Is anyone using a separate monitor and CPU that is racked?
I've seen some pretty cool systems and just wanna weight the benefits.
I've seen some pretty cool systems and just wanna weight the benefits.
Computer DJ systems (not laptop)
- Thread starter Jim Horn
- Start date
I use to have a rack mounted computer but I got tired of hooking everything up every show so I changed over to laptops. If you can get everything rack-mounted then all you would have to hook up is into your mixer.
Jim,
You know my deal - slim line desktop on a rack shelf (2U high), DJRak.com monitor mount,m M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R sound card, wired up to my mixer - all in the SKB Gig Rig permanently (more or less).
All in all, I roll in, power up, signal up, and rock out.
You know my deal - slim line desktop on a rack shelf (2U high), DJRak.com monitor mount,m M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R sound card, wired up to my mixer - all in the SKB Gig Rig permanently (more or less).
All in all, I roll in, power up, signal up, and rock out.
Pics
Can you show pics of this?
Jim,
You know my deal - slim line desktop on a rack shelf (2U high), DJRak.com monitor mount,m M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R sound card, wired up to my mixer - all in the SKB Gig Rig permanently (more or less).
All in all, I roll in, power up, signal up, and rock out.
Can you show pics of this?
I'm running a custom built rack mount PC...
I need a bigger, Deeper case for it for everything to remain hooked up, But for now i just wire everything up when needed..
I use mine with a 19" flat panel monitor, And use a M-Audio Delta 44 for a sound card.
I need a bigger, Deeper case for it for everything to remain hooked up, But for now i just wire everything up when needed..
I use mine with a 19" flat panel monitor, And use a M-Audio Delta 44 for a sound card.
I had thought about it but with power of the latest notebooks there is no reason to use anything but a notebook.
Back in 1998 when I 1st switched to mp3 I used a custom build 3U rackmount computer. I switched to notebooks in 2000. Still have my 1st one and if needed I could use it to dj or run karaoke without a problem.
Back in 1998 when I 1st switched to mp3 I used a custom build 3U rackmount computer. I switched to notebooks in 2000. Still have my 1st one and if needed I could use it to dj or run karaoke without a problem.
i thought about it, but with laptops now costing sub $500 for a relatively good model it seems impractical to have a rack mount unit.
With laptop prices dropping so much I can't see the benifit of running a rackmounted pc. If you were a VJ who did crazy transitions and fx I could see it, other wise just get a laptop.
Laptops are designed for mobile/portable use and I would imagine are more prepared for unexepected drops/life on the road. I would think the rackmounted pc would be more fragile, just assuming though, don't take my word for it.
Laptops are designed for mobile/portable use and I would imagine are more prepared for unexepected drops/life on the road. I would think the rackmounted pc would be more fragile, just assuming though, don't take my word for it.
The advantage of the pc in a rack (whether or not it's rack mounted) is that I don't need to hook anything up. Everything is there - ready to go.... It's also a little cleaner appearance - no cables running everywhere, etc.
And no, you don't need to spend a lot of money. A DVS will require little more power than most other DJ software, and video applications (not karaoke, full on video) will require either being a little more informed about video subsystems, or even more power.
I'm playing a 'bridal showcase' at David's Bridal today and I'll try to take some pictures for those interested.
And no, you don't need to spend a lot of money. A DVS will require little more power than most other DJ software, and video applications (not karaoke, full on video) will require either being a little more informed about video subsystems, or even more power.
I'm playing a 'bridal showcase' at David's Bridal today and I'll try to take some pictures for those interested.
The rackmount wins in the COOLING department...
Remember: A cool computer is a happy computer..
I am a VJ..so a sub $500 lappy isn't going to cut it for me..That and while the lappy is more portable, You still have to lug around a bunch of Ex Hd's..
Those are really easy to drop..I'm not likely to drop my case that contains my rackmount.
Remember: A cool computer is a happy computer..
I am a VJ..so a sub $500 lappy isn't going to cut it for me..That and while the lappy is more portable, You still have to lug around a bunch of Ex Hd's..
Those are really easy to drop..I'm not likely to drop my case that contains my rackmount.
Just spoke with MusicMeister. He took some pics at the show and will be showing them soon.
I'm looking at an HP Pavilion Slimline, 4gb RAM, 640HDD, for around $400 for the CPU. It's a nice size and should fit nicely into a 2 rack space enclosure.
More details later.
I'm looking at an HP Pavilion Slimline, 4gb RAM, 640HDD, for around $400 for the CPU. It's a nice size and should fit nicely into a 2 rack space enclosure.
More details later.
When I first went digital back in 2002, I went with a 3U rack mount model with 2 HD's in a raid configuration.
It was one heavy monster. After almost two years with it, I sold it and went the laptop route. Back then, laptops were not nearly as popular as they are today.
Here's a pic of my 2002 rack mount system. Jeez I was a little pudgy before I was diagnosed with leukemia.
It was one heavy monster. After almost two years with it, I sold it and went the laptop route. Back then, laptops were not nearly as popular as they are today.
Here's a pic of my 2002 rack mount system. Jeez I was a little pudgy before I was diagnosed with leukemia.
Attachments
Jim:
Here is the PC that I just purchased and configured: http://us.shuttle.com/barebone/Models/X50V2.html
It has a dual atom processor, which is plenty for audio-only applications. It is an all-in-one and weighs something like 8 pounds.
Here is the PC that I just purchased and configured: http://us.shuttle.com/barebone/Models/X50V2.html
It has a dual atom processor, which is plenty for audio-only applications. It is an all-in-one and weighs something like 8 pounds.
There is a company called 'servercase' whow makes a case that is 2U x 13.4".
It has plenty room for beefy (manly) parts and when done, weighs about like a QSC PLX amp - and almost same size.
I made many a system. Cooling is not an issue.
All this lives in a SKB 84DJ tupperware case.
- Also, two EV RE2 wireless units.
- 1U power strip.
- 1U modified sliding tray for keyboard.
- DAC-3 controller.
- American Audio Q-Spand mixer.
- DJ RAK TFT mount and 17" TFT.
- WiFi enabled.
- Added two fans for extreme cooling.
- Recessed AC socket.
Just carry and plug in.
It has plenty room for beefy (manly) parts and when done, weighs about like a QSC PLX amp - and almost same size.
I made many a system. Cooling is not an issue.
All this lives in a SKB 84DJ tupperware case.
- Also, two EV RE2 wireless units.
- 1U power strip.
- 1U modified sliding tray for keyboard.
- DAC-3 controller.
- American Audio Q-Spand mixer.
- DJ RAK TFT mount and 17" TFT.
- WiFi enabled.
- Added two fans for extreme cooling.
- Recessed AC socket.
Just carry and plug in.
Troy,
Is this the Shuttle in action?
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=192780&id=110567312303047
Is this the Shuttle in action?
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=192780&id=110567312303047
