Using the new Mac Mini instead of MBP for live performances
Hey guys,
I’m thinking about a mobile setup using the new Mac Mini from apple, what do you think about it?
They are small then the early version and so powerful as the macbook pro 13’ is.
I’m trying to imagine a case with the Mac Mini and the FWire Audio Interface bellow a controller of choice (VCI, SCS.3, BCR3000, etc).
All the cable connections between these 3 parts would be done inside this compact case, and the audio interface (for mixing externally or internally) would be going out the case to the house mixer.
As a lot of clubs will be ready for mobile DJs soon, we will not need to bring a screen to the club, we will alredy have a real monitor there (I hope so).
If there is no monitor in the club, I can use a portable screen and prepare the case to acomodate that screen the way I like it.
This way, even on the smallest booth I can fit my computer, audio interface and a medium-size controller in the same place and all will be pre-connected to the Mini. All I would need to do will be connect the audio-interface to the house mixer and my headphone to the AI.
The advantage of a laptop is you get the screen keyboard and mouse. The Mini is cool, but I don’t see how useful it would be in a club environment without the keyboard and mouse, even if the club has a monitor (and why would they if all DJ’s bring their laptop?).
Not trying to poo-poo your creative idea, just my 2 cents.
I agree, it’s a great idea and you may be able to implement it where you play, but for the most part I think the laptop is just better. That said you can get a Mac Mini and a screen for much cheaper than a MBP.
Why we need a keyboard and mouse to perform as a DJ?
If we still need a keyboard to do it maybe we are lacking controls…
And remember, you don’t need a physical keyboard to search your music by keyword, we can use any X/Y pad and a virtual keyboard on the screen
I’m just trying to eliminate a painfull setup time, a mess with cables and a lot of the “twitter look” of djing with a laptop…
Yeah im addressing the “portability” quote from MiLo.
Its gonna be a nightmare in the gig bag with all those separate parts and also so many items that can fail on the night or need replacing more often that a laptop.
Maybe it’s the inverse. All DJs bring their laptop because all the Clubs aren’t prepared for the Digital Age.
I know two really small clubs (one at São Paulo, and another at Santos) that have a monitor screen at the DJ Booth, and we are talking about Brazil, the “big taxes country”.
Right now I have two korg NanoKontrols, a Oxygen 8 V2 and a Numark DJIO to connect to my laptop, they are all USB and my laptop has 4 USB slots, if I add another controller to the setup I would need a USB hub, so more cables and connections to the setup. If I mix externally I would need more 2 (or 4) RCA cables. :eek:
With a Mini and a customized case I can even put a USB HUB inside it to duplicate my USB connections. With the M-Audio Profire 610 at it’s side, I can create a table on top of it and accomodate my Oxy8 and two korg nanos side to side. Man, this way I would only need 18´´ (45 cm) of space on the booth and all my cables would rest inside the case, or next to it.
Sometimes I don’t practice because I feel too lazy to setup all my geek DJ setup and that’s a shame on me, but I would be less lazy if I could automate the setup time better.
The mouse and keyboard can be totally eliminated from your DJ set, but shit happens (CRASH) and it is at those times when you may need them. How could you even start Traktor without either? OK you can have them load on start up, but restarting your computer is a crappy way to have to re-start Traktor if you have a problem. I would be afraid to gig without them!
BT keyboard and mouse, I know I’ved heard from a ton of people not to have that & wifi on during your set. But any mac users, chime in here…have you had any problems with wifi or bt being on during your set?
I only gig house parties, and don’t bother turning off wi-fi, but do turn off BT. When I practice at home I’m lazy and leave it all on with no problems with Traktor.
But where do you use a mouse in a DJ booth? I suppose the 1200 platter would be available, LOL.
I was about to start a new topic on this very issue. My LT video card died last week and I am not going out to spend 700USD+ for a replacement. Thus far i’ve looked at all-in-ones like this but am also leaning towards building my own plexiglass case and micro ATX system. The KB and touchpad posted above looks like a really good compromise for input. I think we’ll be seeing more systems like this in the coming years. (EDIT: More systems for use in DJ’ing i mean.)
I agree with you, shit happens, but to resolve the shit all we need is a mouse or a XY pad, right?
You agree with me that we can use a virtual keyboard on the screen for those things that we cannot do only with mouse, right?
So, we only need a XY pad, no keyboard needed…
you could keep a bluetooth keyboard in a bag and only pull it out if necessary. Same with a mouse, or if you have an XY pad on one of your controllers that doubles as a mouse, even better. I think this is a good idea if you find the right case and screen – and I wouldn’t want to use Traktor with only a 7" screen. In the end though a laptop will be a lot less hassle to set up, but since when did people around here just do things the easy way?
Ahh, I’m a bit slow today, now I see where you are going with this. Personally it is not for me, but I know you are an IT guy and are probably a lot more flexible/at-ease with this stuff. So yeah, I can see your path as a viable solution.
From a purely economical point, the set-up makes sense. But from a long term practicality, I’m would need to see how you get on with it. Maybe by just adding the above keyboard/mouse solution for at home use it would be just fine.
I like these thinking-out-loud threads. They get the creative juices flowing and also make me realize how “conventional” I have become in my old age!
