PC DJ
Printed From: Speakerplans.com
Category: Other Chat
Forum Name: Computer Talk
Forum Description: Help and discussion about your manly PC or girly Mac
URL: https://forum.speakerplans.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=24519
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 2:16am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.08 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: PC DJ
Posted By: thoams87
Subject: PC DJ
Date Posted: 02 March 2009 at 4:27pm
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So I want to get back into trying DJ'ing again but dont have space in my room to set up the old decks. Now my previous DJ experience is very limited so I'd still say I'm a total beginer. Looking around for a cheap portable setup that I can use on my bedroom desk or the like, I've decided based on not much other than apperance that either an all in one CD mixer like the Gemini CDM3600 or going down the PC/laptop DJ route and getting a Behriger BCD3000 interface is the way ahead. So do you reckon either of these, expecially the behringer would good choice for what I'm after. If not what? keeping in mind portability is a big issue and my experience level. And if I do go for the laptop Dj thing there aren't any hidden extras required to get the system working right? It does seem like if it does what it says on the tin, DJ'ing with a laptop must be the way ahead. Cheers |
Replies:
Posted By: bwilbee
Date Posted: 02 March 2009 at 6:11pm
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yeah laptop djing is the way forward, especialy if your just starting out but the Behringer is a bit crappy... It works but i've had loads of problems, blue screen of death ect.
I'd look at spending a bit more for something better...
I'd recomend having a play with the various programs out there, Ableton is my weapon of choice as you can do alot more with your sets but theres traktor and virtual dj as well.
All of them work without a hardware controller and then you can figure out which controller is the one for you.
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Posted By: Joe Grime
Date Posted: 02 March 2009 at 6:18pm
| You may need to consider an external sound card if using a laptop, and possibly a ground loop isolator. £80-100 and £10 respectively. |
Posted By: cuivenion
Date Posted: 02 March 2009 at 6:50pm
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I was looking at the gemini as well. I also saw this: http://www.thomann.de/gb/american_audio_ck_1000_mp3.htm ------------- help!!!!!!!!!! |
Posted By: thoams87
Date Posted: 02 March 2009 at 9:28pm
| Had a play around on traktor and it was pretty fun to use actually, auto beatmatching is odd tool to suddently have. I'm pretty set on the PC route, what controllers are worth looking at instead of the behringer? |
Posted By: wafflesomd
Date Posted: 02 March 2009 at 9:44pm
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The berry wont cause BSOD's. The crappy software it comes with will. It will work just fine with Traktor/Virtual DJ/ etc. There's the numark total control. It's ok. Feels rather cheap though. Berry DDM4000 can act as a midi controller. That's what I use. |
Posted By: bwilbee
Date Posted: 02 March 2009 at 10:40pm
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Depends how much you wana spend tbh, if your skint then the Behringer is very cheap and comes with a built in soundcard but you have to do quite a bit of fiddling to make it work right, the Vestax ones look amazing but at a cost and the numark looks like a good compromise but you will need a soundcard as well... Akai are releacing an awsome looking ableton controller if u choose that route.. The other option is to use a 4 channel soundcard and plug it into each channel of a dj mixer and use the laptop to do beatmatching and the mixer as a.. well... mixer
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Posted By: jonminns
Date Posted: 03 March 2009 at 10:18pm
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Depends on what kind of work and therefore what software For mobile djing I use virtual dj with a denon hc-4500 For rare club stuff its ableton but i've not yet found a sensibly priced controller worth using for it |
Posted By: nickyburnell
Date Posted: 03 March 2009 at 10:24pm
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http://wire.ggl.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/technics1210xl.jpg - http://wire.ggl.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/technics1210xl.jpg
------------- It's everything, not everythink! |
Posted By: bwilbee
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 4:41am
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http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/InfoKits/infokit-related-files/caveman3.jpg - caveman3.jpg
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Posted By: nickyburnell
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 2:58pm
Very good
 On a serious note though. Check out what Deja Ibiza (a proper club owner) said about punters/himself getting more from the experience of a DJ activly using CD's or Vinal, rather than another face staring at a laptop. Memories of the likes of Carl Cox almost running up and down three decks, or on an older tip Steve Walsh, et all waving a 12" in the air. The showmanship still counts. DJ'ing is not just picking tracks after all.
Regards
Fred Fintstone ------------- It's everything, not everythink! |
bwilbee wrote:Posted By: djgorey
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 4:50pm
I'm going to sound really old and boring (and I'm sure the vinyl boys did the same when cds came out) but I agree with Nick. If you're going to get a laptop to auto-select and auto-beatmatch and all the rest then there is not much point in being a dj! Also, it looks to the crowd like you're cheating when you're staring at a computer (even if you're not)!
Finally, on a really boring note you'll have to look at a pro-dub licence to legally use a computer for dj-ing at a gig.
I'll just go and get my pipe and slippers and have a lie down.
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Posted By: odc04r
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 5:19pm
Not to derail the topic and start a flamewar but there is more to laptop DJing than this if you can be bothered. I don't do it myself, but perhaps check out the newest CD in the balance series (minimal house stuff) and its mixed on a laptop, but there is always 3 tracks going on at any one time and some interesting 'live' reworks of tunes. Even just messing around with ableton the other day I was able to cut up and mess about with a few tracks in a way that would not be possible with CDs or vinyl. So my conclusion is as long as DJs are pushing the envelope with laptop based DJing, I am quite happy with it. I agree with you if they are just going to beatmatch tune after tune though. Some people said CD decks would never be as good as vinyl too or used by 'proper' DJs too a few years back but they've had to eat their words since, |
Posted By: djgorey
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 6:08pm
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^^ Yeah, I agree with that too and, of course, the same can be said re CDs where some DJs can be very creative whilst others just play DMC (and others) megamixes one after the other. I'm happy to stand corrected!
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Posted By: bwilbee
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 8:59pm
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I've still got my 1210's sat next to me and a lot of moneys worth of black wax behind me, there's nothing like finding that elusive record in a dusty shop or opening a fresh package of those new tunes and sticking them on.... Djing on a laptop is no where near as fun as beatmatching on 1210's and i still do when i'm at home....
Having said that... I spend all my money on speakers and nights are becoming more and more stressful to run when your doing all the promotion + soundsystem. I really can't deal with the extra stress of carrying a bag of records and the pressure of having to beat match spot on. With ableton i know all my songs are gona be as tightly mixed as possible because i've done it before i even start, i can do so much more with the set, an intro designed for that set, remix tunes live on the fly, the set is never the same twice. I can play tunes i've been after for years for alot less than buying the records (if i could find them) would be + the ability to mix literally anything together. I've got it now so i don't even look at the laptop screen, the controller is all i need. Maybe i'm weird but i'd rather go and watch aphex twin hide under a table that watch Tiesto masturbate (metaphorically) on stage, for me its about the music. The end result is what counts, the path you take is irrelevant.
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Posted By: nickyburnell
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 9:38pm
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What about the crowd? The paying punter, Sharon & Rob. The DJ's, "Just playing DMC" may well be giving their paying public what they want, it's too techinical now, nobody f e e l s the crowd. All IMHO. Not trying to drag this debate up again so off to bed with me Horlicks.. ------------- It's everything, not everythink! |
Posted By: bwilbee
Date Posted: 04 March 2009 at 10:16pm
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Sharon and Rob don't get in any more. Sharon kept requesting trance and Rob keeps trying to kiss men.
yeah i've had my rant but personally i find i can follow the crowd better with a laptop set, if somethings not going down well within 4 bars i got something in that gets them going again. Each to their own.
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Posted By: nickyburnell
Date Posted: 05 March 2009 at 9:36am
Good stuff then. I think you may be the exception to the rule. Check out how many pictures there are on this forum of empty dance floors/spaces with a big system and a laptop. Seriously, really glad that someone using modern kit actually has the balls to say, "Get's them going", rather than, "No requests", or "It's not what I play".
 Back to me cave now. ------------- It's everything, not everythink! |
Posted By: thoams87
Date Posted: 10 March 2009 at 4:43pm
| After some more time I've decided on the BCD3000 controler (or getting a new hi-fi for the van), I'm not at the standard where I need put on a show for any crowd and since it just for bedroom practice I reckon its the best option. Compared to turntables, and this is using trakor with just a mouse, I've been having a lot more fun. I prefer having time to add effects or loops mid song than just concentrateing on good beatmatching, and I know this is all possible on decks to, its just not at my level plus it more expensive. |
Posted By: mrchay
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 12:42pm
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you guys are all quite roots with your music.. you should see electric ballroom every friday night, dj's playing from what you would consider an absolutely miserable laptop / flightcased cd player setups, but responding to the crowd, jumping and dancing and putting on quite a show themselves hell, one of the dj's bungs a tune on, then runs down from the booth to do some serious dancing with proper aggro backflips and wall jumps, then runs back up to mix in next tune.. it really is the music that counts. |
Posted By: rich, ind.st
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 2:30pm
amen to that... ------------- music is god |
Posted By: cravings
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 2:36pm
| aphex had guys pulling faces with him last year as his show. |
Posted By: shadow1
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 8:24pm
| Me too thinks it's the music that counts. One friend of mine who's had sound system for years ( i'm talking about 16 scoops & the like) Technics turntables, you get my drift ? Now he uses a laptop & Mackie active speakers & he still gets good well paid bookings & most importantly he still rocks the crowd. |
Posted By: COZY PILLOW
Date Posted: 17 March 2009 at 9:52pm
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There is a program called ROXBOX and it is designed for Karoake hosting, It is a superb program and uses winamp and a plugin that can control the speed of CDG'S & MP3's without altering the pitch/key etc. Theres been some recent tests done on MP3's with a bit rate of 320 instead of I tunes 140 bit rates and they are reputedly better than CD or Vynal? Also Citronic have brought out a 19" rack DJ mixer with Usb facility. If you are interested in any prices let me know. I can supply quite a lot of stuff at good prices. I am Vat registered etc.
CP
 ------------- COZY |