I've recently acquired a Laptop and want to incorporate it into my setup. I currently use a HD2500 connected to an X500 as my main controller and mixer. I use a Numark CDMix1 as backup. I want to ditch the Numark and use the HD2500 for backup and the Laptop as my main controller.

Now, if the Laptop fails I can jump straight over to the HD2500 with no hassle. In the unlikely event the Mixer fails is there a way to plug the Laptop straight into my sound system ?

I've seen sound cards with balanced TRS outputs which my amp has. Is it ok to run straight out the sound card and into the amp. If so, how would I control the signal level ?

The x500 is a 4 channel mixer isnt it (denon dn-x500) or is it something different. If it is the denon then as you have 4 channels to play with its very simple, put the outouts of a multichannel soundcard (numark djio is an example) in to channels 1 and 4 and the hdd into 2 and 3, or however you prefer to confgure them - seemless playback between the devices - Job done

mixer failure can happen and i would suggest a cheap 2 channel mixer as backup if you are wary. you could have failure in anything electrical btw and i carry a spare mixer and amp all the time just in case. The obvious problem with hooking the laptop directly to the amp is, as you said, basic control. depending on what software you use you can control a virtual mixer with a mouse but its far from ideal.

I use a Denon HD2500 and a Cortex HD1000 as a backup with an X500 mixer, however I also use a laptop as a third backup in case they both die or the mixer goes.

I've got a lead which is 3.5mm jack to 2 xlr and it goes straight from the laptop mic out in to the amp using the internal sound card of the laptop and the sound is fine.

OK without a mixer it isn't very flexible but with music on the laptop, at least it would be better than no music :-)

You could always get a something like PCDJ to have more flexability on the laptop, I've not bothered as I would just cue up mp3's. Touch wood not had to use it yet :-0

One thing to mention, if you get a hum or feeback through your speakers when using the laptop then get an ground loop isolator from halfords for about £8 as this stops the interference.

That's what I was thinking of doing. Either that or buying a sound card with some balanced TRS outs which will go straight into my amp (QSC2450).

Wouldn't have use of a mic though. Not such a bad thing but wouldn't be able to then explain why there was no music for the last 10 minutes

Thanks for the help guys.

why "laptop mic out" Am I being dumb ?

Depending on the sound card, you could potentially use the mic-in on the laptop.. As long as you have the right adaptor (and the soundcard routes the mic-in to the line out).

Have done this once before - its not brilliant, but it works...

Cheers

David

oh right, never heard that before, i just use the headphone socket

The numark djio has a mic channel which goes through channel 1 and a headphone output which comes from channel 2. I use virtual dj pro and you can set that up within to do different things.

to play off your lapatop properly you need a multichannel sound card and as i said before a cheap second mixer like this would be a better option

This set up sounds very limited to me what if your laptop goes AWOL such as a blue screen or prog crash?

Always have some form of music back up pluged in and available. Some sound is better than no sound IMHO.

even if you have some tunes on your phone and a link from that into a mixer its something.

I would advise you get a good external sound card (the best you can afford) and a mixer as dave said above. This then gives you option, plugging from a laptop into the amp gives you no options or not many.

Nik

The laptop failing isn't a problem. The mixer failing is more troublesome as it would require rewiring the system up. Just looking for the easiest way possible with the smallest amount of equipment.

Laptop line out to amps in, no problem, just make sure the amps are turned down as you transfer the lead over, you can always use the basic unbalanced stereo out from the laptop in an emergency, you need your 3.5mm stereo jack to 2x 1/4in jacks or you could make up a special lead if needs be.

I assume your laptop application has its own mixing controls anyway, if you're using windows then obviously the main output level can be used to set the volume or even just turn the gains on the mixer down! We're talking a major mixer failure scenario (unlikely) so Im sure you'll just be glad to get the sound working at all...no need for fancy solutions here!

Going to try out iTunes first. Yes, I'm lazy

I sometimes leave the HD2500 on auto-mix and no one knows any better. iTunes mixes better than the HD2500 too IMO.



Spot on. Just looking for something as a back up. Hopefully it will never be needed but it's more for peace of mind. Will try plugging the laptop straight into the amp when I get the chance, see how that works out.

Cheers.

Depending what part of the market your in and how much you value the service to your end client should you not have a back up mixer?

I think making do is the wrong attitude IMHO.

Should such a scenario happen and you have to plug from laptop direct into amp would you offer your client a discount as your not providing a full disco service but an Ipod service?

Nik

while i completely agree with you Nik there are many examples where a physical thing is now replaced by software and is actually better than a physical mechanical device , fly by wire aeroplanes for example

i would not trust using just a laptop straight into a amp and i have back up mixers but knowing how to dig yourself out of the if it hits the is a sensible way to prepare if everything goes wrong but I'm with Nik 100% I wouldn't sacrifice back up of a proper mixer .

with many DJ programs it is enticing just to use it as a all in one solution and go straight to a amp if your doing just music , for me with karaoke i need a mixer with multiple mic inputs and effects but i can definitely see why some think about and do run there laptop straight into active monitors or a amp. Me I'll stick with the tried and trusted physical mixer and back up. rather sleep at nights and carry a bit more kit than panic on the day if it does go wrong.

As some one with a big interest in aviation the fly by wire thing is a worry example below.

Click me

As far as back up for music is concerned I have two laptops, an American DJ twin SD card reader, and if all else fails a mobile phone with about 500 tunes on it that I can link into my mixer. I have 6 mixers at my disposal but generally carry 2. I have 5 sets of speakers but carry 3 sets (not including subs) I have 6 amps (but carry 3) one set of speakers are also powered, multiple microphones, leads, lights, etc etc.

Two vehicles and a back up for me lol. I know things can and still do go wrong beyond our control but I do think we all need to make sure that our client does not have to accept a second rate service as far as is practicably possible.

I have had my share of breakdowns and faults develop but 9 times out of 10 the client has not even noticed.

I also think problem solving should be part of a DJs mental tool kit.

Some one mentioned using Itunes because they are lazy. Would you post that comment on your web site?

All the above is just in my humble opinion.

Nik

I think the fly-by-wire analogy is a little wrong if its being compared to a Windows Application.

One of my current projects requires "SIL 2 certification", this basically ensures the software is correctly written, and the processing of faults is correct and does not impact the performance of the software.
The project is a leak detection system for an oil refinery - SIL 2 is required to as this safety system effects humans. This is not simply unit/system testing, its loads of work and involves outside consultants.

Fly-by-wire will require SIL 4 (much, much harder to achive, do the the much higher risk of multiple human loss), and probably a voting system with redundancy in the system.

Windows is not SIL compliant - its just too complex, any software running on Windows can fail due to a problem with the OS. The more complex the app, the higher the risk.

For DJ's, it may require a re-boot - not ideal, but if the Laptop is in good order and kept purely for DJing it should only be down for the length of 1 track, CD drives fail, even vinyl styluses break during a gig.
Everything will fail at some point.

Analysing potential faults in a set-up and ensuring you can continue is essential.

There is a balance.
For me, being able to continue with 2 different major failures is my reasonable limit.
This would mean 1 active speaker fail, mixer or playback.


Getting a cheap battle mixer for £40-£50 will be very useful, and give better control (normally onboard 3 band eq) and the option of plugging in an iPod/Hardware MP3 player, with also a proper Mic input.

I too have a keen interest in aviation. That video has been on Youtube a long time and is very misleading. For starters, Fly-By-Wire is nothing to do with the cause of the crash. Fly-By Wire converts a digital signal into analogue movement of the planes flight controls. It's a bit like pressing a button to depress the brakes in a car instead of physically having to do depress the pedal to pull the brakes on yourself.

That crash was caused by an error in the auto-pilot system, something that all modern planes have. It also happened during testing and pilot error played a big part. Read more on it here.

It happened in 1994 and another A330 didn't crash until the Air France crash last year. 15 years without a crash is pretty good going. Even then the plane crashed in extreme weather and had faulty pitot tubes which Airbus warned them about 2 years before the crash. It could so easily have been avoided.

American Boeing fanboys will tell you Fly-By-Wire is dangerous. It's nothing but patriotism. If Boeing had it they'd say it was the biz. In fact, the 777 does have it and so does the new 787. I'd say all future planes will have it. There is no evidence of a plane crash that could've been avoided had the plane not been FBW.



I don't have to post it on my website. iTunes is really good at mixing tracks together. Better than some of the DJs I've heard in fact.

Well of course the answer was going to be no. But like I said, no one is going to put a gun to my head and make me put it on. I didn't actually mean I'm lazy, it was a pre-arranged reply to future accusations of laziness

I've seen people say it's lazy in the past. Cheating is another that pops up. Fact is, iTunes mixes better than many DJs. Buying some equipment from maplins doesn't automatically teach you smooth track transitions and some people can't couldn't count a bar if their life depended on it.

The average punter can't either so no one notices. And no, I won't be putting that on my site either

If only iTunes came out with cheesy DJ banter at regular intervals. I could sit down all night then

And yes, my anorak is huge

Very good

Nik

Well I tried it out. Went really well actually. Spent most of the night using iTunes. Set a few playlists up before I went and mixed from one playlist to the other by going from iTunes, into the HD2500 then back to the next playlist. If the mixer or amp failed I could've plugged into the Singer's Mixer/Amp. We pretty much have 2 of everything now.

The crowd loved the music, got lots of positive comments, request for business cards and £60 in tips. £40 of the groom and £20 of the bride's father.