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MacBook Air 11inch for DJing?

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  • August 9, 2014 at 12:01 am #2048263
    squarecell
    Participant

    The specs are more than okay, but I find the screen on my 13″ MBP to be too small at times when DJing.

    August 9, 2014 at 2:52 am #2048266
    brian quigley
    Participant

    I use a MacBook Air with Serato.

    Digital Mixers:
    Denon MC6000MK2 with four simultaneous digital tracks
    or
    Novation Twitch with two tracks

    Specs on the MacBook Air:
    OSX Version: 10.9.4
    Processor: 1.86 Intel Core Duo
    Memory: 2GB 1067 MHz DDR3
    Disk: 128G SSD

    I originally wanted to see if the MacBook Air could handle the Novation Twitch since it is a more compact mixer, easier to put in a bag and go. I can fit a laptop, the Twitch, laptop stand and all cables in one small laptop bag. Then I just have speakers to carry – using KRKs – and I’m ready to go for a small impromptu gig.

    The MacBook Air works well with both mixers, even the Denon with four tracks running. I think with the specs you listed you would be right where you want to be with the Twitch, especially if screen size does not matter. That was the one thing I missed from my 15″ MacBook Pro, so when I am at home in the lab I use the larger screen on the laptop.

    Hope this helps.

    August 9, 2014 at 7:46 am #2048274
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    Hey quigley. Tip here: don’t use your KRKs for travel and gigs, man. The cones are unprotected, which mean potential harm, not only in transit but also from curious fingers at the gig (or beer splashed on them), but also they are not made to be ridden hard for prolonged periods of time. Finally, they are tuned for monitor work, not PA work.

    Would hate to see you mess up those nice speakers.

    Get a (cheap and/or used) pair of active 10″ (or even 8″) PA speakers for impromptu parties. Better bass, way more road-ready and made for the job.

    Just my 2 cents.

    August 9, 2014 at 3:42 pm #2048279
    brian quigley
    Participant

    Thanks Vintage, appreciate it.

    Yeah, the KRKs have seen some wear. I got one of them used, so it came with a pushed in cone. The other one got dropped on the way to its first gig before it ever played.

    What do you recommend for a good traveling PA system?

    August 9, 2014 at 7:48 pm #2048281
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    Depends on your budget of course. In PA (more even than in other fields) you “get what you pay for”.

    There are some articles over on the blog on HK Audio Lucas Nano (http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2014/03/musikmesse-2014-hk-audio-lucas-nano-600-crossover-pa-system-talkthrough/) and something similar (yet different) from LD Systems, the Dave 12 G3 (http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2013/08/review-video-ld-dave-12-g3-compact-pa-system/)

    Just two examples of ways to go. And really any set of good 10″ (or if you really want smaller 8″, but I’d look for a 2.1 system with a sub in that case) full range active speakers (from a good brand preferably) on stands (wise investment!) will outperform the KRKs, even if you happen to have the KRK 8s.

    Hope that helps some. If you want info on anything in particular let us know, just make a new thread becauses it’s cannibalising this one 🙂

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