DJ Coffin Mod for two minute setup.... w/ leds

[whiterob]

Ok, so I like to have a quick easy setup time, so decided to mount everything in there permanently (well semi permanently anyways)... so here we go.

Now I don't think I took pictures of the whole process, but pretty self explanatory, as I did everything the easy way one drunken night.

What you need:
For the XLR Project


A Coffin (duh)
2-XLR Female connectors (something like this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/448869-REG/Neutrik_NC3FXX_NC3FXX_Female_XLR_Connector.html))
2-XLR males. (I just bought the wall plate here (http://www.amazon.com/Male-Port-Zinc-Alloy-Plate/dp/B004260PXA), and took them off the actual wall plate)
Hole saw (can't remember the size)
drill (for the hole saw ha)
Soldering iron w/solder
Some three lead wire shielded preffered (I had some 18/3 shielded that I used)



Ok so really not a whole lot to explain.. Just make up a couple of these.
http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k427/2knoma/cdb9698d.jpg

Then drill a couple holes, and put them in there. (I did three total, probably should have done four, or will do four at some point so I don't have to run in mono for the monitor blah blah)
http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k427/2knoma/95e37dda.jpg

Then you plug them into your mixer. (I know its sounds pretty hard)
http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k427/2knoma/e7298789.jpg

BAM Thats done


Now for the next part... which also is VERY EASY

Go get a power strip or two (I am now using two)
There will be pics down lower when I get into the *Light section*
I took and cut out some of the foam behind my left cdj so they could mount directly to the wood of the coffin, and made it so it was a tight fit.
Then I took one power strip apart, and shortened the cable coming out of it. (required de-soldering and re-soldering after cutting wires... pretty easy)
then what I did that I would necessarily recommend as these coffins are made out of cheap thin wood. (really not very quality from a construction standpoint) is put a screw through the side of a power strip to hold it in place.. (better option would be just using hot glue)
Next is just putting all your stuff back in, routing all the cables (I ran all of mine through the middle mixer section, zip tied them in place making a loop under the mixer, allowing them to only have the perfect length exposed, for cleanliness)

Then WOW you are done with that. Now you show up to a gig, plug in, plug your computer in (if applicable) then plug the xlr's into the coffin rather than trying to squeeze your hand in a tight spot to get them plugged in, and you are dj'ing.

Honestly doing all this doesn't seem like it will save you much time, BUT IT DOES!!



Next up is the optional lighting that I did.

Ok so... You ever play somewhere that you just can't see wtf you are doing? Yeah so have I (every Friday. So I did something about it..

What you need:


LED strips (http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-12-Flexible-15-SMD-LED-Strip-Car-Interior-Footwell-Underdash-Lights-White-/150597457810?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item23104ed792&vxp=mtr#ht_3467wt_1185) (I had three leftover from a project I bought them for, for my car. (added some under dash lights that I hooked to the dome light so I can see when I open the door at night.. but thats another project)
Hot glue gun
~12VDC power supply leds vary for operating voltage.. pretty much from 9-25vdc will work, but since these were for a car application I figured best bet would be going with teh 12VDC they normally require, just in case they have some funky resistor thing in there. (from some old electronic device you broke)
Razor Blade (for chopping lines... kidding)



Ok so another simple stupid project that makes a difference, and frankly looks tacky but cool at the same time.
stick on the flexible led strips where ever you want.. Cut away any carpet that is in the way. (Wow that is difficult to figure out)
Then find a good path for the wires that will be out of the way
Once all of your strips are in place, and wires ran (not permanently yet) cut off the probably round connector on your power supply. Make sure you know which wires are positive and negative as LED's are one way (only work if pos to pos neg to neg) So test them out individually, and mark them.
Now shorten wires to desired length.
Next you are going to solder, or use a wire connector to keep them together. (I just used B-Nuts)
Now Take the hot glue, and run a bead all along where you have the wires ran,. This will do two things, protect the wires from the road, and keep the wires in place.. Then to just hide them better, I colored the glue black with a sharpie.


There you have it.. A setup you can see, and set up in like a minute.

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k427/2knoma/8fb87704.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k427/2knoma/582342ae.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k427/2knoma/07cc3163.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k427/2knoma/dfc66ab5.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k427/2knoma/0e7ba642.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k427/2knoma/5fcfd808.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k427/2knoma/3caa7ed5.jpg

[whiterob]

I will try to get some better pictures after work today, so you can really see what is going on

[Phil Noize]

Nice work!! :tup:

[djscrizzle]

I wouldn't tie the drain to the chassis of the connectors, but instead to pin 1 on one end and the other end floats. Good way to get ground loop hum that is "untraceable in the field"

[Jakes]

Great work, looks very nice :P

[whiterob]

I wouldn't tie the drain to the chassis of the connectors, but instead to pin 1 on one end and the other end floats. Good way to get ground loop hum that is "untraceable in the field"

Thanks, I did not know that.. I actually did have a hum at one bar I played at, but changing the XLR cables seemed to fix it luckily. I did this like 6 months ago, and was my first time really doing any XLR soldering.

[Will MaXimal]

Nice job man :tup:

I would have used shrink wrap for the cables though. It will look better and keep them better protected :)

[wilson]

I wouldn't tie the drain to the chassis of the connectors, but instead to pin 1 on one end and the other end floats. Good way to get ground loop hum that is "untraceable in the field"

Really? Didn't know that either. So...hook up hot/cold then only one side of the ground?
1. Do you put some tape/shrink on the end of the floating shield to make sure it never hits anything?
2. Surely not the same for Mic cables?

[whiterob]

Nice job man :tup:

I would have used shrink wrap for the cables though. It will look better and keep them better protected :)

ha the funny part is, I used heat shrink on the wires for the lighting. the wires for the XLR's I am going to eventually re-do, but it was an idea I had to do that, so ordered the parts... then after having a good 6-14 beers a buddy and I decided to start working on it after we got done dj'ing that night, so surprised I even matched up the right numbers haha

[djscrizzle]

Really? Didn't know that either. So...hook up hot/cold then only one side of the ground?
1. Do you put some tape/shrink on the end of the floating shield to make sure it never hits anything?
2. Surely not the same for Mic cables?
All you do is cut the drain wire (if the cable has a foil shield and three wires) flush with the outer jacket on one end, and connect the drain at the male end. Mic cables are built with either a braided or spiral wrapped shield, and this is connected to pin1 on both ends in most circumstances.