Most iPod speaker docks have an Aux input, which means with the right lead, it's perfectly possible to use one as a DJ monitor - assuming it goes loud enough, of course!
Digital DJ Tips reader Terry writes: “This may seems a little silly. I was watching one of the videos for your Learn To DJ Free online course, about speakers for home use. I am currently using an iPod dock speaker which also doubles as my computer speaker via an Aux cable.
“I was wondering whether it is possible to practice DJ with it? I couldn’t find any information regarding this issue on the net and would like to ask your opinion. It was given to me as a graduation gift and is quite sentimental and I’d feel bad if I had to store it away just because I can’t use it to DJ.”
Digital DJ Tips says:
Yes you can, but if you want to use it with a DJ controller that has a built-in audio interface (most do), you’ll have to get a 1/8″ stereo TRS to 2 x RCA cable to connect the two together. You then just uplug your computer, and plug your DJ controller in to the speaker instead.
With the right lead, your iPod dock can be used for DJing practice, just like any other speaker.
However, if you want to use it with DJ software running on your laptop with no audio interface and no controller (such as with Virtual DJ Home) and you want to use some headphones for monitoring while using your speaker as well, you’ll need a mono splitter cable to turn your one stereo headphones out from your laptop into two pseudo-stereo outputs, one for your little speaker and one for your headphones.
Either way though, with the correct lead, your iPod dock can be used for DJing practice, just like any other speaker. Whether it turns out to be loud enough for you is something you’ll have to decide for yourself though! If it does, this may make a really elegant little solution, especially if you don’t have much room for your home set-up.
Do you use an iPod dock, computer speakers or other multi-purpose amp/speaker system as your sole DJ monitor? What are you using, and how does it work for you? Please share your experiences in the comments.
Now go to:
All You Need To Know About DJ Splitter Cables
Computer Speakers For DJing: 5 Top Pairs Reviewed & Rated
Your Questions: How Can I Practise DJing Loud In a Small Apartment?
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Tags: dj monitors, ipod speakers, monitor speakers
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I, myself use the Altec Lansing IMT800 boombox for practice at home (have never played out before thought, but it still is practicing, right?
)
And it works for me! Decent bass (actually VERY good!) so its good for student (like me) that doesnt have alot of money to begin dj’ing with..
DJ Sequenzed
[ link ]Hi, I use my iPod dock, it’s a logitech beast, with 4″ woofers, I have a Terminal Mix 2 and I just bought two cables in order to use this setup with Serato DJ Intro: I got a 2xTRS to 3.5mm jack (to plug into the back of the dock) then 2xrca to 3.5mm jack to go from the booth output to the microphone input on my laptop, then I can hear through the speakers and record in audacity using the booth output
[ link ]I Actually thought about taking a Portable bose Dock to Take my gear Outside in the Park with some Friends. These HiFi Speakers Sound very decent and can Pack a Pretty loud punch
[ link ]What you are referring to is called Bose SoundDock Portable. I have it too and it sounds great for its size!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V2FJAS/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000V2FJAS&linkCode=as2&tag=raphpung-20
[ link ]So Phil,
For instance, could I use any of the Sonos system series?
Like the Play 3 or Play 5 and the bridge?
Regards
[ link ]We haven’t ever used Sonos but I’d say if you’re using them wirelessly, it would introduce latency making them unsuitable – but having not tried it, I can’t be sure.
[ link ]Phil & Pablo,
That is exactly what happens – The otherwise excellent synchronization of the Sonos System introduces delay, even on the line in. This is necessary for the system to stream your input source wirelessly to any of the other connected players in the Sonos system.
Made this experience when trying to use my DB4 with a pair of B&W 602s in a pinch. It will work for general mixing song to song, but not if you are trying to do any serious beat juggling
[ link ]I’m thinking about using my Zeppelin Air. Since I use (Reloop DJ3 ME+) Traktor Pro + iTunes and it’s possible to stream from iTunes to the Zeppelin I need to figure out a way to send the signal back to iTunes after the mix in Traktor.
Any ideas? Please let me know!
Got my gear yesterday so I haven’t had the time to figure it out yet.
[ link ]I tend to use the PA I play out on to practice on, 1000w Peavey.. To be fair I mainly just play at mates house parties so if it sounds good on the PA at home its going to sound good out on the same PA.
I am saving for some studio monitors now as I have taken to producing, I would recommend the Behringer B2031A Truth Active Monitors, have heard them in action and a few of the pros use them. Great value for money. Krk’s are overrated
[ link ]I usually just use my headphones as monitors or a Specktone 2.1 IPod dock. For playing out I use a set of Logitech z-2200 2.1 computer speakers. They are great for indoors and have sirffieced for outdoor use.
[ link ]In fact, I think any speaker is good for practicing, even the poorest, as you never know what you could be djing with in a gig. It could be in a bar with crappy sound, it could be a club with funktion one (well, I am still dreaming about this one…). My point is, as long as you are confortable with something, you know how it respond, that’s ok. You can learn to know your tunes and that’s the point of practicing at home, along with developping routines.
[ link ]Final word: it’s nevertheless a good point if it can be loud. Because human hearing don’t respond the same way depending on the sound pressure: with loud sound, bass and high will seem more powerful, and a track that seems quiet a normal level will be much more dynamic at gig level. And the opposite is sometimes true.
I have used my TDK Soundcube for djing in house parties and it is reliable and surprisely effective. My rig is a Macbook Pro+Vestax Spin+Djay . Pretty humble, but perfect for a small dancefloor.
[ link ]I’ve used my Altec Lansing MIX IMT810 boombox twice to do a house party. Just the footprint of my JBL PRX615s would be way too big for the customer’s tiny entertainment area. I’m not even going to imagine what sounding them off in there would do!
The AL put out enough sound to keep the sound-activated lights vibing and both times, connected to my MixTrack, using VDJ, I kept everyone on the dance floor until they couldn’t take it anymore! And this same customer called me back. (However, I did make sure I at least had a photo or two of my big setup displayed nearby.)
So, as with any setup, as with any situation, I’d say it depends on the overall sound quality/handling of the iPod dock box and what the situation dictates. I’ll bet there are even better ones than the AL out there!
[ link ]I use my Bose SoundLink connected to my iPad + DJAY and a splitter cable to practise and record sets. Since I’m playing out with the iPad exclusively that’s been my setup of choice at home. The SoundLink is compact yet powerfull enough so that I’ve used it a few times to play for friends in meetings and hotel rooms while traveling. We even did a gig on a bus a couple of times going to races (I’m a cyclist).
[ link ]I personally use a Yamaha Power amp with 150 watts per channel and 2 Mision Speakers With a MK 12″ sub. Thats just perfect for me in my Room Studio. But one time I DJed a small in house party for my friends and relitives, I used a JVC Kaboom Box and With a Torq Connective sound card and Numark Mixtrack and a laptop. That System was good for that.
[ link ]I use Traktor S2 with my ipod dock. A 2.1 dock with enough base and volume to cover a large room. Its perfect for practise and always available + wife is happy that i use a “stylish” sound setup. When im done i have to hide my s2 though
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