DJ + laptop question

[Sinn Ick]

Im trying to DJ a few small partys to get ready for my big gig next summer, got everything i need BUT speakers!
Anyone know of how i can hook up speakers to a controller/mixer and/or my laptop?

[the4thImpulse]

First of all what do you have now in terms of controllers, soundcards, speakers, and mixers?


There are two kinds of PA speakers Active and Passive:

Active are powered, meaning you have to plug them into a wall to power the amp that sits inside them.
Passive are not powered and they require the use of a separate amp to function properly.

[Sinn Ick]

No idea what speakers i am going to get

[Habanc]

First of all what do you have now in terms of controllers, soundcards, speakers, and mixers?

Yeah, this seems like a good question... Like, does your mixer have balanced outputs for XLR connections, or just unbalanced for RCA? Balanced connections allow you to run longer cables without unwanted noise and simply make you mix sound better. So, if your mixer has balanced outputs, it'd behoove you to buy some speakers with balanced inputs so as to utilize that benefit.

Plus, speakers are generally not something you want to skimp on, so a budget range would be nice. Passive speakers may seem cheaper when compared to active ones, but a decent amplifier for them is a bit of cash too.

[Sinn Ick]

budget probibly around 750$

[Freewave]

Recommendations? I'll make this basic for anyone else who may be interested although you already have some of this...you would need. Laptop >Mini jack to Stereo RCa OUTPUT cable > into a dj mixer > amp > speakers. If you go to a club that has the mixer and the amp and the speakers you just need the laptop and the cables. If a house party where they have an amplifier and an existing speaker system then you can plug into that from the mixer.

First of all what do you have now in terms of controllers, soundcards, speakers, and mixers?

There are two kinds of PA speakers Active and Passive:

Active are powered, meaning you have to plug them into a wall to power the amp that sits inside them.
Passive are not powered and they require the use of a separate amp to function properly.

Good point on this. You can take out the amp out of the mix if you have powered speakers. Again see what you have and what you need next.