Putting together a new system - Using some existing components

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
karaoke_carlos

karaoke_carlos

New DJ
Jun 30, 2008
344
0
59
I am putting together a new system. The goal of this is to have it as a strictly digital DJ system, without the extra karaoke paraphernalia required.

I would like to use the following as a base, as I already have them:

1 Rack with 8U slant top, 14 U Front and 5 U top
1 Carver PM1.5A for subs (approx 450W/CH @ 8 Ohm)
1 Sonetic (QSC) Amp (Approx 270 W/CH @ 8 Ohm)
1 2RU rack-mounted computer

I plan to purchase and mount a monitor in the top (5U) area, recessed to avoid sunlight issues.

Items I still need to acquire:

1 Crossover (I intend to bi-amp the system)
1 DJ Mixer (would prefer one with USB inputs)
I am considering this: NUMARK C3USB 19" 5-CHANNEL PRO DJ MIXER USB I/O C3 USB​
1 2U DJ Software/Midi Controller
1 2U Dual CD Controller with 2U CD Player

Would you guys have any recommendations on equipment still needed... and do you think the QSC/Sonetic amp will be enough to compliment the Carver, or is that going to be a little too weak?
 
Without more information 450 watts is a good starting point for a sub amp but there really is no way to discuss the amps being correct without knowing:
What speakers & subs you will be using?
What size rooms you will be playing?
What type of music?
What age group?

If you are building a new system, do you really need to have a CD player? You could run all MP3. If you do that it changes your mixer requirements.

Do you want to save some room in the rack for a DMX controller?
Where are you putting your keyboard & mouse ?
 
Thank you for your response. You've made some great observations.

I'm planning on using my existing EV Eliminator subs (rated at 400 W @ 8 Ohm). As I understand, this is a "conservative" rating for the EV's and 450 should be OK.

Tops... I am in the process of figuring this out. Currently I'm running JBL EONs (1500). These will got into a separate, 2 speaker only sound system).

Room size... gosh, I hadn't thought about it. I thought this would allow me to play most indoor/outdoor venues.

Music type will probably include SOME dance music, but a lot of background music.

Do I need a CD player? I'm thinking about redundancy. If I have a few MP3 CD's that I can use with the standard dance/wedding music, in case the computer goes on a fritz at the last minute, or if someone brings in a CD that they want me to play?

DMX Controller. Gosh, I would LOVE to learn about DMX... but I currently don't own any lights. i'm looking into the Chauvet 4Bar system as a basic lighting add-on, with future DMX capabilities if the need arises. How much space would I need for a DMX controller?

Keyboard and mouse will be mounted with a floating tray (SKB makes a tray that should work pretty well for this purpose).
 
Actually the EV Eliminator subs need at least @800 watts RMS, you'll run out of amp and any type of headroom with a 450 watt amp.

http://electrovoice.com/products/119.html

As for tops I would also use the EV Eliminator speakers:

http://electrovoice.com/products/117.html

You would also need an amp that puts out at least @750 watts.

Talk with Ben at NLFX.

You can use an analog mixer and for a controlloer you can use the Denon HC4500, you could then buy the CD player shuttle without the control because the HC4500 can control it.

I'm running Laptop ---> HC4500 ---> MP44 ---> The rest of the equipment ;)
 
Thanks,

I am seriously considering the Eliminators and "keeping it in the family"... but I'm concerned with weight. I have heard some really awesome EAW's.. but those might be outside of my price range. And then... 800/750 W... that's a LOT of amp!!! I had someone make a suggestion to run 3 amps (one for each bass cabinet and one for the tops) to keep costs down. This might be the way I end up going. But rack space will become a premium at some point.
 
I am in the same predicament. I have low power amps and need twice the power to supply what my speakers want. My concern with 3 amps is the weight.

Are you talking about expensive sub-20 pound amps, or the lower cost traditional boat anchors that weigh 35-45 pounds each? Do you plan to put all 3 amps into a single rack? Do you have a trailer with a ramp? Do all locations have ramped entrances?

If you have 3 of the 40+ pound amps in a single rack it means you either spend all of your free time at the gym or you will need a person to help you lift it every time you need to move it vertically. Even 2 amps of that weight in a rack is hard to deal with.

I'm looking at some used QSC RMX2450's for $250 each on Craig's list and my back is starting to ache...
 
Sounds like we're on the same boat. On a good note, I have a box truck with a lift. Bad side is: What do you do when it's down and you still have to take it up the stairs?

I'm trying to do all "large" weddings with a partner to play musical cues, etc. But it's still a pain to load alone!
 
I went to a bar a few months ago where they were using a pair of Eliminator tops with a pair of Eliminator subs and it was off the hook. Those subs pound hard, I could feel them way back in the bar. It was so loud we almost walked right out as soon as we came in to the bar. Very good subs if you can afford a powerful enough amp to run them. I saw an EV Q66 amp but I don't know if it was powering the subs or the tops. I bet a QSC RMX2450 or a Behringer EP2500/EP4000 would power a pair just fine.
 
At the risk of sounding trite, this is not your father's FOH system. :)

Ben will tell you... and I'm sure many other satisfied owners will as well. The newer lightweight amps are where it's going for DJ companies. Unless you're working with some seriously pounding live sound, you probably won't need the heavy A/B Toroid amps.

Don't get me wrong... I love mine. I love big amps and big speaker cabs. But man, it's a lot of weight to load for a wedding party. We haven't been doing many big sound shows lately.

By all means, obtain an electronic crossover and bi-amp your rig. It's a very efficient method of running sound. And you'll be able to manage your tone better as well.
 
And I'll add as a last note, add a third amp... why??? BACKUP!!!!
 
From what I see the EVQ66 is only 250 watts/channel at an 8 ohm load. Wouldn't the EVQ99 be a better choice to drive Eliminators, especially the subs?

Personally I can't afford that price range and am stuck in the bottom feeder amp market of used gear and the other B-word, Behringer. There are very few switching power supply amps hitting the used market around here, but there are literally tons of toroidal amps. :sqbiggrin:
 
For more bang for the $$$ look into the Samson PG3800 amp. I don't know if the power ratings are real but if they are it kicks some butt for around $300-$325. I believe you can get one from NLFXPRO and that would be my first choice if I get one. If you're a bit of a gambler there is an amp recommended by a member here that puts out even more power for $250-click here.
 
My gambling has limits. A used QSC that I can easily resell for the price I paid is a no brainer. A Behringer amp is more of a gamble, but paying $300 with shipping for a brand new EP4000 seems to make it a reasonable gamble that I can probably resell without a loss. (I do plan to move up to buy a lightweight amp or go to powered speakers when I have money to spend.) But buying a no name amp from a fly by night company that can't even put up a website http://www.gtdaudio.net/ tells me that it will have a resale value of zero dollars. I'd rather play roulette!

thanks
Scott
 
scharris_99 said:
My gambling has limits. A used QSC that I can easily resell for the price I paid is a no brainer. A Behringer amp is more of a gamble, but paying $300 with shipping for a brand new EP4000 seems to make it a reasonable gamble that I can probably resell without a loss. (I do plan to move up to buy a lightweight amp or go to powered speakers when I have money to spend.) But buying a no name amp from a fly by night company that can't even put up a website http://www.gtdaudio.net/ tells me that it will have a resale value of zero dollars. I'd rather play roulette!

thanks
Scott
Click to expand...

Please understand that I'm not trying to raise an argument, but apparently someone else on the board is using this... and at this price, it's definitely worth a gamble IMHO

Previous discussion//www.ourdjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=25238
 
I try to keep resale values in mind for almost everything I buy. Reselling a no name amp will be harder than reselling a QSC or even a Behringer.

(In fact, Behringer's negative reputation does not seem to be spread past us people that read pro audio forums. People who still read printed magazines and visit their local music stores believe that Behringer is a reputable business.)

Scott
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back