Downsizing

[DJ INDIE]

evening all,

with technology vastly improving day by day now, and the fact that i change my kit quite often, im thinking after visiting a few shops of downsizing some of my kit.

please note; im thinking of downsizing size not quality.

for example i saw a 2U mixer that had everything my 4U one does, im considering 2 full range active speakers, instead of the 2 tops and a sub.


just wondered if anyone had any ideas/experience of such kit? or any ideas for the things im after listed below?


i plan to fit almost everything in my rack box - about 12-14U so i want everything 19" rackmountable - and im going to need:

1.mixer (including reverb, graphic equalizer etc)
2.mic mixer for option of karaoke (or this could be part of above?
3.a dmx controller (already have a 2U one - so im happy with that)
4.something along the line of a cortex or denon often mentioned on here to replace the laptop
5.cd trays and wheels
6.if possible a rackmount plug

as well as;

hazer

active speakers

any small lighting that has a big impact




.... and anything else thats helpful..




if possible id like to keep the costs down, so no £3000 cd players etc please!



as usual, any help appreciated.

[spin mobile disco]

Did a lot of downsizing myself when i used to use my old peugeot 106 for all my disco's.
Size of lighting I have found the vango series from maplin or American Dj series very light and surprisingly reliable.
A Numark D2 as a playout system means you could leave all your cd's at home saving a fair bit of space.
Active speakers would be less in amount to carry but in most cases weigh a considerable amount more than a passive setup. Although for some reason mackies 300z and 450srms weight the same never figured that out myself.

[pagan_flame]

Active speakers would be less in amount to carry but in most cases weigh a considerable amount more than a passive setup. Although for some reason mackies 300z and 450srms weight the same never figured that out myself.

Like yourself I use a dB Tech Sub 15 - which weighs the same as one of my old Peavey 15" passives... I'm just in the process of getting a pair of Tapco Thump speakers to try out as backup / reinforcement for the Mackies... the Tapco's are a 200w RMS active 15", weigh 16kg each...

[theoloyla]

I came to the conclusion many years ago that bigger is not necessarily better.

[ppentertainments]

I came to the conclusion many years ago that bigger is not necessarily better.

Couldn't agree more.

Recently (with the exception of very large or young gigs) I have started using only a 300w system with 3 lights on a micromax stand. Have received loads of compliments whereas using the big set with bass bins I often get asked to turn it down a bit (even when not loud at all). I rarely use bass bins now and everyone seems happy. :D

[Ace DJ]

I haven't used bass bins for about 2 years now. Don't miss them at all
Ace

[rob1963]

I came to the conclusion many years ago that bigger is not necessarily better.


Couldn't agree more.

I also agree.

When talking to officials at venues, they often tell me about other discos which turn up with what seems like lorry loads of gear, which is completely over the top & takes hours to set up.....

...but I can't remember the last time one of them told me about a disco that turned up with not ENOUGH equipment.

[Shaun]

I agree too.

I've been downsizing for the last few years. I get more compliments on the minimal set-up than I ever did using all the "bells and whistles".

Less is definitely more.

[DJ INDIE]

has anyone reduced the size of anything in particular other than just speakers? such as mixers, cd players, mp3 playback etc?

[Danno13]

I've downsized on lighting, but can't work without subs.. just never sounds as good to me plus the subs act as stands for the tops so no tripod legs for people to trip over!

[DJ INDIE]

ive been searching around still to downsize further and just wondered if anyone has ever come across these?

http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR274875


1U rack mixer - only 2 channels - but with 2 mic inputs and a rec out - plus headphones and basic eq - could do everything required in a small set up?

im thinking for basic small/medium gigs?

also if i combined this with a 1U cortex usb / hard drive controller thats amost a full set up (excluding backup) in 2U - my mixer alone at the moment is 4U and my cds another 4U!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Or how about this? http://www.prosound-dj.com/denon-dnx050-mixer-p-1987.html?manufacturers_id=14&osCsid=9ed1ad32e45348b3a1d8377d5e37a6dd

[DJ INDIE]

thats now a serious contender!....approx £40 more, but i take it the denon wins hands down on quality...decisions, decisions.....

[JAMdisco]

There's a great review on the new 'Verse Audio' speakers in the latest Pro-Mobile magazine. Apparently a BIG sound in a very compact system.

They sound really impressive but unfortunately so is the price tag.

I once swore I would never go back to actives but I reckon if I could afford it, they would be on my list (Obviously would need to hear them first)

[flatliners]

just looked on the Verse Audio website and they look impressive but carnt find any prices

[Excalibur]

ive been searching around still to downsize further and just wondered if anyone has ever come across these?

- my mixer alone at the moment is 4U and my cds another 4U!

My mixer's 6U, and I refuse to go smaller! ;) :D

[DJ INDIE]

ive picked myself up a really good labour and space saving case on my quest - 2U high shelf at the front and 6U sloped across the top for the mixer (its shallow) and has removeable front, back and top covers along with a back panel with a precut hole in so you can thread your cables through, reattach the rear panel and everything looks really tidy.



its about a quarter of the size and weight of my old 3U high by 12-14U long heavy duty case. and does roughly the same job, its just as protective and a lot lighter.

and it fits nicely onto even the smallest table. (plenty of room inside too for cables, sockets etc)

next job - finally say goodbye to the backup cd player (donate to my roadie) and replace with a 1U or 2U single or dual SD card player (for backup emergencies). i know these have been mentioned before but is there any stand out model? or duffers that arent worth buying or are unreliable? or best value for money.

[DJBOXY]

Has anyone tried the Mackie SRM 350's powered I use these for about 80 % of jobs kids parties pub work etc they are light eeasy to use and bomb proof I have dropped mine on many occasions and they still work fine. I think they weigh about 14 - 15kg with built in 200 watt amp each.

[Tony Scott]

I tried downsizing once but was never happy with the sound.

For me the biggest kick is definately from packing the dancefloor but a close second is the satifaction I get from using the kit, particularly my sound system.

I can see the obvious benefits of using less kit and now take out less lighting, I used to take 14 - 18 effects which way was too much. I now use 8-10 and think the show looks less busy.

If I was going to use a really small lightshow I think I would go for a 4 head, DMX controlled, Discharge Gobo-Flower set-up on a T-Bar. Compact, versatile and when used with a proper DMX controller can be really subtle for those First/Slow dances....

.....just wont compromise on sound! :)