Nixing the laptop...

[BigDawG Productions]

So I am going to be trying something a little different. I ordered a 2U rack server (refurb) from a website. It's a Dell PowerEdge 2950 II with 16GB of ram and a dual-core 3.2Ghz processor. Got it for a whopping $109.

Plan on installing Windows 10 on it and running VDJ off of it for my gigs. Will install right into my Odyssey rack unit so I wont have to lug and set up a laptop every time I go somewhere.

 

[Ron]

So I am going to be trying something a little different. I ordered a 2U rack server (refurb) from a website. It's a Dell PowerEdge 2950 II with 16GB of ram and a dual-core 3.2Ghz processor. Got it for a whopping $109.

Plan on installing Windows 10 on it and running VDJ off of it for my gigs. Will install right into my Odyssey rack unit so I wont have to lug and set up a laptop every time I go somewhere.

Should be interesting to see, planning on hooking up a screen, keyboard, mouse, etc.. Would like to see the setup.

 

[Randy A]

Couple of things that would prevent me from doing that.

1. I like to keep all of my music on my internal drive. Having the laptop in my office is convenient when prepping for a wedding and adding music to the database.

2. I'd be worried about travel vibrations. I'd feel more comfortable with my laptop secured in a cushioned environment during transport.

3. I like that my laptop has the internal battery as a backup in case the power is tripped.

4. Like Ron mentions ... more components and more real estate to be used with those components.

 

[DJ Bobcat]

So I am going to be trying something a little different. I ordered a 2U rack server (refurb) from a website. It's a Dell PowerEdge 2950 II with 16GB of ram and a dual-core 3.2Ghz processor. Got it for a whopping $109.

Plan on installing Windows 10 on it and running VDJ off of it for my gigs. Will install right into my Odyssey rack unit so I wont have to lug and set up a laptop every time I go somewhere.

Both of my primary computers (one for audio, and one for video) in my DJ system are mounted in my rack, and I have dual 22" monitors, which I mount on my controller case. I like the look and functionality of it, but frankly, I doubt if it saves any setup time, and it's certainly heavier overall than carrying two laptops.
I built all of my computers (I also have another in my small system rack) from components, using 1U and 2U server cases. I tried going the route you're going (buying a server and repurposing it), but I found that even the quietest servers are WAY too loud for me. I ended up using the server I bought as a Windows Home Server. The thing about buying components and building it yourself, is you can choose the quietest power supplies, and the quietest cooling option for the CPU that is the best fit for your needs. Typically, server cases, for commercial grade servers, are unnecessarily heavy, and most are too deep to fit in a normal DJ rack.
Having gone this direction myself, I wanted to share the pitfalls, but I will say I have no regrets about going with rack-mount computers.


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[DJ Bobcat]

Couple of things that would prevent me from doing that.

1. I like to keep all of my music on my internal drive. Having the laptop in my office is convenient when prepping for a wedding and adding music to the database.

2. I'd be worried about travel vibrations. I'd feel more comfortable with my laptop secured in a cushioned environment during transport.

3. I like that my laptop has the internal battery as a backup in case the power is tripped.

4. Like Ron mentions ... more components and more real estate to be used with those components.

I've had no issues with vibration... Being rack-mounted, in my opinion, actually protects a computer better, and it's certainly less susceptible to theft.
When at home, my DJ computers connect to my home network, so copying music or other documents to them is simple and easy.
I thought about losing power to them with no batteries like a laptop would have, but if I lose power, my controller, speakers, and pretty much everything else I use have no battery power either. Having SSD system drives means my computers are up in seconds when the power is restored.
I have one rack-mounted keyboard in my rack to use when booting my video computer, but once up, the wireless keyboard and mouse I use with my music PC controls both computers. I do have to carry an extra USB keyboard and mouse for backups, but I really hate laptop keyboards and mouse pads, which is probably the main reason I went the rack-mounted computer route to begin with. [emoji4]


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[steve149]

Laptops are designed for movement .. most desktop/server systems are not, so there is more of a chance that memory DIMMs, graphics cards, etc, work their way out of their sockets (since they aren't designed for that level of movement), so they need to be opened and re-seated occasionally. I don't think there will be issues, but unless you want or need larger monitors than what comes with a laptop, my recommendation would be to stick with the mobile ready solutions. A server rack WILL make a sweet home server or media server.

 

[Randy A]

I have experience with rack mount computers running down the road in our $800,000 mobile lidar truck at work. We're always doing maintenance on these units due to component movement.

 

[DJ Bobcat]

I have experience with rack mount computers running down the road in our $800,000 mobile lidar truck at work. We're always doing maintenance on these units due to component movement.

I won't say that component movement isn't possible... obviously, based on your experience, it is. However, I build my computers in such a way that movement is extremely unlikely, and I've been moving mine around for more than a year with zero problems.


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[DJ Bobcat]

I have posted some of these pictures before, but here is my rack with my 1U music PC and my 2U video PC mounted in the 8U-10U slots of my 14U rack...

This is a picture of my 1U rack-mounted music PC...

...and this is the way my monitors are mounted. I purchased the controller case with the monitor arm, and it came with a Laptop shelf and the monitor mount. I bought the dual monitor arm that used the same mounting hardware. I bought the same style case for my Pioneer controller, so I can use the same monitor setup regardless of which controller I'm using.

This is kinda how it looks all setup (except the BBE has been replaced with a DriveRack)...

 

[Randy A]

Looks good, Bob. Different strokes, for different folks.

 

[ittigger]

I have a buddy that has a home built 'cart' with rack mount machines on it - monitors and all. It is nice - but it's also not easy to move anywhere. It weighs in at somewhere around 700 lbs. It has removable drives that do not stay with the system.

 

[DJ Bobcat]

I have a buddy that has a home built 'cart' with rack mount machines on it - monitors and all. It is nice - but it's also not easy to move anywhere. It weighs in at somewhere around 700 lbs. It has removable drives that do not stay with the system.

My rack is heavy... maybe a couple hundred pounds or so. The hard drives in both of my computers are in hot swap drive trays, but I use 2.5" drives, so they are not adding much weight. There's a lot of weight in the dual power purifiers and then just having a full 14U rack. The 1U PC case weighs 11 lbs. just by itself, so the case alone weighs more than a typical laptop PC. I use a ramp to roll my rack in and out of the minivan. That alleviates a lot of the weight issues.

 

[soundinmotiondj]

Because the computer will be OFF while in transit, I would not worry too much about the transport environment. Still, this is a case where SSDs might make sense.

This is similar to my setup in the Y2K years. I had a 3U rackmount system for the computer, with full 3.5" drives and a full height PCI sound card. Oh the good old days.

 

[IceBurghDJ]

Couple of things that would prevent me from doing that.

1. I like to keep all of my music on my internal drive. Having the laptop in my office is convenient when prepping for a wedding and adding music to the database.

I have a dedicated laptop for DJing..music is on it. So what diff would a rack/tower computer make? None.

2. I'd be worried about travel vibrations. I'd feel more comfortable with my laptop secured in a cushioned environment during transport.

Maybe. My laptop travels in a padded bag, but then the speakers, amps, lights, etc dont' travel in anything padded.

3. I like that my laptop has the internal battery as a backup in case the power is tripped.

And so the laptop runs when the lights go out, teh speakers go off...

4. Like Ron mentions ... more components and more real estate to be used with those components.

 

[ittigger]

My rack is heavy... maybe a couple hundred pounds or so. The hard drives in both of my computers are in hot swap drive trays, but I use 2.5" drives, so they are not adding much weight. There's a lot of weight in the dual power purifiers and then just having a full 14U rack. The 1U PC case weighs 11 lbs. just by itself, so the case alone weighs more than a typical laptop PC. I use a ramp to roll my rack in and out of the minivan. That alleviates a lot of the weight issues.

The guy I'm speaking of needs a trailer - a big trailer with a fold down ramp/door. There's no way this thing is going in a vehicle or SUV.

 

[IceBurghDJ]

A trailer will get it there - it won't get it up the 4 steps, thru the door and up the next 4 step to the stage.
it won't get it across the lawn to the pavilion. Or gravel driveway.

I have a number of gigs like this every year..except for my etx18 sub I can pick everything up myself - and up the steps too.

Had one venue like my first line there - in the back/side door, curb was tall, then 3 steps outside, thru a double door, up 2 steps then open a skinny door then 3 or 4 steps to the stage. Dolly was pointless and useless.

I'm dreading the day I take a gig at one venue - 8 steps outside (think old courthouse), then marble lobby, then a full set of steps and more really, no elevator in the building, then across the hall and round past the bar and down 3 steps into the main hall...across that and DJs either setup at the far end (up 3 steps) or on the mezzanine level...anotehr flight up - and put teh speakers on the main level.

It's these load ins that have you thinking that maybe even the laptop battery should have been left at home!

The guy I'm speaking of needs a trailer - a big trailer with a fold down ramp/door. There's no way this thing is going in a vehicle or SUV.

 

[Randy A]

Couple of things that would prevent me from doing that.

1. I like to keep all of my music on my internal drive. Having the laptop in my office is convenient when prepping for a wedding and adding music to the database.

I have a dedicated laptop for DJing..music is on it. So what diff would a rack/tower computer make? None.

Yes, it would make a big difference to me if all my music was on a rack mounted unit with no real easy access without unloading the entire rack into my house. I also do lots of traveling for my day job, so I can take the gig laptop and prep in the hotel of an evening.

2. I'd be worried about travel vibrations. I'd feel more comfortable with my laptop secured in a cushioned environment during transport.

Maybe. My laptop travels in a padded bag, but then the speakers, amps, lights, etc dont' travel in anything padded.

To me, those items can take much more abuse and hold less value than a library of music. I can easily grab gear; not as easy to recreate a music library. But, my speakers and lighting do travel secured and padded.

3. I like that my laptop has the internal battery as a backup in case the power is tripped.

And so the laptop runs when the lights go out, teh speakers go off...

Yes, but with the laptop still running, it's a bit quicker to fire up everything else. And, suddenly powering off a computer can be harmful to it. Same goes if you're running an external hard drive and lose power.

4. Like Ron mentions ... more components and more real estate to be used with those components.

 

[DJ Bobcat]

A trailer will get it there - it won't get it up the 4 steps, thru the door and up the next 4 step to the stage.
it won't get it across the lawn to the pavilion. Or gravel driveway...

For those gigs where you can't roll a large rack, I have my small system...

It still has a rack-mounted PC and a keyboard drawer with power purifier mounted on the back side of the rack. It's heavier than I'd like, but fits in a rolling bag/case that I can carry up the stairs by myself. I have another small rack for my light controller and wireless microphone system that I can take to events where this small system is a necessity.

 

[ittigger]

A trailer will get it there - it won't get it up the 4 steps, thru the door and up the next 4 step to the stage.
it won't get it across the lawn to the pavilion. Or gravel driveway.

I totally agree with you - which is why I don't have the same thing.

 

[ittigger]

Couple of things that would prevent me from doing that.

1. I like to keep all of my music on my internal drive. Having the laptop in my office is convenient when prepping for a wedding and adding music to the database.

I have a dedicated laptop for DJing..music is on it. So what diff would a rack/tower computer make? None.

Yes, it would make a big difference to me if all my music was on a rack mounted unit with no real easy access without unloading the entire rack into my house. I also do lots of traveling for my day job, so I can take the gig laptop and prep in the hotel of an evening.

2. I'd be worried about travel vibrations. I'd feel more comfortable with my laptop secured in a cushioned environment during transport.

Maybe. My laptop travels in a padded bag, but then the speakers, amps, lights, etc dont' travel in anything padded.

To me, those items can take much more abuse and hold less value than a library of music. I can easily grab gear; not as easy to recreate a music library. But, my speakers and lighting do travel secured and padded.

3. I like that my laptop has the internal battery as a backup in case the power is tripped.

And so the laptop runs when the lights go out, teh speakers go off...

Yes, but with the laptop still running, it's a bit quicker to fire up everything else. And, suddenly powering off a computer can be harmful to it. Same goes if you're running an external hard drive and lose power.

That's why I carry an UPS.