iPodYour Digital DJHow to start the party with your Hi-Tech gadgets.by Bob MoffettA popular consideration among many tech-savvy party people today is the idea of using their iPod or laptop computer to supply their party music entertainment rather than hiring a DJ or band. If you already own one of these items and you've acquired quite a bit of your favorite music then, why not? It can of course be a perfect and simple solution for many kinds of gatherings. If you're planning a large formal event such as a wedding however, I recommend taking the time to consider if your interests would be better protected using a full service disc jocky. Otherwise, read on!Both the iPod and computer use an audio output connector called a stereo sub-mini phone plug. This same connection where you attach your headphones will become the output connection to whatever sound system you decide to use. To make this connection you will need a stereo "Y" cable that divides your sub-mini phone plug into a pair of connectors that will mate with your sound system. The most common are shown below.. One important note about computers and similar sources: beware of ground loops and Radio Frequency noise (RF noise) generated by these devices. This appears in your audio as a rasping buzz (RF) or a low hum (ground loop). To eliminate this problem a special version of these cables is available that includes an isolation transformer built into the cable. This breaks the electrical connection that lets noise into your sound system while letting the actual music signal pass.If you don't get a reasonable sound level after you've connected your device, or the sound is terribly distorted, it is likely due to an impedance mis-match. Avoid connecting your device to any sound system inputs marked "phono" or "mic" since your device is likely to overload those inputs. If you have to connect your device to a phono or mic input use an impedance matching transformer. If your audio is clear but simply not loud enough you will need an additional pre-amplifier to boost the signal gain before it is fed to the audio system.If your event is large or more formal you may need microphones for announcements. If the audio system you plan to use does not have input for a microphone you'll need to insert one more pieces of gear between your device and the sound system. This will be some type of mic/line mixer, also known as a pre-amplifier.A simple and inexpensive solution is a portable DJ mixer sometimes called a "scratch" mixer because of their small size. This will give you not only a mic input but additional inputs for a CD player or other device as well. Products are also available that combine the basic features of a DJ mixer with built-in docking stations for your iPod. These new iPod DJ mixers simplify this whole process by combining everything we've discussed so far into a single unit that you can connect directly to your sound system.To use one of these all-in-one units simply connect the output directly to your sound system's amplifier, or to any line input (CD, tape, Aux) of your home stereo. You'll be able to segue tracks from one or two iPods and add a microphone, with independent volume controls for each.The advantage of being your own DJ is that you can inject your own personal flair into the music program. Just remember that the ideal party host caters to the needs of their guests. That means you've got to be diligent about selecting music appreciated by everyone on your guest list. Avoid for example, a program that crowds your daughter's sweet sixteen party with all the greatest hits of Air Supply. (My apologies to the artists, but even they would understand!)The key to a successful music program does not lie in your ability to anticipate what everyone will respond too. Instead, expect that change will be needed and plan for it. Create smaller separate play list "chunks" that you could easily juggle around when changes need to happen. This will make it easier to bump-up or postpone that high-energy set, or quickly recall that romantic series you created for just the right moment. If your computer or device allows you to group these play lists for a consecutive run then your job just got even easier.If you are already using software such as iTunes and Windows Media Player you can get good results without adding anything more. Programs like MusicMatch JukeBox and WinAmp also have some good capabilities.There are also numerous softwares designed specifically for DJ use. You can downloaded free shareware or for a nominal cost obtain an excellent DJ application. These will automate your play lists while giving you instant access to changes on the fly.Whatever software you decide to use, be sure to check that your computer meets all of the hardware requirements with regard to processor type and memory. A mismatch could cause your system to "hiccup" or freeze in the middle of your music playback.Watch your resource meter while evaluating the products. Software that demands a great deal of your system resources will be more prone to problems should another application be opened while the music is running.You can rent an appropriate PA system if your event is large. Explain to the vendors what you are trying to do and most will be happy to see that you have everything you need. Some will even deliver right to your event site and pickup after completion.The size of the system you need is something to seek assistance in selecting. How much power you need should be based on the number of people you expect to play for which matters more than the size of the room. Figure at least 2-3 watts per person for a conservative adult group, and 4-6 watts for younger groups.Younger audiences that prefer dance and hip-hop styles might benefit from a sub-woofer that will enhance the bass portion of the music without straining the main system. It is better to be somewhat over powered and lower your volume than to be under powered and risk system failure.Proformance Media Topsfield, MA 01983 Tel: 1-800-439-3277 Office (978) 887-6008Tel: (978) 561-9450Bob Moffett is a professional DJ with 27 years of event experience in both private and corporate special occassions, night cluibs, and audio-visual presentation services in greater Boston, MA.About the Author:Copyright 1990 Proformance Revised 2009 All rights reservedPrint friendly version
iPod
Your Digital DJ
How to start the party with
your Hi-Tech gadgets.
by Bob Moffett
A popular consideration among many tech-
savvy party people today is the idea of using
their iPod or laptop computer to supply their
party music entertainment rather than hiring
a DJ or band. If you already own one of these
items and you've acquired quite a bit of your
favorite music then, why not?
It can of course be a perfect and simple
solution for many kinds of gatherings. If
you're planning a large formal event such as
a wedding however, I recommend taking the
time to consider if your interests would be
better protected using a full service disc
jocky. Otherwise, read on!
Both the iPod and computer use an audio
output connector called a stereo sub-mini
phone plug. This same connection where you
attach your headphones will become the
output connection to whatever sound system
you decide to use. To make this connection
you will need a stereo "Y" cable that divides
your sub-mini phone plug into a pair of
connectors that will mate with your sound
system. The most common are shown below.
.
One important note about computers and
similar sources: beware of ground loops and
Radio Frequency noise (RF noise) generated
by these devices. This appears in your audio
as a rasping buzz (RF) or a low hum (ground
loop). To eliminate this problem a special
version of these cables is available that
includes an isolation transformer built into the
cable. This breaks the
electrical connection that
lets noise into your sound
system while letting the
actual music signal pass.
If you don't get a reasonable sound level after
you've connected your device, or the sound is
terribly distorted, it is likely due to an
impedance mis-match. Avoid connecting your
device to any sound system inputs marked
"phono" or "mic" since your device is likely to
overload those inputs. If you have to connect
your device to a phono or mic input use an
impedance matching transformer.
If your audio is clear but simply not loud
enough you will need an additional pre-
amplifier to boost the signal gain before it is
fed to the audio system.
If your event is large or more formal you may
need microphones for announcements. If the
audio system you plan to use does not have
input for a microphone you'll need to insert
one more pieces of gear between your device
and the sound system. This will be some type
of mic/line mixer, also known as a pre-
amplifier.
A simple and inexpensive
solution is a portable DJ
mixer sometimes called a
"scratch" mixer because
of their small size. This
will give you not only a
mic input but additional
inputs for a CD player or other device as well.
Products are also available that combine the
basic features of a DJ mixer with built-in
docking stations for your iPod. These new
iPod DJ mixers simplify this whole process by
combining everything we've discussed so far
into a single unit that you can connect
directly to your sound system.
To use one of these all-in-one units simply
connect the output directly to your sound
system's amplifier, or to any line input (CD,
tape, Aux) of your home stereo. You'll be able
to segue tracks from one or two iPods and
add a microphone, with independent volume
controls for each.
The advantage of being your own DJ is that
you can inject your own personal flair into the
music program. Just remember that the ideal
party host caters to the needs of their guests.
That means you've got to be diligent about
selecting music appreciated by everyone on
your guest list. Avoid for example, a program
that crowds your daughter's sweet sixteen
party with all the greatest hits of Air Supply.
(My apologies to the artists, but even they
would understand!)
The key to a successful music program does
not lie in your ability to anticipate what
everyone will respond too. Instead, expect
that change will be needed and plan for it.
Create smaller separate play list "chunks"
that you could easily juggle around when
changes need to happen. This will make it
easier to bump-up or postpone that high-
energy set, or quickly recall that romantic
series you created for just the right moment.
If your computer or device allows you to
group these play lists for a consecutive run
then your job just got even easier.
If you are already using software such as
iTunes and Windows Media Player you can
get good results without adding anything
more. Programs like MusicMatch JukeBox and
WinAmp also have some good capabilities.
There are also numerous softwares designed
specifically for DJ use. You can downloaded
free shareware or for a nominal cost obtain
an excellent DJ application. These will
automate your play lists while giving you
instant access to changes on the fly.
Whatever software you decide to use, be
sure to check that your computer meets all
of the hardware requirements with regard to
processor type and memory. A mismatch
could cause your system to "hiccup" or
freeze in the middle of your music playback.
Watch your resource meter while evaluating
the products. Software that demands a great
deal of your system resources will be more
prone to problems should another application
be opened while the music is running.
You can rent an appropriate PA system if
your event is large. Explain to the vendors
what you are trying to do and most will be
happy to see that you have everything you
need. Some will even deliver right to your
event site and pickup after completion.
The size of the system you need is something
to seek assistance in selecting. How much
power you need should be based on the
number of people you expect to play for
which matters more than the size of the
room. Figure at least 2-3 watts per person
for a conservative adult group, and 4-6 watts
for younger groups.
Younger audiences that prefer dance and hip-
hop styles might benefit from a sub-woofer
that will enhance the bass portion of the
music without straining the main system. It
is better to be somewhat over powered and
lower your volume than to be under powered
and risk system failure.
Proformance Media Topsfield, MA 01983 Tel: 1-800-439-3277 Office (978) 887-6008
Tel: (978) 561-9450
Bob Moffett is a professional DJ with 27 years of event experience in both private and corporate
special occassions, night cluibs, and audio-visual presentation services in greater Boston, MA.
About the Author:
Copyright 1990 Proformance Revised 2009 All rights reserved
Print friendly version
