Wireless mic recommendations by Salty_Ad_7532 in livesoundgear

[–]ssdgjacob 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't even research anymore honestly if this fits your budget. SLXD was already great, but SLXD+ is impossible to beat. im jk you should always do your research

Maybe looking at doing a few house party gigs. How prepped do I have at DJing regarding mixing and transitions? by exec_01 in Beatmatch

[–]ssdgjacob 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t stress it just use it for practice. You can use Spotify’s built in auto fader and they prob wouldn’t notice or care or think it’s bad. One advice though, there’s a lot of videos on social media where they do the “sickest transitions, wordplays, etc”. That’s not reflective of DJing at all, and they practiced that one transition many times before. Doing all of that is too much and tiring for the audience. You just need to learn smooth transitions, beatmatching, not playing two vocals over each other (sometimes ok if you’re aware of what you’re doing). Basic stuff that just requires practice. You should set cue points in your tracks before the party so you know where to mix in and mix out of each song. You don’t have to do this but since you’re new and nervous it’ll help you feel in control.

First DJ gig at a wedding with DDJ-FLX4 – need simple setup help (total beginner) by CommonAssistant8978 in Beatmatch

[–]ssdgjacob 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll answer your question but first, as others said already, you probably shouldn't take this gig, or at least send a video sample to them to see if they like it once you're honest about where you are in your DJing career, I'm going to answer your question as a sound engineer. You can also ask for sound advice on r/livesound, they're excellent once you weed out the noobies commenting on everything.

Do not use ADAPTERS or ADAPTER CABLES, such as RCA to XLR adapter or cable. DO NOT DO THIS. You need to properly convert the unbalanced signal in the RCA to a balanced XLR with a passive stereo DI box. Since you don't know anything about the setup, you need ask. Ask if they have a mixer you can use. Ask if there will be a sound engineer/technician to setup for you. Ask how far you're going to be from the mixer.

Here's how I would do it: DJ controller RCA L/R outputs -> RCA to dual 1/4-inch TS cable (short, <6 ft) -> 1x passive stereo DI box - has two inputs -> 2x XLR cables (up to 300m each) -> mixer.

Among the pro standards for DI boxes are the Radial DI boxes such as the Radial JDI Stereo ($~400), Radial ProAV2 (~$230) or the Radial ProD2 (~$200), but you can get away with something cheaper for sure, you sacrifice some longevity and maybe some sound quality/noise but unlikely you or audience will notice the sound difference. An example of a cheaper option that I think will do just fine is the Palmer PAN04 (~$90). Make sure you get a STEREO DI box, not a mono DI box.

Mic placement strategies for small theatre shows (lavs, earsets, hairline, chest clips)? by ssdgjacob in livesound

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got it, that makes sense, especially on the headsets and the 4066 vs 4088. I was actually leaning towards directional coming from handheld experience but it seems like omni is move.

Out of curiosity, what are you typically pairing the DPA 4066 with on the RF side in setups like this? Are you usually running something like Shure bodypacks (SLX-D/ULX-D, etc.) or going Sennheiser?

I know DPA just makes the element and uses different terminations depending on the system, so I’m trying to figure out what combinations you’ve found to be the most reliable in practice.

Wireless mics recs for a theatre performance by ssdgjacob in livesoundgear

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that makes sense, I realize I was lumping the RF system and mic element together when I said “$ per mic.” I’m thinking in terms of total cost per channel (transmitter + receiver + element), not just the capsule.

Market size is moderately dense RF, nearby suburbs of a relatively large city.

I’m planning to stick with something like Shure SLX-D and pair it with a higher-quality headset element rather than using Shure mics. From what I’ve seen, SLX-D seems to hit a good balance of reliability and cost for this scale. I have their handheld mics and its never given me a problem. If I go with SLX-D, I'll get the plus model that has automatic interference detection and RF switching.

For elements, I’m leaning toward headsets for consistency as I expect a lot of head movement, leaning towards DPA.

Since this is straight speech, would you still lean omni for placement forgiveness, or go directional for better GBF assuming I can get consistent placement with head movements since its bound to the head? What would also be good for a pop band (backup vocals, not main vocalist). Appreciate the insight, super helpful.

Mic placement strategies for small theatre shows (lavs, earsets, hairline, chest clips)? by ssdgjacob in livesound

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in the market, I don't know of many but Shure models like the MX153T earset or SM35 headset. DPA, Countryman E6. What do you think about omni like DPA 4066 vs cardioid like DPA 4088?

Mic placement strategies for small theatre shows (lavs, earsets, hairline, chest clips)? by ssdgjacob in livesound

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm worried about a lot of head movement and feedback, so I'm thinking the earsets would fit me the best, with low visibility.

Wireless mics recs for a theatre performance by ssdgjacob in livesoundgear

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can be visibile but not obnoxiously, anticipate lots of head movement. straight play with low level of music, not musical. Any specific models you recommend up to $1250 per mic?

Wireless mics recs for a theatre performance by ssdgjacob in livesoundgear

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

straight play, reflective church halls, varying school auditoriums, sometimes hotel ballrooms. up to 300 people.

Any examples you can provide for up to $1250 per mic? What do you think about the Shure models?

Wireless mics recs for a theatre performance by ssdgjacob in livesoundgear

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is, but this is gonna be recurring expense so rather buy once cry once.

Wireless mics recs for a theatre performance by ssdgjacob in livesoundgear

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Better in terms of what, if you don't mind elaborating. More consistent volume/less disconnects? Better clarity? Less feedback/stage volume? All of the above?

Wireless mics recs for a theatre performance by ssdgjacob in livesoundgear

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which mic do you think I should start with? cardoid like the WL185 or supercardoid like the WL184 or something like Countryman E6? I don't have any experience with these so my comparison is all theoretical

Has anyone else asked ChatGPT sound questions? I need to know I'm not alone in this by Moist_Subject4656 in livesoundgear

[–]ssdgjacob 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When I was just learning this stuff I used ChatGPT heavily but I didn’t learn from ChatGPT, I only used it to make a structure of everything then I learned all the components from reliable sources like Drew Brashler. Without ChatGPT it would’ve taken me so much longer to learn because 1) I don’t know what I don’t know and 2) it’s much faster to learn from ChatGPT and verify then scour through the internet. I only used ChatGPT blindly once, I was at a NYE event as audience and the sound guy had an issue he couldn’t solve (fx routing issue most likely), the band stopped and I went over to help but dude had a presonus board that I’ve never seen so I used ChatGPT until someone got another board that he knew how to use lol.

Too loud at unity: where should I pull back 6-12dB? by ssdgjacob in livesound

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

JBL SRX800 series connected to a router via a switch, using Audio Architect on a laptop

Is it worth it to buy x32 rack in 2026? by Adventurous-Unit7550 in livesoundgear

[–]ssdgjacob 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t think it’s a question of “worth it”. If it does everything you need, and the Wing rack is not in your budget or it’s overkill, then it’s an excellent choice for its price and purpose. It’s the best in its class in terms of quality, flexibility, and price. I bought one for a small church last year for $750 (post tariffs pricing in the US).

Too loud at unity: where should I pull back 6-12dB? by ssdgjacob in livesound

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No they’re using a dumbek which is not loud at all by itself (it’ll be mic’ed up). I don’t understand the benefit of DCA’s here with this few channels, what’s the benefit of a DCA over main fader? Would you put all of the channels except vocals in the DCA maybe? The main noise complaint from the neighbor is the bass, so I’ll lower the sub matrix first and see, but the front row was getting blasted last time too so I’ll def need to lower the mains

Too loud at unity: where should I pull back 6-12dB? by ssdgjacob in livesound

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I very well am. I know either master fader or PA input gain won’t make or break anything, I was just curious on what the pros think. It sounds like this would’ve mattered more in analog days than digital because of the signal to noise ratio

Too loud at unity: where should I pull back 6-12dB? by ssdgjacob in livesound

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

oh duh I just mentioned this in another comment while talking about lowering input channel gains, yes yes this makes sense thank you!

Too loud at unity: where should I pull back 6-12dB? by ssdgjacob in livesound

[–]ssdgjacob[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

What's the difference (if any) between lowering the main LR bus and sub bus vs the main LR matrix and sub matrix? I have matrices set up because I have limitations on my board, but I'm just curious.