Need help with laptop and traktor 2

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orlex

New DJ
Oct 9, 2011
3
0
39
Hey guys, im new here, this is my first post. I have some old equipment that I was asked to use for a halloween party so they can have some music. What I have is THIS laptop. If there are any issues with the laptop, i can always use a desktop that I have.
I also have a Numark DJ i/o, Peavey SP 5XT speakers and a Crown power bridge 2 amp. I also have a Mackie CR-1604 mixer.

For the record, I've had this equipment for years and have never used it.
Now, I got the DJ i/o working with the laptop with Traktor 2. I tried to bypass the mixer altogether and connect the DJ i/o to the amp and the amp over to the speakers. I have a few issues with this, I can only manage to get one speaker to work at a time and it also doesn't sound good at all. Either I lose the singing in the songs ( if there is any) or I lose the bass.

So I guess my questions are, what am I doing wrong with the wiring and why does it sound so awful? I'm sure that i'm not wiring this correctly. I can provide more info if it's needed.

Thanks for any help in advance, I appreciate it.
 
orlex said:
Hey guys, im new here, this is my first post. I have some old equipment that I was asked to use for a halloween party so they can have some music. What I have is THIS laptop. If there are any issues with the laptop, i can always use a desktop that I have.
I also have a Numark DJ i/o, Peavey SP 5XT speakers and a Crown power bridge 2 amp. I also have a Mackie CR-1604 mixer.

For the record, I've had this equipment for years and have never used it.
Now, I got the DJ i/o working with the laptop with Traktor 2. I tried to bypass the mixer altogether and connect the DJ i/o to the amp and the amp over to the speakers. I have a few issues with this, I can only manage to get one speaker to work at a time and it also doesn't sound good at all. Either I lose the singing in the songs ( if there is any) or I lose the bass.

So I guess my questions are, what am I doing wrong with the wiring and why does it sound so awful? I'm sure that i'm not wiring this correctly. I can provide more info if it's needed.

Thanks for any help in advance, I appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Sounds to me like you are trying to use what you think is a mono output but in all actuality it is one half of a stereo. Tell us more....how many cables etc from where to where...left and right or single....etc
 
I appreciate the response. I'm going from the channel 1 output of the DJ i/o to the channel 1 input on the amp. Then I used two banana cables from the amp to the speakers (one to each speaker). I'm sure that's where I'm going wrong. The amp is also set on stereo in the back, where it has options for parallel mono, stereo and bridge mono. So it's a total of 3 cables. The speakers have two connections under full range and two connections under bi amp which say Hi and Low. Thanks for the help.
 
orlex said:
I appreciate the response. I'm going from the channel 1 output of the DJ i/o to the channel 1 input on the amp. Then I used two banana cables from the amp to the speakers (one to each speaker). I'm sure that's where I'm going wrong. The amp is also set on stereo in the back, where it has options for parallel mono, stereo and bridge mono. So it's a total of 3 cables. The speakers have two connections under full range and two connections under bi amp which say Hi and Low. Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Just as I suspected! You are using one side out of a stereo pair.
 
I figured I was going wrong somewhere around there. I don't have a clue how to connect these things. How do I go about connecting these? I assume I did fine by using the banana connector, do I connect two of those to each speaker?
 
You would need to use TWO 1/4" cords and go from 1 and 2 on the mixer to 1 and 2 on the AMP. I am guessing you are using the 1/4" cords, otherwise you are using XLR cords, in which case use another of those lol
 
DJ Jynxx said:
You would need to use TWO 1/4" cords and go from 1 and 2 on the mixer to 1 and 2 on the AMP. I am guessing you are using the 1/4" cords, otherwise you are using XLR cords, in which case use another of those lol
Click to expand...
His problem is that he is using a single channel cord coming out of the laptop or a stereo cord being used as a mono cord coming out of the laptop. he needs to use a stereo patch cord, 3 conductor mini pin to double RCA or double 1/4". Mixing will then have to be internal.
 
That's basically how I have mine, but instead of going to an amp I go back into my PC... I use a dual 1/4" to RCA cord to come from the 1/4" Balanced Output's of my mixer into the RCA jack on my PC. An amp would be no different.
 
DJ Jynxx said:
That's basically how I have mine, but instead of going to an amp I go back into my PC... I use a dual 1/4" to RCA cord to come from the 1/4" Balanced Output's of my mixer into the RCA jack on my PC. An amp would be no different.
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The Laptop is the source: If he is running Mono, mixed internally then he only needs one cord out of the laptop. If he is running stereo, mixed internally, then he needs a patch cord to get left and right out.
this mono or stereo signal then goes to the Mixer
The Mixer's outputs then go to the amp.

These kinds of inquiries frustrate me. For chaps like that, they need to buy powered speakers. Whats to say the speaker cables are even wired correctly or plugged in properly!
 
ahoustondj said:
The Laptop is the source: If he is running Mono, mixed internally then he only needs one cord out of the laptop. If he is running stereo, mixed internally, then he needs a patch cord to get left and right out.
this mono or stereo signal then goes to the Mixer
The Mixer's outputs then go to the amp.

These kinds of inquiries frustrate me. For chaps like that, they need to buy powered speakers. Whats to say the speaker cables are even wired correctly or plugged in properly!
Click to expand...

lol!
Calm down son!
Ok, here he says:
Now, I got the DJ i/o working with the laptop with Traktor 2. I tried to bypass the mixer altogether and connect the DJ i/o to the amp and the amp over to the speakers.
Click to expand...

Which led me to believe he meant the mixer on the i/o. But after reading again, he says he has a Mackie. I was also thinking of a totally different machine than the iO, which is just a sound card.
So, if you are mixing with the laptop as your source, he is right. Get an 1/8" STEREO yo DUAL 1/4" cable or 1/8" Stereo to RCA and then DEFINITELY USE THE MIXER. They are made for this purpose. We usually don't even call them mixers where I am from, we call them pre-amps or pre-amp mixers. So go from lappy to mixer to amp to speakers.
And OP, this has nothing to do with the banana connectors. Speaker wire is always just +/-, you should never have to hook up 2 cords to 1 speaker. I prefer 1/4" ends myself, but hey. But still, like he said, why not just get powered speakers? I realize not everyone has the money for them (I sure dont!) but if you are going to be doing parties/events/etc. then it's a good investment.
Hope you get it working!
 
DJ Jynxx said:
Wait, I forgot the i/o in that equasion. Does he even NEED an i/o if he is just using the laptop anyway?
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It will be a lot easier if he plugs in an ipod to the amp! :triwink:
 
the guy is seeking answers not condescending comments (only I get to make them) He even asked with proper English ( something I rarely do) and asked in a nice non agressive or defensive manner. He could plug an ipod or use powered but then he would not need to learn or use a brain in the process. YOu are buying the Jellydome what does that say about intelligence?
 
Jon Tuck said:
the guy is seeking answers not condescending comments (only I get to make them) He even asked with proper English ( something I rarely do) and asked in a nice non agressive or defensive manner. He could plug an ipod or use powered but then he would not need to learn or use a brain in the process. YOu are buying the Jellydome what does that say about intelligence?
Click to expand...
If you read his post about "I can only manage to get one speaker to work at a time and it also doesn't sound good at all. Either I lose the singing in the songs ( if there is any) or I lose the bass. " you will see what I was talking about when referring to using one speaker or one side of a stereo pair of outputs.
How can you give someone the keys to a car to drive when they do not even possess a Learner's Permit? Whats wrong with buying a Jellydome? Have you ever used one?
 
I have investigated them in live settings low light dark and was not excited about the brightness or lack of. iIs a nice looking Spencers Gift light and novel. With your gear you will look silly with anything less than movers. Minis or full sized. Not LED either.
 
Jon Tuck said:
I have investigated them in live settings low light dark and was not excited about the brightness or lack of. iIs a nice looking Spencers Gift light and novel. With your gear you will look silly with anything less than movers. Minis or full sized. Not LED either.
Click to expand...

I looked at it too, I'm gonna agree it looks a little meh. I like this moving fixture as a alternative to a mirror ball: http://www.americandj.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemNumber=1780&MainId=2&Category=L.E.D.

They make a colored version as well.
 
Umm... did we go off topic? Cuz I have NO idea what you guys are talking about lol. A jellybean? What? Huh?
;)

OP!
Did you ever figure this out? Or are we continuing to answer someone who will (probably) never look this back up, ever again. Ever.
 
DJ Jynxx said:
Umm... did we go off topic? Cuz I have NO idea what you guys are talking about lol. A jellybean? What? Huh?
;)

OP!
Did you ever figure this out? Or are we continuing to answer someone who will (probably) never look this back up, ever again. Ever.
Click to expand...
Take a look at post # 14 the last sentence and you will see where and when the train went off the track.:trirolleyes:
 
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