Evaluation Of A Beginners Set-Up

[MaRkWrIgHtOcDiScO]

Hi all,

First of all I'm new here and would just like to introduce myself. My name is Mark and I've just started out on my own as a mobile DJ after spending a year working for another guy.

Basically I'm just looking for some experienced evaluation of my new set-up. Obviously as I'm only a student I wasn't able to fork out thousands on a mobile rig. I've bought all of my equipment from Maplins Electronics...which I know, having read several threads of this forum already, is not great but I'd still appreciate any advice on how to get the best out of the equipment I was able to afford.

Here is what I'm running on to begin with:

ProSound 500W Speakers
ProSound 1600W Amplifier
Alesis Multimix USB Mixer
2 ProSound Radio Mics
2 ProSound Dynamic Vocal Mics
Virtual DJ Laptop Software

At the moment my lighting consists of:

2 ProSound Vango Diamond Effects
2 ProSound Vango Swing Effects
2 x 4 Bulb Light Sequencers
Moving Message Display

Clearly this is a pretty basic set-up, I understand that and to be honest in hindsight I should really have shopped around a bit more but you know how it is, working for another guy who is getting half of your wages for doing nothing but providing rubbish equipment is not a situation anybody would want to be in for a length of time.

Any honest assessments of my equipment and advice on how to get the best out of it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys.

Mark.

[Danno13]

Welcome to the forums.

Seems ok to me, but you really need another playout source.. what happens if the laptop crashes? A backup amp is a good idea as well.

[MaRkWrIgHtOcDiScO]

Thank you for your response Danno13. I agree with you in that I do need to buy another playout source, could you recommend any for a reasonable price?

[OllieJames]

Seems ok to me, but you really need another playout source.. what happens if the laptop crashes? A backup amp is a good idea as well.

:agree:

Apart from that, sounds like a nice set-up!

Maybe invest in some of the new LED lighting?

Welcome to the forum too!

[Danno13]

Thank you for your response Danno13. I agree with you in that I do need to buy another playout source, could you recommend any for a reasonable price?

How about a dual CD player like this - http://www.ukdj.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=29924

Or if you have a bit more to spend, then one of the American Audio SD card players, which will save space in your rack -
http://www.djanddiscostuff.com/prodpage.asp?prodid=2685

[MaRkWrIgHtOcDiScO]

Thank you for the advice. I should be able to stretch to around £150 for a dual CD player. As you say, if my laptop crashes (touch wood it won't) then the CD player becomes an essential piece of equipment.

I like the look of the LED lighting. Definitely something to think about when I can afford to properly upgrade my set-up.

Basically for now I just want to make sure I've got enough decent equipment to get me through a gig without looking, and sounding, cheap and nasty. The ProSound audio stuff seems to sound ok, I just get worried when I see so many people on forums ripping their products.

[MaRkWrIgHtOcDiScO]

I've added two more sets of 4 Light Sequencers and one Laser Crab to my light show. I'm hoping it will all look pretty good when everything is powered up.

Anybody else who could tell me what they think of my equipment is more than welcome to comment.

[nigelwright7557]

Welcome to the forums.

Seems ok to me, but you really need another playout source.. what happens if the laptop crashes? A backup amp is a good idea as well.

Welcome Mark Wright, thats my brothers name ! but he lives in the states.

I agree, you need to carry two of everything otherwise you end up causing serious embarassment for yourself and your clients.

I like a loud system so use a 1000WRMS amp with the same power in speakers. Nothing worse than standing behind your setup with it turned right up and people shouting "turn it up" !

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I've added two more sets of 4 Light Sequencers and one Laser Crab to my light show. I'm hoping it will all look pretty good when everything is powered up.

Anybody else who could tell me what they think of my equipment is more than welcome to comment.

Well, if you want an honest evaluation, it will do to start, but is budget gear. Buy from a dedicated DJ store next time and not somewhere like Maplins. A dedicated DJ store should give you impartial advice whereas Maplins will sell you what they have, which is cheap low budget kit.



I like a loud system so use a 1000WRMS amp with the same power in speakers.

Without getting into willy waving, I wouldn't say that 1000W RMS is particularly loud Nigel?

[djsteve10]

Ok well Daz has covered what i was going to say,

But...

1000w RMS might be loud in a sense of wattage but i go on quality, i would rather have a good quality sound system what doesn't burst peoples ears but is loud enough to entice people to dance. Will waving my sound system is bigger than yours and all that but the thing is your guests go home early because you are driving the sound system to hell and hurting their ears, My clients stay all night because they can sit down and chat without having a sound system being thrashed in their ears but other guests can still get on the dancefloor.

[ppentertainments]

Ok well Daz has covered what i was going to say,

But...

1000w RMS might be loud in a sense of wattage but i go on quality, i would rather have a good quality sound system what doesn't burst peoples ears but is loud enough to entice people to dance. Will waving my sound system is bigger than yours and all that but the thing is your guests go home early because you are driving the sound system to hell and hurting their ears, My clients stay all night because they can sit down and chat without having a sound system being thrashed in their ears but other guests can still get on the dancefloor.

Very true. I use a 1300w amp and rarely need to run it past half way apart from maybe the last hour. A lot of gigs I do (elderly people) I use a 200w system which is more than enough.

[Excalibur]

OK mate, so you now know Maplins kit is not well thought of on here. :D As you are already into the digital playout system, why not look at a Cortex, or posssibly American DJ SD card system. Bit towards the high end of you budget, but worth a look. I would try as soon as possible to get a better amp, and use the Prosound as backup. I haven't checked the specs needed, but it shouldn't be too dear.
BTW, if it sounds and looks OK, and runs reliably, then the badges don't matter. ( With certain exceptions )

[nigelwright7557]

Ok well Daz has covered what i was going to say,

But...

1000w RMS might be loud in a sense of wattage but i go on quality, i would rather have a good quality sound system what doesn't burst peoples ears but is loud enough to entice people to dance. Will waving my sound system is bigger than yours and all that but the thing is your guests go home early because you are driving the sound system to hell and hurting their ears, My clients stay all night because they can sit down and chat without having a sound system being thrashed in their ears but other guests can still get on the dancefloor.

I am very disapointed my comment was taken so badly.
I was just putting forward a sensible wattage (using decent speakers) that will suffice for disco work in pubs and clubs and village halls where I live.

[Danno13]

I was just putting forward a sensible wattage (using decent speakers) that will suffice for disco work in pubs and clubs and village halls where I live.

So it might not be ok for disco work in pubs and clubs and village halls in other parts of the country?

[nigelwright7557]

So it might not be ok for disco work in pubs and clubs and village halls in other parts of the country?

Absolutely.

[MaRkWrIgHtOcDiScO]

Thanks for all the great advice.

When I can afford it I will definitely upgrade my set-up, buying equipment from a DJ store rather than Maplins, although I am glad a few of you have been positive about the stuff I have at the moment. Obviously I realise that there is better equipment out there but for the time being, seen as my DJ work is only a bit on the side before I begin University, I'm happy with the way my audio sounds and the way my lighting looks.

I've actually recieved quite a few compliments from people at gigs which is great and probably goes some way towards proving the guy who suggested that badges aren't everything right.

[Excalibur]

Come on folks, while I'm guilty of being a joker most of the time, the lads asking for help with his gear. Grow up and be serious please. Leave the jokes and sniping for threads where it doesn't matter so much. :mad:

[MaRkWrIgHtOcDiScO]

If anybody has any spare time over the next few days I'm looking for people to try and come up with a set-up full of recommended equipment, just as a reference for the future when I begin upgrading. So if anybody has any particular websites, lighting, speakers, amps or anything else DJ related that they would like to recommend to me it would be greatly appreciated.

Also I'd like to know from as many of you as possible what their favourite DJ manufacturer is. Is it a case of one manufacturer being the best in everything or certain manufacturers being good for different bits of equipment.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Soooooo many questions there...

I'd suggest taking a few hours to read and search the site, as you'll find lots of opinion about equipment.

[MaRkWrIgHtOcDiScO]

You're right Solitaire, I'll have a good look around the forum today.

I was just kind of hoping people might be able to post a reply of their 'ideal' set-up, but I'll check things out myself today.

Thanks to everybody who has helped me out.

[Corabar Steve]

I think there was a thread on just that a while back

[501damian501]

back up cd players, are basic cd walkmans with an 3.5mm to phono wire :)
why use run of the mill for backup ?