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Anyone know alot about speaker systems/DJing type stuff?

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UncleGerry
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 1,377
So if I plug my laptop directly into a mixer for the pa system im using (i plug it in via basic headphone jack that goes to the tape output on the mixer)
What should my computer volume level be at?
What should the program I'm using's volume be at?
And what should the mixer volume be at?

I don;t want the sound quality to sound like shit and I realize that a sound card is my best bet, but it's sort of a last minute thing tonight. Any help would be appreciated!
Dec 20 2012 9:41PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
Are you using some sort of interface for sound output? If so the application you are using should be able to use its driver without using your computers output. If you are using your laptop output then generally it shouldn't matter what volume your laptop speakers are at as long as it does not clip into the mixer. If the mixer has a gain knob for the input your laptop is using then that will be more important. You do not want your sound to clip and adding some headroom is always the safer way to go with live sound.

The volume of your mixer is up to you, I try to never boost audio by setting the slider above 0db however it shouldn't affect your sound too much (my audio engineering prof has no issue with putting sliders above 0db as long as the file doesn't clip.)

Also I am assuming you are using a mixing board for the show, you want most signals to be as loud as possible without clipping.

Also there are other guys on this forum that are in live shows, most of my experience is in the studio however I doubt it will be very different for the type of show you are playing.
Dec 20 2012 9:48PM
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Randy_Marsh
Posts: 253 - Karma: 35
turn the laptop up and the program up and then just go with what sounds good on the mixer. put the channel slider at the line thats like 3/4 up and then use the main mix to control the volume... as far as I know with pretty limited knowledge haha
Dec 20 2012 9:50PM
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UncleGerry
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 1,377
Thanks man! So here's the deal: I'm using Quicktime to just play a set that I recorded in the past. The sound quality on the quicktime file is supposedly HD so its not too bad.
I am plugging into the PA system via the cord with white/red on one end and the audio headphone jack into my laptop on the other.
The room I am playing in is a decent sized one with high celiings, wood floors, and is like a small dance hall pretty much....
Dec 20 2012 10:02PM
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~4EST_B_Skis~
Posts: 566 - Karma: -46
You sound like a pretty legit dj
Dec 20 2012 10:05PM
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UncleGerry
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 1,377
Never said I was. Just playing some music at a party tonight, not gonna be behind the controls at all. Fuck your hand.
Dec 20 2012 10:15PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
Just out of curiosity is the format you will be playing back .wav or .aiff? Not that you can do much about it now but those two formats that have zero compression for future reference.

You should be fine with putting your laptop output to full volume or close.

The mixer you are using should have a peak meter, it should have a bar that should range from -infinity (or 50-60 on some boards) to zero db and then from 0 to up to another number depending on the board you are using. You can adjust the level of the input audio using a gain knob, don't use the slider beside the peak meter, it should stay at 0. The peak meter should also be colour coded, green-yellow-red. I generally aim for the loudest point of my song to be around the middle of the yellow. You want to leave some headroom between yellow and red, the red area is where clipping will occur, that will create distortion which is not good.

Don't shy away too much though, if you set the gain too low you won't have a strong enough signal and on some pa systems that can cause issues.

As for the room there is not much you can do, you are going to get a decent amount of reverb but assuming that it's filled with people it shouldn't be too bad. The hall you are in will probably have speakers set up already, speaker placement for live shows is more important than volume.

Rule of thumb for anything is get as loud of a signal into your mixer without clipping. A weak signal is bad, clipping is worse.

Hope this helps, if you need anything else just ask.
Dec 20 2012 10:19PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
Also if you have a chance before the show go to the loudest part.parts of your mix and listen to it while watching the peak meter, that's where it will clip. And remember to trust your ears, if it sounds better a certain way do it that way.
Dec 20 2012 10:21PM
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UncleGerry
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 1,377
You're a good man. Thank you!
Dec 20 2012 10:23PM
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_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
No problem man, hope it goes well.
Dec 20 2012 10:26PM
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panojibber.
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 683
THIS. So key.

Don't worry about the files you're playing. Professional DJs don't even use WAV files, they're using high quality MP3s. Whatever you have will be fine, chances are you're not playing to a crowd of audiophiles so don't worry about it.

I'm no DJ, but what I ALWAYS do without exception is start with all my levels at zero when I'm setting something up. If you go to the event with all your levels cranked to the max, plug your laptop in, press play and blow the speakers with the first transient... You're royally fucked (and so is the PA system and everyone's ears). Do not do this haha. Start with everything very very quiet and then turn it up. This is more for your ears than the sound system, and its good practise anyways.
Dec 20 2012 10:35PM
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Big_Spence
Posts: 16177 - Karma: 4,352
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Dec 20 2012 10:37PM
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