New & Improved Music Box (a.k.a. “Control Tower 2.0”)

In late 2022 I decided to invest some more time and energy into the music playing aspect of the sound system, as up until now I had just been playing from an iPad someone had loaned me, with my siren and delay to add a bit more character. I had some 18v Dewalt (power tool) batteries, and began some research on how to power some devices off of those. It was actually quite easy, and just required a 20€ “bucket” converter to change the voltage from 18-12v. The converter also shows how much current is being drawn, and according to my calculations one battery should last about 5 hours (and I have 3 such batteries, so I will be able to keep a session going for quite a while!). I also found a mixer which would run on a 12v “barrel connector” – the same power plugs I had already installed for my DSP, siren and delay. I got the mixer (RCF F10 XR) used but in great condition, and began to build a wooden enclosure to house the iPad, mixer, FX, battery and converter. After some more bargain hunting I found a used iPad with ample storage which would run Pioneer’s WeDJ program in conjunction with a basic DJ controller (Pioneer DDJ-200). I did some more work on the enclosure with a router to make everything fit nice and snug, got a standard 5v power bank to power the controller & iPad, and added my Korg Monotron Delay to the box for some added flavour!

Update June 2023: I’ve now been running the music box at home in the studio quite a bit, and also at two sessions on April 30th and June 21st, 2023! It’s been holding up well, and a single 18V Dewalt battery (5ah) lasts about 5 hours!