Help! Sound Equipment Question

[Sukebe Jiji]

I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me with this problem. I have been asked to dj outside at my school for a couple of hours next week. Since the person hiring me for this gig does not know much about dj'ing and what not she has asked me to also rent the necessary equipment. So what do I need to get? Do I need to rent anything special to play outside??? I don't need the sound to be booming....

Here is what I have already:

- turntables
- mixer
- power source

What I know I need:

- a strong amp
- 2 speakers
- at least 1 monitor
- at least 1 monitor stand

Is this all that is necessary? Do I need anything else to produce a decent sound? I only want to bare minimum to maximize my profit...but at the same time I don't want to sound like crap..

please help me obi-tribe board..you are my only hope

 

[gasper]

Rent a pair of EONS (self-powered, nice sound).

 

[Sukebe Jiji]

Gasper:

So if they are self powered I would need to rent an amp? I would only have to bring my own receiver?? I want to try avoid bringing my receiver which is why I would rather just rent an amp...

Also, are you saying that the equipment I have listed is adequate?? I just need to know if I am missing any pieces of equipment.

Thanks for the speaker advice

 

[kyfe]

Here's the simplest answer, go to long&mcquade up on bloor, explain what you're doing and they'll tell you what you need, also keep in mind if it's outside unless you spend a good chunk on sound it will sound no better than half decent since nothing will contain the sound....

as for the eons I'd still get the amp.

let us know where and when so we can go and complain about the sound

Kyfe

 

[Sukebe Jiji]

Kyfe:

You want to come see me? hahaha

Well, here is the address..let me know if you can make it..
Columbia University campus, 116th and Broadway Manhatten, New York City

So I am just confirming here, if I get an amp I don't need a receiver right?
here is the web site for the company I am renting through...

www.maavs.com

thanks for the help!
peter

 

[gasper]

The JBL EONS go straight out of your mixer. No receiver, no amp required. Mixer, tables, EONS, and stands. That's what I'd go with. Rented speakers and an amp usually costs more, and you'll need to bring your receiver.

just my opinion

 

[Sukebe Jiji]

Straight out of my mixer?!?
What?!?!

hmmmm.....my mixer is like a mid low end mixer..like its only 2 channels, very basic piece of equipment...should I rent a special mixer?

What output do these speakers go out of? the main? and wouldn't I still need to hook a monitor up somewhere?

I am sure these questions are really stupid, but I just want to make sure I don't mess up here...thanks again for all your help.

 

[Sukebe Jiji]

oh

and is there a big difference between the EON 10 and EON 15?

thanks!!

 

[Bass-Invader]

Originally posted by Sukebe Jiji
Straight out of my mixer?!?
What?!?!

you don't need an amp, because those speakers are self-powered, ie: they have their own amp inside them, so you can just hook your mixer outs to the inputs on the speakers.

 

[Sukebe Jiji]

OH SHIT! I get it now!! *doh*

damn...

ok, so follow up question here...how would one hook up like 4 of these speakers?? would I have to buy a cord splitter or something??

you guys are great. thanks!

peter

 

[alexd]

get an equalizer to compensate for the accoustics of your room

 

[Sukebe Jiji]

Originally posted by alexd
get an equalizer to compensate for the accoustics of your room

My room is indoors I am renting gear for a gig that is outdoors

I shall duly note your suggestion next time I practice

 

[alexd]

same applies, but if you rent for a reputable comapany they will probably outfit you with an equalizer too.

 

[Sukebe Jiji]

GOT IT!

thanks

 

[AshG]

Regarding the way you should plug stuff into your mixer:

There should be at least 2 separate outputs coming from your mixer (4 in total, for left and right channels). You may also have a third output, but from your mixer description this is doubtful.

In the case of 2 outputs, plug the "master output" into your booth monitor and the "record" output into the main speakers. I know this sounds a little backwards but here's why:
There should be a master volume knob on your mixer, and this knob affects the volume of the master ouput only, NOT the recording level. So if you've plugged your monitor into the master output, then you can effectively adjust your monitor volume with this knob alone.
Note that if you turn the master volume all the way down to zero, your channels will show no volume, but since your record output is not affected by this, your speaker output will remain constant despite the lack of flashing LEDs on the mixer.
With this arrangement, the only way to increase of decrease overall speaker volume levels is by adjusting the setting of the individual channels only.

If you have 3 channels, then the above won't matter. Just plug monitor stuff into the "monitor" output, and speakers into "master". This way if you do want to increase overall volume, the master volume level WILL affect speaker output.

Though it won't matter in your situation, its also worth noting that the "record" output actually tranfers your output more accurately than the "master" output does.

Have fun!

 

[RhettD]

Yes, there is a big difference between the 10's and the 15's. 10's are alright if used for monitoring, but you'll need 15's to put out loud enough sound... depending on the situation you might want to rent a JBL self powered EON subwoofer for some extra bottom-end as well, as using purely 15's at high volumes tends to be mid-range/treble heavy... be aware theres a difference between the original eons and the new eon G2's, which have double the wattage (you'll want the G2's, as the first generation eons were underpowered).

An alternative to the JBL EON's are the Mackie SRM450's, also self powered, although I've heard they sometimes have a problem of overheating if used in extremely hot situations (like +30 degrees) for long periods of time, however many ppl prefer the mackies...

And for hooking up these speakers, they all have a "in" connection and an "out" connection (either XLR or quarter inch) so you don't need to get a cable splitter, you can daisey chain them all together, from mixer out to speaker#1 in, from speaker#1 out to speaker#2 in, etc...

But for ease of use, definately go with a combination of EONs, saves you the hassle of gettin a seperate mixer, seperate amps, etc.

-Rhett D

 

[Sukebe Jiji]

Rhett D:

Ahhhh...now I get it...I did not realize that they speakers had an "out" as well....ahhhh..
thanks for the tips on the EONS as well...I shall probably get 2 EON 15s and one EON 10 then as my monitor

thanks for all the advice everyone! I really appreciate it.

 

[RhettD]

As well, if someone tells you that a seperate amp + passive speakers are better than active speakers (such as the eon's or the srm's), they're full of shit!

Read this link:
http://www.mackie.com/Products/Active/why_active.asp