Why can't you use 1 smaller screen and just switch between apps or minimize/maximize as needed? Do you need to access both systems all the time?
Building A Podium Style DJ System
- Thread starter DJ Bobcat
- Start date
I could, but the backup computer is PRIMARILY my light (DMX) control and video (more often slideshows) computer, so there are non-music applications running on it all the time. I also use the backup computer to access the Internet during gigs to download music if necessary, and I do that while I'm still mixing on the main DJ computer. It would only become a DJ (Traktor) computer if my main computer fails. It would be cumbersome to use a single monitor.
I haven’t posted in this thread for a while, and frankly, I had put this project on the back burner for a while. I still think about it from time-to-time, but there have been a lot of things that have happened since last September, and quite a bit has changed in the market as well.
I’m sure nobody will remember, but I had already purchased two Nano-PC’s and a PreSonus StudioLive AR8 mixer and conducted some tests with my Pioneer DDJ-T1 in hopes of putting together as system to use with a DJ podium. It worked fine, but I was never very happy with the USB switch that allowed me to share the controller between my primary DJ computer and the backup PC. I really wanted LIVE sharing, which means I need a controller with dual USB ports. At the time, I would have been willing to spend $600 on a good used Denon MC7000. Today there’s a brand new one on eBay for $599, a factory refurbished one for the same price, and another factory refurbished one for $499.
Pretty good deals; right? Problem is; times change. My business has declined. I used to do a lot of political fund raiser events, but several of my best clients have retired from politics. Even my charity fund raisers have declined. I never really had to do any marketing because I was working as much as I wanted (sometimes more) without marketing or advertising. I can’t decide if I want to put in the effort (and investment) to drum up some new business, settle for the few remaining gigs, or call it quits. My business was in the red in 2019 and 2020 is not looking good. Campaign season is just getting under way, and the Caronavirus has put a lot of events on hold.
I have decisions to make. Obviously, buying a new controller under the existing circumstances would be a poor business decision. That never stopped me before though. This time, however, there’s a darn good chance I’d never get to perform with it if I bought it. On the other hand, I can’t stop thinking about the challenge of building a really cool podium system, with better gear than I have in my current two systems. The Denon MC7000 is available at a great price RIGHT NOW, as are the RCF EVOX-J8’s I wanted to use with this system. All I need to do is order them.
I’m sure nobody will remember, but I had already purchased two Nano-PC’s and a PreSonus StudioLive AR8 mixer and conducted some tests with my Pioneer DDJ-T1 in hopes of putting together as system to use with a DJ podium. It worked fine, but I was never very happy with the USB switch that allowed me to share the controller between my primary DJ computer and the backup PC. I really wanted LIVE sharing, which means I need a controller with dual USB ports. At the time, I would have been willing to spend $600 on a good used Denon MC7000. Today there’s a brand new one on eBay for $599, a factory refurbished one for the same price, and another factory refurbished one for $499.
Pretty good deals; right? Problem is; times change. My business has declined. I used to do a lot of political fund raiser events, but several of my best clients have retired from politics. Even my charity fund raisers have declined. I never really had to do any marketing because I was working as much as I wanted (sometimes more) without marketing or advertising. I can’t decide if I want to put in the effort (and investment) to drum up some new business, settle for the few remaining gigs, or call it quits. My business was in the red in 2019 and 2020 is not looking good. Campaign season is just getting under way, and the Caronavirus has put a lot of events on hold.
I have decisions to make. Obviously, buying a new controller under the existing circumstances would be a poor business decision. That never stopped me before though. This time, however, there’s a darn good chance I’d never get to perform with it if I bought it. On the other hand, I can’t stop thinking about the challenge of building a really cool podium system, with better gear than I have in my current two systems. The Denon MC7000 is available at a great price RIGHT NOW, as are the RCF EVOX-J8’s I wanted to use with this system. All I need to do is order them.
I think a few here may have to make that decision over the next few months....
But I appreciate your candor.
Well, I think what you're missing is the shift in paradigm. You have experience with politicians and non-profits. You should be able to adapt their needs, if you pay closer attention to what those needs really are.
DJs are largely obsolete save for very young audiences (Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Sweet 16, 20 somethings.) Your clients are fully capable of providing their own music, or may prefer live musicians or other forms of entertainment.
What politics and non-profits need most is quality delivery of their message and tangible cost to performance ratio. If you can run lighting, audio, and video then you can offer something far more useful than a DJ.
DJs are largely obsolete save for very young audiences (Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Sweet 16, 20 somethings.) Your clients are fully capable of providing their own music, or may prefer live musicians or other forms of entertainment.
What politics and non-profits need most is quality delivery of their message and tangible cost to performance ratio. If you can run lighting, audio, and video then you can offer something far more useful than a DJ.
I haven’t posted in this thread in a while. During that time, many of the decisions I was contemplating, were pretty much made for me. Normally, in an election year, I’d have more business than I can handle. With the pandemic, ALL those fund-raisers I’d expect aren’t happening. Large groups are not permitted in most of the cities and townships in this area, so no big events are being held. My DJ business is essentially DEAD!
I still had plans to build my Podium system this Summer, just for the fun of it. My design calls for a welded metal frame, so I had signed up for a welding class. I always wanted to learn to weld, and this project would have been the perfect opportunity. Unfortunately, my class was canceled because of the stupid virus. No timeframe has been provided yet for when the class will be rescheduled. I could make the frame using wood, but... I don’t want to. I have all the gear for the new system except for the microphone system, and I already know which mic system I’m going to buy; I just haven’t bought it yet. I finally did get the Denon MC 7000 controller I wanted. I bought an open-box special for $650 and it’s just like new. I’ve been playing with it for several weeks, and I’m pretty pleased with it. However, It’s quite large, so the only way I could use it for a gig (without the podium) would be to set it up on a 4 foot table, which is the way it’s setup in my office right now. I really don’t care for that look unless it’s behind a facade, and I’m not interested in going that route. So I’ll wait for my welding class to build the custom podium... unless I get impatient and hire someone to build my frame. I plan to cover the exterior of the podium with composite material covered in leather. The top surfaces will be wood. It should be stunning!
I still had plans to build my Podium system this Summer, just for the fun of it. My design calls for a welded metal frame, so I had signed up for a welding class. I always wanted to learn to weld, and this project would have been the perfect opportunity. Unfortunately, my class was canceled because of the stupid virus. No timeframe has been provided yet for when the class will be rescheduled. I could make the frame using wood, but... I don’t want to.
I have all the gear for the new system except for the microphone system, and I already know which mic system I’m going to buy; I just haven’t bought it yet. I finally did get the Denon MC 7000 controller I wanted. I bought an open-box special for $650 and it’s just like new. I’ve been playing with it for several weeks, and I’m pretty pleased with it. However, It’s quite large, so the only way I could use it for a gig (without the podium) would be to set it up on a 4 foot table, which is the way it’s setup in my office right now. I really don’t care for that look unless it’s behind a facade, and I’m not interested in going that route. So I’ll wait for my welding class to build the custom podium... unless I get impatient and hire someone to build my frame. I plan to cover the exterior of the podium with composite material covered in leather. The top surfaces will be wood. It should be stunning!
Mix knows a great Pleather shop if you need one ..I haven’t posted in this thread in a while. During that time, many of the decisions I was contemplating, were pretty much made for me. Normally, in an election year, I’d have more business than I can handle. With the pandemic, ALL those fund-raisers I’d expect aren’t happening. Large groups are not permitted in most of the cities and townships in this area, so no big events are being held. My DJ business is essentially DEAD!
I still had plans to build my Podium system this Summer, just for the fun of it. My design calls for a welded metal frame, so I had signed up for a welding class. I always wanted to learn to weld, and this project would have been the perfect opportunity. Unfortunately, my class was canceled because of the stupid virus. No timeframe has been provided yet for when the class will be rescheduled. I could make the frame using wood, but... I don’t want to.
Got a letter from the Community College about my welding class. It seems they are starting in-person classes in September, but limiting class sizes and scheduling multiple classes throughout the coming year. The earliest class I can attend is in January. I’m gonna go ahead and accept it, but I’m OLD! Who knows if I’ll even be alive in January?
Did you ever get a chance to play around with the DJ-Tech Mouse??
Yes... I need to do a review on it some time. I still have it connected to one of my laptops and continue to play around with it from time-to-time. It’s a TOY.
The truth is I kinda got enamored with Mixxx, which is a SERIOUS piece of software that DJ’s can really use.
Agreed! There's usually two or three updates per day to the Beta, which is good - that usually means a lot of people are playing with it. Nice to see them getting that kind of a response!
IMHO, Mix should use Mixxx.Who's enamored with Mix ..