dbx ZonePRO 1261 - Digital Zone Processor

dbx ZonePRO 1261 - 12x6 Digital Zone Processor with 2 Mic/Line Inputs and Ethernet Control

The dbx ZonePRO 1261 is a 12-input, 6-output commercial installation audio processor designed to reliably and easily distribute, mix, and process multiple sources in different spaces. It features two switchable mic/line (Euroblock) inputs with 30–60 dB gain and +15 V phantom power , four RCA pairs (mono summed per pair), and one S/PDIF input (up to two digital channels). The architecture is preconfigured —input processing → matrix → output processing—with integrated parametric EQ , AGC , gate , compressor/limiter , de-esser , bandpass/crossover filters , delay , and Advanced Feedback Suppression (AFS) for mic paging. AutoWarmth® is included in each zone to maintain tonal balance at low levels.

Control and monitoring are via Ethernet or RS-232 using ZonePRO Designer software, and the unit can be expanded with ZC wall-mount controllers to provide local access to volume, source selection, or presets without exposing the rack. An RJ-45 Link Bus allows input settings to be duplicated to other units, simplifying installations with multiple outputs. dbx Type IV™ conversion at 48 kHz ensures >110 dB of dynamic range with a typical THD+N of 0.003% , and the 1U chassis integrates easily into any professional rack.

Main features

• Inputs/Outputs : 12x6 with 2x mic/line (Euroblock), 4x RCA pairs (mono-sum) and 1x S/PDIF (up to 2 channels); 6x balanced analog outputs (Euroblock).
• Mic preamps : gain 30–60 dB , phantom +15 V , EIN < −118 dBu (150 Ω).
• DSP processing : Parametric EQ, AGC , gate, compressor/limiter, de-esser, AFS for paging, band/crossover filters, delay and polarity inversion; AutoWarmth® per zone.
• Matrix and Routing : Mixing multiple sources to any zone within the central matrix.
• Control : Ethernet and RS-232 ; compatible with ZC wall controllers (volume/source/scenes) and third-party systems.
• Link Bus : RJ-45 link to duplicate inputs (mic/line and sources 1–4) to another ZonePRO unit.
• Conversion and Performance : dbx Type IV™ A/D, 48 kHz; dynamic range >110 dB , THD+N 0.003% typical; propagation delay 0.6 ms .
• Format : 19”/1U rack; dimensions 44 × 483 × 203 mm ; weight 2.7 kg ; consumption 27 W.

Benefits for the installation

• True flexibility : matrix mixing and routing to send multiple sources to any zone without external consoles.
• Consistent experience : AFS improves intelligibility in announcements and AutoWarmth® maintains tonal body at low levels.
• Scalability : Link Bus makes it easy to extend zones with another unit without reconfiguring.
• Secure control : ZC panels to provide local access to critical functions without exposing rack equipment.

Use cases

• Restaurants and retail : ambient music by zone, priority announcements and ducking , scenes by time slots.
• Gyms and leisure : DJ mixing, streaming, and instructor mic in separate rooms.
• Corporate and education : distribution to lobby, hallways and rooms with selective paging.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does the 1261 have ANC (Ambient Noise Compensation)? No; ambient noise compensation is available on the “m” series models (e.g., 1261m). The 1261 integrates AutoWarmth® , AFS, and the rest of the standard DSP modules.
• How many microphone inputs does it have? The 1261 features two switchable mic/line inputs with hardware gain and +15 V phantom power, in addition to RCA sources and an S/PDIF input.
• What is the Link Bus used for? It's used to copy inputs (mic/line and sources 1–4) to another unit via RJ-45 , making it easier to expand outputs.

Description for projects

dbx ZonePRO 1261 Zone Processor ; 12 Inputs / 6 Outputs : 2 × Mic/Line (Euroblock, >50 kΩ bal./>25 kΩ unbal.; max. +20 dBu; mic gain 30–60 dB; +15 V phantom ; EIN < −118 dBu ), 4 × unbal. RCA pairs (mono-sum; >25 kΩ; max. +12 dBu), 1 × S/PDIF (2 ch); 6 × Euroblock electronically balanced outputs (120 Ω bal./60 Ω unbal.; +20 dBu max); dbx Type IV™ conversion, 48 kHz ; System performance: DR > 110 dB , THD+N 0.003 % typical, 20 Hz–20 kHz ±0.5 dB , delay 0.6 ms , crosstalk >80 dB; RJ-45 Link Bus ; Ethernet /RS-232 and ZC control; power supply 100–240 V~ , 27 W ; 1U chassis, 44 × 483 × 203 mm ; 2.7 kg .