminate the need for outboard
loudspeaker processors.
• Powerful Intrinsic Correction™
processing maximizes the sonic
performance of QSC loudspeakers.
performance of QSC loudspeakers.
• 20 Factory Preset configurations
that can be modified and stored in
the 50 User Presets.
the 50 User Presets.
• PowerLight universal switchmode
power supply with PFC for
highest effiency, improved audio
performance, and low weight.
highest effiency, improved audio
performance, and low weight.
• Four Input XLR connectors, and six
NL-4 Output connectors.
• Integrated front panel with channel
Select and Mute buttons, Input and
Output LED Metering, 400x240 LCD,
intuitive navigation buttons, LED
power button and indicator, and
cast aluminum handles.
Output LED Metering, 400x240 LCD,
intuitive navigation buttons, LED
power button and indicator, and
cast aluminum handles.
• Preset Wizard simplifies amplifier
configuration providing loudspeaker
selection from a list of the top
selling passive speakers.
selection from a list of the top
selling passive speakers.
The QSC PLD Series represents a
revolutionary advancement in amplifier
technology and innovation. Designed
specifically for the needs of portable and
production sound system users, PLD provides
efficient, robust and extraordinarily high
fidelity power to drive multiple channels
and configurations of loudspeakers while
simultaneously deploying sophisticated
digital processing – all with minimal operator
complexity. The PLD Series consists of three
powerful, lightweight, four-channel amplifiers,
each with onboard, advanced DSP and the
capability to configure and combine channels
in various ways to drive a wide range of
loudspeaker systems. These amplifiers not
only make your system perform better today,
but also provide a wide and flexible range of
options for future system growth.
revolutionary advancement in amplifier
technology and innovation. Designed
specifically for the needs of portable and
production sound system users, PLD provides
efficient, robust and extraordinarily high
fidelity power to drive multiple channels
and configurations of loudspeakers while
simultaneously deploying sophisticated
digital processing – all with minimal operator
complexity. The PLD Series consists of three
powerful, lightweight, four-channel amplifiers,
each with onboard, advanced DSP and the
capability to configure and combine channels
in various ways to drive a wide range of
loudspeaker systems. These amplifiers not
only make your system perform better today,
but also provide a wide and flexible range of
options for future system growth.
Flexible Amplifier Summing
Technology™ (FAST)
Technology™ (FAST)
PLD amplifiers feature Flexible Amplifier
Summing Technology™ (FAST) that actively
distributes the total amplifier power in various
combinations across one, two, three, or all
four outputs. This flexibility allows PLD Series
amplifiers to drive (for example) four full-
range loudspeakers or subwoofers; a high-
power subwoofer and a bi-amplified speaker;
a single high-power full-range loudspeaker
and subwoofer combo; or multiple power-
hungry subwoofers from a single, very high
output mono-block.
Summing Technology™ (FAST) that actively
distributes the total amplifier power in various
combinations across one, two, three, or all
four outputs. This flexibility allows PLD Series
amplifiers to drive (for example) four full-
range loudspeakers or subwoofers; a high-
power subwoofer and a bi-amplified speaker;
a single high-power full-range loudspeaker
and subwoofer combo; or multiple power-
hungry subwoofers from a single, very high
output mono-block.
Advanced Amplifier Technology
The PLD Series amplifiers use QSC fourth
generation class-D power amp design in
combination with a custom power stage
utilizing a new, purpose-built output device.
These innovative MOSFET devices provide
high voltage operation without needing a full
bridge output and offer superior audio quality
due to co-location of the semiconductors.
Additionally PLD amps benefit from the
famed and road-proven PowerLight power
supply, further enhanced with Power Factor
Correction (PFC) that aligns the current
waveform with the AC mains voltage
waveform. PFC enables PLD Series amps to
draw current from the wall in a more efficient
and controlled manner resulting in incredible
power from a single standard AC breaker.
Additionally, the PLD Series amps offer multi-
stage sleep modes, saving energy when
possible without ever sacrificing performance.
generation class-D power amp design in
combination with a custom power stage
utilizing a new, purpose-built output device.
These innovative MOSFET devices provide
high voltage operation without needing a full
bridge output and offer superior audio quality
due to co-location of the semiconductors.
Additionally PLD amps benefit from the
famed and road-proven PowerLight power
supply, further enhanced with Power Factor
Correction (PFC) that aligns the current
waveform with the AC mains voltage
waveform. PFC enables PLD Series amps to
draw current from the wall in a more efficient
and controlled manner resulting in incredible
power from a single standard AC breaker.
Additionally, the PLD Series amps offer multi-
stage sleep modes, saving energy when
possible without ever sacrificing performance.
The result is an exceptionally powerful and
flexible platform that offers low weight and
outstanding efficiency.
flexible platform that offers low weight and
outstanding efficiency.
System Processing
PLD Series is more than just an amplifier; it is
also a capable and sophisticated loudspeaker
processor. The close integration of processing
and amplification allows the DSP to monitor
and better respond to amplifier behavior,
making dynamics processing far more accurate
and effective than that typically achieved with
separate components. This synergistic approach
employs both RMS and Peak Limiters that allow
the combination of amplifier and loudspeaker
to produce more output without being pushed
to distortion or destruction.
also a capable and sophisticated loudspeaker
processor. The close integration of processing
and amplification allows the DSP to monitor
and better respond to amplifier behavior,
making dynamics processing far more accurate
and effective than that typically achieved with
separate components. This synergistic approach
employs both RMS and Peak Limiters that allow
the combination of amplifier and loudspeaker
to produce more output without being pushed
to distortion or destruction.
In addition to the dynamics processing,
the onboard DSP offers four channels of
crossover filters, parametric EQ, and alignment
delay - everything needed to optimize a
loudspeaker system. PLD amplifiers also offer
Intrinsic Correction™, a combination of IIR
and FIR Filtering and loudspeaker processing
methodology first developed for our WideLine
line array loudspeakers. Intrinsic Correction
compensates for the non-linearities in
loudspeaker array and horn design and results
in notably superior performance from your
QSC loudspeakers.
the onboard DSP offers four channels of
crossover filters, parametric EQ, and alignment
delay - everything needed to optimize a
loudspeaker system. PLD amplifiers also offer
Intrinsic Correction™, a combination of IIR
and FIR Filtering and loudspeaker processing
methodology first developed for our WideLine
line array loudspeakers. Intrinsic Correction
compensates for the non-linearities in
loudspeaker array and horn design and results
in notably superior performance from your
QSC loudspeakers.
Preset Wizardry
The on-board processing is managed and
stored as presets, with 20 factory presets for
the most common loudspeaker applications.
For greater customization, the built-in Preset
Wizard streamlines amplifier setup and
provides loudspeaker selection from a list
of top selling passive loudspeakers.
stored as presets, with 20 factory presets for
the most common loudspeaker applications.
For greater customization, the built-in Preset
Wizard streamlines amplifier setup and
provides loudspeaker selection from a list
of top selling passive loudspeakers.
Space Efficient
With four channels of amplification plus drive
rack signal processing in just 2RU, the PLD
Series replaces equipment taking up as much
as three times the rack-space.
rack signal processing in just 2RU, the PLD
Series replaces equipment taking up as much
as three times the rack-space.
Simple to Use
With a dedicated front panel UI complete with
LED meters and indicators, a 400x240 TFT
color display, a rotary encoder and ergonomic
navigation buttons, PLD amplifiers provide an
intuitive interface for the user to control the
system. The simplicity of the PLD amps is
further illustrated by the fact that a complete
system can be set up in mere minutes.
LED meters and indicators, a 400x240 TFT
color display, a rotary encoder and ergonomic
navigation buttons, PLD amplifiers provide an
intuitive interface for the user to control the
system. The simplicity of the PLD amps is
further illustrated by the fact that a complete
system can be set up in mere minutes.