Reworking My Large System
- Thread starter DJ Bobcat
- Start date
Yeah... I’ve seen those. 15.6 inches though. I’m using 17” monitors to test my Podium setup, and I think that’s about as small as I could go and be comfortable. If I could somehow get the monitor closer, it might be better, but when you stand behind your rack, those monitors are further away than your monitor(s) is/are when you’re sitting at a desk in your office. When you use a 15.6” laptop, it’s only inches away when used normally. Put it on a slide behind your controller, and it’s BACK there. With my WeGO, I can swing the platform closer, but it’s still SMALL!
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Put one larger one in front and one like this in a slide out 1U drawer, since it isn't used much.
1U drawer???... Where would I put that???[emoji1]
If the top rack had more than 4U then maybe, but not gonna get rid of my Denon DN-410X or my wireless mic system, so the only space is in the bottom rack, which is a pretty unacceptable location for a monitor.
If YOU had sold me a 6U rack, I’d have space for a 1U drawer!!![emoji1]
Actually, it worked out pretty darn good IMO. I created an extra 1U under my Denon MC6000MK2 for my computers by cutting the front out and building the folding keyboard shelf.
... the thinness of the MC6000MK2 allowed that to happen, though I sacrificed 1U in front of the controller.[emoji4]
Here's the latest; wider with rounded corners...
... I think this is it.
... 40"x24". If the Akai AMX works as well as I hope, I may cut an opening for it so it can be slightly inset into the top. Since the top will sit at the same angle as the slanted top of the rack, I might need to inset some cup holders so I can set a bottle of water on it and it won't tip over as easily.
I think I may have run across a monitor stand that would be better than the one I built...
... It folds down like I need in order to put the top on the rack for transport. I could probably use two of these and eliminate the dual monitor arm.
... I think this is it.
... 40"x24". If the Akai AMX works as well as I hope, I may cut an opening for it so it can be slightly inset into the top. Since the top will sit at the same angle as the slanted top of the rack, I might need to inset some cup holders so I can set a bottle of water on it and it won't tip over as easily.I think I may have run across a monitor stand that would be better than the one I built...
... It folds down like I need in order to put the top on the rack for transport. I could probably use two of these and eliminate the dual monitor arm.
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Can’t decide... do I cut the tabletop out of one piece of plywood, or do I construct it in three pieces (back an 2 sides) from solid wood? I think the three pieces would be easier to cut, because I can do most of it on the table saw. One piece would require more jigsaw cutting. If I do the three pieces though, I’ll need to get a biscuit joiner. I have plans for today, but tomorrow I’ll go to the home improvement store and buy my supplies.[emoji4] I need to decide about the wood for the top by then, and I also need to think about how to finish it. I’m thinking Ebony Stain is the way to go if I get the solid wood; black paint if I do the plywood.
It's all about the planning. I've been looking at how I'm gonna anchor the tabletop. There's not much space around the rim of the case, and if I'm gonna anchor it without interfering with the ability to put the rack lid/cover on, the options are limited. This is what I'm currently thinking...
... and I'll use some hand knobs that screw into a shaft that I place into holes I drill in the rack...
... While installing the shafts from underneath the top of the molded plastic rack would be IDEAL, it isn't PRACTICAL. There's no access to the areas where the anchor holes need to go, at least in the front. In the back it might be possible.
I've found some 1/4" T-Nuts that will work in place of the SHAFTS...
... but I can't find actual shafts. I guess they have a name I could search on, but I have no idea what they are called. ANYBODY out there know what these shafts might be called or where I can find them?
... and I'll use some hand knobs that screw into a shaft that I place into holes I drill in the rack...
... While installing the shafts from underneath the top of the molded plastic rack would be IDEAL, it isn't PRACTICAL. There's no access to the areas where the anchor holes need to go, at least in the front. In the back it might be possible.
I've found some 1/4" T-Nuts that will work in place of the SHAFTS...
... but I can't find actual shafts. I guess they have a name I could search on, but I have no idea what they are called. ANYBODY out there know what these shafts might be called or where I can find them?
WOW... Just WOW!!!... I just got the AKAI AMX mixer I ordered from PSSL (that I plan to use as an emergency backup), and I’m beyond happy.[emoji1]
This thing is BRAND NEW!... I bought it used for $129, but this was in its sealed original packaging, fully wrapped, and never touched. Granted, PSSL only charges $149 for a brand new one, but hey... 20 bucks is 20 bucks, and retail on this thing is $249. I LOVE getting a good deal.
I guess I should not have been surprised about the size. It’s bigger than I expected. I guess I could have looked at the specs, but I was not really concerned with the dimensions. But this mixer is as big as the center mixer section of my Denon MC6000MK2...
... actually, it’s a little bigger. And it’s built pretty sturdy; has some heft. It’s not gonna slide around on the table surface very easily. I was expecting more of a toy, honestly, but it’s NOT. I think I’m gonna like it. Time to get some software installed and try it out.[emoji4]
This thing is BRAND NEW!... I bought it used for $129, but this was in its sealed original packaging, fully wrapped, and never touched. Granted, PSSL only charges $149 for a brand new one, but hey... 20 bucks is 20 bucks, and retail on this thing is $249. I LOVE getting a good deal.
I guess I should not have been surprised about the size. It’s bigger than I expected. I guess I could have looked at the specs, but I was not really concerned with the dimensions. But this mixer is as big as the center mixer section of my Denon MC6000MK2...
... actually, it’s a little bigger. And it’s built pretty sturdy; has some heft. It’s not gonna slide around on the table surface very easily. I was expecting more of a toy, honestly, but it’s NOT. I think I’m gonna like it. Time to get some software installed and try it out.[emoji4]
Can you say "Overheat". Have you stress tested those computers with them in that location?Actually, it worked out pretty darn good IMO. I created an extra 1U under my Denon MC6000MK2 for my computers by cutting the front out and building the folding keyboard shelf.
... the thinness of the MC6000MK2 allowed that to happen, though I sacrificed 1U in front of the controller.[emoji4]
My sons got one I've played with, and it is darn nice. Just remember, I think it really is not an analog mixer - it's a digital controller - you loose that USB input, it's DOA.
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OH YES!!!
... I'm an IT guy.I stress tested this thing for days with an app running to monitor/measure everything. There's more circulation around those computers than it appears, and there's a little space between the controller and the computers, as the controller is slanted. They don't even come close to overheating.
I've used this system several times now, and it performs flawlessly.
Yep... very true, but the same is true with primary computer/controller (Denon MC6000MK2). Lose the USB, no audio, no midi control. That’s why the backup.[emoji4]
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I believe the MC6000 will work like a mixer without USB .. I used to run a 3.5mm cable from the headphone outlet to a spare channel as an audio backup. I could always use the mouse on the on-screen controls until I had a break to put a little DJ2GO2 in ..
I think you’re right, but I don’t currently have that cable connected, and I’ve never actually tried to use it that way.[emoji4] The headphone jack is on the front of my computer though, so it could be done pretty quickly on the fly.
The AKAI AMX has left and right line in inputs as well, but you’d need to have a USB power block to power the mixer anyway, since it’s USB powered. If you have to hook the USB up for power anyway, might as well get MIDI and audio.[emoji4]
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I was beginning to wonder if this AKAI AMX mixer was gonna work. I tried to get it working with Traktor and was having difficulty setting up the audio. At first I got no sound; then garbled low, sound; then I could get sound to the headphones, but no speakers. I kept working at it; changing settings, and checking the Windows sound settings. Finally, I figured out the audio cable wasn’t seated in the DN-410X mixer. Once I got all the Traktor Settings and cables working right, everything works as it should. I’ll play with it some more tomorrow.[emoji4]
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OK... the AKAI AMX is doing everything it’s supposed to do now. I think it’s gonna make a pretty good little backup unit. There are a few controls that are a little cumbersome to use while mixing live, but I think that’s largely just due to my lack of familiarity with this little mixer. The Traktor MIDI map is pretty good, and has all but a couple of features of the Serato version... nothing that makes it unusable.
It would have been nice to have a mic input. I’d say that’s about the biggest weakness. No big deal for me since I have 4 wireless mics I use with this system. I usually hold out one of the wireless mics for myself anyway, so I can grab it and walk around freely when I’m performing my MC duties. The 2 wired mics I use with this system are attached to the MC6000MK2, which in the backup scenario would not be operational if I’m using the AKAI. I have a little mic mixer I could use, but all the channels of the Denon DN-410X are taken, so no place to plug it in. A wireless mic is the only option.
So now that I have a complete and usable backup unit, the most glaring failure point in my Large System is the Denon DN-410X. If it goes out, I lose EVERYTHING!!!... The wireless mics plug into channels 1-4; the MC6000MK2 uses 5-6; the backup unit uses 7-8, and my tablet/Bluetooth uses 9-10. Being mounted in the rack with the connections on its back panel, there’s no option for a quick swap-out if it fails (even if I had a spare, which I don’t). I have an easy workaround... I simply bypass it by plugging the PA Speaker XLR outputs normally plugged into my rear patch panel directly into the outputs on the MC6000MK2, but that means no more wireless mics, and no more Bluetooth. I’d still have the two wired microphones, and I could still use the backup unit if necessary by doing the same direct connection to the PA speakers, but then I’d have ZERO microphones. What’s the odds of losing both the Denon controller AND the Denon mixer at the same time???[emoji1]
I still have my FOURTH backup option... I always carry my laptop and Allen & Heath ZED 10FX mixer. Mixing on the laptop with only the software (and a mouse) is not the best, but it is doable. However, NOW I could either use the ZED10 with my backup computer/AMX combo, or I could use the AMX with the laptop/ZED10 combo. I’d have no tablet and Bluetooth to play while hooking all that up, so there would be dead air for a few minutes. I’ll have to think about that... I think the likelihood of having to go to the fourth backup is pretty slim, but the little OCD dude in my head says; “YEAH, BUT...???”.[emoji1]
It would have been nice to have a mic input. I’d say that’s about the biggest weakness. No big deal for me since I have 4 wireless mics I use with this system. I usually hold out one of the wireless mics for myself anyway, so I can grab it and walk around freely when I’m performing my MC duties. The 2 wired mics I use with this system are attached to the MC6000MK2, which in the backup scenario would not be operational if I’m using the AKAI. I have a little mic mixer I could use, but all the channels of the Denon DN-410X are taken, so no place to plug it in. A wireless mic is the only option.
So now that I have a complete and usable backup unit, the most glaring failure point in my Large System is the Denon DN-410X. If it goes out, I lose EVERYTHING!!!... The wireless mics plug into channels 1-4; the MC6000MK2 uses 5-6; the backup unit uses 7-8, and my tablet/Bluetooth uses 9-10. Being mounted in the rack with the connections on its back panel, there’s no option for a quick swap-out if it fails (even if I had a spare, which I don’t). I have an easy workaround... I simply bypass it by plugging the PA Speaker XLR outputs normally plugged into my rear patch panel directly into the outputs on the MC6000MK2, but that means no more wireless mics, and no more Bluetooth. I’d still have the two wired microphones, and I could still use the backup unit if necessary by doing the same direct connection to the PA speakers, but then I’d have ZERO microphones. What’s the odds of losing both the Denon controller AND the Denon mixer at the same time???[emoji1]
I still have my FOURTH backup option... I always carry my laptop and Allen & Heath ZED 10FX mixer. Mixing on the laptop with only the software (and a mouse) is not the best, but it is doable. However, NOW I could either use the ZED10 with my backup computer/AMX combo, or I could use the AMX with the laptop/ZED10 combo. I’d have no tablet and Bluetooth to play while hooking all that up, so there would be dead air for a few minutes. I’ll have to think about that... I think the likelihood of having to go to the fourth backup is pretty slim, but the little OCD dude in my head says; “YEAH, BUT...???”.[emoji1]
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GEEZ... I’ve been using this AKAI AMX off-and-on today and it works fine, but there are a couple of things that don’t quite work with the Traktor MIDI map that would likely work just fine with Serato or DJay Pro. There’s nothing SERIOUSLY wrong... some functions just have to be done in software (with the mouse). The major one is Pitch Control. The Shift/Gain combo should move the slider showing on the screen, but it doesn’t. Not the end of the world, but annoying. But while reading some forum posts, I found a link to a newer map that purportedly fixed ALL my issues. Hallelujah!!![emoji1] Unfortunately, it’s too late to download and install it tonight. I’ll have to do it tomorrow. I was up ‘til 1:30AM this morning playing with this little mixer and it’s catching up with me.[emoji1]
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If you need a backup - backup mixer, PSSL has the Akai on sale today for $129.99 .. AKAI AMX DJ Controller & Mixer for Serato DJ - (https://www.pssl.com/AKAI-AMX-DJ-Controller-Mixer-for-Serato-DJ)