DJ mixer and PA Mixer setup

[DjBetta]

Question #1. Are you going out of your dj mixer directly to POWERED speakers (active) or into and amplifier and Speakers (passive)?

Question #2. How large of events are you doing and with what gear? 1-200 people wedding or 500-1000 people events?

1) I am going into a PA mixer
2) I am using a pioneer DJM 800 and 2 CDJ's. Mostly doing 150-200 people events/weddings.

[DjBetta]

Sorry to make this thread even longer and to revive it....BUT....

Is it ok to run a PA mixer into your DJ mixer thru the mic channel therefore making the DJ mixer the "central hub" if all your using the PA mixer for is extra mic inputs...??

Or is it always best to route DJ mixer to PA mixer because thats how its always been done (mobile and professionals alike) no matter what kind of peripherals/extra sources you need to hook up..??

[DjBetta]

On a separate note....

Is it possible to use a audio interface instead of a PA mixer if it has the inputs/outputs you need and is a small gig...???

[conanski]

On a separate note....

Is it possible to use a audio interface instead of a PA mixer if it has the inputs/outputs you need and is a small gig...???

You need a device with balanced(usually XLR) outputs to drive powered speakers or amplifiers correctly and without introducing excess noise. That could be an audio interface but a small mixer may be cheaper, more useful, and not much bigger... the Mackie ProFX8 I have is about the same size as a laptop and there are even smaller mixers available.

Running the PA mixer into the DJ mixer mic inputs is not a good idea, the signal level is way to high and will easily overload the mic input.

[DjBetta]

You need a device with balanced(usually XLR) outputs to drive powered speakers or amplifiers correctly and without introducing excess noise. That could be an audio interface but a small mixer may be cheaper, more useful, and not much bigger... the Mackie ProFX8 I have is about the same size as a laptop and there are even smaller mixers available.

Running the PA mixer into the DJ mixer mic inputs is not a good idea, the signal level is way to high and will easily overload the mic input.

Thanks Conanski. Appreciate it.

[light-o-matic]

To add to what Conanski said.. when it comes to DJ setups.. mic inputs are strictly for mics, phono inputs are strictly for turntables.. nothing else.

Everything else is connected to a line input.

The only exceptions are.. SOME smaller PA mixers have a switch in the back to convert their main outputs to MIC. And some DJ mixers have switches in the back to convert their phono inputs to LINE.

But in general the answer to your question as in the other thread is.. you don't need a PA mixer in between your dj mixer and PA unless you have got some other sources to mix that your dj mixer can't handle, or.. if you are running a controller instead of a dj mixer and want the option of playing from a backup source such as an ipod when the digital setup inevitably flakes out and you need to reboot.. that would require a mixer in addition to your controller.

[DjBetta]

To add to what Conanski said.. when it comes to DJ setups.. mic inputs are strictly for mics, phono inputs are strictly for turntables.. nothing else.

Everything else is connected to a line input.

The only exceptions are.. SOME smaller PA mixers have a switch in the back to convert their main outputs to MIC. And some DJ mixers have switches in the back to convert their phono inputs to LINE.

But in general the answer to your question as in the other thread is.. you don't need a PA mixer in between your dj mixer and PA unless you have got some other sources to mix that your dj mixer can't handle, or.. if you are running a controller instead of a dj mixer and want the option of playing from a backup source such as an ipod when the digital setup inevitably flakes out and you need to reboot.. that would require a mixer in addition to your controller.

Aaaahhhhhh Thanks. Now its all starting to come together. I can rest easy now

Ipods and Line level sources:

If I have a line level input available on both the PA mixer and DJ mixer...which one should I choose for the Ipod...(does not matter huh)...???

[light-o-matic]

Whichever one serves your needs better.
If you want the ipod to be more easily controllable while you are mixing on the DJ mixer, then plug it into the DJ mixer.
If you want the ipod to be available for music while you are setting up or taking down the DJ gear, or if you want it to be available as a backup in case the DJ mixer fails (RARE), then plug it into the PA mixer.