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PropellerHeadCase
08-04-2007, 09:57 PM
Hi guys, a question regarding set-up. I noticed in the gallery that all the systems have speakers and lights set-up in the 'goal posts and crossbar' configuration.

The venue that I have a semi-residency at has a slightly odd set up in that there is a DJ booth, of sorts, at the end of the dancefloor next to the punters opposite the bar. Every DJ I've seen set up there tries to cram their gear into the booth or has the lights and speakers out front of the booth.

For the longest time I've been setting up one speaker/light combo near the booth and the other speaker/light combo (with bass bin) in the far corner of the dancefloor against the same wall (making use of the corner to boost the bass) thereby getting great sound spread across the floor and maximising light coverage.

This coming Saturday I have my first official residency gig with my own gear rather than the gear I use from the company I sub to and I'm intending to change my lay-out again. My gear has the advantage of more and longer leads (I had a very specific shopping list when I finally bought my own gear - lots of long spare cables was a must!) and DMX control on the lighting (as opposed to just a switch-box with extension leads to the lights).

My thought is that I want to put the lights and speakers at the end of the room and point them back to the punters/dining area. This should reduce the nasty bright reflections from pointing the speakers at the opposing wall and the need for excessive volume as I'll be pointing at them rather than pointing parallel to them.

The pluses as far as I'm concerned are that I'll be better able to monitor the volume and EQ as I'll be near to where the guests are in relation to the speakers, also the volume from the speakers should be less than the spill I get from standing right next to one (or both) of my speakers which should mean I can turn my 'phones down a bit. Also I'll have a better punter's-eye view of the lights so I can critique my own 'still new' set-up.

Thoughts/comments appreciated. Does anyone else ever find the need for an off-set set-up? Is anyone morally opposed to such a thing?

spin mobile disco
08-04-2007, 11:08 PM
First point i would make is feedback, if your more in line of the incoming sound you are likely to get feedback from any mic use. Also remmebr power loss over distance of cable, longer the speaker cable more juice needed to power it. Cant remember the exact but I think its something like 5% loss over 10 metre going to about 20% on 30 metre.

PropellerHeadCase
08-04-2007, 11:14 PM
Both good points but I'm talking about 10-15 metres so not sufficient signal loss for me to be concerned, especially as my amp stack is way over-powered for the venue. Feedback is actually unlikely because the booth is set-back from the floor but mostly because I have a DBX signal processor with 12 floating feedback limiters :D

spin mobile disco
09-04-2007, 10:45 AM
Only thing to really consider then is the cable runs being neat, as well as protected from prying fingers. And also do you feel comfortable with the equipment being so far from you (customer fiddling etc)

Solitaire Events Ltd
09-04-2007, 12:12 PM
And also do you feel comfortable with the equipment being so far from you (customer fiddling etc)

That would put me off setting anything up a way from me.

I don't think feedback would be a problem though if your cabs are the other end of the room.

PropellerHeadCase
09-04-2007, 07:38 PM
Only thing to really consider then is the cable runs being neat, as well as protected from prying fingers. And also do you feel comfortable with the equipment being so far from you (customer fiddling etc)

Good points, thanks. I run the cables along the walls - the first run, from me to the near corner is behind the coffee and cake table and from that corner to the far corner the cables can be tucked under the partition wall (the wall can be pulled back to nearly double the room size).

I've never ever had problems with people fiddling with cables, power or audio, even at 21sts and after-balls (drunk teenagers), is this a common problem for you guys?

flatliners
09-04-2007, 08:03 PM
hope you have pli

spin mobile disco
09-04-2007, 08:04 PM
Yes it can be a problem depending on the croud / venue etc.