Using a notebook in a concert

[joaomadeira]

I really need help!

I have some sound effects I need to play during a concert with my band, and they are all in my notebook. Also, I have a keyboard software I use to simulate a keyboard. But I don't know how to amplify the sound from the notebook so that the crowd can hear! It has to be really loud, we will play for 500 people. How can I do it?

My notebook does not have a line out, only headphones and mic in jacks. I thought I could use a 3.5mm-1/4" TSR cable from the headphones input to the mixer, but I imagined the volume would be too low. Would there be risk in doing that?
Alternatively, could I use a 3.5mm-1/4" TSR cable to connect the notebook to a Direct Box (I'm buying a Behringer DI8000) and from that to the mixer? i'm figuring it would amplify the signal, but would there be no risk of damaging the computer?

If anyone knows any of this, please help! If you have another solution, please let me know!

Thanks,

John

 

[Guest]

Try the headphone socket -- keep levels down as the output could exceed line-in norms. Background noise may not be ideal -- but worth a shot.

 

[joaomadeira]

So I can't use the notebook to reach a higher volume? For instance, I can't keep the headphone volume low and use a 200wrms speaker?

 

[joaomadeira]

So I can't use the notebook to reach a higher volume? For instance, I can't keep the headphone volume low and use a 200wrms speaker?

 

[cjl]

What the suggestion meant was to keep the notebook volume down (in the notebook settings) - you can then run it as high as you want via the external amplifier.