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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