RE-Reworking My Small System... AGAIN
- Thread starter DJ Bobcat
- Start date
Whew...that's a lot of faces....
Yep [emoji4].... and that doesn’t even include my laptop. That’s my Large System on the far left, and that smaller (left most) monitor is hooked up to the port where I would hook up my video projector on my video/Light controller/backup computer, if I ever decided to use the projector. But that’s why that monitor has a special “movie themed” background...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Last edited:
Didn't think I'd be posting in this thread again, but it looks like I MIGHT be RE-RE-Reworking my Small System again.
Not worth a whole new thread, 'cause all I'm doing is (perhaps) adding a second controller. I recently purchased a Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 to use with my Surface Pro as a backup. I find mixing with the Surface Pro and DJay Pro (without a controller) difficult. I really need the feel of a cross-fader, volume sliders, and EQ knobs to make it comfortable to mix for more than a few tracks. Right now, the Surface Pro is only intended to be a temporary get-by solution until I can restore operation of my main computer and controller. I'm hopin' the DDJ-WeGO will feel enough like a REAL controller to allow me to mix with it for a couple of hours if it becomes necessary.
I think the Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 will fit pretty nicely on my robotic arm, as it's really no larger than my 15.6" laptop. And since the DDJ-WeGO3 has a built-in sound card, I won't need the NI Traktor Audio 2 DJ. Not sure yet if I'm gonna leave the Audio 2 DJ in the rack or not, but I need to see how the DDJ-WeGO3 works before deciding. I can always leave the Audio 2 DJ in there to use with a laptop as the second backup option... I know; how many contingencies do ya need??? The Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 has shipped, but no tracking info is available yet, so I don't know when it will get here. I'm kinda looking forward to a new toy to play with though.
Not worth a whole new thread, 'cause all I'm doing is (perhaps) adding a second controller. I recently purchased a Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 to use with my Surface Pro as a backup. I find mixing with the Surface Pro and DJay Pro (without a controller) difficult. I really need the feel of a cross-fader, volume sliders, and EQ knobs to make it comfortable to mix for more than a few tracks. Right now, the Surface Pro is only intended to be a temporary get-by solution until I can restore operation of my main computer and controller. I'm hopin' the DDJ-WeGO will feel enough like a REAL controller to allow me to mix with it for a couple of hours if it becomes necessary.I think the Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 will fit pretty nicely on my robotic arm, as it's really no larger than my 15.6" laptop. And since the DDJ-WeGO3 has a built-in sound card, I won't need the NI Traktor Audio 2 DJ. Not sure yet if I'm gonna leave the Audio 2 DJ in the rack or not, but I need to see how the DDJ-WeGO3 works before deciding. I can always leave the Audio 2 DJ in there to use with a laptop as the second backup option... I know; how many contingencies do ya need???
The Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 has shipped, but no tracking info is available yet, so I don't know when it will get here. I'm kinda looking forward to a new toy to play with though.
Last edited:
It's not like THAT wasn't called several times in the thread ....
Didn't think I'd be posting in this thread again, but it looks like I MIGHT be RE-RE-Reworking my Small System again.
You might not have known .. but we did.
You might not have known .. but we did.
LOL... OK, I’ll give ya that, but switching out a NI Traktor Audio 2 DJ sound card for a Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 is not exactly a HUGE transformation, and I’m not even sure yet if I’m gonna like it.[emoji4]
'We' already know the answer to that too.
Then tell ME.[emoji1]... Could spare me from having to set it all up to test it out!![emoji6]
My DDJ-WeGO3 has shipped, but may not get here this week... Tracking says Saturday. I always find Tracking to be amusing, because you never know the route your package is gonna take. The controller shipped from Anaheim, CA and was in-transit to Roll, AZ, but seems it never got there. It somehow is now in-transit to Salt Flat, TX.[emoji1] Roll, AZ... Salt Flat, TX???[emoji1]... Never heard of those places. I think FedEX is just makin’ this stuff up.[emoji1]
My DDJ-WeGO3 has shipped, but may not get here this week... Tracking says Saturday. I always find Tracking to be amusing, because you never know the route your package is gonna take. The controller shipped from Anaheim, CA and was in-transit to Roll, AZ, but seems it never got there. It somehow is now in-transit to Salt Flat, TX.[emoji1] Roll, AZ... Salt Flat, TX???[emoji1]... Never heard of those places. I think FedEX is just makin’ this stuff up.[emoji1]
Just got a notification that my controller is scheduled for delivery tomorrow. YAY!!![emoji1] So I checked tracking to see where it was, and you’ll never guess... YEP... Hutchins, TX. So based on previous experience, packages can spend DAYS in Hutchins... kinda like of a resort for traveling packages.[emoji1] My confidence level for delivery tomorrow will remain LOW until I see that Out For Delivery status.[emoji4]
So if the new controller is gonna be here soon, I need to make a few adjustments to hook it up. Currently, a power cable and USB cable (for the Surface Pro) run through the robotic arm (laptop holder) and connect to the rear patch panel on the back of my rack. The USB port on the patch panel connects to the NI Traktor Audio 2 DJ sound card, which connects to the Rolls mixer. By having the DDJ-WeGO3 mounted on the laptop holder, the USB cable from the Surface Pro needs to connect to the new controller, but now two power cables (for the controller and Surface Pro) need to run to the rear power strip on the back of the rack. The problem is; the Surface Pro has just a single USB port, and I still need to hook up the USB hub mounted inside the rack, because that’s got the Ethernet connection on it as well. So I ordered a little USB adapter with three ports that will allow me to hook up the controller, USB hub/network, and a small LED lamp to the one USB port on the Surface Pro.
The next challenge is hooking up the controller to the Rolls mixer. For that, I’ll use a couple of audio over CAT5 adapters, so I’ll only have to run a CAT5 cable inside the robotic arm to the rear patch panel on the rack. I’ll replace one of the unused USB jacks (connected to the internal USB hub) with an RJ45 jack, which will allow me to connect to another adapter that plugs into the mixer. Sounds more complicated than it is.[emoji1]
Last edited:
Well... Guess what???... I got it. The Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 came this morning. Looks like everything is there...
Size wise, it's just like I thought... almost exactly the same size as my 15.6" Dell Laptop. Fits on the robotic arm (laptop holder) with no problem too. The jog wheels on this thing are almost exactly the same size as those of my Denon MC6000MK2. That should make it a little easier to become accustomed to. The cross-fader and other sliders have slightly shorter throws, but not bad. The weight is supposed to be 3.7 pounds. I haven't weighed it, but I'm skeptical that it weighs that much. It's definitely lighter than my Surface Pro.
Now for the down side. There's ALWAYS something; right?... The tray (see red outline in below pic) in which a tablet is supposed to sit is not wide enough for my Surface Pro (never saw that in any of the reviews)...
... it's about 9.5", and the Surface Pro is 11.25" wide. Not sure what I'm gonna do about that. My 8" iPad fits easily for sure, but there's NO WAY I'm about to use an 8" iPad as a backup for more than just playing a short playlist. I think the Surface Pro is about as small as I'd be willing to go for a REAL backup system. So there's gotta be a solution... I think I'm gonna have to build a tablet holder that will fit in the tray or behind the DDJ-WeGO3. Not gonna build anything yet... not until I've decided if this thing (DDJ-WeGO3) can be used as a serious backup.
Size wise, it's just like I thought... almost exactly the same size as my 15.6" Dell Laptop. Fits on the robotic arm (laptop holder) with no problem too. The jog wheels on this thing are almost exactly the same size as those of my Denon MC6000MK2. That should make it a little easier to become accustomed to. The cross-fader and other sliders have slightly shorter throws, but not bad. The weight is supposed to be 3.7 pounds. I haven't weighed it, but I'm skeptical that it weighs that much. It's definitely lighter than my Surface Pro.
Now for the down side.
There's ALWAYS something; right?... The tray (see red outline in below pic) in which a tablet is supposed to sit is not wide enough for my Surface Pro (never saw that in any of the reviews)...... it's about 9.5", and the Surface Pro is 11.25" wide. Not sure what I'm gonna do about that. My 8" iPad fits easily for sure, but there's NO WAY I'm about to use an 8" iPad as a backup for more than just playing a short playlist. I think the Surface Pro is about as small as I'd be willing to go for a REAL backup system. So there's gotta be a solution... I think I'm gonna have to build a tablet holder that will fit in the tray or behind the DDJ-WeGO3. Not gonna build anything yet... not until I've decided if this thing (DDJ-WeGO3) can be used as a serious backup.
OK... I figure I'm gonna need some kind of platform on which I can set the Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 along with a holder for my Surface Pro tablet. And since I won't be able to use the keyboard that attaches to the Surface Pro case, I ordered a little (mini) Bluetooth keyboard, so I'll need a space for it. Here's my initial design concept...
... Of course, this is still assuming this thing (Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3) is gonna work well. I haven't even had a chance to set it up to try it yet. Soon, though... reading the manual and watching some videos first.
... Of course, this is still assuming this thing (Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3) is gonna work well. I haven't even had a chance to set it up to try it yet. Soon, though... reading the manual and watching some videos first.
I have a question. Perhaps someone on this forum has the answer... The Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 Manual says you MUST connect the controller directly to the computer, and must NOT to go through a USB hub. WHY???
In it’s current configuration, the NI Traktor Audio 2 DJ is connected to a USB hub, which is connected to the only USB port on the Surface Pro, and that works splendidly. If I can’t go through the USB hub, the Surface Pro won’t work. I MUST have the hub connected in order to have other USB devices connected.
Assuming I can resolve the USB issue, I think I have the solution to the tablet holder problem...
... less than $15. Much cheaper and easier than making one, and it can easily be attached to a platform upon which I can set the controller and mini keyboard.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
In it’s current configuration, the NI Traktor Audio 2 DJ is connected to a USB hub, which is connected to the only USB port on the Surface Pro, and that works splendidly. If I can’t go through the USB hub, the Surface Pro won’t work. I MUST have the hub connected in order to have other USB devices connected.
Assuming I can resolve the USB issue, I think I have the solution to the tablet holder problem...
... less than $15. Much cheaper and easier than making one, and it can easily be attached to a platform upon which I can set the controller and mini keyboard.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That’s what I was thinking too, but the WeGO also has a DC adapter, so (though it can) it doesn’t have to run on USB power. I don’t run anything in USB power if it has a power cord option. I’m gonna try it with the hub as soon as it gets here (scheduled for delivery today).
OK... my items came and it looks like the tablet holder is gonna work just fine...
... a little hard to see from the back because it’s black, but you can see it against the silver stand leg on the back of my tablet cover.
As for the little 3 port USB hub... piece of flimsy plastic junk... broke under the weight of two USB cables plugged into and hanging from it. So I tried it with a different little 2 port USB hub I keep in my laptop bag, and it works just fine.
Now to try mixing with it.[emoji4]
... a little hard to see from the back because it’s black, but you can see it against the silver stand leg on the back of my tablet cover.
As for the little 3 port USB hub... piece of flimsy plastic junk... broke under the weight of two USB cables plugged into and hanging from it. So I tried it with a different little 2 port USB hub I keep in my laptop bag, and it works just fine.
Now to try mixing with it.[emoji4]
So the Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 works fine plugged into a USB hub and then into my Surface Pro. DJay Pro picked it up as soon as I opened the app, and all the MIDI functions seem to be working fine. It’s gonna take a little practice to get used to, but I think I like it. Practicing with this setup should be pretty easy, since it’s about the same size as my Dell laptop. I have a little laptop table I use in the living room, so I can just sit there in my recliner with my headphones on and practice anytime I want... Never could do that with the rack-based systems.[emoji4]
... OK; maybe it’s a toy, but it’s a fun toy and I think it’s usable for a backup system... maybe even a ceremony system for those of you who do weddings. It sounds really good![emoji4]
... OK; maybe it’s a toy, but it’s a fun toy and I think it’s usable for a backup system... maybe even a ceremony system for those of you who do weddings. It sounds really good![emoji4]
Last edited: