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Topic: DJ Equipment

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NAZT-N8Home userMember since 2009
I want to dj at a local bar using my laptop and i need to know what other equipment is needed to do this. I know i need speakers and an amp (what kind though?) And is there anything else that is needed?
 
Posted Mon 20 Jul 09 @ 12:21 pm
Does the bar have it's own PA you can connect into? If so then all you need is your laptop, mixer and controller set. If not then you will need either a set of powered speakers such as the B-52 matrix system which i use to great success or a separate speaker system and amplifier.

As I mentioned I use the B-52 Matrix system of powered speakers and I have a dbx DriveRack PX Powered Speaker Optimizer/Auto EQ and a BBE Sonic Maximizer 882i. those are helpful in shaping the sound of your system , helps control feedback and clipping as well as equalizing the sound based on the acoustics of the room you are playing in. You should definitely have a power conditioner. A 15 amp unit will suffice. I use a Monster power Pro 2500 with a digital voltmeter display on the front of it. Furman is also a very good and commonly used brand.

Does the venue have its own DJ lighting? If not you may consider some inexpensive ADJ of Chauvet lights. LED is the way to go, prices are pretty low and they last forever. The ADJ Vertigo Tri-LED is an awesome light that is very inexpensive, about $99 USD and it's strobe like colorful lighting effects are worth more. A couple of ADJ Jewel LEDs go for around $150 a pair and then a more expensive but worthwhile item to have is a laser. I use a Chauvet Scorpion Storm RG laser. This laser is awesome especially when used with fog, it's like having a mini laser show right there at you venue. Combined with the other lights I mentioned and you will have a very nice show. A simple strobe, UV wash (black light) and a cheapo fog machine adds a nice effect to the overall show too if you can afford to throw them in.

Here is a very inexpensive, high quality and durable powered speaker system, (the amps are built in)...

http://www.guitarcenter.com/B-52-MATRIX-1000-V2-700W-Active-3-Piece-Speaker-System-103233151-i1153270.gc


This person below "Chris07lex" took my advice and bought the B-52's, the ADJ Vertigo Tri-LED light and pole and he's completely happy with the choice he made and it wasn't too expensive either....

DJRudeDoGG wrote :
chris07lex wrote :
FIRST OF ALL THNX FOR DJRUDEDOGG FOR HELPING ME OUT ON MY SET UP, HOWEVER ITS QUITE NOT COMPLETE YET....I HAVE SOME LIGHTS PENDING ON ORDER AND A LAPTOP STAND...
MY SET UP ARE B52 MATRIX 1000- DJRUDEDOGG RECOMMENDED...ITS DAMN LOUD...I WAS VERY IMPRESS WITH THIS SPEAKER
FROM LIGHT STAND AND SPEAKER STAND RECOMMENDED BY DJ RUDEDOGG..
HERCULES RMX MIXER AND VDJ VER 6.0
ADJ TRI LED VERTIGO...




Thanks for the props man. I love to helping fellow DJs . Nice set up!!! Keep it up!


DJ RuDe






Good luck!


DJ RuDe



Keep Spinnin'!!

B-52 Matrix 1000 V2
 
Posted Mon 20 Jul 09 @ 2:21 pm
The answer depends on the size of your gigs you plan to do.

I run with a pair of JBL SRX 725's -> http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/general/Product.aspx?PId=117&MId=3

The pair peak at just under 10kilowatts, and run program at just under 5k. Thats about enough for 4-500 people in an enclosed space. This all runs from a matrix amp and active crossover to tweak the bass.

They are BIG tho! 50 kilo's each. so make sure you have a trolley!
 
Posted Tue 21 Jul 09 @ 6:53 am
Hey Dogg, do you use those speakers? I've read a crap load of good things about them. I have a set of L1 Bose and I have a QSC RMX 5050 5,000 Watt amp and JBL speakers and subs for large gigs of more than 150 people. I want a good powered set to do karaoke or 150 people and under DJ gigs, I like the Bose system for karaoke but I don't get enough bass response and I heard the matrix b-52's kick sum ass. Is the bass response as good as people say cuz I never heard these in person.
 
Posted Tue 21 Jul 09 @ 4:14 pm
nsxmarvPRO InfinityMember since 2008
I run a B-52 matrix system too. You can't go wrong with these speakers. I can pack up at the end of the night in 15 minutes if I'm not using my lights.
 
Posted Tue 21 Jul 09 @ 6:11 pm
How heavy is the sub, i have to bring these up 3 flight of stairs to bring them into my apartment, By myself ?
 
Posted Tue 21 Jul 09 @ 7:27 pm
I've lifted mine up 8 flights of stairs to my 4th floor apartment (elevator is broken)

They weigh about 120lbs and if you're a bigger guy it's no problem at all. I move mine by myself most of the time. Atfer the summer weddings are all finished I'm probably gonna get a second set for larger venues.
 
Posted Tue 21 Jul 09 @ 9:40 pm
Check into the RCF ART series. I run powered 15 tops and powered 15 bottoms and they are the clearest, lightest, most powerful active speakers you will ever see. Though, they do come with a hefty proce tag, its well worth it in the long run.
 
Posted Wed 22 Jul 09 @ 12:39 am
The sub is pretty heavy but it's not an issue for me yet. I'm in the gym 4 to 5 days a week, maybe in 8 more years when I hit my 50's my back will remind me of how old I'm getting!! lol
 
Posted Wed 22 Jul 09 @ 3:22 am
taylaPRO InfinityMember since 2007
believe me it will... lol
 
Posted Wed 22 Jul 09 @ 4:23 am
If you are looking for lighting on a budget I recommend these Very inexpensive lights:

http://www.chauvetlighting.com/j-five.html

http://www.chauvetlighting.com/lx-10.html


Add 2 or three of those to this pre-fab package:

http://www.chauvetlighting.com/led-par-38-system.html

And you will have a very acceptable mobile light show for a very tight budget

2 other things I would recommend is a relay/control pack and a fogger.

American DJ makes similar products in LED form if your taste runs to ADJ.

There's no retailer in my city that Stocks ADJ products regularly so I have to really want something to special order something from ADJ's catalogue. Pity because now that LED stuff is taking over from lightbulbs the major issues that people complained about with ADJ are now moot. (that and guys not paying attention to the Duty cycle) And ADJ's LED stuff is pretty kicking from what I can see in the promo videos
 
Posted Wed 22 Jul 09 @ 11:56 pm
As far as lights go, I bought a American DJ Quad Gem DMX Moonflower for about $250 and it is a pretty good light. It has basically 4 lights in one and is very mobile and quick to set up. If you don't have a dmx board a simple hand held controller can be purchased to operate the light from where you stand. I also run 8 of the American DJ PAR-38B Can Buy Two and Save (musiciansfriend) for $30 a pair for fill lighting in small to medium venues (4x red and 4x green or blue). Right now I run them to a simple power strip to turn on and off. Of course I will upgrade to a chase controller as money comes in though.

Speaker I run 2x Yamaha BR15 through a QSC RMX 2450 Amp, Yamaha MSR800W 15" Powered Subwoofer. Plenty of power and good sound.

Some people may laugh at my sound card. I don't scratch or anything so a simple usb card is all I use. It is a card from turtle beach called Audio Advantage Micro. Plug the card into your usb and run the jacks to any mixer and plug your headphones into your pc phone jack. Set the cards up in VDJ config and thats all you need. Pretty good sound for $30 and you can play and cue with just the laptop. If you don't scratch and do a lot of remixes you don't need to start with a software controller yet. Good luck.
 
Posted Thu 23 Jul 09 @ 8:14 am
I have a couple of the turtle beach usb soundcards for backup. They sound great.
 
Posted Thu 23 Jul 09 @ 8:43 am
I've been doing my own research and investigation and i have decided on getting the B 52 Matrix, thanks to Rudogg, you tipped the scales in favor of the matrix speakers for me. I went to my local retailer and heard them for myself too. i'm getting them at my local Guitar Center for $799 including the stands. that's a pretty awesome deal methinks.
 
Posted Thu 23 Jul 09 @ 1:45 pm


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