Sign In:     

Forum: General Discussion

Topic: Will this work?

This topic is old and might contain outdated or incorrect information.

Ok, so I don't really plan on anything fancy. I plan on doing a few small/med. gigs when I get back to school. I currently am running VDJ on a Toshiba laptop. The laptop has no problems and I have an portable HD so I won't have to worry about too much. I am planning on purchasing an American Audio QD-5 mixer, or something similar this week. I am also in the market for a set of active speakers. I am currently looking at the B-52 Matrix 3 piece active PA system found here. http://www.guitarcenter.com/B-52-Matrix-200-200W-3-Piece-Active-PA-system-103805172-i1168826.gc

My question is, how will I hook the mixer up to my laptop? Also will it work with VDJ? I just mainly plan on fading. And if anyone is speaker savvy is the B-52 a good setup?

Thanks in advance,
DJ Acizzle
 
Posted Tue 25 Dec 07 @ 11:14 pm
you need a soundcard that has two stereo outputs. check first if your laptop has surround sound outputs, which would mean you can do it like that. however onboard laptops soundcards are not usually great for vdj. it works but it's latent. best to buy a firewire sound card. check aroudn the forum for more info.
 
Paz is right, you probably would want to get a good external sound card.

After you have a decent sound card, you might want to consider getting a midi controler instead of a mixer if all you want to do is fade between tunes. This will save you money (M-sudio x sesssion pro is less than a $100) and lighten your load. VDJ has excellent midi support for external controllers.

I have not heard the B-52 system you have listed but it seems rather small for anything other than appartment or office type parties. A friend of mine was using a larger version of this series (5000?) with a sub module that housed the amps and it worked for smaller dj gigs and vocal monitors for small rock band performances. Sounded good too. If you are going to be playing in a small room or arera for less than 100 people, your choice should be OK. I don't know if you have a fixed budget but I would suggest looking at the B-52 sytems with the sub or two powered 12 to 15 inch speakers (Mackie or JBL just to name a few) if you plan on anything larger. My smallest system consist of two Mackie 450 12" powered full range speakers and a Mackie 15" 1501 sub.

Please let us know what you come up with and don't hesitate to ask more questions... it sucks to waste money on equipment that does not work.

Merry Christmas,

HOP
 
Thanks for the insightful information fellow DJs. I now have a clearer picture of what is needed and that complication has cleared up somewhat. Now that I know I can use a midi controller, I would like you alls input on a pretty decent one in a price ranger <$250USD. As for the speaker system, I believe I looked at the wrong unit. I am currently thinking about the B-521000 which includes a subwoofer.

Again, thanks for all your help.
DJ Acizzle
 
A good controller in the $250 price range would have to be the Numark Total Control.

http://www.numark.com/totalcontrol

If you need an integrated 4.1 soundcard (for cueing/beatmixing) take a look at the Hercules DJ console MK2.
 
I too, was favoring the Numark unit. It has a nice design and looks fairly simple. I was told in order to run my sound system, if purchasing that particular unit, a good dedicated soundcard would be the Numark DJiO. Is this pretty much correct?
 
Yes that's a very good card, I'd recommend taking that route.

But if money is an issue, the hercules has a good soundcard in-built (but the controller isn't as good, especially the mixing controls, but if you have a hardware mixer it's not much to worry about).
 
I believe that is the route I will take. However, my last question is, with the midi controller having no place to hookup my headphones, will I be able to do so on the Numark DJiO as well as hook up my speaker system?

Thank you all so, so much...
DJ Acizzle
 
Yes it has a Stereo headphone output, and yes you'll be able to hook up your Speaker system through the 2 RCA Stereo outputs.
 
i run a MK2 console as well i like the sound card in it.
i mainly remapped it for video crossfader etc.

but that DJiO is very good choice ;-)
same with that numark controller very good choice ;-)

very good plugins n remappers to make it work how ya need it to.
 
DJ Acizze wrote :
Thanks for the insightful information fellow DJs. I now have a clearer picture of what is needed and that complication has cleared up somewhat. Now that I know I can use a midi controller, I would like you alls input on a pretty decent one in a price ranger <$250USD. As for the speaker system, I believe I looked at the wrong unit. I am currently thinking about the B-521000 which includes a subwoofer.

Again, thanks for all your help.
DJ Acizzle


I have a B-52 matrix v1000 unit.

So far so good. I've run it pretty loud and it's been nice sounding so far. It'll do a venue of 300 people without Breathing hard. A large room or more people and you'll only be loud enough for the dancefloor. But for some venues that's all you'll ever need.

Also The B-52 matrix needs some space to sound really nice. Meaning that because the three speakers are separated; The tones from each speaker range take some time to mix and therefore standing about 3 feet in front of the speakers sound awful - standing 6 feet back sounds amazing.
 
Can't tell you all how much I appreciate the help.

An opportunity arose from me when I found an ad on some JBL TR-105 Floor Monitors/Main Speakers. The guy is local and he has 3 of them. He is asking $150 per speaker. However, they are passive, which means they'll require an amp. IF I were to get two of these, what size amp would be required, or would I be better off going with the other setup. From what I've read, JBL are top of the line for pro audio?

Or, to broaden my selection, what would be a good speaker setup, if possible under $500?

Thanks new VDJ fam.
DJ Acizzle
 
You might want to take the weight and size of the B-52 set up into consideration. The sub module is a big bitch and it can be hard to fit into some vehicles and it weighs alot too. I would not want to carry this thing up a few stairs without help.

JBL has many different lines from ok to pro.

I will check on the JBL models (TR series) for you... I believe I have used those a while ago. I'll get back with you soon.

HOP

 
The JBL TR-105 were mid level speakers that should do fine in your application. If you go with these, make sure you have some type of written driver replacement warranty as you never know hard these speakers might have been pushed.

After looking at the specs, you should go with an amp with 300 to 400 watt @ 8 ohm per channel capability. I would look for a good used quality amp from one of the "Big Two" amp companies... either Crown or QSC.

Keep in mind you will have to budget for speaker stands and all the necessary cables.

HOP
 
Thanks Chibie,

There is actually a local guy in my area selling those exact speakers. He has 3 and is asking $150 each, is that a pretty good deal? However, they're around 6 years old. I really would like something like that, but it seems like active speakers are much less 'needy' than passive. I'm not sure if it's the fact of me needing an amp to run them or what.
 
chibie wrote :
You might want to take the weight and size of the B-52 set up into consideration. The sub module is a big bitch and it can be hard to fit into some vehicles and it weighs alot too. I would not want to carry this thing up a few stairs without help.

JBL has many different lines from ok to pro.

I will check on the JBL models (TR series) for you... I believe I have used those a while ago. I'll get back with you soon.

HOP




It's not that bad Actually. All Three Speakers Combined only weigh in at about 130 lbs. So the sub while a little awkward is hardly heavy.
A decent Amp rack with crossover and processor tips the scales at about the same and is just as awkward to carry.

If I'm doing a non-video mobile show. It's very easy to fit into most vehicles.

The Main advice I would have for anyone buying these units is to keep the amp away from moisture - Not as easy as it sounds when the caster wheels are on the amp mounting plate. During Christmas I was taking a Flat folding Cart out with me and placing the sub unit on the cart so As not to roll it through Snow and tempt a water-short.

It really does sound nice.
 
I guess I am getting old! I hauled it around in my panel van because my buddy could not get it to fit in his car. I guess there really no problem if you have help or a strong back... but I have to agree that it does a great job for the money.

HOP
 
I would talk thius guy down to AT MOST $300 for all three... unless they are in primo shape and you really know the guy, you just don't know where they have been and I am sure the guy will say they have been well cared for, babied, pampered, etc.

I think you are better off coughing up the dough for the B-52 system (1000V2). You should get a warranty and hopefully it has some cables already supplied.

Another option you might want to consider are the Yamaha Club Speaker Series (Used). They do not sound quite as nice as others but they are proven long term performers.

HOP
 


(Old topics and forums are automatically closed)