estellerox
New member
A very good friend of mine is a DJ for parties. This isn't mixing and whatnot, it's simply playing appropriate music with some vocal annoucement here and there. We're looking to modernize his 20yr old setup.
Where we are:
The current setup is fully analog. Two CD players (RCA jacks), two mic's (1/4"), all into mixer board, 1/4" out to amp. All music is on CD and we have about 2000 albums.
Where we want to go:
We want to minimize setup/teardown time. We also want to run digital signals wherever possible into the mixer, in this case digital from the CD players (2) and PC, analog from the mic's. In the future we may run digital from the mixer to the amp but we're keeping the 1/4" analog (amp/speakers later).
We want to digitize the music collection so that we don't have to actually carry our 2k CD's to the venue. Most software likes the .mp3 format so we're going to rip everything to 256KB/s .mp3 and run a PC output on any digital format. I'm thinking we'll need two rather large HDD's.
We're thinking about a rack, possibly two short racks, to contain the existing amp, new rack-mount PC (w/ possible external sound and external video), new rack-mount HDD's & enclosure, an existing kareoke box that runs a few wireless mic's, new rack-mount dual CD (in case the computer fails), and a new mixer board to top one short rack.
The end goal is to be able to move the speakers/stanRAB, rack(s), and a box with the screen/KB/mouse + mics. Quick, easy, fast setup as half the plugs are permanently attached and tied down within the rack.
Knowledge issues:
Alot of the digital mixer boarRAB accept digital coaxial input. The home audio world uses optical cables to hook audio components. The PC may run an optical out (notice we're using a rack mount as a requirement). How do I run input/output conversion, or is it even needed? Do I need an external sound card or should I find a mixer with optical inputs?
Budget & Shopping List: $3500
1. Mixer board (3 analog, 3 digital inputs required)
2. CD players (digital out required)
3. PC (Do I need an external sound card in a rack mount? Do I need external video to run the lyrics display?)
3. HDD's & enclosure
4. Actual Racks
5. LCD screen for PC + KB/mouse
6. Software
7. TV for kareoke display
Help:
OT, I have no idea what branRAB are decent for price/value. I don't know how to match all the inputs/outputs. I don't know what software has decent features for the money. I don't know exactly what exactly is required for the computer audio and video outputs.
CliRAB:
I'm modernizing a 20yr old DJ setup and need alot of help.
Thanks for the help!
Where we are:
The current setup is fully analog. Two CD players (RCA jacks), two mic's (1/4"), all into mixer board, 1/4" out to amp. All music is on CD and we have about 2000 albums.
Where we want to go:
We want to minimize setup/teardown time. We also want to run digital signals wherever possible into the mixer, in this case digital from the CD players (2) and PC, analog from the mic's. In the future we may run digital from the mixer to the amp but we're keeping the 1/4" analog (amp/speakers later).
We want to digitize the music collection so that we don't have to actually carry our 2k CD's to the venue. Most software likes the .mp3 format so we're going to rip everything to 256KB/s .mp3 and run a PC output on any digital format. I'm thinking we'll need two rather large HDD's.
We're thinking about a rack, possibly two short racks, to contain the existing amp, new rack-mount PC (w/ possible external sound and external video), new rack-mount HDD's & enclosure, an existing kareoke box that runs a few wireless mic's, new rack-mount dual CD (in case the computer fails), and a new mixer board to top one short rack.
The end goal is to be able to move the speakers/stanRAB, rack(s), and a box with the screen/KB/mouse + mics. Quick, easy, fast setup as half the plugs are permanently attached and tied down within the rack.
Knowledge issues:
Alot of the digital mixer boarRAB accept digital coaxial input. The home audio world uses optical cables to hook audio components. The PC may run an optical out (notice we're using a rack mount as a requirement). How do I run input/output conversion, or is it even needed? Do I need an external sound card or should I find a mixer with optical inputs?
Budget & Shopping List: $3500
1. Mixer board (3 analog, 3 digital inputs required)
2. CD players (digital out required)
3. PC (Do I need an external sound card in a rack mount? Do I need external video to run the lyrics display?)
3. HDD's & enclosure
4. Actual Racks
5. LCD screen for PC + KB/mouse
6. Software
7. TV for kareoke display
Help:
OT, I have no idea what branRAB are decent for price/value. I don't know how to match all the inputs/outputs. I don't know what software has decent features for the money. I don't know exactly what exactly is required for the computer audio and video outputs.
CliRAB:
I'm modernizing a 20yr old DJ setup and need alot of help.
Thanks for the help!