Another re-working project complete!
This project was pretty easy compared to the last time I reworked my Small System (last year), and certainly easier than my recent Large System Reworking Project. There were no rack case modifications with this project, other than some mods to a couple of the panels that attach to the case. Easy stuff. My objectives for this project were not of the extremely challenging variety.
So how did I do? Let’s start with the first objective…
1. I want to put a 1U mixer in the Small System rack; preferably one with Bluetooth capability… CHECK (kinda)
… I Bought a Rolls RM69 for $148.99. I connected my Controller to it, as well as my backup computer and two wireless microphones. It doesn’t have Bluetooth built-in, but that’s OK… I bought a Bluetooth receiver and hooked it up to one of the available channels, and I had one spare channel for hooking up to a 1/4” jack on the patch panel (for an auxiliary input). While maybe not the PERFECT mixer, I think it’s gonna work well for this Small System.
The next objective…
2. I want to figure out a way to incorporate my Floating Facade to be usable with my Small System… CHECK!
... This one took a little work, but I built a hanging bracket that hooks onto the table frame of my 30”x30” DJ table. Then the Floating Facade can be attached to the hanging bracket in much the same way it attaches to my Large System… The Floating Facade sits in a channel at the bottom of the rack, and latches to the top of the bracket (just as it does to the slider in my Large System). It doesn’t exactly float, because the table has no casters, but it does sit a couple of inches off the floor. The hanging bracket is mostly made of square aluminum tubing , L shaped aluminum trim (I used to make the U channel out of), and aluminum strips (to make the hangers). The cost for materials was about $35.
When the Floating Facade is attached, it looks very much like the Large System I recently updated...
... And I really like the clean look behind the facade...
... Actually much cleaner than the Large System since there are no wireless microphone antennas back there.
The next objective was too easy…
3. I need more outlets on the back, so I need to change out the PDU for a rack-mount power strip like the ones in my Large System… CHECK!
... I removed the PDU from the back of the Small System rack case and replaced it with a CyberPower CPS1215RMS power strip I purchased for $48.28. Six outlets on the front, and six more on the other side (inside the rack case). It doubled the number of outlets on the outside, and added an additional outlet to the inside. Good thing too, because I added more electrical components to the system.
The next objective wasn’t so difficult to accomplish…
4. I need to find a better way to attach a backup computer. CHECK!
… at least it wasn’t difficult once I decided WHICH backup option to choose. I could have opted to use a laptop or a tablet. I elected to use my Surface Pro tablet. I’m a little surprised at myself for selecting this option because of the small screen size. But the way it’s mounted puts it close enough that I think I can deal with it. I’ll continue to carry the laptop that I had been using as my backup, so if the tablet doesn’t work out, I can always switch. AND… I carry my iPad Mini too, which can NOW be connected via Bluetooth for playing just a few tracks if I need a few minutes to make any adjustments with my backup system. I plan to have the Surface Pro up and running in parallel with my main computer, so I don’t expect to use the iPad, but I’ll have it if I need it. As for the better way to attach the backup system, I definitely accomplished that with the laptop stand and robotic arm I attach to my rack case. It works perfectly, and I went ahead and bought an Ethernet switch so I could connect the Surface Pro to my Dell AIO in order to share the mouse and keyboard. Since I already had the iPad Mini and the Surface Pro, the only other costs for this objective were (1) $37.22 ($26.99 +shipping and tax) for the power cord with the transformer in the plug; (2) $49.99 for the DJay Pro software I’ll run on the Surface Pro; (3) $25.59 ($17.99 + $5.99 Shipping & Handling, $1.61 Tax) for the Ethernet Switch; (4) $30.20 ($23.00 + $7.20 Shipping) for the NI Traktor Audio 2 DJ sound card, and; - $59.24 for miscellaneous Cables and Connectors. I might use Traktor, or I might use DJay Pro… not sure yet. It’s gonna take a little practice for me to become as proficient with DJay Pro as I am with Traktor, but I have the time to practice. After getting everything hooked up, and while testing the backup computer, I realized I needed a way to control the headphone volume. The volume control was on the Audio 2 DJ sound card, which was mounted on the shelf inside the rack. Getting to it, while possible, was not practical, so I purchased and installed a Remote Amplifier Level Controller- $8.71. Total expended on the backup computer and peripherals; $245.94.
And finally, the last objective…
5. I would like to change the way I transport my Small System rack.
This objective… well… Not gonna happen… at least not for now. I was thinking about building a case on wheels (to hold the small rack system) that converted into a table. I think it’s a pretty cool idea, and I may yet build it. However, I built the Hanging Bracket for my Floating Façade to hang on the frame of my existing 30”x30” DJ Table, so a new table would require modifications to the bracket (or a completely different bracket). I think I’ll just continue to use my current table for now. The soft-sider Gator case with wheels that I currently use to transport my Small System is fine, and it has the extra space inside I’ll need to carry the laptop stand/robotic arm as well. I’ll keep my eyes open for a better option.
There was the one little add-on. I made a mobile (rolling) platform that I could set my table frame up on so I could move (turn) my entire Small System around while I was working on it. Not something I’ll likely take to (use, need at) a gig, but it sure made moving the system around in my office A LOT easier. The cost to build the platform was probably around $30, but I really didn’t keep track of the cost for the wood, casters, and screws.
So the total cost of this project was $478.21. I like the way everything turned out, but I’m glad it’s finished. I know I’m gonna use this system more now, since it has nearly all of the same features as my Large System (on a smaller scale), and it has the backup capability I wanted.