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Sujet: How light can your equipment get?

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I am looking at getting back into some more mobile gigs but I'm not a youngster any more. How lightweight can you guys get your rigs now a days? I would still carry cd's and a player as a backup, but my computer rackmount system is heavy and not really that powerful anymore. Just bought another laptop. I really think there is a lot of lightweight equip out there. Any suggestions? Speakers? Computer cases? Save an old guys back. It's not what it used to be.
 
Posté Mon 17 Feb 14 @ 7:59 pm
That all depends on your preference in equipment. if you are only looking for functionality then you can get really small and light. I use the Hercules RMX 2 controller in a Odyssey case. that is about 28 lbs. I have the QSC K12 self powered speakers. Those are about 38 lbs each. That is the real extent of my equipment I take out on a constant basis. I do have a powered Alto sub but I rarely take it out because I charge extra for it and most people don't want to pay for it. I also have my lights but those are small & light. Before I think Djs would bring more equipment than needed. I stick to small to med gigs and I let the customer decide what they want to pay for me to bring. The more equipment then the more I charge. I go out on my gigs by myself and I drive a small cross over SUV.
 
I disagree with that philosophy. I would always put out my best rig for the standard price. The only time I would charge more is if I had to hire anything additional.

Charging more for a sub.....?

You can use VDJ with a 13" notebook and a dj2go. A pair of powered cabs and some light weight lighting and you're good to go

Keith
 
Yeah, the bass end of the spectrum is the deal breaker. You can't really do "light" with subs.

The smaller ones out there such as the QSC KSub don't drop any lower than a standard full range cab.

The rest of the kit - no problem these days if you go the controller+laptop route.
 
I did a charity gig the week before Christmas with a 1k rig out of a BMW Z3 Sportscar!!! Beat that lol.

Yes, I have a Magma Flightcase containing 15" MacBook Pro and Denon MC6000 and a gig bag containing Mic, Headphones, Cooling Plate and lots of spares. They fill the boot. Then I have a pair of Mackie SRM450s, adjusting the passenger seat right back I got one Mackie on the floor and one on the seat. The Mackie stands were between the headrests and down into the passenger footwell. No lights, only 'cos I don't have any. But, I'm sure I could find some space for some of the new small digital lights lol.

A few years ago when I DJed in Ibiza I took a Faderfox DJ2 as a controller. Worked fine, just have to be very careful using it as the buttons and controls are in a small area.

If you look at my profile pic, that was taken at The Orange Corner, San Antonio, Ibiza using the Faderfox.
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I am agreeing with DJVooDoo. Just get a VMS2 or a controller that size. It's compact and light weight. Get a Odyssey case for it, if you get a 13" laptop it will fit right underneath the controller in the case. I have a external 1TB HDD for my music which also fits right underneath the laptop in the case. Everything fits in the case including a nice set of fold-able headphones and a Bluetooth mouse. I just bought a pair of Mackie's SRM650 which are the 15" you can get the SRM550 which are the 12" and they are even smaller and weight less. Mine are about 55lbs the SRM550 are 44lbs. Get a set of aluminum stands and some LED lights like the roto-balls and the micro galaxian laser light and you are pretty much set.
 
What is there to disagree with?

The customer gets what the customer pays for, I charge extra for a sub! of course I do, its extra expense, time and maintenance.

That rig that was suggested sounds pretty good to me, at least we know hercules drivers are solid.

PS,

What was the original poster referring to with regard to a computer case and rackmounting? really not necessary, if they can use laptops at the DMC I'm sure you can at a wedding.
 
Lightest I ever got it was a 32GB USB stick and a pair of IEMs. All fit in my coat pocket. LOL yeah that was a club gig...

For mobile:
Laptop
Head Phones
2 Behringer B215D
2 speaker stands
Gym bag of cable
Pioneer DDJ SX
Rock n Roller R6 dolly

All fit in my little 4dr sports sedan with room to spare.


 
Very pricey but I heard the Bose L1 did the job. Any experiences?
 
vantinedj wrote :
Very pricey but I heard the Bose L1 did the job. Any experiences?


NO NO NO NO NO NO don't do it.

First off it sounds tinty as all get out.
At high volumes it sounds well frankly.. bad.
The bass is well not much to brag about.
That system is well a name brand wonder
It is good for a couple of things thought,
Say an acoustic act, plugging in a keyboard.
Great for very small venues, or a starbucks sized venue. Where you won't be needing to play loud at all.
Sound does carry well if at low volumes.

You would be better off with the smaller B-52 matrix system that would be slightly heavier but has wheels for the bass bin. IT would sound substantially better and have a better low end. Plus it would cost less.

Depending on what all you wanting to do, there are some other options like the powered EV or even the QSC k10 or k 12's To deliever a decent punch on low end your gonna still be stuck lugging a bass bin about the size of the b-52 matrix where ever you go. Smaller and possibly more light weight you might want to look at a JBL powered sub. Is my suggestion.

Your laptop and external hard drive will be your friend as well as a mixer/ controller of your choice. I would buy a oddesy flight case that has the sliding shelf for your controller. Yes this will add a little bit of weight but honestly isn't that heavy even for controllers the size of the pioneer SR.

I would pick up a decent wireless mic as well and tuck in that flight case. I am a huge fan boy of wireless sure, EV, or Line six mics. they are built well.

Sound board mixers are light weight and can be rather packed offering a lot for your money as well. Not sure what your budget is or how long you have been out of the game.

***** side note
Who ever said to only roll out with their biggest and badest rig. well More power to you, but If I know I have a small event entertaining 50 -100 in a small area to bring a sound rig. I don't need 4 dual 18's bass cabs with 4 mains, 100's of lighting units yadda yadda, infact that would be over kill and would look out of place. Part of having multiple rigs and upcharging and what not is part of it. So you can bring what you need to bring an not over kill.

I don't sell it as an upcharge really like omg you gotta have this because it will be killer bass. I sell it based on their need. At the same time it would be silly to bring only a set of k-10's to entertain 300 people. Event venues size and capacity is what is usually the deciding factor in what " Sound & lighting package they need."
 


My rig. I'm missing my speaker stands and 2 small light stands. : ). Took me 2 years to put it together but I love and sounds awesome. : )
 
Thanks for the advice. My gigs are for the 40+ crowd with the occasional child gig so I don't need the thump. I still use passive speakers 2 12 jbls and 2 cv 18 subs backed up by qsc 3000 watta amp. Sounds great just hurts to carry around. Also have a large rackmount computer rack rig that weighs like 90-110 pounds and use a van. Take a second rig with numark cdn for backup with cds which I never use. Just looks good I guess and is a backup. Gotta trade this stuff in. You know as soon as I do something will happen on a gig and I'll need the cds.
 


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