bob6397
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bob6397
ParticipantI would add that it would be a good idea to backup your entire collection (including DJ Software database!) before you start anything if you haven’t already.. I may be too late though.. 😉
bob6397
ParticipantEveryone has their own system – here’s what works for me.
I use iTunes, which is my main library management software. I import tracks into iTunes first when I get them (or buy them through iTunes). iTunes stores my whole collection and organises it for me – it stores it in folders by artist, then album. (EG. Adele’s 21 Album has the file path “M:/Music/Adele/21”)
That means that I don’t have to do all that manually.. I don’t use Mixed In Key/Platinum Notes personally.
I then organise all my music by genre/bpm by putting everything into playlists (making sure the ID3 tags are correct – mainly changing genre as I go and inputting bpm. My DJ software (Virtual DJ) then reads the iTunes library and I copy the folders over into VDJ as I then have greater flexibility (VDJ cannot edit iTunes playlists) over what is in each folder…
Then i head out to play 🙂
bob6397
ParticipantWhat size were you using before and what size have you moved to?
And are you on windows or mac? (Different ways to format depending on which).. 🙂
bob6397
ParticipantI would agree.. or motorised controller.. (Numark V7/NS7/Denon SC3900…)
bob6397
ParticipantQuicknight: He does have gain controls.. Just not on the hardware.
DJ Akash: Set up VDJ to use the autogain, with “auto + remember”, then the first time you load a track it will apply auto gain (make sure that the “gainsliderincludesautogain” option is set to “no” – makes it easier to see how much gain it has applied to your track and therefore how much you can alter it.. 🙂
ParticipantBy “hardware controller” I simply meant any controller out there at the moment – from the (Sticking with tablets) Numark iDJ to the (Laptop based) Numark NS7 to the Traktor S8 to the (Laptopless) Pioneer XDJ-RX/XDJ 1000 to the (Old fashioned) CDJs..
Basically any of them (even one of these would be easier to scratch on than a tablet lol) 🙂
bob6397
ParticipantI have mine set to 60-170. Yes there is some overlap (IE 120 bpm tracks can be counted as if they were 60) but I play from 70-160 as min/max values.. So this lets me have everything set so that I can see if something is slightly out of range..
I do the same as Vintage though – check every analysis and double/half the ones that it counts wrong.. and re-config the beat map fairly often so that it is on beat 1 when it says it is as well.. 🙂
bob6397
ParticipantFrom the pictures, I’m guessing that it is aimed at tablet DJ’s who want some physical control without buying a huge bit of hardware (the exception being the Traktor Z1..).. I would therefore guess that the majority of people who use one will not be scratching a lot – who would scratch by choice on an tablet when you can get hardware controllers that are much more accurate and easy to use??
bob6397
ParticipantDo you mean that you don’t have gain control for the tracks from your Mac or that you don’t have gain control for the mic channel?
If you don’t have it for the tracks, you should be alright (though it isn’t ideal) – the autogain in your DJ software should take care of the gain for you and your track prep should sport any errors it may have (VDJ notably sturggles with older music which isn’t mastered in the same way that music nowadays is.. It applies far too much gain to them (partly also due to the emphasis in the mix – tracks nowadays also have more bass than older tracks..)
If you haven’t got it on the mic, check again that the control isn’t hidden on the back of the controller or somewhere (As this would be odd) but, again, you should be fine..
bob6397
ParticipantSlight correction Vintage.. The Bass is active and therefore outputs at line level, which means that you can plug it straight into the mixer. The Acoustic is passive, so that would either need a DI box or a mixer with one built in (Yamaha AG series?)…
Effects are useful but only if you have a sound engineer to operate them live – it is near impossible to perform and mix yourself live and sound decent. When I mix for people, I use a (pair of for bigger concerts) Yamaha MG166CX console – and I will use the built in reverb effects etc. just to add some more into the mix – adding reverb to vocals transforms them when applied right..
BUT it is not necessary or even expected from a musician performing on their own.. So I wouldn’t bother in this case.. 🙂
bob6397
ParticipantAt this sort of a price range I would consider the SoundMagic E10S – my brother uses them and loves them – and they sound pretty decent. I personally use Beyerdynamic DTX101iE’s (now replaced by the 102) which are awesome if your budget can strech enough… Never heard of the MEE Electronics ones though so unless they get really good reviews then I wouldn’t get them over the other ones I mentioned.. 🙂
bob6397
ParticipantMy choice for this week:
Taken a liking to this new pop track from Rixton – not yet released in the UK yet but I reckon it will hit the charts pretty high when it does. Happy feeling pop track that is a bit different from the constant stream of bigs synths etc. from Avicii/David Guetta/Pitbull/Calvin Harris etc.. (Don’t get me wrong, I like them, but it is possible to have to much of something..)
Track: We All Want The Same Thing
Artist: Rixton
Genre: PopThanks again to D-Jam for setting this up 🙂
bob6397
ParticipantAs far as I know there is no way of transferring beat-grid information between different bits of DJ software.. and the time it therefore takes is the only major downside to Digital DJing (or would you rather burn CDs or – even worse – have to pack crates of vinyl every time you had a gig?)
Is there not a way to just make Traktor/Serato to read thee tags that MIK applies and not re-analyse the bpm itself?
bob6397
June 2, 2015 at 2:19 am in reply to: Looking for controllers that spin or have spinning visual on deck to scratch #2204321ParticipantWell the Numark NS7 springs straight to mind – motorised vinyl platters, sample pads included.. Disadvantages include massive weight (especially when flightcase mounted – as you would with a £1000 controller).
Other than that, I think that higher-end Pioneer controllers give you an indication of the platter rotating (on an LCD in the centre of the jog) and probably a few other brands that I have forgotten..
In terms of software, what we do here is encourage you to pick software before controller – not pick software because certain hardware works with it. Nowadays, I would only recommend Traktor hardware to work with Traktor as they are closely designed together and offer the best support, but their latest controller (the S8) doesn’t even include jogs.. so possibly not up your street unless you want a full-on DVS (Digital Vinyl System) setup – that’ll cost quite a lot to setup and will also have high running costs though so make sure it is for you if go for it.
Pick your software.. download software demos, go with the software that works best for you.. Then we will give you more advice on what hardware.. 🙂
bob6397
ParticipantI don’t think I have seen someone play guitar and DJ simultaneously before but if that’s what you wanna do, go for it.
I use a mixer every time I DJ (I don’t use a controller and just have a soundcard) – I use a Yamaha MG10 (v3).
What I would recommend in these circumstances would be a small PA mixer – ideally one with a mic input, a guitar input and a stereo input (from the controller).
Have you seen the Yamaha AG10? Strikes me that it could be perfect for you – although you wouldn’t need the onboard soundcard – Is your B Gtr active or passive? If it is passive do you use a DI box or do you want that built into a mixer? That’ll decide what kind of specific features you want.
If it is active, any mixer that has a line input will be able to connect to it. If it is passive then you either need a DI box or a mixer which supports Guitar (known as Instrument) level inputs. The Yamaha AG series supports this.
Other than that, pick a mixer from a reputable brand. The Yamaha MG series have the advantage of XLR outputs – useful if you are running active speakers but possibly a little unnecessary if you have passive speakers with the amp next to the mixer.. Depends on your setup.
I would consider anything (at the budget end) by Mackie/Yamaha/Allen and Heath (at a push – they are expensive in comparison…)
bob6397
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