Some are lower end (a Behringer, Samson, and Rolls), some higher (Ashly LX308b, Rane MLM42S, Rane MP4, A&H) .. just too many.
RE-Reworking My Small System... AGAIN
- Thread starter DJ Bobcat
- Start date
I’ve never owned a Rane, but would like to.[emoji4]... Might someday replace the new Rolls with one (a Rane)... someday?[emoji1] I LOVE my A&H ZED 10FX, though... Not gonna give that up, and it’s also a good candidate for inclusion the new system I’m thinkin’ about.[emoji1]
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The Ranes are built like tanks (sort of opposite the current Behringers). I'm thinking about using my A&H ZED12FX as the basis of one, but it's large. Maybe in a 10U x 4U it'll work. I think the Rane MP25 is going to be sold. I love the unit, but just don't use the features. We'll see.
The Rane MP25 is a NICE mixer. If you decide to sell it, please let me know?[emoji4]
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I have been avoiding this thread for fear of slitting my wrists. However, if you're still considering the above sound card, get an older one.Today I'm working on my wiring diagram today (now that I've settled on a mixer), but I'm also thinking about my backup options for my DJ Computer. Since my ONLY computer in my Small System is a Dell Optiplex 7440 AIO computer, there's no built-in backup for it if something catastrophic was to happen. I've been really fortunate that I've never had any kind of failure with this computer, but it's only a matter of time... could be next week; could be 10 years from now. Ya just never know, but (like all machines) it WILL eventually fail. I've been carrying a laptop and my Allen & Heath ZED-10FX as my backup. Nice little setup, but not really a practical for anything except a temporary music source until my main system can be recovered. The laptop doesn't have any DJ software on it; only a music player application. Without having a connection to a controller and Traktor (or some other DJ software), it's just not a REAL backup (if I had to use it for an entire event).
So with that said... what are others using as their backups??? Again, I intend to have a tablet and Bluetooth for an EMERGENCY, temporary, music player. I could install Traktor on my laptop and plug it into my controller in the event of a computer failure. Certainly, this is the most practical backup solution. But what if the controller fails? I've been carrying my Large System's MC6000MK2, but now that's mounted in my Large System, so I won't be carrying it to events where I'm using my Small System. So I'm thinking about one of these...
View attachment 34751
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FYQFPF...olid=31TUCFD7ZRWDQ&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
... I think this will give me a completely separate system that I can plug into the new mixer, or just connect my speakers to it, and I'd still have my ZED-10 to add microphones. There's probably a ZILLION other options???
There have been three iterations of this -
1) Audio 2 DJ
2) Traktor Audio 2
3) Traktor Audio 2 MKII (pictured above)
The first two have 1/4" jacks and are considered to be better sounding than the current model (#3) that uses 1/8" jacks.
Power cord for my Surface Pro came, and... IT WORKS!!!... YAY!!![emoji1] I know... you’re thinkin’; “a power cord ... what’s the big deal”???... The big deal is I can run the cord through the robotic arm for the laptop stand, and I don’t have a big power block in the middle to deal with. If only the right one had come the first time I ordered it.[emoji4]
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Good advice... THANKS!!![emoji4] Sorry my little project has such a profound affect on you, but maybe you could keep the suicide hotline number close by.[emoji1]
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What’s next on the agenda you ask? What?... You didn’t ask?...[emoji3] That’s OK. I’ll ask.[emoji3] Gotta finish up the patch panel. Funny thing... I have a 16 port patch panel on this small system, and I was about to switch it out for a 12 port panel because I was only using 7 ports. However, it seems I’m gonna be adding 7-8 more connectors of various types, so going to a 12 port panel won’t work. Unfortunately, Some of these connectors will require that I make wires to connect on the back (inside the rack) in order to connect to the mixer or controller. Not a big deal; just tedious and not particularly fun. Plus, I don’t make enough audio cables to do it without having to really think hard about it. I try never to think really hard anymore... that’s why I retired.[emoji3] I think this is gonna take a couple of hours, but it’s one of the last things to do.
Some of the connectors I’ll add are USB ports for the Surface Pro. Since the Surface Pro only has one USB port, I’m gonna add a little USB hub inside the rack in order to connect a portable hard drive (for music storage) and an external sound card. Then I’ll just run a couple of the ports to the patch panel for connecting other peripherals that I might need... like maybe a keyboard/mouse combo if it becomes necessary to use the tablet as a backup for a significant portion of an event.
I thought by adding the CyberPower power strip I’d have more than enough electrical outlets... WRONG!!![emoji3] Seems I’m one short inside the rack, and there’s not exactly an abundance on the outside either. I think I’ll be OK with what I have, but may end up using all of them if I plug in two PA speakers and two monitors. Yes... I think I’m gonna add a couple of XLR jacks to the patch panel so I have the option of hooking up my monitors. I have that capability on my Large System, but never had it with my Small System. I used to think I would never use the Small System for large enough events that I’d need to use the monitors, but I think it’s possible that I could now use it for larger events. It’s gonna be much more similar to my Large System when it’s complete.
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Some of the connectors I’ll add are USB ports for the Surface Pro. Since the Surface Pro only has one USB port, I’m gonna add a little USB hub inside the rack in order to connect a portable hard drive (for music storage) and an external sound card. Then I’ll just run a couple of the ports to the patch panel for connecting other peripherals that I might need... like maybe a keyboard/mouse combo if it becomes necessary to use the tablet as a backup for a significant portion of an event.
I thought by adding the CyberPower power strip I’d have more than enough electrical outlets... WRONG!!![emoji3] Seems I’m one short inside the rack, and there’s not exactly an abundance on the outside either. I think I’ll be OK with what I have, but may end up using all of them if I plug in two PA speakers and two monitors. Yes... I think I’m gonna add a couple of XLR jacks to the patch panel so I have the option of hooking up my monitors. I have that capability on my Large System, but never had it with my Small System. I used to think I would never use the Small System for large enough events that I’d need to use the monitors, but I think it’s possible that I could now use it for larger events. It’s gonna be much more similar to my Large System when it’s complete.
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Found an Audio 2 DJ on eBay... Lightly used (we’ll see). Only paid $23 plus shipping ($7) for it, so it’s not a big risk. I may or may not use it... Haven’t decided yet, but I’ll try it out when it gets here, then decide.[emoji4]
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Sound card, USB hub, Ethernet switch... all need to be mounted somewhere inside the rack. They need to be secured somehow so they don’t flop around in there when the rack is being transported, because the rack sits on its side when transported inside the rolling case. There’s also the power block for the controller power supply that isn’t secured yet either. I didn’t want to add a shelf because it wouldn’t be easy to install, adds weight, and it might alter the way I have installed the rack panels on the back of the rack. Don’t really see a better option though, other than attaching them to the inside walls of the rack. However, that makes them less accessible and semi-permanent, because once you use 3M 2-sided tape to attach stuff, it can be difficult to remove. I might be able to use heavy-duty Velcro... that sometimes works. I think I’ll go ahead and order the shelf. I can still get everything hooked up and tested while waiting for it to come.
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The 2" wide heavy duty velcro holds everything ... https://www.amazon.com/VELCRO-Brand-Industrial-Strength-Black/dp/B00006RSP1
Yep... but sometimes the Velcro doesn’t stick very well to that smooth molded plastic on the inside of the rack. I’ll try it first though, because a shelf would require some bigger changes to the panels on the backside of the rack.
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Been playing with my Bluetooth receiver quite a bit, and it works... OK.[emoji4]
The range is only about 15 feet, but that could be because I have it mounted on the inside of the rack, on the under-side of the hinged rack panel. It works flawlessly when using my iPad Mini anywhere within the 15 feet, so that will be fine. I wouldn’t expect to be further away from my booth than that anyway. However, from 20+ feet away the static and dropouts are totally unacceptable. The other thing you’d need to be aware of is the connecting device has full control... the receiver really can’t disconnect unless you turn it off, and even then, once you turn it back on, the connecting device instantly connects to it again. You have to go to the settings on the connecting device; disconnect from the receiver and tell it to “Forget” the device to keep it from automatically reconnecting. This might not be an issue unless I wanted to let someone play something from their smart phone. Once you give them the connection, it’s THEIRS until they relinquish it (or you power off the receiver, but they’d still get it back when you powered it back on. Of course, I’d still be able to turn the sound off from the mixer, so I’d still have some control. Despite its shortcomings, it looks like this little receiver is a keeper. Good thing too, since I cut a hole in my hinged rack panel for it.[emoji1]
The range is only about 15 feet, but that could be because I have it mounted on the inside of the rack, on the under-side of the hinged rack panel. It works flawlessly when using my iPad Mini anywhere within the 15 feet, so that will be fine. I wouldn’t expect to be further away from my booth than that anyway. However, from 20+ feet away the static and dropouts are totally unacceptable. The other thing you’d need to be aware of is the connecting device has full control... the receiver really can’t disconnect unless you turn it off, and even then, once you turn it back on, the connecting device instantly connects to it again. You have to go to the settings on the connecting device; disconnect from the receiver and tell it to “Forget” the device to keep it from automatically reconnecting. This might not be an issue unless I wanted to let someone play something from their smart phone. Once you give them the connection, it’s THEIRS until they relinquish it (or you power off the receiver, but they’d still get it back when you powered it back on. Of course, I’d still be able to turn the sound off from the mixer, so I’d still have some control. Despite its shortcomings, it looks like this little receiver is a keeper. Good thing too, since I cut a hole in my hinged rack panel for it.[emoji1]
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I knew this would continue! Looking forward to another Bob the builder project!
Good hit. You'll want to use this driver - current versions of Traktor do not automatically install it.
Downloads : Drivers & Other Files | Support
My Ethernet switch is coming today. Tracking says it’s out for delivery... USPS. Hard to get used to USPS delivery on Sunday... especially since they’ve been trying to ditch Saturday delivery for YEARS! I’ll be glad to have one more item I can check off my list.[emoji4] The only thing I’m waiting on is the Traktor sound card.
UPDATE: I went ahead and ordered a 6” rack-mount shelf on which to mount my switch, USB hub, controller power brick, and sound card. I think the shelf will provide the simplest way mount these components securely. After contemplatin’ it for a while, I figured out how to mount it without it interfering with the other internals. Of course, now I’m waiting for ANOTHER item, but the shelf is actually scheduled for delivery before the sound card, so no real delay in the project... We’re still talkin’ about waiting until late next week.
UPDATE: I went ahead and ordered a 6” rack-mount shelf on which to mount my switch, USB hub, controller power brick, and sound card. I think the shelf will provide the simplest way mount these components securely. After contemplatin’ it for a while, I figured out how to mount it without it interfering with the other internals. Of course, now I’m waiting for ANOTHER item, but the shelf is actually scheduled for delivery before the sound card, so no real delay in the project... We’re still talkin’ about waiting until late next week.
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What’s next on the agenda you ask? What?... You didn’t ask?...[emoji3] That’s OK. I’ll ask.[emoji3] Gotta finish up the patch panel... Feelin’ a little Déjà Vu???[emoji1] Well... I never finished the patch panel. Only got two of the connectors added, but none of the ones requiring special wiring (soldering). Maybe today??? Dunno???... Wife is off today and has other stuff she wants to do, so maybe late this afternoon I can do a little work on this project. I also need to make a couple of changes to the rear of the rack to accommodate the shelf I ordered. It won’t be here until later this week, so no particular rush.
I think you should get one of those custom panels I posted earlier .. they even will laser engrave titles over the jacks.