Tiny rack, lots of work!

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U

USDJ

Equipment Junkie
Nov 30, 2008
1,156
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Massachusetts
www.ultimatesoundsdj.com
View attachment prtyrack.gif

I've been working on this for a while. A pain in the a** however I now have an easy to transport rack for parties.

It's an Odyssey laptop slide case, the smallest one.

Rane MP-4 mixer
Denon DN-HD2500
Denon DN-HC4500
Power strip, and there's a set of stalk lights under the computer slide tray.

In the back all wiring is tagged and harnessed, power supplies for the drive enclosure and the laptop velcro'd in place inside the cabinet. I bought XLR and 90 degree balanced jacks, and added two balanced jacks to the left side of the case itself. I can go out direct to an amp rack or powered speakers.

Trouble with this was getting clearance for the inputs and outputs on the Rane MP-4 mixer. Complete use of 90 degree power, usb and interconnect was necessary to get the mixer to sit flush. the case was actually too small, however that's good and I'm set to go.

Has anyone ever used those LED case lights like this?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/American-DJ-Rack-Color-LED-Light-801592-i1322443.gc

I'm not entirely happy with the dual stalk lighting and need your advice!

Nice thing is this is entirely self-contained and it takes longer to boot the lappy than it does to set this up! And it is small and easy to carry.

Best,

Paul
 
beemer said:
View attachment prtyrack.gif

I've been working on this for a while. A pain in the a** however I now have an easy to transport rack for parties.

It's an Odyssey laptop slide case, the smallest one.

Rane MP-4 mixer
Denon DN-HD2500
Denon DN-HC4500
Power strip, and there's a set of stalk lights under the computer slide tray.

In the back all wiring is tagged and harnessed, power supplies for the drive enclosure and the laptop velcro'd in place inside the cabinet. I bought XLR and 90 degree balanced jacks, and added two balanced jacks to the left side of the case itself. I can go out direct to an amp rack or powered speakers.

Trouble with this was getting clearance for the inputs and outputs on the Rane MP-4 mixer. Complete use of 90 degree power, usb and interconnect was necessary to get the mixer to sit flush. the case was actually too small, however that's good and I'm set to go.

Has anyone ever used those LED case lights like this?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/American-DJ-Rack-Color-LED-Light-801592-i1322443.gc

I'm not entirely happy with the dual stalk lighting and need your advice!

Nice thing is this is entirely self-contained and it takes longer to boot the lappy than it does to set this up! And it is small and easy to carry.

Best,

Paul
Click to expand...

Where is your EQ? If you are running Full range and subs, where is the crossover network and two amps?
Is this for a ceremony system?
 
ahoustondj said:
Where is your EQ? If you are running Full range and subs, where is the crossover network and two amps?
Is this for a ceremony system?
Click to expand...


Why do you think the EQ and crossover should be in the player box?
 
ahoustondj said:
Where is your EQ? If you are running Full range and subs, where is the crossover network and two amps?
Is this for a ceremony system?
Click to expand...

There is bass and treble EQ on the Rane MP4. The MP4 is the topmost item viewable in the rack, just down from the power strip. When I'm running passives and biamping, the amps and crossover are outboard. In other words, I plug into the hardwired balanced outputs I added to the side of this case, and then to the outboard crossover in my amp rack, then to the amps. This is the nicest sounding 1 rack space board I've heard, and it also is tied to Serato Scratch live. I can use it's onboard DAC's with Serato, or if I am not running Serato, I can use them for OTS. or I can use the DAC's in either Denon for OTS. It's not as complicated as it sounds, believe me. There is very strong functionality and backup all in very little space!

If I am using my EON15G2's, I just plug in and run directly to them.

My intent is to use this for smaller gigs and parties. There is provision to plug in a wireless mic as well, so everything is covered.

The DN-HD2500 is backup, and acts as a midi controller for OTS. The DN-HC4500 is used as a controller for Serato scratch live.

I have a 2nd source system set up in a large Gator case with a Rane MP44, and all the bells and whistles for wedding use. It's heavy but has all I need for a wedding.
 
Amp racks for biamping:

View attachment shopamp1.gif

View attachment shopamp9.gif

These get used when I'm going passive, and depending on the size of the show. The DBX Driverack shown with the Macro-Tech 5000VZ has been replaced by another DBX 223XL. I found the Driverack though it had lots of bells and whistles created a very hard and glassy sound, no matter how I adjusted it I was never happy, so off it went!

Best,
 
Thunder said:
Why do you think the EQ and crossover should be in the player box?
Click to expand...

It does not sound to me that he has another Rack with processing and power. I may be wrong but I see it as another one of those downsized, reduce your load, easy setup, quick tear down, pay me the money so I can go home quickly kind of system. This is in my opinion a sacrifice on great sound.
In his most recent post I see that the original system shown is not the only one.
 
ahoustondj said:
It does not sound to me that he has another Rack with processing and power. I may be wrong but I see it as another one of those downsized, reduce your load, easy setup, quick tear down, pay me the money so I can go home quickly kind of system. This is in my opinion a sacrifice on great sound.
In his most recent post I see that the original system shown is not the only one.
Click to expand...

Hmmm? ...I've been running without processing for 18 years and have always had great sound.

...and yeah, I don't want to have to get there very early and leave very late for the sake of having a portable night club. I get praise from practically every venue because of my small, quick in/out set up.

Sorry if I've been doing it wrong all these years. :sqwink:
 
Hank Davidson said:
Hmmm? ...I've been running without processing for 18 years and have always had great sound.

...and yeah, I don't want to have to get there very early and leave very late for the sake of having a portable night club. I get praise from practically every venue because of my small, quick in/out set up.

Sorry if I've been doing it wrong all these years. :sqwink:
Click to expand...

Like I stated before, to each his own. Some people till have cars with manual roll up windows and they work. In his main rig, the OP does have processing. I guess it depends on the system one has and the versatility/flexibility one wants.
I know people who go directly from computer to amp, they seem to get away with it. I prefer another way is all.
 
ahoustondj said:
Like I stated before, to each his own. Some people till have cars with manual roll up windows and they work. In his main rig, the OP does have processing. I guess it depends on the system one has and the versatility/flexibility one wants.
I know people who go directly from computer to amp, they seem to get away with it. I prefer another way is all.
Click to expand...

I still have manual roll up windows -- they still work great after 16 years BTW :sqbiggrin:


The beauty of having different setups, is in using them to fit the requirements. I mean, you don't use the Space Shuttle, to fly from New York to New Jersey -- you use the plane (tool) that best fits the job at hand...

He seems to have it setup in a modular fashion, which enables him to use what is needed/required. :)
 
SoftJock Rick said:
I still have manual roll up windows -- they still work great after 16 years BTW :sqbiggrin:


The beauty of having different setups, is in using them to fit the requirements. I mean, you don't use the Space Shuttle, to fly from New York to New Jersey -- you use the plane (tool) that best fits the job at hand...

He seems to have it setup in a modular fashion, which enables him to use what is needed/required. :)
Click to expand...

When I first replied, it was before I saw the rest of the equipment. My console does not have an EQ in it but my processing rack does. From what I first read,I was thinking that was all he had plus an amp and speaker. I see differently now!
 
ahoustondj said:
I was thinking that was all he had plus an amp and speaker. I see differently now!
Click to expand...

He has a hell of a pile of amp power!! Those Macro's even make MY back hurt looking at those pic's...

I think you may have met your match here Canute..:sqwink:
 
Precisionpower said:
He has a hell of a pile of amp power!! Those Macro's even make MY back hurt looking at those pic's...

I think you may have met your match here Canute..:sqwink:
Click to expand...

Yep! Yer right, but does he have any scoops? :sqwink:
 
Hank Davidson said:
That's a lot of gear. You get many weddings at Gillette? :sqlaugh:

...Nice case in post one. Good job.
Click to expand...

Thanks Hank, no Gilette yet though!

ahoustondj said:
It does not sound to me that he has another Rack with processing and power. I may be wrong but I see it as another one of those downsized, reduce your load, easy setup, quick tear down, pay me the money so I can go home quickly kind of system. This is in my opinion a sacrifice on great sound.
In his most recent post I see that the original system shown is not the only one.
Click to expand...

Easy setup and breakdown was/is what I am aiming for, however without sacrificing quality. This rack sounds GREAT!

Precisionpower said:
He has a hell of a pile of amp power!! Those Macro's even make MY back hurt looking at those pic's...

I think you may have met your match here Canute..:sqwink:
Click to expand...

Macros are heavy! That's why they are all racked individually. You see the cases with pairs of RMX's? The RMX's are all bridged mono. These are not exactly light but hit hard in mono mode. The rack of amps getting the most use is the set of PLX 3402's. As I find more 3402's, I'm going to sell off the QSC RMX amps.

Best,

Paul
 
I've been running Crown for 20 years, personally had 4 of the macro 2400's. They sure drink the juice, but man they produced great sound. I hear what you are sayign about the Rane mp4. I have an older mp2 and an mp24 and love how clean they sound

I understand your desire for versatility and having a small rig for easy set up and tear down.

I just got in from having a "mobile night club" for a three hour Sadie Hawkins dance. Two hours to set up and one hour to tear down. The dance was three hours, but the kids loved it! But, I also have a bar cube where I can walk in, plug in, and be mixxing in 5 minutes.

I give you an A for a small, compact rig with tremendous versatility and convenience!
 
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