Looks like I will need to put the laptop I was using to DJ with to backup duty.

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MIXMASTERMACHOM

DJ Extraordinaire
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Oct 16, 2011
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I thought I had an issue with the controller when I did my GFs birthday celebration. I went to play music and couldn't get any sound. The wireless mics worked just fine. Had to find out the Lenovo ThinkPad I was using wouldn't work with the controller. Kept messing with it till it worked. My partner thinks it's a really old laptop and that was the issue. I haven't hooked it up after that to see if that's the issue.

When I bought it used I paid $45. I had to get it fixed once. The power cord wouldn't stay in. I got that fixed. My guess is I've used it for over 5 years so I've got more than my monies worth out of it. Looks like I will be retiring it to backup duty. I will see. So for me spending less than $200 to keep it working isn't that bad.
 
It doesn't matter if your computer is old. You are using an older controller as well.
I believe you are a VDJ user? To use the Denon MC6000 make sure you are using the older 2020 version of VDJ, and that your sound card settings are correct. The Denon controller would still prefer an ASIO driver.

The newest versions of VDJ prefer WASAPI sound drivers, but your controller may not function wit those. So, install both ASIO and WASAPI drivers, and try them each by selecting them in the VDJ sound settings.

The trick to using old computers and hardware - is to stay with the most stable and supported version of VDJ distributed for that machine, at that time. So, if I want to run VDJ on Wndows Vista - I need the older version of VDJ that was produced for that OS and sound drivers consistent with the configuration of VDJ and the hardware of that same time period.

I have several computers that I can use. Some are older Vista or Win7, or WIN10 and WIN11. Each is loaded with the correct version of software for that time and automatic updates are turned off. I also have to match the PC with a compatible controller. For example, WIN7 with a Denon MC6000 and Win10 or Win11 with a Roland 707M
 
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Myself I keep using I believe either VDJ 7 or 8. No upgrades at all. That's because I don't see the big difference updating to the latest version of VDJ.
 
Myself I keep using I believe either VDJ 7 or 8. No upgrades at all. That's because I don't see the big difference updating to the latest version of VDJ.
Might reread Pros post. You didn't get it!
The man is trying to help you Machoman.
 
I did an event this past Friday for the seniors in Montclair for their once a month birthday celebration. The laptop worked like a charm. I had no issues at all with it. I killed it at that event. I got a gratuity and I won the raffle. I had a great time. The funny thing was with the wireless mic system. I hooked up the system and didn't know why the mic wouldn't work. On the controller there are 2 mic buttons that you have to push the button to get the mics to work. This time I only had one of them turned on. I had to turn the other button on to get them to work. I used just one of the wireless mics the whole time.

One thing I noticed with the Denon DN MC 6000 controller that up top are 8 effects buttons that have to be turned off to get to hear the music. The sad part is those buttons don't light up very well to tell if the button is on or off.
 
Read your manual Mixxy.
The buttons are for mute to turn the mics
On and off.
The dials are for volume .
How many DM MC 6000 have you owned?
 
Mixx, do you ever set this stuff up at home and practice to learn how everything works?

I'm an A1 and even I take the time to run my DJ controllers and software through the paces to avoid confusion or missed tasks such as updates, drivers, and compatibility. There's no time to do this on site at most gigs. Be the expert BEFORE you leave home.
 
Mixx, do you ever set this stuff up at home and practice to learn how everything works?

I'm an A1 and even I take the time to run my DJ controllers and software through the paces to avoid confusion or missed tasks such as updates, drivers, and compatibility. There's no time to do this on site at most gigs. Be the expert BEFORE you leave home.
Sometimes.
 
Mixx, do you ever set this stuff up at home and practice to learn how everything works?

I'm an A1 and even I take the time to run my DJ controllers and software through the paces to avoid confusion or missed tasks such as updates, drivers, and compatibility. There's no time to do this on site at most gigs. Be the expert BEFORE you leave home.
You must have missed the stove top mixer pic? Mixxy was mashing it up.
 
Sometimes.
Sometimes before or after you have issues?

It matters a great deal that you test your setup BEFORE you leave the house.

I just did a gig this weekend with a computer loaded with Serato, The computer's OS was Win7 and I had installed an older version of Serato for Win7 which was ideal for use with a Denon MC6000. I chose Serato because it was the only DJ software among 4 that I use which could import all 100 of the various format client files without additional intervention or conversion (a time saver.)

I chose to load all the client provided music on the PC the day before and connect the entire system for a pre-check, This was very fortunate because instead of the Denon I had pulled a Roland 404M which prompted a system notification to upgrade to the latest version of Serato. It was not clear if the two would function properly after upgrading the version of Serato. Because it was a whole day ahead I decided to try it out.

Had I waited to do this at the gig - I would have been caught off guard and been dependent on WiFi availability at the venue. This would have intruded on my setup time, added to my stress, and put me at risk for any issues that resulted. Furthermore, had it not worked - I'd have been stuck with a controller I couldn't use, or a software that wouldn't operate reliably.

At the event everything worked well and without issue because I had taken the time to review and verify my chosen setup. In addition, when I noticed an occasional latency skip in the visual waveforms (acoustically not noticeable) - I knew immediately that it was likely due to the mismatch of an older computer with the newest version of Serato.

The benefits of this example:
  • I went to the gig with a system that was verified working.
  • I'm better mindful why the Win7 PC needs a legacy version of Serato to be used ONLY with an older controller.
  • That particular PC now bares a label clearly indicating it is configured specifically for use with older controllers. :)
 
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Since that episode I haven't had another issue with that laptop. I just used it on Friday and it worked like it was supposed to.