What would you DJ with if you sized down your vehicle?

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A

Abbey Lane

Active DJ
Jan 22, 2008
1,491
29
Ontario
With the prices of fuel for our vehicles going up, a lot of DJ's are thinking of trading in their vans for cars for better gas mileage/kms.

So I'm asking the question; what would you buy to size down your DJ system to fit into these smaller vehicles and still put on a good show. We of course must have sound and music. Maybe lights? Back up system?

Anything we need to do a show for 225 people or less. Let's try to stay in the budget of $3000. Is this possible?
 
I wouldn't size down my DJ vehicle. I might use another vehicle for putzin' around town / smaller shows to save gas - but I never know when I might need that pulling power for the general show.
 
Depending on the load, that may have to work quite a bit harder than a V6 or V8. There are other options better on fuel than the Transit - especially for a light load.

For small shows with small equipment, any mid sized vehicle should accomodate this.
 
WARNING: BOSE mention in this response

Howdy,

I have a 1998 Subaru Legacy Forester and I can load 2 complete Bose L1 B2's and a Bose L1 compact along with two Chauvet 4-Bars and 2 Bliss lights along with 2 wireless mics, a toolbox and large cable bags.

It works.

Dave
 
If you want to use a 4 cylinder to haul stuff around let the 4 cylinder by a Turbo Diesel as these are built to put up with a lot of stuff. Your basic 4 cylinder will be able to move a relatively small system, however the few bucks you save on fuel, you'll spend on maintenance there is a lot more wear and tear due to having to rev up a lot more than a big V6 or any V8. I get great mileage out of my Navigator, Durango and Liberty and on my 3 Mustangs I can cruise at 85 MPH and get an amazing gas mileage out of them.
 
Every time I get a new car, it is smaller than the last in terms of cargo size. I used to worry about the size of my vehicle for gear, but as DJ equipment gets smaller & lighter, I don't have that concern. My current car is an RX 350, which doesn't have a ton of cargo space. I fit two 12" powered speakers, two 8" powered speakers, stands, DJ rack (10x6), case with ceremony system/back-up system, container with cables, rock & roller and I still have plenty of room. I have even fit 15 uplights in my car with that set-up with no problem.

So it has actually been the reverse for me. My system keeps getting more compact, so I'm able to buy a smaller car if I want.
 
sizing down your vehicle is one factor,but what if you had to do a gig which requires say some 15's and 18's? would you then go and rent a u-haul or similar to haul your gear??


i'm sure not all gigs can be done with 8's or 12's speakers.
 
It does not worry me. Petrol prices goes up then so does my fee. I run a business not a hobby. MOST DJs show up in cars I show up in a Van, sometimes two. My Van is used solely for the DJ business. It stays loaded in my Garage when not out on the road, at, to or from a Gig. It is an 8 Cyl and indeed a gas Guzzler.
 
Ive had Dodge Caravans for like ten years , on my third one now 06 with 65 k on it, actually only use it for dj or family out of town trips, probably gets 21 so not too bad, seats fold down makes it easy, couple years ago thought I wanted a trailer got over it, van works great fpr me, I carry 4 15's 4 bar light, head rack, and a couple cases, plenty of room
 
Never mind the big vehicles. Let's say you only have a small car and can't rent a trailer.

I would size down to the new 15" EV Live X active speakers, 2 Laptops, small mixer, ADJ Micro Gobo/Star, Chauvet 4play, Chauvet 4bar, cables and 2 mics.
 
Abbey Lane said:
Never mind the big vehicles. Let's say you only have a small car and can't rent a trailer.

I would size down to the new 15" EV Live X active speakers, 2 Laptops, small mixer, ADJ Micro Gobo/Star, Chauvet 4play, Chauvet 4bar, cables and 2 mics.
Click to expand...
Can't help you with that answer as there are much more bigger fish than just doing Weddings. Big Fish = Big Boat!:triwink:
 
Well, I'll trump many a person here...I used to haul a passive system (15" JBLs) in a '94 Honda Civic hatchback. There should be a picture somewhere on this forum.
 
DJ J Mac said:
Well, I'll trump many a person here...I used to haul a passive system (15" JBLs) in a '94 Honda Civic hatchback. There should be a picture somewhere on this forum.
Click to expand...

If you saw how many people, guitars, amp, and other things I crammed into my Ram Charger back in Mexico many moons ago, the US Border Patrol would've had a heart attack if it were illegals I was transporting yorofl:
 
Abbey Lane said:
Never mind the big vehicles. Let's say you only have a small car and can't rent a trailer.

I would size down to the new 15" EV Live X active speakers, 2 Laptops, small mixer, ADJ Micro Gobo/Star, Chauvet 4play, Chauvet 4bar, cables and 2 mics.
Click to expand...

Thats a tough call. I still wouldn't go less than a V6 and just in case, it had to be able to tow.
 
A boom box? Because there isn't many smaller cars then my Scion xB. :)

Seriously, though, I can fit my Bose in there, but that exceeds your budget. But I do like your call on the EVs.
 
Abbey Lane said:
Never mind the big vehicles. Let's say you only have a small car and can't rent a trailer.

I would size down to the new 15" EV Live X active speakers, 2 Laptops, small mixer, ADJ Micro Gobo/Star, Chauvet 4play, Chauvet 4bar, cables and 2 mics.
Click to expand...

How small of a vehicle are you wanting? Small SUV? Car? That system would fit with no problem in a small/crossover SUV.
 
Well, much depends on how it's packed.

Granted, sound equipment has gotten smaller (somewhat) and much lighter. But speaker cabinets and cases can only get so small.

It's surprising how much one can carry in a given vehicle when it's loaded in an efficient manner. Sometimes it's simply a matter of facing your cabinets in a different direction when loading them.

A guy I knew years ago, he carried his entire rig in a jellybean Taurus sedan. Two tops, a sub bin, a tabletop case and par cans with tripod tree. It all fit in the backseat and rear. :D
 
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