DJ's with rack mounted pc's, your opinions please.

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SoftJock Rick said:
I'm back to all lappies...

I love my big, honkin' gaming/dev machine, but it uses too much power, and gives off too much EMF. I bought two new lappies -- an ASUS Core 2 Duo, and an ACER Core I5.

I can run both, with 22" monitors, for half the power I was drawing on the big rig :)


Both are closed lids, and run 24x7 -- no heat issues, even this summer, with no A/C in my office! The I5 is much smoother than the Duo BTW. They both give me access to my security DVR (8 channels of video), but the I5 only uses about 2% CPU, while the Duo uses close to 20% for the same thing.

They both have comparable video cards -- 1 GB DDR3.

I'm probably gonna get another ACER (same model), and clone it for the man cave. The ASUS has too much crap on it, and is very hard to tweak without breaking something (driver wise). The ACER was pretty simple to tweak down to less than 50 processes.
Click to expand...

That's been my experience with Acer as well. Lots of crap but it's easy to dump it all. I may just buy an OEM Windows disc while I'm checking out at New Egg and do a fresh install from the gate.

I'm thinking of going laptop only myself. I don't need the kind of computing power you do for compiling and stuff. If you're able to do laptop only I should have no problem. I do really want one of them new Mac Mini's though. However I'd like to consolidate to one many machine instead of always worrying about syncing between my lappy and desktop.

Right now I'm thinking of maxing out the RAM on my desktop and getting a netbook as my portable computer. Not really sure though if I stick with a desktop I want to get an i5 or i7 at least.

</hijack>:sqcool:
 
Big Dan said:
Right now I'm thinking of maxing out the RAM on my desktop and getting a netbook as my portable computer. Not really sure though if I stick with a desktop I want to get an i5 or i7 at least.
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Dude -- you go almost as far from home as I do... :sqerr:

Yer just as bad as I am -- got half the computing power of NASA, ready to travel -- yet we never go anywhere... :sqwink: :sqlaugh:


We should do the FL road trip -- we could take over Air Force One on the train, just for S&G :sqcool: :sqbiggrin: :sqlaugh:
 
We have one rack mounted computer. It's always the last one chosen, so it gets very little use. "Too heavy" is always the gripe


If you keep drinks away from the laptop, and then store the laptop in a good carrying case when it's not in use, you'll most likely get good years out of it.

But my brother has a laptop that's always just sitting around his house. The cat sits on it, I've seen drinks next to it, kids playing with it. The thing looks like it's been through combat.

Don't use your DJ laptop for anything else besides DJing.

If the laptop looks abused, it's either being abused at your shows, or after. Normal use of a laptop should not result in deterioration like that. If it's getting abused at your shows, you need to figure out why. Is someone else getting access to it? Are you allowing people too close to it. Or are you rough with it?

If it's happening after the event, that's even easier to fix.

If you can't use a laptop, I'd consider going with a digital media player before I'd go rack mounted computer
 
It's no wonder so many people are overweight and sick...

Are people really getting that lazy?? my rackmount is heavy...That i will admit.

But then again...so is my amp rack..and my giant, great sounding speakers i bring to every show...(2x18's) i do not even own a pair of single 18 subs.

Are people really that afraid of a lil hard work and sweat?? I just don't get it sometimes...People will go to extremes to not do any work, Then complain, and blame there being overweight on someone else..

I a lil different i guess....I feel really good after i workout, or have a hard day at work...Make me feel good...I accomplished something.
 
Precisionpower said:
It's no wonder so many people are overweight and sick...

Are people really getting that lazy?? my rackmount is heavy...That i will admit.

But then again...so is my amp rack..and my giant, great sounding speakers i bring to every show...(2x18's) i do not even own a pair of single 18 subs.

Are people really that afraid of a lil hard work and sweat?? I just don't get it sometimes...People will go to extremes to not do any work, Then complain, and blame there being overweight on someone else..

I a lil different i guess....I feel really good after i workout, or have a hard day at work...Make me feel good...I accomplished something.
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They are Weenies thats who they are. They want the money without the work. Lots get into the business because they think it is glamorous. The way they talk about lightening their load you would think they are constipated! :sqlaugh:
Don't let it bother you too much. Let them use their plastic speakers and 8lb amps. When people hear true sound systems they will know true appreciation of recorded music.:sqwink:
 
Precisionpower said:
It's no wonder so many people are overweight and sick...

Are people really getting that lazy?? my rackmount is heavy...That i will admit.

But then again...so is my amp rack..and my giant, great sounding speakers i bring to every show...(2x18's) i do not even own a pair of single 18 subs.

Are people really that afraid of a lil hard work and sweat?? I just don't get it sometimes...People will go to extremes to not do any work, Then complain, and blame there being overweight on someone else..

I a lil different i guess....I feel really good after i workout, or have a hard day at work...Make me feel good...I accomplished something.
Click to expand...

I think working out and staying fit is great advice. Having employees lift heavy items when a much lighter item will do is not good business, in my opinion. Even someone very fit can hurt their back or get a hernia lifting something. One injury can make a big difference for a company or an individual.

For me, I have no problem lifting something heavy, if needed. But I have found that with today's technology, many of the tools that are very effective for the way I DJ are very light today.
 
Precisionpower said:
It's no wonder so many people are overweight and sick...

Are people really getting that lazy?? my rackmount is heavy...That i will admit.

But then again...so is my amp rack..and my giant, great sounding speakers i bring to every show...(2x18's) i do not even own a pair of single 18 subs.

Are people really that afraid of a lil hard work and sweat?? I just don't get it sometimes...People will go to extremes to not do any work, Then complain, and blame there being overweight on someone else..

I a lil different i guess....I feel really good after i workout, or have a hard day at work...Make me feel good...I accomplished something.
Click to expand...

Laptops are designed for the rough handling they will receive. Desktops and rackmounted computers are designed to sit in place and not be moved. They are not designed to be portable and their components will come loose eventually. We see connectors and parts popping themselves out of desktops & servers that have never been moved! Subjecting one to bouncing around on the road is not a sign of manliness becuase they are heavy. Why not use the right tool for the job? It's like carrying around heavier install speakers without handles instead of using speakers which are designed to be portable.


Scott
 
ahoustondj said:
They are Weenies thats who they are. They want the money without the work. Lots get into the business because they think it is glamorous. The way they talk about lightening their load you would think they are constipated! :sqlaugh:
Don't let it bother you too much. Let them use their plastic speakers and 8lb amps. When people hear true sound systems they will know true appreciation of recorded music.:sqwink:
Click to expand...

I think those who think and act out this way are overcompensating for the inherent "smallness" they both suffer from....in a number of area's (and not just physically):sqwink:
 
Precisionpower said:
I a lil different i guess....I feel really good after i workout, or have a hard day at work...Make me feel good...I accomplished something.
Click to expand...

I guess I am different too. I feel very good after a job well done. However, I do not feel like I accomplished anything by lifting something heavy when something much lighter would have done the job.

I also believe it is safer to get your exercise during a workout than when lifting heavy items at an event. Lifting weights from a bench is better than lifting heavy items. Many DJs stand for several hours at a time, are very tired, and then lift something very heavy. Ask your doctor or a physical therapist if they would recommend that as a way to get your exercise to stay fit.
 
Steve LeBlanc said:
I think those who think and act out this way are overcompensating for the inherent "smallness" they both suffer from....in a number of area's (and not just physically):sqwink:
Click to expand...

Wow! We have a therapist in the house! :sqwink:
 
Scott Hanna said:
I think working out and staying fit is great advice. Having employees lift heavy items when a much lighter item will do is not good business, in my opinion. Even someone very fit can hurt their back or get a hernia lifting something. One injury can make a big difference for a company or an individual.

For me, I have no problem lifting something heavy, if needed. But I have found that with today's technology, many of the tools that are very effective for the way I DJ are very light today.
Click to expand...

The above words in red is the key phrase in your statement. In my case, the way I DJ, the light stuff just ain't going to cut it for me. Besides, why would I discard something that is already paid off and making full profit for me? If one is fit then load is no problem. Physical injuries can happen to anyone any time and anywhere!
 
ahoustondj said:
The above words in red is the key phrase in your statement. In my case, the way I DJ, the light stuff just ain't going to cut it for me. Besides, why would I discard something that is already paid off and making full profit for me? If one is fit then load is no problem. Physical injuries can happen to anyone any time and anywhere!
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Totally agree. I have never suggested that the way I DJ is the way anyone else should DJ.

I simply don't believe I'm giving MY clients any more value by carrying around a big rig when a laptop does the job perfectly.

And I disagree with the notion that lifting heavy equipment is good for the body. Yes, anyone can get hurt doing anything. But I think the odds are much greater for an injury when lifting heavy equipment.

Also, I never discard equipment. I only buy equipment that has a good resale value. So when the time comes for something new, the older equipment can be sold for a good number. I try to use equipment because it's the best fit for me, not just because it's the stuff I have paid off.
 
Scott...
I'm a farmboy. Work is work to me.. I'd rather get my exercise making money than sitting in the gym watching people struggle...

I also believe in fixing things myself whenever possible. My desktop was torn apart on the pool table at the bar a few times...Simple fix, and i was back in business.Try that with your Laptops! My rackmount hasn't needed anything as of yet...It runs way cooler than your laptop does...Plus..I don't have to worry about someone running away with it if i go to the bathroom or something.

I don't want to show up with my rig in the back seat of a Prius...
I have a box truck for a reason...I put my stuff on a hand cart, And roll it up the ramp..Pretty easy to me, But looks rather difficult to the general public.

I'm doing my part to squash the "Hey i can be a DJ" mentality we see in the post's on Craigslist...They see someone roll up with a lappy and 2 speakers on sticks...and think..."Wow..That looks so easy! I could do that!"

So, then we now have another ****ty "DJ" that has no business being a "DJ"
 
Precisionpower said:
I'm doing my part to squash the "Hey i can be a DJ" mentality we see in the post's on Craigslist...They see someone roll up with a lappy and 2 speakers on sticks...and think..."Wow..That looks so easy! I could do that!"
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Yep.Thats the durn truth. If enough DJs did that, the venues won't be thinking of putting us in the corner like the "regular" DJs.

Besides which..order a cab and you will pay $$
Order a Limo and you will pay $$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Which would one rather own? :sqwink:
 
Precisionpower said:
I'm doing my part to squash the "Hey i can be a DJ" mentality we see in the post's on Craigslist...They see someone roll up with a lappy and 2 speakers on sticks...and think..."Wow..That looks so easy! I could do that!"

So, then we now have another ****ty "DJ" that has no business being a "DJ"
Click to expand...

What we do is different. I don't work at bars. I work mostly at weddings. I'm never concerned about the bride's sister running off with my laptop.

If, at the end of an event that I do, someone says, "Man, that looks super easy, I could do that", blame me, don't blame my laptop.

If one of my laptops went down at an event, I would not attempt to fix it on the pool table. I'd simply use another laptop and fix the broken one back at the shop.

I'm doing my part to make sure people understand that the set up should look classy and professional at weddings and help people understand that the DJ should be classy and professional as well. I don't pretend things need to be bigger than they really need to be.

If what you are doing is working for you, I'm all for it. Keep doing it. But I disagree with earlier statements about heavy lifting being a good fitness program for most people. I think it's really bad advice. While it may work for you, history has proven it doesn't work for most people
 
There is merit to both sides of the argument!:sqbiggrin:
 
Scott Hanna said:
I think it's really bad advice. While it may work for you, history has proven it doesn't work for most people
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Tell that to the old timer farmers....They work everyday 7 days a week.
Many into there 80's & 90's As soon as they "quit" working, And lay around
they don't last long...I know of 2 personally that died within 2 year's of not working.

Believe it or not, The human body is designed to work. 50 years ago the job market was much different..Manual labor was a part of life...And people didn't
have all of the health problems that are such issues today.

25 years of people "lighting up there load" so to speak...Hasn't done much
for the health of the american people.

Am i wrong??
 
OK, I will say it. You are wrong. Long term aerobic activity is great for the body. A farmer working 4-5 hours, taking a 30 minute break and working another 4-5 hours is great for the body. However, hauling heavy gear around for 30 minutes, the sitting idle for 4-6 hours probably eating crappy food, then hauling heavy gear for 30 minutes is not the same and is a recipe for strained muscles.

There is new information that it may be more important to stay mildly active all day long than to exercise vigorously for an hour each day and then sit on your butt for the rest of the day. Idle time sitting seems to be the worst thing you can do. So, back away from the computer and go do something. :sqbiggrin:


Scott
 
Scott Harris said:
, then hauling heavy gear for 30 minutes is not the same and is a recipe for strained muscle


Scott
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It's been quite some time since i've had a strained muscle....Someone that sit's in an office chair all day, Then decides to be Mr.Dj on the weekends might have to worry about that...So far i guess i'm just "Wrong" and possibly abit "lucky"

I've loaded and unloaded a semi full of gear numerous times...And had no strained muscles as a result..I am Lucky..:sqcool:
 
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