This isn't much of a problem any more because all generic DC adapters are designed to work with audio equipment (like portable CD players) these days. It's really just a few more cents of electronics for low amperage adapters.Bob the Builder wrote:You also just have to be an aware of the problems the lights with transformer plugs can create if it’s on the same circuit as the audio gear.
DC adapters for laptops on the other hand have caused lots of problems. I guess since they put out a lot more juice and aren't intended for audio environments, the manufacturers save a few cents and let their adapters send buzz down the power lines. I've found that generally any laptop DC adapter that has a ground plug has been a noise source. I now keep three prong adapter in my bag for whenever a DJ shows up with a laptop that needs to have its ground isolated.
Another handy thing to have is a short cable with alligator clips. Some old school DJ's show up with turntables that need to be grounded. This is usually just a thin wire that was really intended to be permanently connected to a sound system with a screw terminal. Since they weren't intended to be disconnected every week, they tend to wear out and fall off or even worse, randomly inject hum and buzz into the sound if the connection is loose. The alligator clips make it easy to make a solid ground connection. If I had a turntable that got moved every week, I'd have an alligator clip on that ground wire all the time.
I don't really DJ that much but I'm responsible for getting our sound equipment to work with whatever wacky equipment a DJ may show up with. I'm building a pretty large collection of cables and connectors to carry around!
