DanSteely

Thanks chaps. Those were just the pointers I needed.. I should have said that my TV has a Plex client built in and I've setup the Plex server on a PC with media files on a NAS and it all works really well. After your suggestions I've done some reading and discovered a device called HD HomeRun from SiliconDust that essentially is a network PVR that has two tuners and steams output across the network. It fully integrates with Plex (providing you have a paid account) and one should be landing tomorrow from Amazon. This leads me to a related question about home network topologies and optimisation. Can anyone suggest a friendly (possibly UK centric) home networking forum?

Prob not the forum but here goes... So I want to record TV programs for later editing on a PC and saving the resultant recording as a MP4/MKV or similar. I have a smart TV but it does not have a record feature so a need a solid state recording device, I guess with a timer facility, like old school VCR's Question: Is this a feature of current 'TV sticks' or if not what kind of device do I need to search for? Many thanks in anticipation.

Another one for the arsenal: https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-power-chemicals/ppc108/label-remover-200ml-aerosol/dp/SA01889 It's really very good. N.B: In a previous life we used it to remove ECG electrode residue from patients skin. And it smells of citrus.

+1 For the XR18. Staggering bit of kit. So much I/O and tons of features in 3U. From my experience: Primary control via ethernet via a switch. Wireless control via a WiFi point connected to the switch. All easily done in 4U. Music group sometimes sell refurbs on eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/musicgroupeurope

Charlie Cook from Neutrik sent me a recommendation for a 24mm Q-Max punch, with Canford as the suggested supplier. I've been trying to find a website for the Q-Max brand but am struggling. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks guys. I have a 24mm hole punch which also results in a less than snug fit. I need to perhaps find a 23.5mm HP. Also with die cast boxes, when the holes are close together, the material between holes can fracture and fall out. Which, if the XLR's are front loaded, you can get away with - but not if they are back loaded. Back loading is my default preference. I have a suitable cone cut and also a step drill but don't like the inconsistency even when pillar drill mounted. I guess I'm comparing my results with CNC cut panels which is never going to match.

Hi all, For Eddystone type die cast enclosures can you please recommend a hole saw size for D series XRL connectors, e.g. NC3FD. I have used 24mm hole saws but when rear (or front) mounting there is a high amount of 'sloppiness' Is a 23mm hole saw a better solution - or would it be too snug?

Many thanks both, I had a look at KiCad but it seems like a very big hammer to crack an insignificant nut. I found I had a really old (Office 2003) version of Visio which installed on various W10/W7 PC's without issue. Just the job. Thanks again.

Hi all, I am looking for recommendations for open source software for diagramming mains powered circuits. I The key functionality I'm after is this: e.g. If I draw a simple diagram consisting of an inlet connector connected by conductors to a RCBO then connected to an outlet. When I move the various components I want the conductors joining them to automatically redraw - hopefully also aligning to the X & Y so conductors are not on the wonk. I guess I could use electronic based SW but it seems a bit OTT. Any thoughts?

Many thanks.

Hi all, I am wiring a ton of addressable LED pixels and need to source DuPont type crimp male & female connectors in the UK: To that end, If I wanted to search CPC/RS/Rapid/etc for these what should the search term be? Here's an example from Ebay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DuPont-2-54mm-Crimp-Terminal-Connector-Male-Female-for-Crimping-Tool-SN-28B/132040898298 Many thanks.

Many thanks all, The ESP stuff has always looked good. Has anyone imported their stuff? The SSM2019 looks very interesting, I need to do some more research.

I remember Drake kit from broadcast studios, pretty high quality I'd assume. The only downside is the split rail which would need 4x 9V batteries. I'd be interested to look at the PCB and research the circuit diagram. Not sure if Drake are still going. I have a Canford Audio mic preamp which has the footprint of a house brick, but not as tall. My ideal would be less than half that size.

Hi all, I’m looking around for a circuit diagram for a microphone preamp. There are lots of designs around but I have some specific requirements: Balanced input Balanced output (if possible) Variable gain adjustment (+- 40-60dB) Pad switch (if possible) Battery powered (single 9V or 2x 9V) Primarily for use in live environments so studio type noise levels are not a must have. Simple design that can be made on strip board. (Possibility a small batch of PCB’s could be made overseas. I’d therefore need a layout in a compatible format) Nice to have: A battery level LED: Bi-colour that indicates good/low. Small overall footprint - similar to a large smart phone with a height of around 25mm/1" Nice to have: low voltage phantom power Searching around I’m a bit snow blinded by the designs but none seem to fit my spec. Any pointers or thoughts would be welcome. Thanks

Essentially a RP in a case with a big touchscreen and some physical faders. That about sums it up.

Hi all, I've been thinking about constructing a custom computer for operating a XR18 based on a Raspberry Pi 4, In a similar way to a custom Chamsys Magic Q console. I was considering using a Mini ITX motherboard PC but am now thinking along the lines of a Raspberry Pi running Linux. The 24" screen, keyboard and peripherals all built into a custom flightcase. Although the RP supports WiFi I'd use a hard wired Cat5 connection to the XR18. I'd welcome any thoughts about the running the Linux version of the Behringer X-Air application or any other suggestions regarding the console form factor. Many thanks

And in a similar vein: Can anyone tell me the thread on the bottom of a DSLR/SLR camera?

Thanks all, I've been looking for clarity all afternoon and you chaps (as usual) came up Donald's. I've often tapped birch ply and it's worked pretty well, especially M8 and above. Obviously not for mission critical stuff but very handy never the less. Thanks Junior 8: Tracy tools, what a find! Thanks again.

Hi All, I need to cut a 3/8" female threaded hole in various materials including aluminium and birch ply wood in order to mount an article on a mic stand. What type of tap would I require? Many thanks.

Hi Bob, That's how I've now got it set up too. A small switch in the rack next to the XR18 and the the WAP on a mic stand. What is this Mixing Station you speak of ?

The router arrived and the antennas are not on SMA's so ill mount the router itself on mic stand. It's black. It'll be fine. Any other thoughts?

Hi both, Many thanks for your input on this: Alister: I agree that something PC/network/USB based will always bite you on the ars* when you don't want it to. And you can test and tweek in prep but you have to assume it will happen and you need to have a plan B, C, D.... close to hand Shez: Thanks so much. That all makes a lot of sense. I have a related question regarding the 3 antennas: The mixer will live in a rack with some other bits like the body of the wireless router and some patch. The 3 SMA cables will live permanently connected to the router but at the other end, by the antennas I have a thought to merge the 3 cables together in a 5 pin XLR about a 300mm from the antennas. This will make rigging quicker - as opposed to having to screw the 3x SMAs at the antenna end each time. I'm assuming the the grounds on the antennas will be common so in theory I only need 4 of my 5 pins. Is this a plan or should I think again?

Hi All, I've purchased a Behringer XR18 and am really very impressed with everything about it. The sound is great, the PC software is intuitive and the UI is very polished. So far I have only used it on the bench and connected directly via CAT5 to a PC. Moving forwards to a real world scenario, I'd like to use a laptop and have the flexibility of using mobile devices to tweek mixes whilst moving around venues. I'm going to go down the path of using an external wireless router (so no using the internal one). I have ordered a TP-Link AC1200. It has 3 antennas and with some 5M SMA cables can raise the antenna to a decent height. It also has 4 RJ45 sockets so can use this as a switch for the hard wired PCs Obviously I'm looking for a setup that's as rock solid as possible and my primary control surface will be a PC at FOH and there will possibly be another PC on stage near the XR18. So my questions are really about the network setup: 1. On the XR18 (Setup>LAN configuration) which LAN mode should I use? (Static IP, DHCP or DHCP Server) 2. Would it be more logical to use the wireless router as the DHCP server? 3. Would static IP address's be a better way forwards? And so, would any range be better than any other? 4. I'm assuming that the subnet mask can be something like 255.255.0.0 (default in the XR18) On the wireless channel side of things. Would it make sense to do a quick scan from my phone and then choose a less used channel? Again, I'm looking for a best practice and a robust way forward. Any advise or pointers to perhaps a step-by-step guide would be great.

Many thanks for your thoughts on this. A small dedicated stand looks like a better solution.

Hi All, I'm looking around for some robust clamp type brackets that will attached to a K&M type boom stand that will be suitable for a Hot Spot or a Behringer B205D type speaker. Can anyone point me in the right direction on this? Many thanks. Dan