Trolling Archives - Reactual

How To Set Up A Wireless DJ System

Justin Thomas — Tue, 10 May 2016 14:04:33 +0000

Being a live DJ is as much about the performance as it is the music. For a performance without the restraint of wires, a complete wireless DJ system allows you to move around with unfettered freedom. It is also a great option for the amateur who wants to impress at a house party, or take their sound out to the pool.

There are many applications for wireless DJ systems. Consider what it could add to your performance to be able to control the music while you weave through the crowd at a live venue, interacting with everyone as you go along. Maybe your performance would benefit from multiple people controlling the music from different locations at the same time. Perhaps you can reach better locations for your speakers if you don’t have to snake unruly wires to them across the room.

You need only a few things to get started with wireless DJing – a wireless DJ controller, wireless speakers and a remote control application. Here is a breakdown of how to set up a wireless DJ system, whether you are a club owner or a looking to play at the next frat party.

1 – Wireless DJ Controller

The heart of your wireless DJ system is a wireless DJ controller like the Pioneer XDJR1. Your wireless DJ controller works similarly to a standard digital DJ controller in that it allows you to play and manipulate audio from connected USB devices, line-in inputs, CDs and connected computers through MIDI.

The additional function we’re interested in is the ability of the wireless DJ controller to receive content wirelessly and/or control the audio from a wireless location. This could be from a laptop computer somewhere in the room, a smartphone or a tablet, for example.

2 – Remote Application

In the case of the Pioneer XDJR1, it essentially has a wireless router built-in to which smartphones can connect. Enable the wireless setting, set the SSID and password, and its ready to be connected to.

On the mobile device, install the application Remotebox. Having then connected to the wireless DJ controller’s WLAN network, the DJ controller’s user interface is displayed on the smartphone or tablet, allowing you to manipulate all of the features of the device from a remote location within Wi-Fi range. It is a simple matter to queue up different channel outputs, play and pause tracks from USB-connected devices or mix using the virtual faders.

Other wireless DJ controllers have similar remote applications that can be used on smartphones, tablets, PCs and Macs.

3 – Wireless Speakers

If you DJ in multiple venues and take speakers with you then the potential benefits of wireless speakers should not be lost on you. Each venue has a different setup, different acoustics and you may want to position your speakers in awkward places. Running cables from your main DJ station is a pain, and you need to tape the cables up for safety and security. Even if you’re only DJing in one venue, if your venue requires a larger number of speakers, or speakers placed in multiple rooms, then it can be a logistical nightmare to run wires from your main equipment to the speakers.

Enter wireless speakers, like Infinity Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Speakers. These can be placed anywhere they’ll get power and output 80 watts of sound each. The signal is sent from a bundled transmitter, which can be up to 600 feet away from the speakers. It will even transmit through walls and ceilings, sending CD quality wireless uncompressed sound. Up to four speakers can be used in tandem.

To pair these speakers to our wireless DJ system, all it takes is connecting the master OUT from the wireless DJ controller to the transmitter’s line-IN. They now function in the same way as any other speakers, sans the wires.

While these speakers are a little on the pricey side, speakers that connect via Bluetooth also work in the same manner – they just don’t have the impressive range. You can consider Bluetooth wireless speakers for your wireless DJ system if you don’t plan to have the speakers far from the transmitter.

4 – Optional – Other Wireless Connections

With the controller and speakers in place, there’s nothing stopping you from getting rid of more and more wires until you’re almost completely wireless. We still have to contend with power connections, but apart from that, there are many places where wires can be done away with completely. Your DJ monitoring headphones can be replaced by wireless headphones – all you need to do is charge the battery and keep a transmitter in the DJ controller’s headphone-OUT port.

Wireless microphones are easy to set up – again one simply needs to plug in the wireless microphone receiver/amp to the DJ controller’s input and the wireless microphone will work just as a wired input would. Virtually all popular instruments have wireless transmitter/receiver options, so if you have live instruments in the mix then they too can go wireless, freeing up the performance even further.

It’s time for your live DJ workstation to be less of a mess of wires. Going wireless can be a joy, for both the audience and you as the performer.

The post How To Set Up A Wireless DJ System appeared first on Reactual.

The Best Rated Boat Batteries

Justin Thomas — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:20:06 +0000

Marine batteries come in three basic varieties: starting, deep-cycle, and dual-purpose. Starting batteries provide strong bursts of power to crank an engine and are not meant to endure repeated discharge/recharge cycles. Deep-cycle batteries, on the other hand, aren’t built to start an engine. Instead, deep-cycle batteries provide a consistent power output for a long period of time, perfect for running trolling motors and accessories.

Starting batteries and deep-cycle batteries aren’t meant to be substituted for one another; doing so will leave you stranded. Some manufacturers produce dual-purpose batteries, which attempt to combine the functions of starting and deep-cycle batteries into one package.

We’ve explored expert and user reviews of all types of boat batteries in order to bring you a list of the top rated . Our sources include Amazon, Bass Pro Shops, Advance Auto Parts, Sears, and BatteryMart.com.

ODYSSEY Trolling Thunder/Marine Dual Purpose Series

ODYSSEY Trolling Thunder/Marine Dual Purpose Series ($98 and up)

Pros:

Above-average lifespan
Long-lasting charge

Cons:

Initial cost

Top Review Sources:

BatteryMart.com: 4.9/5.0 (75+ reviews) (PC625)
Amazon: 5.0/5.0 (10+ reviews) (PC625)
Amazon: 5.0/5.0 (3 reviews) (34M-PC1500)

ODYSSEY Trolling Thunder/Marine Dual Purpose batteries use AGM technology to deliver performance that tops lead-acid batteries. Trolling Thunder batteries are built to fill both starting and deep-cycle roles. The manufacturer claims reliable starting energy coupled with up to 400 cycles at 80% depth of discharge. Reviewers confirm these impressive claims, expressing satisfaction with the long charge times and strong cranking power. Though Trolling Thunder series batteries cost more than conventional marine batteries, they last from 3-10 years, fully recharge in four to six hours, can be mounted anywhere due to their no-spill design, have higher impact and vibration tolerance, and are maintenance-free. Here a rundown of the six 12-volt batteries in the line:

PC625 – MCA@32 °F: 250, RC: 27
PC925 – MCA@32 °F: 500, RC: 52
34M-PC1500 – MCA@32 °F: 1050, RC: 135
PC1800-FT – MCA@32 °F: 1450, RC: 475
31M-PC2150 – MCA@32 °F: 1370, RC: 205
PC2250 – MCA@32 °F: 1550, RC: 240

Many AGM batteries use lead alloys for their flat plates, but ODYSSEY uses pure lead, which extends battery life. ODYSSEY Trolling Thunder batteries come with three- or four-year warranties.

Amazon has a selection of ODYSSEY Trolling Thunder/Marine Dual Purpose batteries for sale: PC625 ($98), PC925 ($170), 34M-PC1500 ($297), and PC2250 ($486).

DieHard Platinum PM-1

DieHard Platinum PM-1 ($280)

Pros:

Holds charge well while in storage
Durable

Cons:

Rare reports of premature failure

Top Review Source:

Sears: 5.0/5.0 (15+ reviews)

The DieHard Platinum PM-1 features corrosion-resistant, tin-coated terminals, vibration protection, sealed construction, pure lead plates, and a three-year warranty. This AGM marine battery is dual-purpose; it can cover both starting and deep-cycle duties. It will typically last longer than lead-acid-type batteries. The Platinum PM-1 is a 12-volt unit capable of 1150 cold cranking amps at zero degrees Fahrenheit and has a reserve capacity of 205 minutes. It weighs 75 pounds and measures 9.5” H x 13” L x 6.8” W. Customers generally rave about the Platinum PM-1, citing its reliable performance and ability to start up after long periods of storage. Customers also have found the construction to be rugged enough to stand up to high levels of vibration and impact.

Purchase the DieHard Platinum PM-1 at Sears.

The post The Best Rated Boat Batteries appeared first on Reactual.

The Most Portable Interchangeable Lens Cameras

Justin Thomas — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:54:04 +0000

Until recently, digital cameras fell into two basic categories: point-and-shoot cameras, and digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs). Now there’s type of hybrid camera available –Micro Four Thirds. These cameras do away with the mirrored lens system of DSLRs, and most of the manual controls found on DSLRs. Instead, Four Thirds cameras use screen-based controls.

The appeal of these cameras is that they are small enough to fit into a jacket pocket, but are capable of taking professional photographs. So, if you want to take high-quality photos while traveling, hiking, or while strolling through the city, these cameras are for you. Because they have interchangeable lenses, they allow for a photographic versatility previously unavailable on a compact camera.

Currently, only four companies make interchangeable lens compact cameras: Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony. Olympus and Panasonic use the Micro Four Thirds standards, while Samsung and Sony have proprietary systems.

Currently, the range of lenses made specifically for these cameras is somewhat limited. But you can fit them with older lenses by using adaptor rings. They actually support a wider range of lenses than most DSLRs, because they have a thin lens-to-sensor distance. Note, however, that these lens may be manual focus only and require an aperture ring or control mechanism for usability.

Olympus PEN E-PL1 Micro Four Thirds Camera

The Olympus PEN E-PL1 is the Micro Four Thirds camera that has received the most recommendations from experts and buyers. We surveyed reviews on the major camera review sites: Imaging Resource, DPReview, CNET and Amazon.

Reviewers say this camera takes great photos, rivaling the quality available from the best DSLR cameras. The Olympus PEN E-PL1 is a sturdy, 12.3-megapixel camera that includes a built-in pop-up flash. You can purchase this camera with a 17mm lens, making for a very portable configuration.

This camera does have a few drawbacks. The camera has no manual control wheel but instead has menu commands for adjusting aperture, shutter speed and exposure. Those who are accustomed to a manual control wheel might find this tedious. It has a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000th sec — most DSLR cameras have max of 1/4000th sec or above.

Most reviewers said the camera lasted only one full day of use before needing a recharge (about 290 shots per charge). Some reviewers suggest bringing extra batteries if this is an issue.

Overall, this is a top-rated, rugged camera that can take gorgeous pictures. Selling for under $500, this is a great step-up from a point-and-shoot camera — it provides many of the advanced features found in DSLRs.

The Olympus PEN E-PL1 is available at Amazon for $490. The older Olympus Pen E-P1 with a slim-line 17mm lens is available here.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Micro Four Thirds Camera

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Interchangeable Lens Camera

The Lumix DMC-G2 is another Micro Four Thirds camera that gets top marks from expert reviewers. Like the Olympus PEN PL-1, the quality of the images from this camera are typically stunning, and on par with images from a quality DSLR.

The Lumix DMC-G2 features 12.1-megapixels sensor, and a touch-screen LCD that rotates 180° from side to side and tilts 270° up and down. Reviewers were very impressed by the build quality and the ergonomics of this camera. They say the camera is quick to start up, and has snappy performance, compared to its competition.

On the negative side, reviewers pointed out that the camera has no image stabilization, and the image quality is poor in ISO 1600 and above. The Lumix DMC-G2 is also not the most compact camera of its kind — it’s a bit heavier and larger than the Olympus PEN E-PL1.

The Lumix DMC-G2 is available at Amazon for $547.

Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Camera

In response to the Micro Four Thirds cameras introduced by Panasonic and Olympus, Sony has created its own line of compact, lens interchangeable cameras. So far there are only two cameras in this line: the Sony Alpha NEX-3, and the Sony Alpha NEX5. These cameras use E-mount lenses, but other lenses can be used together with an adaptor.

The Sony Alpha NEX-3 is one of the highest rated cameras of its type, priced under $500, and directly competing with the two cameras we reviewed above. Sony’s Alpha NEX3 is even more compact that those cameras. Sony claims it’s the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera. The exact dimensions are: 117 x 63 x 33mm, and it weighs 297g (10.5 oz). Despite its size, this camera boasts a sensor that is 50% larger than the Micro Four Thirds format. This is a breakthrough unique to Sony, and reviewers say this improves image quality overall.

The NEXs don’t have a built-in flash, but come with an attachable external flash, which draws its power from the camera’s main battery.

Sony Alpha NEX-3 With A 16mm Lens

One thing to note — the range of lenses available for this camera is quite limited at this time. You can use A-mount lenses (used by Sony’s Alpha DSLR cameras) by using a LA-EA1 adaptor. This is an optional accessory. The bundled 18-55 mm F3.5-5.6 lens has a metal finish and is of excellent quality. However, you will need buy a compact lens if you don’t want to obliterate the camera’s slim profile (see photo above). You can buy this camera with a 16mm lens bundled with it.

The Sony Alpha NEX-5 is very similar to NEX-3, the only important difference is the that NEX-5 supports 1080 HD video recording. It sells for $699 from Amazon.

The Sony Alpha NEX-3 is available from Amazon for $499. The 16mm version is available here.

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