Which cables are best/should I use?

[TiffyTaffy]

Hey everyone,
So I d.j at a bar with their own equipment and they use rca to 1/4 angled balanced cable from the mixer into one of the speakers and an rca to headphone jack for the laptop. I am currently buying my own set up and have a pair of Behringer Eurolive Active b212d speakers and an audio technia am600se stereo mixer...The speakers at the bar are mounted and already plugged in, mine will be on stands so what cables will I need for that as well? If I could get any advice and links I would be very grateful thank you!

 

[ahoustondj]

First an introduction would be nice. Second your description is Vague. Give a complete list of the equipment starting from the source to speaker. Are the cables connected in Pairs (Left & Right)? To be clear, do you need this solution for what you are presently using at the bar, what you are going to add or both?

 

[steve149]

RCA cables are unbalanced, so if the distance to the (I presume as you didn't mention it) powered speakers is less than say 10', you're probably ok .. beyond that and noise usually become an issue.

Assuming the Audio-Technica has XLR outputs, a pair of XLR mic cables will be in order. If the outputs are TRS (1/4" balanced, you can get cables that have XLR on on side and TRS on the other. Stay away from the RCA and TS (unbalanced - 2 conductor 1/4") cables if you can. They are ok for short connections but act as antennas on longer runs to pick up noise and hum.

And do introduce yourself.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

My questions to you are why are you adding this to the bar that you're playing at? Is it that they don't have enough speakers for it to sound good for you to play there? Is the pay worth it for you to do this? Now sometimes I play in a bar that I must bring my own gear. If they already have some gear in the place I wouldn't worry about it. Just do the best job with what they have and let that be good enough.

There's a bar that has speakers installed in the place. They look and sound like crap. If I played there which I really don't care to I would just figure out a way to hook my controller up to the mixer and just go with the junk they have.

 

[rickryan.com]

Rather than nit-pick at cabling, specs, or your motivation, I'd offer the following; if the rest of the DJs working at this bar are using the house system and use the 1/8" plug into their laptop, I'd recommend you go with the flow. I'm guessing this is a cheap gig and you walking in and telling the bar owner that what they have it whack will probably just get you ushered out the door. Just plug in, help them sell booze, and go home with cash in your pocket.

 

[ahoustondj]

Rather than nit-pick at cabling, specs, or your motivation, I'd offer the following; if the rest of the DJs working at this bar are using the house system and use the 1/8" plug into their laptop, I'd recommend you go with the flow. I'm guessing this is a cheap gig and you walking in and telling the bar owner that what they have it whack will probably just get you ushered out the door. Just plug in, help them sell booze, and go home with cash in your pocket.

Typical response of a Do as you are told type! That is what a follower does, just follow like a Robot. That kind of advice will only get you as far as the pack goes. Many times people don't know better and if you find a way to enlighten them, they will see you in higher regard and respect you more. They will also think, "Hmmmm nobody else has told me this before, this guy knows his stuff the others are just pfffff." Sorry but that is the way I see it.

 

[rickryan.com]

Typical response of a Do as you are told type! That is what a follower does, just follow like a Robot. That kind of advice will only get you as far as the pack goes. Many times people don't know better and if you find a way to enlighten them, they will see you in higher regard and respect you more. They will also think, "Hmmmm nobody else has told me this before, this guy knows his stuff the others are just pfffff." Sorry but that is the way I see it.

Pffft! There's an art to coming into a situation, fitting in, then slowly earning the respect of the boss to the point that you can help. But perhaps tiffy will do it your way instead........

 

[TiffyTaffy]

Sorry it took me so long to respond, I'm getting starter equipment so I can do some weddings..the local dj has been price gouging since he's the only one around. I already have my Behringer b212d's with stands, and I've been the local d.j at this bar for about 3 years...my lack of understanding is in the set-up and what I'll need to plug the speakers into the mixer...would it be best if I got a mixer with xlr inputs? thanks for all the feedback so far

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

Sorry it took me so long to respond, I'm getting starter equipment so I can do some weddings..the local dj has been price gouging since he's the only one around. I already have my Behringer b212d's with stands, and I've been the local d.j at this bar for about 3 years...my lack of understanding is in the set-up and what I'll need to plug the speakers into the mixer...would it be best if I got a mixer with xlr inputs? thanks for all the feedback so far

It would be best to not look into doing weddings with a starter kit. A starter kit is just that. It means you're just starting out and that will look and sound bad for a wedding. Clients won't take you seriously if you show up using a starter kit. Also how many people do you think such a setup will be good for? I would guess not very many.

Also doing weddings is different from working in a bar. Can I ask how old are you? As for the bar if you've been working there for 3 years and noticed such things that should be improved with the system there you should have mentioned such things to the bar owner. Now I just wouldn't take it on my own to make the changes you want to do to the system without the owners OK. What if something happens to the system and the owner doesn't know about you trying to make changes to the system. Not only will you be out of a job but the owner will probably look for you to pay for the damages. Also I agree with Rick. I wouldn't go crazy with how the system sounds and looking to make it better. Unless it was really just that bad that you can't do your job effectively. I would do like Rick said and just take the money and let it go.

The system I normally use which would include me using to do a wedding cost a lot. I normally use 2 Yamaha DSR 115 powered tops with matching subs. Those alone cost me 3k. So what I'm saying is don't do things the wrong way. Do things right. Especially when it comes to a wedding. A starter kit might be good enough to start with doing a small say birthday party for maybe 50 people at most. That's OK so long as you're honest with a client that you're just getting started doing such an event and looking to work your way up. One more thing about doing weddings is that it's more to a wedding then just showing up with some gear and playing music. There is the pre planning that goes on before the actual wedding day. Ma

- - - Updated - - -

Sorry it took me so long to respond, I'm getting starter equipment so I can do some weddings..the local dj has been price gouging since he's the only one around. I already have my Behringer b212d's with stands, and I've been the local d.j at this bar for about 3 years...my lack of understanding is in the set-up and what I'll need to plug the speakers into the mixer...would it be best if I got a mixer with xlr inputs? thanks for all the feedback so far

It would be best to not look into doing weddings with a starter kit. A starter kit is just that. It means you're just starting out and that will look and sound bad for a wedding. Clients won't take you seriously if you show up using a starter kit. Also how many people do you think such a setup will be good for? I would guess not very many.

Also doing weddings is different from working in a bar. Can I ask how old are you? As for the bar if you've been working there for 3 years and noticed such things that should be improved with the system there you should have mentioned such things to the bar owner. Now I just wouldn't take it on my own to make the changes you want to do to the system without the owners OK. What if something happens to the system and the owner doesn't know about you trying to make changes to the system. Not only will you be out of a job but the owner will probably look for you to pay for the damages. Also I agree with Rick. I wouldn't go crazy with how the system sounds and looking to make it better. Unless it was really just that bad that you can't do your job effectively. I would do like Rick said and just take the money and let it go.

The system I normally use which would include me using to do a wedding cost a lot. I normally use 2 Yamaha DSR 115 powered tops with matching subs. Those alone cost me 3k. So what I'm saying is don't do things the wrong way. Do things right. Especially when it comes to a wedding. A starter kit might be good enough to start with doing a small say birthday party for maybe 50 people at most. That's OK so long as you're honest with a client that you're just getting started doing such an event and looking to work your way up. One more thing about doing weddings is that it's more to a wedding then just showing up with some gear and playing music. There is the pre planning that goes on before the actual wedding day. Make sure you know what that is first before you just want to jump in feet first doing a wedding.

Now do you have a wedding planner form for you to go over the details with a bride about their wedding? What are other things you need to do the day of the wedding besides just show up with your gear and just play music? Sorry if what I'm saying sounds harsh but I just want you to think it over first about doing weddings so you can do things right. Now that doesn't mean you're not going to make some mistakes. Just looking to help you out so you don't make too many mistakes when first starting out.

 

[DJCC]

Please do not take advise from this guy, unless you think a professional dresses like this.....




and his professional set up looks like this....






I could go on and on. Please do not take advise from this guy!!!

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

Please do not take advise from this guy, unless you think a professional dresses like this.....

View attachment 26409View attachment 26410


and his professional set up looks like this....


View attachment 26411View attachment 26412View attachment 26413



I could go on and on. Please do not take advise from this guy!!!

Get a clue! None of these are weddings. The one gig at the bottom was in a locla spot that we fot paid $150.00 to come in and play in the back of this restaurant that has a bar. Not the classiest place around. I certainly wouldn't dress like that for a wedding or other formal event.

 

[DJCC]

Get a clue! None of these are weddings. The one gig at the bottom was in a locla spot that we fot paid $150.00 to come in and play in the back of this restaurant that has a bar. Not the classiest place around. I certainly wouldn't dress like that for a wedding or other formal event.

I have a clue. I don't care where you play, or what kind of gig it is, you should ALWAYS!!!! be at your best. That includes the way you dress and your set-up.

And you are one to give advise with ONE wedding under your belt, allowing clients to talk you into a cheaper price and the giving them extra for free!!

You are the one that needs to get a clue.

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE ADVISE FROM THIS GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I have a clue. I don't care where you play, or what kind of gig it is, you should ALWAYS!!!! be at your best. That includes the way you dress and your set-up.

And you are one to give advise with ONE wedding under your belt, allowing clients to talk you into a cheaper price and the giving them extra for free!!

You are the one that needs to get a clue.

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE ADVISE FROM THIS GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who told you I've done 1 wedding in all the years I've been DJing? Yes you are right. Our setup should have looked better in that hole in the wall spot and I should have at least wore a polo shirt. I can't argue with you there. All I was saying is I wouldn't advice him to look to do weddings with a starter kit. Would you do a wedding with a starter kit?

I do understand that this guy may not have a lot of money to buy a really good system instead of a starter system and wants to do weddings. I just wanted to warn him against doing so as it can come back to haunt him later on down the road. At least I know what I have to work with isn't a starter system. Now to be fair it took time for me to get what I have. I didn't just get such things right away. I sold some things I used to have and moved on to some other things. What I had before to use was top of the line stuff. I just made some different changes to where I'm at right now.

Now what it took for me to learn what to buy and what not to buy was through trial and error.

 

[Ron]

Sorry it took me so long to respond, I'm getting starter equipment so I can do some weddings..the local dj has been price gouging since he's the only one around. I already have my Behringer b212d's with stands, and I've been the local d.j at this bar for about 3 years...my lack of understanding is in the set-up and what I'll need to plug the speakers into the mixer...would it be best if I got a mixer with xlr inputs? thanks for all the feedback so far

Hey Tiffy,

Welcome back. There is some good advice mingled up there in the last post, just have to filter out some of the other stuff. Weddings are a lot different than a bar gig, even if you have been to a lot of them, assisting someone planning their weddings is a lot more involved. Usually there is a lot more diverse crowd at a wedding than there is a bar also. Then there is the contract or agreements side of the business to think about. If you have done mobile DJ work for someone else you may already have a handle on some of this, but I would advise doing some research first, google some of the information from above in regards to planning worksheets and contract, wedding planning, etc... and that should help you get started.
In regards to cables:
It really depends on what your components (mixer, amp, speakers, etc.. accept). Looking at your speakers looks like they accept 1/4, so you know that has to be on one end of the cable. The other end depends on your mixer. I usually run at least a 14 gauge cable between my amps and speakers )I use passives, not powered like yours.) Another thing to keep in mind is the microphones. I have not seen you mention them yet in your posts, but they are certainly needed for weddings as well (announcements, presenting the wedding party, toasts, etc...) I strongly urge you to go for some quality wireless microphones. (You can find numerous debates on here regarding wireless microphone quality.) Anyway, best of luck in your endeavors, a lot can be learned from the great DJ's on this forum, just have to learn how to be a butcher and trim some of the fat to get the to the good meat in some of the posts.

 

[Ausumm]

Typical response of a Do as you are told type! That is what a follower does, just follow like a Robot. That kind of advice will only get you as far as the pack goes. Many times people don't know better and if you find a way to enlighten them, they will see you in higher regard and respect you more. They will also think, "Hmmmm nobody else has told me this before, this guy knows his stuff the others are just pfffff." Sorry but that is the way I see it.

A little bit of an overreaction to a answer about what CABLES to use.

Nothing wrong with building a relationship before suggesting to change things.
Go in with guns-a-blazing, telling them the way they do things is wrong...and they just might show you the door!
You can wait until you've played there a few times, before you try to "impress" them with "your stuff".

 

[ahoustondj]

A little bit of an overreaction to a answer about what CABLES to use.

Nothing wrong with building a relationship before suggesting to change things.
Go in with guns-a-blazing, telling them the way they do things is wrong...and they just might show you the door!
You can wait until you've played there a few times, before you try to "impress" them with "your stuff".

I think you all misconceive how I do things and get them done. I do not tell people they do things wrong when i go into their establishments. I show them the correct way. I prefer to do it from the start because if it is going to make a difference in sound or otherwise, I want that change to happen right away with me. Why go along with the wrong flow? If others want to be timid and tip toe around issues then let them. I am not a follower. If that offends someone or make me look uppity in their eyes then they need to get over it. I have NEVER as yet asked someone to do something different and be show the door as yet. The downside of waiting for a while could be someone saying to you "Well you have been using it like this for x weeks now why do you want to change?

 

[Ausumm]

I think you all misconceive how I do things and get them done. I do not tell people they do things wrong when i go into their establishments. I show them the correct way. I prefer to do it from the start because if it is going to make a difference in sound or otherwise, I want that change to happen right away with me. Why go along with the wrong flow? If others want to be timid and tip toe around issues then let them. I am not a follower. If that offends someone or make me look uppity in their eyes then they need to get over it. I have NEVER as yet asked someone to do something different and be show the door as yet. The downside of waiting for a while could be someone saying to you "Well you have been using it like this for x weeks now why do you want to change?

Again, a bit of an overreaction to a question about cables...
rather than answer the OP's question, you jumped all over Rick for HIS opinion.

 

[ahoustondj]

Did you read Post #2 where I answered. I responded to Rick's reply the way I see it. I think some of these statements that I give strikes a raw nerve in you. Why? Are you opposed to those who are not timid?

 

[Ron]

Why don't you two start a whole new thread to compare length and take it out of this thread?

 

[ittigger]

I think you all misconceive how I do things and get them done. I do not tell people they do things wrong when i go into their establishments. I show them the correct way.

If you walk into a place and say 'I understand how you're doing it .. but this is the correct way' .. That IS telling them that they do things wrong. Please also remember that there are multiple paths to get to a (the) correct solution(s).