Isaiah Furrow

Great input there Chuck! I’m still working on getting a post to come out formatted like I’d like, but we’re getting there, maybe you were right about adding a couple white lines here and there as what I did in the post above didn’t quite work out, still better than a solid block of text though…LOL Keep shining brother! Moonshadow

great advice as usual guys, and the videos being released lately are wonderful, along with all the other DDJT content… spend a few evenings searching this site, reading, and watching DDJT videos and others on youtube and I’d bet you find your answer of what’s best for you… I would think twice before jumping on a pair of those CD players, or any for that matter…. Keep us posted! Moonshadow

great stuff…. Chuck, you couldn’t abandon us in our time of need like that could you…. just banish the troll posts and put on a good tune to calm back down… 🙂 The people here on DDJT really are great and helpful and a good bunch, I don’t see that changing much as the people on here are all coming to DDJT to learn, not because the ‘know it all already’ and think they’re gonna be the coolest member of some elite niche forum like some other places on the web… I have many hobbies and love internet forums for researching real end user experiences with products and also gathering real insight into things… I know of the trolls you speak of, and even on forums where they are present, some forums are just sooooo dang cool that a few trolls can’t bring down the vibe… DDJT will be one of those if trolls ever come here, but for now I think we’re safe. I would wager that this site could turn a troll into a contributing productive member ! Keep shining folks, love all the new material and site improvements! Moonshadow

There are some options I have seen to be used with iPads specifically, but I think as stated above, you’re going to need a PC/Mac laptop to make it happen… I used VDJ Home(the free version) for a few weeks, getting the hang of things while researching controllers and waiting to get my first one. I am now using a Mixtrack Pro 2 and waiting for my upgrade to arrive along with the full Serato DJ software. I would say that there is only a best for YOU, not a best overall…

Serato is definitely a good start, but an evening researching the software options should give you enough to decide which is best for you. As far as controllers, I’d suggest looking into the Reloop mentioned above as it’s one of the best/cheapest ways to get the full Serato DJ software and looks like a great starting point. Others I would look into in the “beginner” range and price point would be the Denon MC2000, and the Pioneer SB/SR, as well as the Mixtrack Pro 2.
Keep in mind that pro is just part of the name, and while it’s a great learning tool and could definitely be used to play gigs, it’s not at all a “pro” piece of kit. I love mine and will continue to use it after I have a better controller, but there are some things to think about if you decide to go further with DJing. I would wager that some of the others and especially the newer controllers, may be even better suited to starting out and also good in the long run… Keep shining and keep us posted! Moonshadow

My speakers are of the same brand, but not the same series, unfortunately there isn’t a sub in the ZLX series, hope EV decides to remedy that. I can give just a little input on the Behringer B212D, I spend a decent bit of time listening to that, as it was one of the last speakers to be eliminated from my short list. I liked it more than the Mackie Thumps, and also I liked the sound just slightly more than the Alto(TS112 I think it was). I really liked that the B212D seemed to have pretty nice clarity like the Alto, and also pretty decent bass response like the Thumps, but I eventually decided against Behringer simply because I liked the sound of the EV speakers most, also the presentation/looks were a factor, and the availability of bags/covers was a deciding point as well. I felt that the EV speakers provided the most quality, for the amount of budget I was able to squeeze. If I had not gone with a higher PA budget, I would have had a hard time deciding between the $280 B212D and the $300 Alto 12″ tops.
Your hookup/setup will be highly dependant upon exactly which speakers you choose. I currently have a pair of EV ZLX12P speakers, and a single ZXA1 Sub. I hope to get another sub soon, and from what I understand my cable routing will be from the R/L outputs on my mixer/controller, into the first subs inputs, out to the second subs inputs, then to each top…. (Chuck/Terry/anyone…should I be running the R/L channels separately at that point, or for sub coupling is what I described best?) Depending on which speakers you get, the sub may or may not output full range sound, or it may have switchable crossover options. Some tops have this option built in as well, as switchable crossovers, or with a knob adjustment on one I saw, or sometimes just a “with sub” type button.
The ZLX powered tops I have give options in the DSP settings to use 80, 100, or 120 for the cutoff, or a setting specifically for the Live X 18″ subwoofer. This, along with some of the input and other DSP features is part of the reason why I chose the ZLX, I chose the 12″ tops for reasons mentioned above, size, weight, clarity when you don’t need them pounding the bass notes and such… The ZXA1 Sub has from my understanding, a 100 Hz crossover built into the amplification setup, making only 100Hz and lower frequency output. However, I believe the THRU to be exactly what goes into the sub… the THRU terminals work to get sound to the tops even if the sub isn’t turned on, or even plugged into power, and from what my ears can tell it’s a full range output. This can vary greatly from what I found researching speakers.
I love the sound I’m getting from these EV speakers, as well as the versatility they provide. The sub should be OK for up to about 100-150, hoping 2 of the 12″ subs will be OK for up to about 200 or so guests. Also, I’m looking into 15″ subs that still maintain some of the portability of the ZXA1 Sub. This setup is great sounding. Each component is light and portable. And the covers add another element that I really like, looks nice, protects them in transit and storage, and the presentation is nice for when you bring them in or load out of a venue as well.
Just a few thoughts and some of the reasoning that went into my purchase decision. I did get one chance to listen to Peavey PA speakers, the PVX 12″ and I didn’t care for the sound, but that was comparing to the EV ZLX and other more expensive speaker models at that point. For the price I could get the Peavey speakers locally, I couldn’t justify not getting something a little higher up the list… Once you decide on a few or listen to some at a retailer, get back to us and let us know what ones you liked and or your questions about the hookups and features of a specific model range or something… Are EV speakers readily available in the UK and Europe? Wishing you the best of luck, you’re dong yourself a solid by spending lots of effort researching and learning about all aspects of what makes the best PA setup for YOU… keep up the good work…. I’ll be watching for updates to this thread. Moonshadow

I’m looking at some inspirational stuff tonight, EV ETX series… Hope by this time next year I can pick up a 15″ sub and have my eye on that one, or something similar… I have time to look into others and do some listening at Guitar Center in the meantime, as I’ll be using the ZLX tops and ZXA1 Subs for a while. Actually have plans to add some more tops and a second ZXA1 Sub before I bump it up to the full on, weapons grade audio gear… May stick to the ZLX tops in the long run even when I go to doing larger venues, just have 4-6 of them. Are those ETX and other similarly priced speakers the kind of “wonders” you were speaking of Terry, or are the ones you had in mind even more expensive? Google gives me a current exchange value of a little over $800 with his 500 pound figure, so minus stands and cables, that would give him enough for a pair of ZLX12P speakers, or if he went with something like Mackie Thumps or B212D/215D he might get a pair and stands and even get a retailer to throw in the proper cables. I personally didn’t like the sound of the Mackies, except for the expensive ones I listened to, the HD series I think it was. I almost got B212D tops and a sub but liked the sound of the EV speakers, and the more classy appearance, so I sacrificed a couple other things on my startup list to get the better speakers. I can always spruce up my table with a cover, and façade later on, and DMX control is in the works later as well, but my beginner light show is OK in sound mode for now… I would say that a pair of decent 12″ or 15″ powered PA speakers would do OK for 100 people or so, might leave you wanting more Bass, but a few gigs could earn the sub to add on. The OP was speaking of hooking up to a DDJ-SX which isn’t a cheap controller, so I’d imagine the idea of buying quality gear is within their grasp. Also, the SX has XLR as well as RCA master outputs, and TRS booth outs, so depending on speaker choices, the hookup configurations are many. For instance, XLR master outs to sub, sub outputs to tops… OR, master outs to tops, booth outs to sub, giving independent volume control to the tops and sub, could be handy (just got a new idea)… Thanks to all of the folks who make DDJT so great! Moonshadow

I have one ZLX12P on a tripod in my living room as I write this, so I don’t always have to go upstairs to my mancave room… the stairs in my cabin are not at all a typical stairway… I think one decent powered PA speaker would be great for small situations like house parties and small get together events with friends, and with it you could practice, do a couple small parties, and then add a second to make a pair, then …. Good luck, and I like the KRK speakers, wondering if anyone (chuck/terry/etc.) can give input on just how exactly they color the sound vs the pioneers… I might be ok with that and am a Pioneer car and home audio fan since way back, also, the wife likes the “not-yellow” ones… and that counts for something… 🙂 I plan to get some good reference/studio phones too later on.