Tell me more ×
Audio-Video Production Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for engineers, producers, editors, and enthusiasts spanning the fields of audio, video, and media creation. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 3 down vote favorite

I've had all my DJ kit since about 1995:

  • Pair of Technics 1210s

  • 1 x Boss Sampler/Sequencer

  • 1 x Kenwood KA3020SE Amp

  • 1 x Kam Scratch Mixer

  • Pair Mission 702 speakers

  • Pair Eltax Monitor speakers

The amp is probably going to die quite soon - it's leaking sound and getting crackly. I want to upgrade but not sure what I need in todays modern world. Currently the amp doubles up as our domestic amp and has a CD, tuner and twin cassette decks (I know) and a minidisc connected up to it ...

Questions

  1. Should I get powered active speakers and connect them directly to my mixer instead of getting a new amplifier? I've heard active monitors can be as loud as a hifi amp these days. I'd then look at getting a simple amp or perhaps one of those 'girly' micro hifi systems for the domestic stuff (I also have a loud iPod dock).

  2. Or should I replace with a similar amp? If so, can you recommend a suitable replacement? I've loved my '3020 for years it has loads of inputs and is neighbour-annoyingly loud ;-)

  3. Should I get something like a keyboard amp which would also allow me to plug guitar/bass/drum machine into it. If so, can you recommend something suitable?

  4. Should I look into digital kit e.g. digital amp and mixer? If digital amps exist ...? I know digital mixers do though are frighteningly expensive for the hobbyist.

Thanks for looking.

share|improve this question

3 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

Hey, I feel like you're messing a few things up there :)

So one by one:

 Should I get powered active speakers and connect them directly to my mixer instead of getting a new mixer?

I guess you mean getting a new amp here? Because your mixer does still work, doesn't it? As for the new amp vs new active speakers discussion: I do have a pair of actives and I love them. Maybe the only disadvantage of them is that such active speakers are usually a little bit smaller and therefore you do not have the power to use them for a "real" party (with dancefloor and all), but as long as you just use them at home, the will have enough power - even for a small party with your buds :)

The other thing you mixed up was the "digital amp" thing. There is no such thing as digital amp. An amp simply amplifies (hence the name) the signal to a voltage level which is high enough for big passive speakers. This could actually done digitally as well as analog, but as a user you would not hear any difference (nor would you have to use a differnet kind of plugs)

share|improve this answer
Sorry, yes that was a typo - I did mean new amp. My mixer does work, but I wouldn't be averse to getting a new one. It too is a bit leaky on occasion. Digital amp - I think what I meant was a class D amp (e.g. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Class_D_Amplifier). But in my mind I was thinking of a box which would convert analogue sound into digital and (ideally) output via firewire or usb. Such a thing does not yet exist presumably? What kind of active speakers do you have? – 5arx Mar 17 '11 at 15:43
3  
I have a pair of KRK Rokit G5. They're studio monitors, but I knew from quite few people who also use them for DJing. I like them. They are quite small, have a good sound and they surely are not too quite. As for the box: You can use an audio-interface and plug it into the mixer and then record the mixeroutput via USB or firewire. But then you still need a way to transport it to some speaker. – user645 Mar 17 '11 at 17:03
It occurred to me that I could use the Edirol USB audio interface which I use for recording stuff in Garageband to this end. And then of course there's my Mac. But 'box' -> active speakers sounds compact, less wire-y (Mrs 5arx hates wires) and somehow quite futuristic. Will check out the monitors. Thanks. – 5arx Mar 17 '11 at 22:12
up vote 1 down vote

From an sound engineers point of view, you'd want to keep using the same speakers because you are used to their sound. So I would get a new amp(s).

share|improve this answer
Any recommendations ...? – 5arx May 3 '11 at 11:01
I'm not familiar with your speakers, so I can't really recommend anything. Maybe just match them up power wise, and then look at price and other aspects. – d-_-b May 4 '11 at 1:12
up vote 1 down vote

If you're just working in a bedroom, then powered monitors will be more than loud enough for your needs. I've been pleased with my Alesis M1 Active 520s, which are a decent choice if you are on a budget.

If you need something to take to small venues, then I'd recommend checking out the Mackie SRM450.

share|improve this answer
520s look good but not sure if I should go for the USB version or the regular. Which do you suggest? – 5arx May 3 '11 at 11:02
1  
I didn't bother with the USB version as I had my own audio interface, and wasn't sure if I'd run into driver issues trying to run them both at the same time. – Mark Heath May 3 '11 at 11:13
Thanks. Have arranged to demo a pair tonight. – 5arx May 3 '11 at 11:16

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.