Thinking about going Computer DJ??

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DJ Gray

New DJ
Oct 25, 2006
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I have been thinking about switching from CD based DJ'ing to computer based. I have a good laptop or I could purchase another, and I have a 250 gig external hard drive.

What additional equipment including software do I need to be able play my music through my mixer including any additional software to be able to mix the music before sending to the my mixer (filters,equalizing, tone, altering beginning and end of source material)?

I'm looking at this as an additional option to my CD's and the Numark HDCD1 I currently have as part of my system.

I know there are various Software programs out there, which one would you recommend? As for equipment necessary to interface with my mixer, what would be necessary? Which is the best Sound Card to use?

Any help would be greatly appreciated............
 
Software:

Bryan Durio will say OTS. I'll say Virtual DJ. Rick will suggest his product. Somebody else will say PCDJ.

Honestly, it will be what works for you. I do video, DJing, and karaoke and VDJ works for me. But, now that OTS offers this, I am not opposed to giving it a look again.

If you are looking for a stable program to just DJ with, talk to SoftJock Rick and keep it in the family.

Hardware:
I have been thinking about switching from CD based DJ'ing to computer based. I have a good laptop or I could purchase another, and I have a 250 gig external hard drive.
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Honestly, I'd consider a rack mount computer over a laptop. I think they handle the software and sound better. For example, the DJ for a wedding I recently attended was using OTS on a laptop. OTS was too powerful for the laptop and every time she did a search or a load of a new song there would be an audible break in the music.

A 250 Gb drive should be sufficient to get started but I'd look bigger for the future.

As to sound cards, I use a Rane MP4 but maybe a Gigaport would be more suitable for you.

As I said, talk to Rick and keep it in the family.
 
Understanding what a digital media file is, how it can be manipulated, tweaked, or destroyed, and getting a clear understanding of the technology in total FIRST, will eventually lead you to the subsequent choices of software and hardware.

The fear factors in software and hardware choices evolves primarily from the lack of technology knowledge. Style of DJing will impact software and hardware choices.

Software and hardware are final considerations, not launching points.
 
I have a rack pc...It's virtually indestructible (I've had it fall of my cart).....It's in it's own 4u case/

Rock solid (2 drives in a Raid 0? array)...if one drive fails, the other kicks in....I use a Creative Labs Xfi card; the sound output is very nice. With VDJ I can slit the decks with the 1 card.

Down side: heavy and cumbersome. I had this in my main gig case...it made the case way too heavy. The PC weighs 50lbs. Alos therre are additional hookups for the monitor, keyboard, etc.

I'm thinking seriously on a laptop. Now they are robust, offer lots of storage and for audio only, will run with no issues.Would be nice to drop the 50 lbs.....

You should have at least 2 or 3 xternal drives as they tend to be more suseptible to fail;ure than onboard drives....

Soundcards run the gamut. The gagport is the tried and true choice. There is the M audio fasttrack pro.....or could even run 2 Turtle Beach audio advantage Micro's...At $30 apiece; they sound very good....
 
Jim...

...I sent you a PM about this. Don't jump into an expensive program till you read it and/or call me.
 
I sent you PM also....At this point I'm only thinking about it, afterall I have all my music (about 8,000 titles), on my Numark HDCD 1. So it's not imperative I do this....the reason for looking into it is the speed of a laptop...VS. My Numark Hard Drive Player. the Numark is a little slow, compared to my laptop running "Musicmatch".............
 
DJ Gray I know where Tyrone is going and it works great. But I would suggest that you try this http://www.jrmediacenter.com It has a free demo and I have used it to DJ with MP3's quite a few times. If you start looking at this software as also the one Tyrone will tell you about.

This program has all the stuff you need. And its only 35 dollars, I only suggest it if your using MP3 the fades are perfect. Its just a suggestion. I personally use OTSAV since they came out with the upgrade and new price. I also have VDJ 5 and depending on how you wish to DJ will depend on what program you should use.
 
DJ Grey. I just went the computer route myself. It all depends on your style of DJing also. I use Rane Serato because it fits the way I spin. I like Ricks software also. It straight and to the point. My software came with a sound box, but I think a Gigaport would work for you as well.
 
thatmusicguy said:
Gray - For 99 bucks...Rock-it will do a great job......Forget that Rick is a sponsor and regular contributor....affordable, full-featured and guaranteed support!!!
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If I were to do it............. I have at least checked his software screens as they appear on the site and I can guarantee that if I did buy additional software I would buy it from Rick............At this time the main thing I am looking for is speed and the ability to mix selections before playing, you know cut the treble or Bass shorten the song...etc.......
 
Mr. Grey, add me to your list of calls. I can help point you in the right direction, and show the pros and cons to the systems you wish to use.

As someone who has helped build CPS systems for various members in the DJ & VJ community, I can fill in any learning gaps you are having.

I like the idea of being resourceful and recycling, if your laptop has certain criteria it may do well with some DJ software, of course a rackmount may be a good way to go, but would it be practical? Not in all situations in my opinion.
 
Thanks for all the help, at this time I am going to be using my Numark HDCD 1 for a couple of gigs in the next week. I have cleaned up the ID 3 Tags for the 3rd time, trying to streamline access, to make it faster..... we will see. If not then I will be talking to you all.....before doing anything.........
Thanks Again...............
 
...can guarantee that if I did buy additional software I would buy it from Rick
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I accept MC, Visa and BD (Beer Deliveries) :sqbiggrin:

Of course, it has to be decent beer, to get decent support :sqlaugh:
 
SoftJock Rick said:
I accept MC, Visa and BD (Beer Deliveries) :sqbiggrin:

Of course, it has to be decent beer, to get decent support :sqlaugh:
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I don't drink a lot of beer when I have all these great California wines an hour away.......when I do indulge in Beer I prefer the dark ale's.........

Not sure if and when I'll be doing something...I'm not having the speed I wanted with the HDCD 1, but that could have something to do with the size of the hard drive or my ID 3 Tags.......I would prefer staying with this since I've already paid for it........But You never know ??
 
Gray,
Trust me your going to enjoy the computer a lot, just remember one very important word BACKUP :D:D:D:D:D
 
DJ SVO said:
Gray,
Trust me your going to enjoy the computer a lot, just remember one very important word BACKUP :D:D:D:D:D
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Oh Yes....I have two backups actually 3 My Seagate 250 HD, my HDCD1, and my desktop unit along with my Laptop. It's a lot of work keeping them all backed-up but I get it done............
 
Off the subject of affordability.....

I'm working on a system for a club right now.....check this out.


Rane Serato Scratch Live with soon-to-come video plugin
pair of technic turntables
Mac Powerbook and 3 Terabytes of hard drive space
Numark AVM02 Mixer

Existing Edirol V4 mixer too.....

just need a dual rackmount CD player for backup....

7 grand. Yep.....wish it was mine, but not.

YouTube - Serato Scratch Live Does Video!

club will have a matrix switcher sending video to 4 areas. 8 in, 8 out vga plus audio.
2 LCD projectors
eventually about a dozen LCD's.
LED lighting almost exclusively.
I'm working with about 35 grand in parts.
 
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