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(Help) Terrified about connecting my equipment in gigs

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  • October 18, 2012 at 7:46 am #1013904
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    I found this resource quite helpful for newbies:
    http://www.wannaplaymusic.com/get-started/pa-basics

    Yes it is for musicians only, but it gets you started on the basics.

    October 18, 2012 at 11:52 am #1013915
    Robert Quick
    Participant

    If you’re using the MC3000 as your soundcard, don’t you just have to run a cable from the master out to a line in on the clubs house mixer?

    October 18, 2012 at 3:08 pm #1013927
    Bunyip
    Member

    There is a thread on this subject where you may find some tips:

    http://www.digitaldjtips.com/forum/threads/whats-your-biggest-tip-for-djs-using-pa-systems-for-the-first-time.6557/

    October 18, 2012 at 6:18 pm #1013946
    DiBartdi
    Member

    thnks for the responses, they got my doubts somehow dispersed 😀 see ya around 😀

    October 19, 2012 at 6:46 am #1013976
    DJ Menno
    Participant

    You simply gotta think in terms of in and out. I go out my PC in my controller. Out of my controller/CDJ in the mixtable. Out of the mixtable onto the sound system. The mostly used connections you will find is RCA (the red and white), and eventually an RCA-jack adapter. Generally from the mixtable onto the sound system isn’t your problem since the sound system is already set-up. Just bring along a few extra cables for security. And I always arrive one hour minimum in advance, or check the sound one or two days before, should I buy a last minute cable.

    October 19, 2012 at 4:53 pm #1014018
    DiBartdi
    Member

    thanks 😀 thinking everything as an in and out helped a lot. Im still a bit confused though about the difference between line and phono and my researches in the internet didnt quite help clarify it. as i understood, phono is for turntables as it amplifies sound, and line would be where i should connect my controller (has an internal soundcard)? this being an output from my controller and a line input to the mixer?

    October 19, 2012 at 4:56 pm #1014019
    DJ Menno
    Participant

    from what I know, but I can stand corrected by experts, phono is analog, that is a signal that has not been modified by a computer (microphone, guitar, vinyl), and line is digital (computer, mp3 reader, CD player). But both actually work, the difference is not that audible unless on a big system. If you’re playing digital (mp3’s), go for the line entry I would say.

    The amplifying happens later.

    Computer sends a signal to the controller.
    controller sends a signal to the mixtable
    Mixtable sends a signal to the amplifier
    The amplifier amplifies (obvious) and sends to the speaker.

    So the line/phono entry doesn’t amplify anything, it interprets the sound being sent and forwards it, but as said above, both should work.

    October 19, 2012 at 5:19 pm #1014022
    DiBartdi
    Member

    I thought so. So the line input it is 😛 Thanks for the help !

    October 19, 2012 at 8:48 pm #1014042
    Bunyip
    Member

    Turntables require extra amplification, and that’s why they have their own phono input. If you plugged one into a line input, the sound would be really, really quiet. So yes, the line input is the one you want.

    October 20, 2012 at 9:18 am #1014065
    softcore
    Member

    In order to be correct and accurate, “phono” inputs are specifically designed for turtables – not only there is a different amplification but also astandardised EQ curve is applied – because also standardised EQ is applied to any piece of music cut on vinyls, the RIAA equalization.
    RIAA equalization is a form of pre-emphasis on recording and de-emphasis on playback. A recording is made with the low frequencies reduced and the high frequencies boosted, and on playback the opposite occurs.

    (and yes, for those following the logic, the so called beloved vinyl is so bad at reproducing the bass sounds that the music has to be EQed to be printed on it – makes ya think, doesnt it?)

    more info on the topic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_equalization

    Long story short – if you connect a line output to a phono input not only you will get super loud humming signal but also super-bassy – even if you blindly connect your RCAs to a phono input the difference in sound is so enormous you will know at once that this is not the correct input to connect to. 😉

    October 20, 2012 at 4:44 pm #1014085
    Mike Check
    Member

    I’ve definitely been in DJ booths where I show up & it’s a complete ghetto mess of connections & cables. As long as you know the basics of in/out you can figure it out ….but at the same time it pisses me off when I have to spend time deciphering a riddle.

    October 21, 2012 at 7:52 pm #1014152
    DiBartdi
    Member

    thanks a lot for the info softcore ! extremly useful!

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