I have been reworking my small system the last couple of weeks. I started off by rebuilding my rack-mounted 1U DJ computer. I upgraded from dual core i3, to a quad core i5, and from a single 2TB hard drive, to a 250GB SSD system drive, with the old 2TB drive reused as a dedicated data drive. I also added 4GB of RAM, giving me 8 gigs.
With that completed, I moved on to the audio components, which are mounted in a Gator Cases GDJ-8X2.
Originally, my components included an American Audio DP2 and an inexpensive 4 channel mixer for added microphones. Below, in the 2U space was my 1U rack-mounted PC and a 1U keyboard drawer. Mounted on the back side of the rack is a power unit with outlets on both sides, providing outlets for the internal components, and external outlets for speakers. Everything fit, (barely) but the mixer was slightly too big, so it overlapped the Controller by 1/2 inch, which affected my OCD sensibilities.
I really like the DP2, but don't like the PCDJ software it came with, nor do I like the lack of a microphone input. I couldn't get Traktor to work on it, so I'm trying VDJ 8. After searching for a rack-mounted controller and not finding any I like as well, I decided to replace the mixer. 19" rack-mounted mixers are not easy to come by either. Finally, I found a Denon DN 410X that I thought would do the job. Requiring only 3U of rack space, it won't overlap with my controller in the 8U space in the top of the rack.
Here's where I miscalculated... the Denon mixer is 6 1/2" deep, and the inputs/outputs are on the BOTTOM (instead of on the back side like the old mixer). It won't fit! CRAP! How could I have forgotten to check the depth measurements and not realized the inputs were on the bottom? I'm usually much better at planning than this. I wanna kick myself!
On the positive side, I kinda like the Denon mixer. It's a huge upgrade from the old mixer, but I've tried every possibility, and it's not gonna fit in the rack. Let this be a lesson, as it was for me... check ALL your measurements, and double and triple check the layout of new gear, especially when you want to mount it in a rack.
One more thing... I can't for the life of me figure out why manufacturers build rack-mountable components, and then put switches and knobs on the back!!! The power switch on the Denon mixer is on the bottom, so it would be buried in the rack and inaccessible. If you mount it in a rack, how are you expected to access the power switch on the back? The squelch knob of my rack-mounted wireless mic system is on the back... WHY???
So now what? I have only two options that I can see... buy a new rack, or buy a new mixer. The rack would seem like the easiest option, but not necessarily the least expensive. I modified my existing rack, adding rack rails in the back, which was originally open, and reinforcing the top to support a VESA mount for my 22" monitor. Buying a different mixer would be the easiest, but the available options are pretty limited, and I want the mixer to be an upgrade from my previous mixer. That's hard to find. Any suggestions? What would you do (keeping in mind I want to keep the rack-mounted DP2 and computer)?
With that completed, I moved on to the audio components, which are mounted in a Gator Cases GDJ-8X2.
Originally, my components included an American Audio DP2 and an inexpensive 4 channel mixer for added microphones. Below, in the 2U space was my 1U rack-mounted PC and a 1U keyboard drawer. Mounted on the back side of the rack is a power unit with outlets on both sides, providing outlets for the internal components, and external outlets for speakers. Everything fit, (barely) but the mixer was slightly too big, so it overlapped the Controller by 1/2 inch, which affected my OCD sensibilities.
I really like the DP2, but don't like the PCDJ software it came with, nor do I like the lack of a microphone input. I couldn't get Traktor to work on it, so I'm trying VDJ 8. After searching for a rack-mounted controller and not finding any I like as well, I decided to replace the mixer. 19" rack-mounted mixers are not easy to come by either. Finally, I found a Denon DN 410X that I thought would do the job. Requiring only 3U of rack space, it won't overlap with my controller in the 8U space in the top of the rack.
Here's where I miscalculated... the Denon mixer is 6 1/2" deep, and the inputs/outputs are on the BOTTOM (instead of on the back side like the old mixer). It won't fit! CRAP! How could I have forgotten to check the depth measurements and not realized the inputs were on the bottom? I'm usually much better at planning than this. I wanna kick myself!
On the positive side, I kinda like the Denon mixer. It's a huge upgrade from the old mixer, but I've tried every possibility, and it's not gonna fit in the rack. Let this be a lesson, as it was for me... check ALL your measurements, and double and triple check the layout of new gear, especially when you want to mount it in a rack.
One more thing... I can't for the life of me figure out why manufacturers build rack-mountable components, and then put switches and knobs on the back!!! The power switch on the Denon mixer is on the bottom, so it would be buried in the rack and inaccessible. If you mount it in a rack, how are you expected to access the power switch on the back? The squelch knob of my rack-mounted wireless mic system is on the back... WHY???
So now what? I have only two options that I can see... buy a new rack, or buy a new mixer. The rack would seem like the easiest option, but not necessarily the least expensive. I modified my existing rack, adding rack rails in the back, which was originally open, and reinforcing the top to support a VESA mount for my 22" monitor. Buying a different mixer would be the easiest, but the available options are pretty limited, and I want the mixer to be an upgrade from my previous mixer. That's hard to find. Any suggestions? What would you do (keeping in mind I want to keep the rack-mounted DP2 and computer)?
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Not sure if cutting a big hole in that part of the case will weaken the structure of the case, but it looks like it should be OK.
... And while I could have waited to see if I could get a better deal on the MC6000, I could not have waited on THE one I bought because the time was ticking down. Other than new ones selling for $600-$700, there were only two used ones for sale. One was a buy-it-now only, at $503, but looked a little iffy. The other is in the UK with no reserve and ends in 5 days. It comes with a pretty nice hard case, so it's a little difficult to estimate what it will sell for eventually, because the case probably cost in the neighborhood of $300 when new. Bids are at $302 already. I'd guess it's gonna go for over $500. It will be interesting to see. By the time that auction ends, I'll already have mine, and I only paid $445. I was bidding against at least one other person at the last minute, and would have lost out with my final bid, but decided to add an extra $20... What's $20; right?... The other guy's final bid was $440. I would have been ticked if I had lost it over $5.