I do live gigs with just my laptop and the PGMusic USB drive attached to the back of the screen with hook and loop fastener tape.

I use the Earphone Jack as Line Out, with the appropriate Y adaptor cord, direct to the amplification system. Sounds great.

For playback purposes at the live gig, today's laptops have very good audio quality using the built in sound device. Just make sure to turn the software mixer playback faders up all the way and adjust volume using the physical knob on the PA or other amplification system and you should enjoy great live sound that way.

As for rackmount: I find that it is best to K.I.S.S.

We have enough weight to carry already, we have enough things to keep track of on the gig, the modern laptop represents a great all-in-one solution, no extra monitor, keyboard, mouse and whatever else to worry about, plus the things were not really designed for constant connect/unconnect etc. And you'll save $$.


--Mac