Slight Miscalculation

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
Today I took the wireless microphone system out of my large rack system and put it in the small system. With that, the small system is essentially complete, except for mounting the gooseneck mic and the USB LED light... still can't decide where to mount them.

In the meantime, I reorganized my large rack, installing the new video/DMX control PC, the Denon DN410X, and moving the other components to their correct locations. It took longer than I would have liked because of the weird sizes and locations of the screw holes of the rack-mounting brackets on some of the components. Nothing is ever SLIGHTLY smaller. It's always slightly larger, which makes squeezing it all together a lot more difficult. I had a 1U space to fill, but the blank panel would not fit without a lot of effort. The new wireless microphone system for my large rack should be here tomorrow... tracking says it arrived in OKC at 3:08PM this afternoon.

The wiring diagram is almost done as well. All the internal audio connections are diagramed, but I still need to show how the computers connect to each other, and how it all connects to the rear panel. Once that's done, connecting all the cables shouldn't be too bad, but there will be a TON of cables.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: dunlopj
The one thing I dislike the most about the old wireless microphone system (GTD Audio G-622H) that I'm moving to my small system is they put the squelch knobs on the back. Keep in mind, this thing was designed to be rack-mounted. It's only 7" deep, so the back of the unit wouldn't be anywhere close to the back of your rack to access those knobs... not unless your rack is less than 12 inches deep![emoji1] When using this system in my large rack, I had the squelch knobs set to the minimum setting and used my Equalizer to control feedback issues. Since I've removed the Equalizer from the large system, I think it's gonna go in the small rack to be used for the same purpose. I'll run the mix out from the GTD to the Equalizer, and then run the output from the Equalizer into the 2ND Mic input of the controller. This is just a short term solution until the 610-680MHz band is no longer feasible and I have to replace the system with something new. I was gonna put a 1U drawer in that unused space, but the Equalizer is a lot lighter anyway. The antennas on the 622 are on the front. I checked to see if they would get in my way when performing and they seem to be OK if I move them to the 45 (and -45) degrees position.

The new B-33 has 4 antennas on the back. I think they are TNC connectors, but I'll have to wait and see when they get here, because I can't find anyplace in the online literature that tells. They could be BNC, but either way, I'll order extenders and mount them all on the back of my large rack (on the patch panel). I have exactly 4 open ports left on the patch panel, so that's gonna fill it up. If I need to add anything else, I'll have to eliminate something. I have several USB ports on the panel that connect to the backs of the two rack-mounted computers. The only one of those USB ports used regularly is the one connecting my controller to the Music PC. The others are there if I want to use a venue's WiFi, in which case I plug in a USB WiFi adapter, or I have a USB Bluetooth transmitter/receiver I can plug in if I want. If you use a laptop, Bluetooth and WiFi are built in, so this would not be an issue. Also, I'm using a wireless keyboard/mouse on my Music PC, which is shared (through an application) with the Video/Light Controller PC. If something goes wrong with that keyboard or mouse, I carry a wired USB keyboard and mouse I can quickly plug in, and be back in business in seconds. Nothing has ever happened to the wireless keyboard/mouse, but you can never be TOO prepared.[emoji1]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger
New GTD Audio B-33 just arrived... 5:30PM. I didn't even hear them (UPS) come. Had the front door open so I could see out the glass storm door, but apparently I was in the kitchen cooking dinner when it came. Walked past the door and WOAH!!! There it was. Brought it in, but no time to look at it tonight. Gotta finish preparing dinner, then clean up. Won't wanna do anything after that, so tomorrow.[emoji1]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
DJ Bobcat said:
@dunlopj you sexist pig![emoji1]... Actually I think they do... it's just not called that.[emoji1]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I know I come with a Belch knob ...
 
  • Like
Reactions: dunlopj and DJ Bobcat
So I opened up the box I received today, and sure enough, there was a GTD Audio B-33 inside.[emoji1] Did you really think I could wait 'till tomorrow to see what it looked like? In fact, I put the rack-mount ears on, and mounted in the rack. Can't use it in the rack yet though, because the antennas are on the back... and I need extensions to mount them on the rear patch panel. As I suspected, they ARE TNC connectors, so I got four of those ordered tonight, along the XLR patch cables I'll need, which I'm apparently out of. I try to keep stuff like that on hand, but my stock is depleted.[emoji4]

Getting VERY close, though. My small system is essentially complete except for mounting the LED light and the gooseneck microphone. It's looking pretty nice![emoji4] I've decided the ONLY logical place to mount the light and mic is in the 2U hinged panel, which is mounted on top of the rack, just above the Denon controller. That means cutting some holes in the panel. Hopefully I can do it without destroying the panel that I only recently bought. Not a tragedy if I destroy it, but then I have to wait for another one. I think the last one was stuck for several days in Hutchins, Texas.[emoji4]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger
With all the design, time, expense and effort you've put into this, could this be your main system instead of your small system?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger
dunlopj said:
With all the design, time, expense and effort you've put into this, could this be your main system instead of your small system?
Click to expand...

I suppose it could, but the large system has the benefit of having a second computer for video and light control. Since I haven't started using the video capability, it's really the DMX control I gain in the large system. The advantage of the large system is it's all there... in one box, all wired up. That's also the disadvantage, because it's way too heavy for one person to lift. The small system allows me to take a system up stairs. That means leaving the subs behind, but perhaps use larger speakers. I have a laptop I could use as a light controller. I also have another Eliminator ET Pro8 in a small case I could take when running the lights in sound mode. I can do all the stuff the large system does without the large system, but it would require more setup time, and it would require taking my 4 foot table (usually use a 30" square table), because all the additional components would require tabletop space. I think it will come down to which system is more practical for the event. If I don't need lights and more than two mics, the small system would be the best choice, then I can select the best speaker combination for the venue size. I like this new small system a lot, though, so I'm sure I'll use it more than I did before. It really is a significant upgrade from what it was.[emoji4]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dunlopj
Gettin' ready to cut a hole in my new rack panel door. Here's a pic of the panel taped off for the size/shape of the hole, and the USB/Power Plate I'll mount over the hole...
upload_2017-7-26_12-2-50.png

... the cord I already had, and it will plug into the internal rack side of the power distributor. The door only cost $20, so if I screw it up, won't be a big loss. Don't know how I'm going to make the hole for the XLR connector. I don't have anything to make a round hole that size at the moment. Might require a trip to the hardware store to buy a hole cutting drill bit the right size.:djsmug:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dunlopj
DJ Bobcat said:
Gettin' ready to cut a hole in my new rack panel door. Here's a pic of the panel taped off for the size/shape of the hole, and the USB/Power Plate I'll mount over the hole...
View attachment 32588

... the cord I already had, and it will plug into the internal rack side of the power distributor. The door only cost 420, so if I screw it up, won't be a big loss. Don't know how I'm going to make the hole for the XLR connector. I don't have anything to make a round hole that size at the moment. Might require a trip to the hardware store to by a hole cutting drill bet the right size.:djsmug:
Click to expand...
Best thing (other than punches) to make the holes is one of the titanium coated stepped drill bits. I bought a 4 pack (4 different sizes) years ago .. similar to these: Drillpro 4 PC HSS Titanium Coated Step Drill Bits Set SAE Sizes Bits - - Amazon.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bobcat
steve149 said:
Best thing (other than punches) to make the holes is one of the titanium coated stepped drill bits. I bought a 4 pack (4 different sizes) years ago .. similar to these: Drillpro 4 PC HSS Titanium Coated Step Drill Bits Set SAE Sizes Bits - - Amazon.com
Click to expand...

Those would do... thanks. I'll be looking for something similar at the hardware store. Not gonna go until later today.

In the meantime, I cut one side of The rectangular hole, but my Dremel died at the end. Spins up fine, but immediately dies. Doesn't seem to be a dead battery, so perhaps it overheated. I'm letting it cool down and recharging the battery, then I'll work on it some more. I hope I don't have to buy another Dremel. I had to replace another one because the battery wouldn't charge anymore and they were no longer selling that particular battery (replaced by newer model). If it won't work, I'll pick up a new one when I buy the drill bits.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Got the second side of the rectangular hole cut. This rack panel is made of some thick, hard steel! Decided the Dremel was overheating, so I'll let it cool for a while between cuts. I just have the two short sides remaining, then I'll head to the store to look for drill bits for the round XLR connector to plug my gooseneck microphone into. I think I'll have this thing done today.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
One more step to go... Making the hole for the recessed XLR jack. Gotta go to the hardware store first, but the USB LED light was a success!:djsmug:...
upload_2017-7-26_15-14-46.png

Gettin' kinda late, so I'll have to get the drill bits after dinner tonight. We're going out, so I gotta clean up before the wife gets home... that includes cleaning up the mess I made, as well as the mess I AM!:laugh:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dunlopj and ittigger
DJ Bobcat said:
One more step to go... Making the hole for the recessed XLR jack. Gotta go to the hardware store first, but the USB LED light was a success!:djsmug:...
View attachment 32589

Gettin' kinda late, so I'll have to get the drill bits after dinner tonight. We're going out, so I gotta clean up before the wife gets home... that includes cleaning up the mess I made, as well as the mess I AM!:laugh:
Click to expand...
Hopefully you've found them .. I know they have them a HD and Lowes .. maybe even the local Ace Hardware.

BTW, where'd you get that single outlet/USB plate?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back