Why do you guys want me to start over???And then do we finally get to start over?
I'd have to start another one of these DIY threads!Reworking My Large System
- Thread starter DJ Bobcat
- Start date
I'd have to start another one of these DIY threads!
I don’t under stand having both a controller and a large 3 rack space mixer there seems to a lot of extra gear that just add wieght and complication
It's his one-box-to-rule-them-all rig. Not my style now, but I had a box just like that with CDN88s, Denon mixer, wireless mic, and a massive amp. Compact, easy, and quick!
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Microphones and backup. I plug the four mics into channels 1-4 of the mixer. 5-6 are my main system. 7-8 are my backup computer. 9-10 are Bluetooth... tablet backup in extreme emergency. There are two wired mics attached to my controller, but the controller does not do microphones nearly as well as the mixer. I use one of those wired mics. The second one is rarely used. If my main computer has a problem, I can use my second computer to continue playing music without interruption. This is really the main difference between my Large and Small Systems. The Small System has only one computer and no backup mixer.
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Seems like a tablet and a single space mixer could solve theses problems much more efficiently
Weight???... A little. Just the difference in the weight of a 4U box vs. a 2U box adds weight. I used to have a 1U mixer in my large system, but it lacked the features of my Denon DN-410X, which I really love.
You're absolutely right about the complexity, though. Without the mixer, I'd use just one cable to hook up the wireless mic system to my controller (but I'd lose a wired mic). I'd have to use the controls in the microphone system to turn mics of and on, control the volume, and EQ's. It takes about a dozen cables to hook up the mixer, but some of those would still be necessary if I hooked my backup computer to the controller instead of the mixer.[emoji4]
Like I said... I used to have a 1U mixer in my old Large System, but it lacked the sliders, EQ's, and Bluetooth I get with my 410X. One other benefit of the size is the ability to see it.[emoji1]... With a 1U size mixer, everything on it is SMALL and hard to see.[emoji4]
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Finished hooking EVERYTHING up in my Slant-top rack. There were really only three MINOR glitches (there are ALWAYS glitches); (1) The (line in and line out) audio jacks on the front of the backup computer, both of which run to the Denon Mixer; (2) I can't seem to find my short microphone cable; and (3) the cable to connect the Mic 1 XLR connector from the patch panel to the controller was too short. For now, I'm just going to plug the mini-jack plugs into the front of the computer. After I know that everything works, I'll install the USB SoundBlaster in the back. The missing short mic cable is just a nuisance. I'll use an 8 footer to test with until a new short one (I ordered last night) arrives. The short cable to hook up the wired mic to the mixer was temporarily solved by simply moving the XLR connector to the other end of the patch panel. I'm not crazy about that location relative to the location of the gooseneck microphone stand to which it must attach, but I can live with it for now. I do like the extremely short distance the patch panel connectors (for wired mics 1 & 2 are from the jacks they connect to on the back of the controller, so I might just leave them there, even though I have a slightly longer cable coming.
I have a lot of chores to do today, so I might not get to work on this project until later this evening (after dinner). I can hardly wait to start testing it though.
I really LOVE the way the computers and Ethernet switch are tucked in so neatly under the controller. However... I AM just a little concerned about the computers getting enough air flow. That's something I'll need to test VERY thoroughly. If they overheat... that would be BAD!
I have a lot of chores to do today, so I might not get to work on this project until later this evening (after dinner). I can hardly wait to start testing it though.
I really LOVE the way the computers and Ethernet switch are tucked in so neatly under the controller. However... I AM just a little concerned about the computers getting enough air flow. That's something I'll need to test VERY thoroughly. If they overheat... that would be BAD!
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Ummmm...yeah! It's been a LONG trip. Glad the goal is on the horizon!
Since I'm emotionally invested in the outcome, please report after the 1st official use!
Ooooo... That's not good![emoji1] You know it's possible you could LOSE IT ALL???[emoji1]
Top view???
...
Notice the hinged panel above the controller, on which the gooseneck mic stand is installed, along with an outlet and a USB port for mounting a gooseneck LED light. Very similar to my small system...
... only this time I didn't screw up the holes in the panel when I cut them. I like the look and the utility, so I did it again on my Large system, but this one will use a Sennheiser hand-held mic on a gooseneck stand, instead of the Bogen Gooseneck mic.
Got all my painting finished today. Time to start assembling the Facade frame.
...Notice the hinged panel above the controller, on which the gooseneck mic stand is installed, along with an outlet and a USB port for mounting a gooseneck LED light. Very similar to my small system...
... only this time I didn't screw up the holes in the panel when I cut them.
I like the look and the utility, so I did it again on my Large system, but this one will use a Sennheiser hand-held mic on a gooseneck stand, instead of the Bogen Gooseneck mic.Got all my painting finished today. Time to start assembling the Facade frame.
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Working on my Facade frame today. I've said it before... Nothing's EVER easy. This should be easy, but it's not. Putting the hinges on... easy. The latches... easy to put on, but they don't work. My Facade is a little different (of course) than the typical facade you see most often... three or four panels that make a U shape surrounding three sides of a table. Anytime you try to do something different, there's' gonna be a learning curve, and some trial-and-error. I'm disappointed that my latches don't work, but I don't have time to mope about it.[emoji1] I gotta put on the ole thinking cap and come up with an alternative. I'm not ready to abandon the idea of a floating facade just yet. I have too much time and materials invested in this one, so I just need to solve this problem.[emoji4]
I'm no expert on building a facade. I never built one; never owned one, and never really examined one up close. I'm making everything up as I go, and I'm kinda locked into standard hardware you can buy at the home improvement store, or something I can make myself. But I'm convinced that the keys to a successful DIY project are IMAGINATION and PERSEVERANCE. Skills are nice if someone gives you a set of plans, but when you're trying to do something unique, you gotta have a good vision and then be willing to do whatever you have to do the bring it to fruition.[emoji4] Now, after posting that bit of sage advice, I pretty much have no choice but to make this thing work.[emoji1]
I'm no expert on building a facade. I never built one; never owned one, and never really examined one up close. I'm making everything up as I go, and I'm kinda locked into standard hardware you can buy at the home improvement store, or something I can make myself. But I'm convinced that the keys to a successful DIY project are IMAGINATION and PERSEVERANCE. Skills are nice if someone gives you a set of plans, but when you're trying to do something unique, you gotta have a good vision and then be willing to do whatever you have to do the bring it to fruition.[emoji4] Now, after posting that bit of sage advice, I pretty much have no choice but to make this thing work.[emoji1]
Drinking is good, but I think it needs to be WATER today.[emoji1] It's a HOT one out there![emoji4] I think I might have to move it inside and work on covering panels.
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OK... Got it![emoji4] Maybe a little kludgey, but it works. I can always improve upon it later. There are only four more screw holes, so if I have to change it, I'd have to fill those holes. The cool thing about working with wood, is it's a little more forgiving than other materials. You can glue it, fill unwanted holes, sand it, etcetera. Basically, you have at least a chance of fixing your mistakes (if you make any)[emoji1]
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Wellllll....[emoji1]... After seeing this Facade frame in its entirety, I see where my design is flawed. I could use it this way, but there's a smarter way to do it. So do I do it the smart way, or do I do it the way that gets it done quicker???[emoji1]Smart might take a couple of more hours...[emoji848]... SMART it is.[emoji4] Too hot to do any more work today though. I DID get another Panel covered.[emoji4] I'm gettin' quicker, but it still takes a little time.
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It's June... GEEZ... Where does the time go? I NEVER thought rebuilding my Large System would take me this long. Five months and a bunch of hours (I stopped counting a couple of months ago). Granted, I only worked on it a bit here and there. The top rack is done. The Facade lacks just one panel, and it will be done. I still have some work to do on the bottom rack. It's getting close... I keep telling myself. It's almost to the point that I can do the remaining work inside, which will help a lot. But it's not gonna be ready for my next event later this month.
It will actually be done in time, but it needs some thorough load testing. I'm too cautious to risk using a new system until I've tested it for a couple of weeks.
My Small System will work just fine for my next event. You're gonna laugh, though... After using the Small System for the last few events, I have a few modifications (improvements) I want to make to it. So once my Large System is done, I'll take a short break from reworking my systems, then I'll start another project.[emoji1] ... and perhaps another thread?[emoji1] Maybe I'll start working on a redesign of my Large System sooner, since the next one will almost certainly gonna take longer than this one.[emoji1]
It will actually be done in time, but it needs some thorough load testing. I'm too cautious to risk using a new system until I've tested it for a couple of weeks. My Small System will work just fine for my next event. You're gonna laugh, though... After using the Small System for the last few events, I have a few modifications (improvements) I want to make to it. So once my Large System is done, I'll take a short break from reworking my systems, then I'll start another project.[emoji1] ... and perhaps another thread?[emoji1] Maybe I'll start working on a redesign of my Large System sooner, since the next one will almost certainly gonna take longer than this one.[emoji1]
I somehow missed this post earlier... Sorry.[emoji4] Yes... a tablet and mixer would work as a backup. That's similar to how I back up my Small System; Laptop and ZED10 FX. With my Large System, I wanted the backups integrated into the rack as much as possible, and already wired and ready to go. Otherwise, I'd just have two Small Systems. I like having everything all in one (albeit large) package, rather than having to carry it in multiple bags and cases, which is why I'm consolidating as much as I can.
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I think the difference in our thought on this comes from the fact that I perform multiples times per week I look for something very light weight and quick to set up and tear down , I have two identical compact systems, knock on wood I’ve never had the need to deploy a back up in 30 years, my belief is that this is because I keep every thing simple and uncomplicated, also my gear is always in the trailer unless being used, it seem silly to load and I load to store it inside