Reworking My Large System
- Thread starter DJ Bobcat
- Start date
So here we are... nearly a full year has passed since I completed this project. It has been an ALMOST perfect system for me except for three issues. I talked about the first issue in another thread. My Small System has a pretty good backup situation, with a Surface Pro and DDJ-WeGO3, but the backup solution for my Large System in the event of a controller failure is... well, it’s to play music from an MP3 player app on my backup computer, which essentially means NO mixing. Maybe not the greatest disaster to ever befall the world, but not the best situation by any means. For a while I carried a second controller, but that was not practical either, since swapping a controller into a prewired rack with the controller screwed down is not exactly a quick process.
I have a backup computer in the rack, which is also used for DMX control, Internet access/music downloading, and other non-music related tasks. The backup computer is setup to run Traktor in case of a primary computer failure, and that only requires a quick switch of the USB cable on the patch panel, but would require playing a track or two from my iPad Mini while making the switch. My Small System has both the primary and backup computer/controller combos live and ready to play by merely turning up the audio on the second mixer through which they both pass.
So... I’ve given this a lot of thought, and finally decided to try a small mixer... the AKAI AMX...
... I have no idea how well this thing is gonna work, but I guess we’re gonna find out.
But that leads me to issue number 2... There’s no place to mount the little AKAI mixer...
... As you can see, there is no space for a mixer, or anything else for that matter. Tabletop space is the one issue that has bothered me about this system ever since I completed it. I’ve used a folding stool when I need something to sit a clipboard on, and it works OK, but is not exactly attractive. However, a folding stool (or even a table) would not work very well for the AKAI mixer, as it needs to be at the same height as the top of the rack, and in front of the monitor on the left side of the rack. My challenge is finding a way to add tabletop space on one or both sides of the rack, and making it sturdy enough to use the mixer in the same aggressive manner in which I use my controller.
The third issue is the monitors... not happy with them. I love the size (dual 22 inchers), but I’m not happy with the weight. Mostly the weight is in the mounting bar to which they’re attached, but the monitors are not particularly light-weight either. The weight of the monitors actually broke the bracket, that I built for attaching the dual monitor bar, when I tried to lift the rack with the monitors still attached. Not something I would normally do at an event, but I was glad it happened at home. Since I’ve been testing my Podium System gear with a pair of 17” monitors, I realize I could use smaller monitors if I choose, but I’d still have the heavy horizontal bar on which the attach. So I think I’m gonna buy an Ultra-widescreen Monitor...
... kinda like this one, only curved. I haven’t settled on the size or brand yet, but I know it must have two inputs (for the dual computers), and it must have PBP capability. Monitors with the features I need usually cost about $600+. Now, a single monitor is gonna be a single point of failure. If the monitor fails, neither computer is usable. But at that price, I’m a little uncertain about buying a second one. What’s the risk of a monitor failure, and where would I keep the backup when not in use? I can’t see myself lugging a second monitor case into a venue, only to sit there unused event-after-event. I could just carry a single monitor as the backup, knowing it could only be used with one computer, leaving the second computer unusable. There’s at least one other option, but I’m not considering it at the moment. We’ll see how this one plays out.
The AKAI mixer arrives in a couple of days, then I need to figure out the tabletop space issue. Looks like there’s more work to do on this system. Not a REWORK, but certainly a modification/add-on.[emoji4]
I have a backup computer in the rack, which is also used for DMX control, Internet access/music downloading, and other non-music related tasks. The backup computer is setup to run Traktor in case of a primary computer failure, and that only requires a quick switch of the USB cable on the patch panel, but would require playing a track or two from my iPad Mini while making the switch. My Small System has both the primary and backup computer/controller combos live and ready to play by merely turning up the audio on the second mixer through which they both pass.
So... I’ve given this a lot of thought, and finally decided to try a small mixer... the AKAI AMX...
... I have no idea how well this thing is gonna work, but I guess we’re gonna find out.
But that leads me to issue number 2... There’s no place to mount the little AKAI mixer...
... As you can see, there is no space for a mixer, or anything else for that matter. Tabletop space is the one issue that has bothered me about this system ever since I completed it. I’ve used a folding stool when I need something to sit a clipboard on, and it works OK, but is not exactly attractive. However, a folding stool (or even a table) would not work very well for the AKAI mixer, as it needs to be at the same height as the top of the rack, and in front of the monitor on the left side of the rack. My challenge is finding a way to add tabletop space on one or both sides of the rack, and making it sturdy enough to use the mixer in the same aggressive manner in which I use my controller.
The third issue is the monitors... not happy with them. I love the size (dual 22 inchers), but I’m not happy with the weight. Mostly the weight is in the mounting bar to which they’re attached, but the monitors are not particularly light-weight either. The weight of the monitors actually broke the bracket, that I built for attaching the dual monitor bar, when I tried to lift the rack with the monitors still attached. Not something I would normally do at an event, but I was glad it happened at home. Since I’ve been testing my Podium System gear with a pair of 17” monitors, I realize I could use smaller monitors if I choose, but I’d still have the heavy horizontal bar on which the attach. So I think I’m gonna buy an Ultra-widescreen Monitor...
... kinda like this one, only curved. I haven’t settled on the size or brand yet, but I know it must have two inputs (for the dual computers), and it must have PBP capability. Monitors with the features I need usually cost about $600+. Now, a single monitor is gonna be a single point of failure. If the monitor fails, neither computer is usable. But at that price, I’m a little uncertain about buying a second one. What’s the risk of a monitor failure, and where would I keep the backup when not in use? I can’t see myself lugging a second monitor case into a venue, only to sit there unused event-after-event. I could just carry a single monitor as the backup, knowing it could only be used with one computer, leaving the second computer unusable. There’s at least one other option, but I’m not considering it at the moment. We’ll see how this one plays out.
The AKAI mixer arrives in a couple of days, then I need to figure out the tabletop space issue. Looks like there’s more work to do on this system. Not a REWORK, but certainly a modification/add-on.[emoji4]
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Good choice. I have an AMX. It used to be my primary device while I was in between mixers. Now it's my backup device. I also have recently begun using a Surface Pro as a secondary computer and so far it's been pretty reliable.
Your response regarding the AKAI AMX in the “Backups” thread is one of the reasons I pulled the trigger on one. So if it doesn’t work out, it’s partly your fault.[emoji1]
As for the Surface Pro... they’re pretty darn good computers, but stupid expensive. Microsoft is a little TOO proud of their stuff![emoji1]
Could go even smaller with this one ... https://www.amazon.com/JUST-MIXER-A...la-347792540286&ref=&adgrpid=62521174699&th=1
Small, but not quite the right features for my purposes.[emoji4] No cross fader, which is not a deal breaker, but no USB Audio is. I can use the AKAI AMX with Traktor... already got the midi map.
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OK... I think I have my tabletop design...
... I'll cut a piece of plywood to fit around the rim of the case, and then I'll attach it with some small hand knobs of some sort. I'm not too worried about drilling holes in the rack because it has already been extensively cut and modified, and there's already wood reinforcements under the areas where the knobs will attach. I can make the sides even in size, or I can make one side larger than the other. Since I'm right handed, I'd like a little more space on the right. The left side only needs to be wide enough for the AKAI mixer. I'll think on that a bit.
... I'll cut a piece of plywood to fit around the rim of the case, and then I'll attach it with some small hand knobs of some sort. I'm not too worried about drilling holes in the rack because it has already been extensively cut and modified, and there's already wood reinforcements under the areas where the knobs will attach. I can make the sides even in size, or I can make one side larger than the other. Since I'm right handed, I'd like a little more space on the right. The left side only needs to be wide enough for the AKAI mixer. I'll think on that a bit.
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OK... I think I have my tabletop design...
View attachment 37704
... I'll cut a piece of plywood to fit around the rim of the case, and then I'll attach it with some small hand knobs of some sort. I'm not too worried about drilling holes in the rack because it has already been extensively cut and modified, and there's already wood reinforcements under the areas where the knobs will attach. I can make the sides even in size, or I can make one side larger than the other. Since I'm right handed, I'd like a little more space on the right. The left side only needs to be wide enough for the AKAI mixer. I'll think on that a bit.
With a preliminary design in hand, I started taking some measurements. Considering my Floating Facade is 36” wide and centered on the rack; if I stay within the confines of that width, I’d have about 7 inches of tabletop space on each side. I could go wider; like 8 or 9 inches, since the facade sits about 4 inches away from the rack (to allow wires to run behind and hide the patch panel). I don’t think it would look bad if the tabletop extended past the width of the facade a little; just not too far. Another thought I have is to round the corners of the tabletop closest to the facade. I think that would make it look more intentional, rather than appearing as if the facade was mistakenly cut too small.
I decided the sides need to be symmetrical, so I won’t be getting any extra space on the right-hand side. The OCD comes into play on this issue, but if one side WAS gonna be wider, it would probably be more logical for the left side, since the left monitor extends beyond the facade already. The way I installed the monitor stand, it has my main monitor almost directly in front of me, and the monitor for the backup/lighting-control PC off to the side...
If I go with 8 inches on both sides, the tabletop would be 36.75 inches wide. If I made the tabletop 40 inches wide, I’d gain a little more than an inch and a half to each side. That doesn’t sound like much extra space, but I think it might be about right. I might even be able to go wider than that without looking like it’s too much wider than the facade. Of course I’ll paint it black, so that will help hide it a little.
Any thoughts?[emoji4]
Interesting, you think cat's dream.
Of what, legless, obese mice that taste like tuna?
I'm still uncertain why you can't have 1 LARGE monitor and 1 much smaller (for the DMX) and have a switch to swap as necessary. Are you using both equally during a performance?With a preliminary design in hand, I started taking some measurements. Considering my Floating Facade is 36” wide and centered on the rack; if I stay within the confines of that width, I’d have about 7 inches of tabletop space on each side. I could go wider; like 8 or 9 inches, since the facade sits about 4 inches away from the rack (to allow wires to run behind and hide the patch panel). I don’t think it would look bad if the tabletop extended past the width of the facade a little; just not too far. Another thought I have is to round the corners of the tabletop closest to the facade. I think that would make it look more intentional, rather than appearing as if the facade was mistakenly cut too small.
I decided the sides need to be symmetrical, so I won’t be getting any extra space on the right-hand side. The OCD comes into play on this issue, but if one side WAS gonna be wider, it would probably be more logical for the left side, since the left monitor extends beyond the facade already. The way I installed the monitor stand, it has my main monitor almost directly in front of me, and the monitor for the backup/lighting-control PC off to the side...
If I go with 8 inches on both sides, the tabletop would be 36.75 inches wide. If I made the tabletop 40 inches wide, I’d gain a little more than an inch and a half to each side. That doesn’t sound like much extra space, but I think it might be about right. I might even be able to go wider than that without looking like it’s too much wider than the facade. Of course I’ll paint it black, so that will help hide it a little.
Any thoughts?[emoji4]
I could, of course (use one monitor and a switch), but keep in mind the secondary computer and monitor are backups. If my monitor fails, I have another right there ready to go. The monitors connect to the patch panel via RJ45 jack, so I can swap monitors in three seconds. But to answer your second question, the backup computer (on the left) controls my lights, so no, it is not used equally. However, I only connect to the Internet on the backup computer, so if I need to download a song or play a YouTube video, that’s the computer that does it. Switching back-and-forth on one monitor might be problematic on those occasions. If I buy an Ultrawide Monitor, it solves the dual monitor issue, but then creates its own issue with having no backup monitor.[emoji4]
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I meant keep 2 monitors .. just one on the less big side and swap it to the large monitor for setup or if the computer fails .. not just 2 computers feeding the same monitor.
Oh... OK.[emoji1] Yeah; that’s a possibility. I’m also looking at going to two slightly smaller monitors. Weird thing is they don’t make many 17”-18” monitors anymore. At 22”, mine are on the small side of what they sell now. If I buy new monitors, I want the ultra slim style, which are much lighter weight.
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