Best way to spend $4000 on a complete mobile setup
Hi all.
So I started with my Stanton SCS.4DJ a couple months ago and did a few basement parties and mixxtapes. I landed a couple paid gigs and decided I want to get serious about dj’ing. I did a lot of homework and found this gem of a website. The forums are straight gold. I’m hoping to get some good feedback before I spend my money.
So i stacked some chips and I’m going to invest in equipment. My goal is to do private parties, weddings and clubs when I can book them. I need to have a complete setup including PA system. Anyway, here’s what I’m looking at. Comments, suggestions and criticism welcome:
NI Traktor Kontrol S4 + Midi Fighter Classic bundle from DJTT.com$979
13.3in Macbook Pro I7 4GB RAM 750 GB hard drive from BestBuy $1499.99
2 QSC K10 1000 watt powered PA speakers with totes, cables
& stands bundle from proaudiostar.com$1424 Sony MDR-V6 Headphones from Barnes & Noble $69.99
Total comes to around $4000 which is my budget.
If you are doing mobile stuff you absolutely 100% need a subwoofer otherwise the sound is going to suck. Also I would skip the K10s and get the K12s the price difference isn’t much. Look around on craigslist for a used QSC HPR151i or 1811, you can get a good deal for cheaper than the Ksub and they will both be superior.
The KW subs are really nice but pricey.
I would wait on the midifighter personally- invest that money in sound where it really counts for now.
And you can get much better prices on all of that stuff just email/call proaudiostar and see what they can do.
you need bigger speakers for mobile gigs. 10 inch speakers will not give you any lows in a big room, unless you add a sub to that package which is what you’ll need to do for a serious mobile set up. I think you can cut some costs a bit. For example you don’t need a midifighter right of the bat. Also, I have the same macbook but with 500g drive and I used a student discount to get it from Apple and I think it was about 200 bucks cheaper. You can always get a refurbished one straight from Apple it carries the same warranty as new. If I had 4g’s to spend I would stretch it out a bit more.
also look on craigslist- you can find great deals on QSC speakers. There are tons of deals around and get a subwoofer no matter what tops you get. mobile DJs with no subs sound awful it doesn’t matter if it’s a wedding or a basement rave if you don’t have a sub the sound is going to be poor.
hold off on the midi fighter. although it looks cool and all i wouldn’t get it right away. get a wireless mic if you want to be mobile. esp. if u plan on doing weddings. i don’t see any reason to use a midi fighter @ a wedding any ways.
Ive probably only spent $1500 (not including laptop) on my mobile setup (without the laptop)
2x$250 12" speakers, 1x$500 Sub, and various controllers, lights etc and it works a dream
Instead of the k10’s I got electro-voice elx-112p’s for $850 (for the pair) and I’m about to get the matching elx-118p sub for about $600. Much cheaper than QSC and it gets the job done. Or you go with the mackie setup for about the same prices. With the money you save on speakers you could spend on something else like lights.
Yeah dude you most def need some bigger speakers than 10 inches. I’d say 12 at least, 14 would be preferred. I have the 14’ active Mackies, and their pretty good just really damn heavy.
Get the basemodel Mac, or if you really want to spend that much $$ get the 15 inch.
You don’t really need a Mac with i7 processor, i5 will do just fine. That being said, you don’t actually need a Mac at all, lots of PC laptops will do just fine as well and can cut the costs a lot. Any laptop with i5 processor (I guess even i3 will be fine) and at least 4 gigs of ram will be good enough.
Another thing… if you are planning on doing mobile gigs, you are going to have to invest in a GOOD wireless mic. Those start at around $300. There are cheap ones for $100, but you don’t want to skimp on that. Cheap ones have issues with interference, and suffer from drops. Cheap is easy and fast, but dealing with a pissed off bride and/or groom (or worse yet, their lawyers) is a lot harder than saving a few bills more. Imagine the looks people will shoot your way if the best man is trying to give a speech, and the mic keep crapping out.
Wow, thank you all so much for the speedy and relevant feedback!
OK, so the i7 is NOT necessary? Cuz I will definitely go for the 13.3in i5 with 4GB RAM if not and save a few hundred. But I do not want to have to deal with latency issues at all.
I will definitely get a sub. And 12’s on top. I’ll not get the midi-fighter but I don’t want to go for S2 only to want to upgrade to S4 in a few months. Looks like I have some changes to make in my plan.
@oliosky I already have a $500 Stanton SCS.4DJ (standalone). It blends music great and can do basic filters and loops but takes forever to analyze tracks. It will make a good back-up.
I really like what I see the S4 do in videos (the VCI-400 too). I want to get a controller that will keep me happy for several years. I aim to be a good controllerist even tho it’s not necessary for weddings and stuff.
@jsa83 wireless mic is a great suggestion. I have a really nice wired shure performance mic but that’s not convenient for weddings. I’ll scope out some wireless ones. Any one in specific come to mind?
@stbanas925 You recommend the EV’s? I’m not opposed to going that route. Anyone else have an opinion on EV to QSC?
If you have the money then obviously go for the QSC’s. They sound clearer and probably get a little louder too. They’re also much lighter. My budget is completely different than yours though. However, I’m very satisfied with my EV’s.
Just got a quote from zzounds.com for 2 EV ELX112p and 1 EV ELX118p with stands and cables plus Shure PGX24 wireless mic for just over 2 grand.
(I’m not allowed to use the quote feature in the forum for some reason… not enough tech cred yet?)
@jsa83 I’m trying to stay at or below $2100 on speakers and mic. Thats why EV looks appealing now. But if it’s really a big difference between the EVs and QSCs I’ll just have to pony up and at least get the QSC 12s and a EV Sub.
@xonetacular if it’s a status thing to grab QSCs than I might have to wait. But if it’s a quality issue that will be very apparent in my setup than I would consider pushing my budget to get QSC.
Man i wish i had 4g’s to drop on new gear :drools: I got all my gear for 4200 overall:
MIxing Equipment-
Alienware Mx17
Mixtrack/just upgraded to S4
Midifighter Classic
Launchpad
Stands for Laptop and controller
Audio/Visual Equipment-
Chauvet Motion Facade
Scorpion Storm FX laser
LEDShadow strobe
2x Peavey PR12’s (got peavey to get by, and they started in my town so repairs are cheap)
Obey 70 DMX controller
Good luck my friend, be sure to post sexy gear pr0n when you getz it
It’s the quality and sound which surpasses EV- definitely not a status thing, it’s not like anyone really cares what brand you use they just notice the sound. If you buy the EVs they are going to immediately lose a lot of their value and the odds of you upgrading are slim. They will work, but you should just do it right from the start. Get a quote from proaudiostar on a pair of K12s and a sub (ksub or better a KW 15" sub) QSC also has a 5 year warranty, nothing else comes close to that.
Also check craigslist for deals on QSC. JBL is also good but I would avoid stuff like EV and Mackie to save only a tiny bit of money up front in the scheme of things. PA is not where you should cheap out.
If your going to go all out mobile you’re going to need lights man. Maybe just start out on a small basic set up. Maybe a T-Bar with a American DJ Mega Pixel on top for some color wash and then either some scanners on the side or some other LED lights like a Revo III. or Vertigo Tri LED.
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