Last night I began to set up all the kit I have purchased over the last couple of weeks but this is my first time and the instruction manuals are not that user friendly for a beginner!

Firstly, here is the kit I have bought:
Soundlab Dual CD player
Soundlab DJ-10 Mixer
SP500 Amp
Skytec 250W speakers

I have connected:
the two parts of the dual CD player using the DIN sockets.
the 'line out' of the CD player to 'line' of the mixer (x 2).
the amp to the speakers using jack plugs.
..... and obviously all the mains leads!
That's as far as I've got. Now I think I need to run some cables from the 'master' of the mixer to the amp - can someone confirm please?

And now to my area of confusion. Which connections should I use on the back of the amp and speakers - it looks like I have the choice of 'Speakon' or 'jack plug' connections on both! As I mentioned, I have used 2 of the 4 the jack plug connections for the speakers - is this right or do I have to use thge 'speakons'? HELP!

Also, I am not using the 'digital out' (optical and coaxial) on the CD player - as a beginner should I worry about these at a later date or do I need to make use of these now?.

Cheers, Lee.

Hey thanks SBD - you talk my language!

What about the sockets on the back of the amp and speakers? The amp has four jack plug sockets - 2 on each side - and 2 speakons ... so what goes where? Whereas the speakers have two of each - I am guessing this is just down to personal preference, but is there any advantage using one or the other?

You need to connect the Master output of the mixer into the amplifier. Do this by:-

Connect the "L" from the master output of the mixer to the left Side of the Amplifier (Any jack socket will do, since they are just linked together inside the amp).

Do the same with the "R" output of the Mixer, but connecting it to any of the jack sockets on the right hand side of the amplifier.

Connect the left speaker to the Speakon Socket on the left hand side of the Amp

Connect the right speaker to the right hand speakon socket.

Thanks Chris ........ just as I thought - I need more cables!!!! I don't have the mixer to amp, or speaker to amp cables. Any chance you can supply me with these pretty quickly? ........ I'll send you a PM.

just a question thats been bugging me for a while and reading two similar posts in the same night seems to raise the question again and concerns me greatly i know that everybody has to start somewhere but have any of you guys ever done a disco before with another dj or been a roadie?. i don't mean to pick on you but setting up is the easy part and if you dont know how it goes together then how do you expect to work it and run the disco and entertain correctly. I can see this question being a very good reason to get some time in with a dj before going out in business for yourself then not only can you can learn how the stuff connects together how to operate it and how to be a dj at the same time worring about setting the sound equipment up days before your first disco seems to be a bit of a bad omen would your customer have confidence in you knowing this

Thats right Josh you frighten all of the newbies off

I would have been a little more subtle in my approach but I agree with part of what you are trying to say. Yes, disco equipment is professional equipment and the manufacturers expect the user to have a basic knowledge of how it works.

Speaking from experience, when I get a customer ringing to complain about a "faulty" piece of equipment, the "fault" is usually customer created . For instance the items have been wired up incorrectly or they have forgotten to plug something in, or simply thought that they could save a few quid by making leads up themselves...and failed. I'm happy to help out but the vast majority of issues could so easily have been avoided, had the person just watched a DJ set up at one gig and gained a little experience before embarking on what is, after all, a professional venture.

I do agree that the anybody wanting to become a DJ should spend some time actually helping out a working D.J to see what's involved BEFORE they buy the equipment, and for all of the reasons that Josh mentioned above,

Yeah chris that comes in very handy. I also inroled into a college course which specialises in music technology. It basically what goes where and what not. Its a brand new course (suppose were the guinne pigs in a way) but i would recomend anyone who is going to college to take this course.
On another note theres a book that has helped me loads it is called "the basics of music technology" it starts from the begining naming the leads, to puting them in the right sockets. Its a very good book, if you have a spare £10 in the back pocket of them old jeans in the rag bag!!

Chris

D.M setting up a disco isn't a question on Mastermind or something that you need to do a degree in - after watching me set up my Audio gear a few times even my Stepfather can do it .

I hire gear out, most of the time to complete novices who have never done a disco before, and a few lines of instruction are usually all that is required for them to link the cd's to the mixer, the mixer to the amp and the amp to the speakers. In fact anybody who has ever set up Hi-Fi Seperates or even unpacked a PC could easily work it out.

What Josh is saying, is that people seem to be going out without even basic knowledge to do a gig for the 1st time, and this could either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the person. One thing that is certain is that they would at least have a good idea of what was in store for them and what was involved, had they spent some time working alongside another D.J rather than walking into the lions den unprepared!.

As you know yourself being a DJ is not just about flashing lights and playing music.

i no i no it aint just dj equipment is recording equipment things like that different things really that was just one of many subjects

BTW i wasnt being big headed or nowt! im anythin but.

Most of my wiring is colour coded:

Red to green > Green to blue > Blue to bits !!!!


I've cut down alot of my wiring and re-wiring by using a flight case for my main two dual CD-decks, mixer, and effects unit - they now all stay permenantly wired together, with only a mains lead connector, and mic and "to amp" XLR connectors needing to be plugged in. (hey, I wonder if that counts as only 1 x item in the next PAT session? )

Similarly, my amps etc are in a rolling flightcase, with their crossover, equaliser, radio mic receiver etc, and again just minimum leads coming out eg: 4 x speaker leads, two leads coming in from mixer flightcase, power lead, mic lead.

One word of advice to anyone who's plugging leads in and out and in and out and in and out of their mixer (or similar gear) repeatedly, expecially on phono/RCA sockets... Some manufacturers methods of mounting RCA/Phono plugs onto circut boards leaves alot to be desired and repeated, long-term plugging and un-plugging of leads is likely to only bring on a fault and a repair requirement all the more quickly. My first couple of mixers were especially bad at this.

As a soloution, get some short RCA/Phono extension leads eg: 2 x phono sockets to 2 x phono plugs, and leave these leads connected to the mixer all the time. When setting up/breaking down, simply plug your other gear eg: CD-decks, effects send/returns etc,etc into the other end of the RCA/Phono extension leads - rather than the mixer itself. Letting the extension leads take the repeating strain, rather than the expensive mixer.

Carrying a couple of spare audio extension leads wont break the bank either.

Im a complete novice,have always had a great love of music, and im at 37 starting out as a dj,ive got bookings from a hotel in jersey and start on jan 17th,ive been practising in my office and have got to know my way round the stuff.i spent new years eve watching the dj they had used (before i got the contract!!) last night and he was diabolical..gaps between songs ,terrible sound,some songs much louder than the others,and when i asked for KC and Sweet for friends he replied over the mic "for the guy who requested Kc and Sweet,I aint got any youll have to make do with "Dancing Queen " by Abba !!! How Rude!!! apart from the fact he hadnt two of the ""must owns""of any decent dj !!! HELLO????....so although i havent been out and shadowed a dj, my heart is in it,i know ill make a far superior dj to the fools ive watched and listened to at this hotel since november,and its my passion....i know enough to plug in,turn on and play ....im not fatboy slim,ive no interest in mixing etc....just to play music to the people who want it,crass you may call it but i know what should be played at parties,weddings etc and im gonna fill a gap i see missing over here.....,now if only i can get beatmatching and pitching beaten!!!....Hmmmmm

Whoooaa boys ........ I've got to tell you this, has a touched a nerve with me (and perhaps other newbies too?).

And now for the Soapbox. Firstly, back to McCardle's post. No I haven't been out with a DJ yet, but I have just bought my equipment and wanted to get going straight away. I am in the process of arranging to go out with an experienced DJ from this very forum - later this month or early Feb. What am I supposed to do in the meantime - leave the kit in the box? I thought it would be better to play and get to know the kit! Hence my post to this 'friendly' forum.

Secondly, you are right, setting up should be the easy part. But I've got to tell you that the instructions that come with the kit are very, very basic and assume the user has some knowledge of the 'terms' used to describe the equipment - it's not plain english to a complete novice. On top of this, when I bought a dual CD player, a Mixer and an Amp from the same supplier, I ASSUMED that the experienced and helpful supplier, knowing that I am a complete novice, would supply me with the relevant cables to connect these units together - I was wrong, it turned out that I had not been supplied with a cable to connect the mixer to the amp! When I've unpacked and connected a PC, all the leads were included! Chris, perhaps you could come in here? I hope that someone is not trying to make me look even more stupid than I already feel!

Why is it necessary to go out with a DJ BEFORE buying the equipment - what is wrong with getting to know my equipment FIRST? McCardles post made me feel that, as a newbie, perhaps this forum is not the place for me. Comments about 'professional equipment' and 'professional ventures' don't help either. I have been open and honest from the outset saying that I have no experience and only want to start doing kids parties, so all of this sounds a bit heavy.

Robzter, I'm with you. I've been about a bit too and I think there are plenty of bad examples already out there that have taught me, as a partygoer, how not to do it. I reckon that has taught me just as much as I would have picked up on the other side of the decks.

Anyway, to finish on a positive note, thanks to those of you who posted constructive and encouraging replies (particularly DM for the tip on the book and Gary for good advice).

Ok, lets make a few points clear shall we Lee.

First of all you bought a CD Player from one of my E-Bay auctions.

Secondly, you sent an email requesting the purchase on an Amplifier and Loudspeakers. Again, no mention of a package just the purchase of Individual items. If I may draw your attention to my reply to that email, which I have included below:-

HOLD ON>>> AGONY AUNT IN THE FORUM

Firstly, I am gonna jump into the defence of Lee.. No where had he identified who supplied him with any equipment - he did ask crispy to jump in with some help - and perhaps it was read the wrong way.

I was quite angry with some of the replies that Lee got. He had not said that he was out on a gig setting up his gear... so some of you have just presumed that he was.

As a relevant newbie, Lee is here because he wants to learn - something I believe that the members of THIS forum are willing and able to HELP people who are attempting to get into the business.

Lee has had the good sense to do trial set ups before going out - and is using this forum to his best advantage - taking advice from more experienced members.

I never went out with any djs before starting off 13 odd years ago - and like lee, I did trial set ups of my equipment at home - but wasnt fortunate enough back then to have a good natured forum to seek advice from. I did it by trial and error.

I sincerely hope that this thread has NOT put off newbies from asking questions. I did not find setting up my equipment easy either at first... and you may not have to be "mastermind" but when you are trying to do something for yourself, it can often seem daunting. I still make the most stupid mistakes when Ive set up - because ive forgotten to connect something. Also, as Lee said, he has arranged to go out with an experienced dj - but he is obviously getting to grips with the basics before taking his rig out.

Lee - please dont be put off by some of the remarks made - I can only say that it is not the usual flavour of the forum.

No Karen - I disagree with the tone of Lee's post since I did supply him with a few of the items stated and having a dig at either me or suppliers in general was exactly what he was hinting, and the point of the post although he's obviously gone elsewhere for his speakers perhaps he should be asking that particular supplier where his speaker leads are and why they were not included??.

The price I sell individual items for is extremely discounted, so I take offence to people who pay £79 for a mixer, then automatically expect to get £25 worth of FREE leads, then publically whinge when it doesn't happen. I simply cannot afford to give away freebies on a single item which is already heavily discounted. Pay £99 for the mixer elsewhere and they MAY include a £5 lead if ASKED and it certainly won't be already inside the box!, you simply can't have it both ways!!!!!. In other words, Spend £600 on a package and I can afford to include the leads, that is common business practice. How many of you do an engagement for £200 then offer to do the Wedding for Free?.

Anybody who has bought an amplifier will know that you don't open the box and find a pair of 6m Speakon Leads and Mixer Interconnects included by the manufacturer. I would expect anybody buying equipment to know the basics of how it connected together and for the novices to buy a complete package which included everything they needed to start. This is why the amusingly named "DJ In A Box" became so popular. You also save a lot of money buying the same items as a package rather than one item at a time.


And as for the advice issue. I can't recall Lee ever contacting me to request how it all connected together, although I did clearly point out on the email BEFORE he bought the amp that he would need to budget to allow the purchase of Speaker Leads and a Microphone. Since he didn't buy a Mic either it would be safe to assume that he already has one. I also pointed him in the direction of this forum for his more general "How do I D.J" questions. I simply don't have time to answer individual questions by email hence why this forum was started.

I deal with a lot of people and I don't make a habit of of being the McDonalds of the Equipment world by saying "Would you like leads with that" with every purchase. I would soon be accused of pushing stuff onto people.

I also believe that it is a bit forward to buy equipment before you've even attended a gig and know what is involved. Disco Equipment is expensive and its a lot of Money to pay out for something that, at the end of the day, may not be the business for you. I agree that Josh's post may be out of order, however he was simply making a point and expressing an opinion, a small part of which I agree with. When a retailer of D.J equipment is approached with £1000 for a pacakge and he tells you to go and get some experience before handing him the money..... you still don't think that this advice is genuine???.

As for the advice issue - I spend hours on the forum giving people advice - look around, I think 3700+ posts goes some way to proving that, don't you?. However Lee, whilst the advice is free, the goods aren't .

Lee's issue could easily have been sorted out by email or P.M however he chose to bring it onto the forum. I replied to his communication regarding purchasing leads for New Years Eve informing him in all honesty that couldn't meet his NYE order deadline. So I assumed that he had gone elsewhere for them, until I read his post.

OK the basics:

You need at least 2 SOURCES for music (dual CD, vinyl decks, mini disc) or a laptop. You can also have a mixture of these.

Next in line you need a MIXER so that you can select the source which goes to the AMP and finally SPEAKERS connected to the AMP.

The SOURCES plug into the mixer usually via PHONO (RCA) cables. Make sure that CDs & Minidiscs go into the 'Line' inputs and Decks into the 'Phono' inputs. Most mixers have dual inputs for each channel and switches so that you can asign the channel to either CD or Deck. It is important to ensure that the correct input is used otherwise you will have low or distorted sound.

The output from the MIXER is taken to the AMP using either another Phono lead or RCL cable depending on the output connectors from the mixer and the input connector at the AMP.

Finally the amplified sound is now taken to the SPEAKERS using either Jack, RCL or Speakon connectors - again the choosen lead will depend on the type of output on the AMP and the inputs on the SPEAKER cabinets. You may find that there are 2 or more output options on the AMP (Jack, RCL & Speakon) to allow you to match it with the speaker input otherwise you may have to use a lead with a different type of connector at each end.

So to sum up you need one set (pair) of leads from EACH source to mixer, one set from mixer to amp and one set of speaker leads

Well that's the basics of a passive single amp system. As you build you'll be able to introduce an active crossover to bi-amp (or even tri-amp).

For an ACTIVE SPEAKER system the outputs from the MIXER are taken straight to the SPEAKER cabinets which also contain the AMPLIFERS.

Hope this helps

PaulS

Why did I not receive some free light light units with my long life bulbs?

Please note the liberal use of smiley's ! not a dig at any body just a light hearted post to lift the mood

Hi Lee
I hope you're still around!
I agree with Kazz there was a lot of assumption that Lee was going to go out without trialing at home - although the idea of shadowing an experienced dj is great alot of newbies would not assume that an experienced dj would want to give their knowledge away. It's only through this site that I first heard of that route.
As someone who years ago only had to worry about jack to jack from FAL coffin to speakers, plug in and go, it can be confusing, and wait till you get to the lights
I do hope Lee wasn't getting at Chris re the leads as I understand and agree that when buying your first kit if money is an issue and you're getting a good price you are not going to get the "extras" thrown in, especially if you're buying pieces over a period of time.
It seems a shame that this thread has taken this route and I hope that maybe through a couple of private messages you can sort this out so that Lee can take advantage of the advice and support available here.
PS At one gig last year I started to panic when I couldn't get any sound..........then I switched the amp on

Vinnie

Crispy, I am sorry but I have read and re-read Lees posts. The subject bought up by Lee was to ask for advice in putting together a rig. He also stated that he had ASSUMED that all leads would be included... something most novices also assume... and in no way did he mention who supplied the equipment. In fact I didnt read that there was any criticism about the supplier - in fact he actually praised you! Nobody would have been any the wiser had you not broadcasted that you were the supplier....


The point made about buying equipment before you get into the business is really just another chicken and egg situation.

Having worked for a disco supplier (in whitton) myself, I totally agree that it is a fair assumption from novices that all leads are supplied. It has to be pointed out that these are extras.... If you are all honest, how many of you would automatically assume that all the cables needed came as standard? It is something I also assumed many years ago - until I was put right.

I dont think that Lees posts were at all hostile... unlike some of the replies he has received. I think that if you go back and re-read what he has put, you will also find this to be the case.

Im not looking to open up arguments here... but I do think that Lee has not been treated well in this instance. I know I am guilty of responding quite viciously sometimes when I have not read the post properly - and I hold my hands up to that. All Lee was doing was asking us for advice.. he was not having a go at the supplier - and I cannot see how anyone could have taken offence.

This forum is a HAPPY, FRIENDLY, HELPFUL place to be... cant we try to keep it that way?

Well said kazzachi & paula, Lee asked for advice and got slagged off.
I started out knowing a lot about lighting and sound systems but learnt the job by listening to other DJ's and the reaction of the crowd. I started doing free gigs and parties until I got the knowledge to take on professional bookings. I was never lucky enough to be able to work with a DJ otherwise I would have done so. I now have regular work from kids parties to Rotary club functions and I am still prepared to learn and improve my service. I have three business intrests and still believe any paying customer is worth looking after.
Sorry Chris but I think you over reacted slightly.
Best of luck Lee

Well for one who is just about to restart on the road to stardom....lol not !!!
I would welcome the chance to spend an evening with a good DJ to show me the ropes and give me some good grounding, I am still very much a novice and would never assume anything else in the company on here, so if there is anyone who is in the North Essex area who would be willing to let me spend time at a gig with them to be shown the RIGHT way to do things, I would be very grateful

Ade (The Hoseman)

ps....Can we all have a room group hug and put the negative waves away ...

How Far up North Essex are you Ade? I'm down by the Tunnel but do venture that way very occasionally

Spin

I am north of Colchester, but I would be willing to travel to get some experience
so if you are ever nearer than the tunnel I would be willing to drive down to see a master at work...lol
It would be worth it for me to gain the tips and ideas from someone who has been doing it for a lot longer than me, not only that I might manage to get a couple of your light boxes in my jacket...lol
perhaps you could let me know when you have the time and a gig that would be suitable

Ade ( Hoseman-ade)

Certainly I will bear you in mind Ade (especially when I'm a roadie short)

LOL

Spin

Consider it a firm offer, If I am off duty then I would be a "Roadie" for a night if anything comes up then get me through here and I can let you know

Ade

Gary you said the following:

As a soloution, get some short RCA/Phono extension leads eg: 2 x phono sockets to 2 x phono plugs, and leave these leads connected to the mixer all the time. When setting up/breaking down, simply plug your other gear eg: CD-decks, effects send/returns etc,etc into the other end of the RCA/Phono extension leads - rather than the mixer itself. Letting the extension leads take the repeating strain, rather than the expensive mixer.

~~~~~~~~~~~
It sounds like a good idea but I got kinda lost! What's a short RCA extension lead? I've got a 3m RCA cord at the moment, so should I just leave one end plugged into the mixer? Or were you meaning that you can buy the actual RCA bit so that it has a socket and plug on the other side :S?

Chris, Chris here.

Here's 'just' a simple suggestion that had me thing with regards to potential DJs
that are not up to scratch with wiring, would it not be possible to to$$ in with your
products a piece of A5 paper printed on noe side a diagram of fundamental
connections and on thee other sidesaying leads do not ship with leads from you or
manufacturers.

just a thought, not trying to be 'oh why dont you this and that' I think you know
where I going with this. Please dont be offended.

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