Sound output issues with VDJ

Well first we need know what are the sound cards and where are they going to.

Okay go to sound setup in virtual dj, input is none, output is headphones, sound card is 2 cards. Then rearrange the the sound cards to such as master first sound card: Hercules/ and headphones second sound card: headphone source.

Here are some other setups

[media=youtube]krVjBPRPVs0[/media]

I see, you have to you have to buy an extra/external soundcard, they aren’t expensive it’s the only way to cue and without hearing it on the master.

yes you would have to choose input: None, output: headphones, soundcard mono separated, and then choose the sides and make you sure you plugged in right. Red is right, white/black is left.

Shaun Pearcey, post: 38723, member: 6431 wrote: I have an audio splitter cable but it doesnt make a difference to the issue when I use the mono seperated option, Maybe I need a different type of cable as i have to click the headphones listen button to hear the track ive faded into with both speakers its all a bit weird 🙁

Been on this issue with someone else recently. The thing with the splitter cable is that you will want a stereo to double mono splitter, not a regular run of the mill stereo to two stereo splitter (which you use if you want to hook up two sets of headphones to one ipod for example). The “non-DJ” stereo to mono splitter cables have an additional problem when trying to get things to work the way you want. The mono-outputs will be true mono female jacks. If you stick a headphone in, you will hear sound out of only one ear. And while this may be acceptable for headphone use (I never use the other half of my cans anyway :-)) it isn’t very handy when you plug in your mini-jack to the venue PA or mixer and you get only sound out of half the system. In order to alleviate this problem you would need two more mono (male mini-jack) to stereo (female mini-jack) adapters. If you stick those into the outputs of your splitter cable, they will split the mono signal to, effectively, double mono (meaning you get the exact same signal but out of both sides of your headphone or out of the PA).

From what I gather the purpose-built DJ splitter cables don’t need the mono to stereo adapters as they have that solved in the cable already.

This is pretty much what the cables should do. The bottom one is the regular stereo/stereo splitter, with the top one being the way a DJ splitter should behave.

Hope this makes sense.

Good luck with it.

Greetinx,
C.

Hey Shaun,

Yeah, with the Mixtrack Pro II you won’t be needing a splitter cable. The built-in soundcard takes care of that. The MTP2 has two sets of RCA outputs (I believe you can have them either both output the main or set output 2 to act as booth output. Not sure though, so check the manual on that one.

What cable you need to hook up to your speakers depends on they way you are making that connection, direct to the (active) speakers, direct into the amplifier powering the speakers or through a mixer in a club for example. Then it depends on what input connectors those systems have.

If you’d want to be safe, you could either:

• buy three different cables
  [LIST]
• RCA to RCA (get a good quality one with sturdy connectors and cable, not one those simple white/red connector thingies that come with home stereo equipment and such.
• RCA to 6.3mm Jack
• RCA to XLR male

[*]buy one good quality RCA to RCA cable and get two (sets of) adapters:

• RCA female to 6.3mm Jack
• RCA female to XLR male

[/list]
Either way you’ll be able to tackle any environment. Any mixer, amplifier or active speaker will have one of (if often more) these connections.

Greetinx,
C.

Hard to tell from the thumbnail picture, but they seem like an alright cable. Full metal connector with metal stress relieves. Pretty decent and a way up from the cheapos.

As far as speakers go, it’s a whole different ball game. Shortest answer? You get what you pay for. If you plan on using them in bars/pubs, you might be off better renting some pro speakers when you start out. Assuming you will be charging the place if you bring your own speakers.

If you play at a place that has it’s own PA, plug into theirs and save yourself the hassle.

I am not sure if these are the ones you were talking about, but I googled the Ibiza Disco15Amp. It has some features that you don’t need, like a mixer with echo and tone control but which you do pay for. Another concern is with their weight. They come in at about 14 kilograms. Which is (very) light for a 15″ speaker with a traditional analogue amp built in. To give you an idea, my Mackie HD1221s (totally different ballpark, but just for comparison reasons) have only 12″ speakers and a digital (which weigh quite a bit less than analogue) bi-amplifier module and weigh in at about 23 kilograms!

I am guessing for this price range that the Ibiza amp will power both the low/mid frequency and high frequency drivers. The nasty thing about that is that bass takes away most of the amp power, especially in the kind of bass heavy environment DJs usually operate in, and there is little headroom left for the high end. Contrary to popular belief it is UNDERpowered amps that kill speakers, not OVERpowered ones (as a rule of thumb). A little higher end speakers will be bi-amped, i.e. have seperate amps for low/mid and high, so no matter how much bass you are asking for, it can never take power away from the high frequency speaker. Less distortion, better sound and less change of blowing your drivers up. And (at least in my opinion) digital trumps analogue by quite a bit.
Finally (you asked for it lol) the SPL. SPL is the amount of actual acoustic energy coming out of the speaker playing a 1 KHz tone measured in dB at 1 meter from the speaker, although some manufacturers will use pink noise. The Ibiza’s rate at 126dB. Not too bad, but these companies have a tendency to boast the numbers a bit. And although it doesn’t look like much, but an increase of 3dB is like having TWICE the amp power! The difference between a 126dB and 129dB SPL is very significant.

Long story, but my point is if you are charging to bring your own PA (which you should, no reason to give it away for free) you’d better find a rental place that will give you between 15-25% discount if you rent from them (so you still make some money on the equipment rental). A) you don’t have to spend a lot of cash at once, B) you will have better quality gear (and appear to be more professional!), C) you don’t have to worry about it breaking down or anything and D) you can perhaps save up the margin you make to go with that 300 pound til you can buy something a step or two up the ladder.

And 15″ are big mothers, taking up a lot of real estate in a pub or bar. I am no big fan of Behringer (putting it mildly) but they do have a series of active 10″ (perhaps a tad small, but they’d be great for practicing too) or 12″ speakers that are bi-amp, albeit not digital 🙂 that I actually heard and sound pretty good. Hard ABS case, so rugged enough for the road.
Look for EuroLive B212D or B210D. The 12″ have the same SPL as the Ibiza but with a smaller speaker and it has a digital amp.

I really don’t want to put stuff down, but certain things belong in a kids bedroom. Two 15″, 400W speakers in a set for 300 pound fall into that category. So there are smarter choices. Like getting 10″ speakers which are really portable and great to use at home practicing too and then renting if you play a place that needs something bigger. Or spending a bit more and getting some decent 12″ speakers.

The choice is yours, but keep in mind “you get what you pay for” when it comes to PA speakers. So try before you buy!

Greetinx and good luck with your choice,
C.