Back to more mistakes I made when I Reworked My Large System....
The FINAL MISTAKE (I choose to post about)
; Contingencies… I like having built-in contingencies (backups). The difference between my Large and Small systems is supposed to be the contingencies, but the only backup I really get with this new system is a backup computer. There’s really no built-in backup for anything else. If the controller fails, switching it out with another controller would be pretty impractical on the fly during a gig… too many internal connections. The backup (for a failed controller) is to use the backup computer, which connects to the Denon mixer. But if the Denon mixer fails, the ONLY backup is to connect the speakers directly to the controller; thereby losing the wireless microphones and backup computer audio. Also, I have a laptop and mixer I could use for a backup system, but NO room (no table) to set it up. Do I need to take my table just in case???... That was something I was trying to avoid, because that table top is HEAVY! Perhaps I can find a lighter weight top. I GOUGED it anyway and it needs repairing before my next gig with my Small System, which MUST sit on a table.
I used to carry another controller (Pioneer DDJ-T1) in a separate case as backup. Theoretically, I would swap the VMS 4.1 Case with the DDJ-T1 case, and I'd be up and running in a few minutes. But with the monitors mounted on a pole in the back of the case, it really took more than just a few minutes. At least with my Large Systems (old and new), I could continue playing music on the backup computer while I worked on the other computer or controller. The dual monitors give me a backup if my main monitor fails, and I set up the backup computer to run Traktor, so I have a completely redundant system when I switch the USB cable from the controller to the backup computer. I can even switch the monitors to have the one running Traktor directly in front of me by simply swapping the RJ-45 jacks on the patch panel (running DVI over CAT5 to my monitors). I'm looking at how I'll handle other potential failures, though, and rewriting my contingency plans. This takes some time, and I won't use this system until I have it worked out as best as I can.
I was looking at the new Large System last night (just staring at it) and thinking the WHOLE thing is riddled with mistakes. I could have mounted the Nano computers in the top of the rack above the controller (where the hinged access door is)… woulda been easy and convenient (maybe not as uncluttered looking). I could have hinged the keyboard shelf so the folding extension folds in… there’s a perfect amount of space for it in front of the computers (which didn’t need to be mounted there anyway). I could have done SO many things differently (maybe even better).
Do I have a system that works better than the previous version? Yes. Does it look good? I think so. Is it COOL??? You be the judge.
Will I rework it again? Probably… but not for at least 6 months.