DJing

[Bowlen]

So on the weekend whilst I was drunk at Air Nightclub, I started to watch the DJ busting out his crazy skizills and thought to myself "I can do that!". I download a purely digital virtual DJ program last night and actually did really well mixing songs together.

Just wondering if anyone here does it at all and whether they can recommend gear/software to get going?
The guys I watched on Sat night weren't using a computer (just ext hdd to the deck), but I have seen others linking up to software on their laptops.

Essentially, I just want to get as much info as I can as this might very well be my new hobby (behind riding of course).

[Thirsty]

Traktor Scratch Pro 2 is the bomb (Original Traktor Scratch Pro is great too - still use it cos untill i reformat my laptop my scratch 2 keeps crashing at start up... done fresh install, downloaded updates.... issue with my laptop)

Ive got some decks Im think of selling. Got 2 sets actually both with mixers, ones pretty basic denon setup, but still has some usefull effects on the decks for playing off cd's. Only looking at $400 for that pack, 2 Denon DN-S1000 cd-j's and a Denon DN-X100 2 ch mixer. Sadly no Usb input into those decks, but hook into a traktor scratch setup fine so you can play ll your mp-3s from your lappy. Does read Mp-3 Cds i think if just running in cd mode.

My other set of decks are Denon DN-S3700's which are a fantastic deck - only 2 years old (mostly home bedroom use - only 2 partys), take cd's, usb, or even plug in an iPod (only the old classics, an nano's etc, doesnt recognise iPhones or Ipod Touch ) But cos Traktor is so brilliant, it lets me be lazy, i just run these decks thru traktor as well.
Mixer is Denon DN-X1500 4 ch mixer. Id have to think about what I want for them.
Also have a Denon DN-HS 5500 which is 2 decks in 1 - has seperate line outs for each layer/deck. Mine has the 250gb Hdd installed, so no Cd Player. Usb input and midi etc. Amazing bit of kit, but I just dont use it since getting a pair of 3700's

Older school software is Serato Scratch. Not bad, fairly meat and potatoes compared to Traktor which does sooo much.

Traktor features
Run all your mp3's and apparently synched Itunes collection from your computer thru your decks via timecode
Does the Beat Matching for you - but not always foolproof
Has around 30 effects to mix with your mix.
Can record your mix.

Serato
Plays your Mp3's off your computer via timecode
Doesnt beatmatch for you
No effects

In the clubs, Dj standard was the Pioneer CDj1000's, but they never had usb support, so if they were running usb hard drive then they were probably using the newer and far better CDj900 or real swanky CDj2000. Pioneer have been the DJ standard, only cos like a commodore every arsehole has one.
Denon are bloody good gear, just local marketing is non existant.

DJ Factory in James st Northbridge (about inline with the back of Metro's, other side of the street, west a touch more) are only local place still selling Denon as yeah, Local supplier just dont market or promote their products here.

[Maxo]

I download a purely digital virtual DJ program last night and actually did really well mixing songs together.

I'm just wondering if there are purist/snobby DJ's out their that are spitting chips over this comment

There are plenty of DJ's on psb that will probably be able to design you a loggo for free offer much better advice than me.

[Bowlen]

Hmm interesting, so this Traktor software is used on laptop (obviously) then you get the decks and the mixer as well?

[devolved]

Bring back vinyl.

[Bowlen]

This looks pretty mint. Seems to come with everything you need??

[Teedo]

Traktor features
Run all your mp3's and apparently synched Itunes collection from your computer thru your decks via timecode
Does the Beat Matching for you - but not always foolproof
Has around 30 effects to mix with your mix.
Can record your mix.

Since when can Traktor beatmatch for you?
Or do you mean it can detect the bpm?

[Goofy]

All you digital dj's are gonna be sorry you didn't learn how to play vinyl when the EMP hits and your sync button stops working.

That NI controller will do you well. Most stuff is digital these days, Vinyl is all but dead, CD/DVD is going the same way. You can still use a setup like Thirstys DNS-1000s with time code CDs ant Traktor if you don't want to outlay big money straight up. Traktor is much better than Virtual DJ. Please learn to beatmatch and phase correctly. Stay off the flanger. Keep out of the red. Learn to play for the crowd and not just yourself. Take requests where you can, unless it's for a David Guetta or Black eyed Peas song.

[Teedo]

Go with CDJ's and Traktor, Thats the way !
Ignore the vinyl lovers, They are just old skool lovers and won't accept the new digital and better change.

[Petrov]

I'm not a massive fan of DJ's relying on their laptops these days.

I reckon you should use Vinyl's/Cd's or run a song from HD onto a system where you it plays it on your decks so you still have to physically mix and beat match.

Simple effects are much better than a lot of this computerised stuff.

But, who am I to say, I stick to house parties, wedding's, engagements etc these days...

Teedo - can't wait to set up the new lights with my lasers, should look sweet

[Teedo]

You need to look at good DJ's like Miles Dyson and Far Too Loud.....Unless you just want to play for the masses at festivals etc and just hit play.

[Thirsty]

Hmm interesting, so this Traktor software is used on laptop (obviously) then you get the decks and the mixer as well?

Yeh it has an midi audio card you plug your decks into, then from the card to the mixer. All you run thru the CDJ or a turn table is a timecode signal track. it goes thru the midi audio card, registers with the software, and plays your track, you scratch and the software picks up the difference in the timecode signal, giving the scratch in real time to your track.

Since when can Traktor beatmatch for you?
Or do you mean it can detect the bpm?

Ever since it had a sync button. select 1 track as master, hit sync on the other and away you go. Not fool proof, but you can alter the beat markers if need be.

My favourite effect in traktor is Beatslicer, dry/wet on full, buzz set to 4.00 (so needle points horizontal left) and 2 bars button selected, gives a nice buzz/stutter, then you can push the go button and fade out the dry/wet to blend it back to the track if you got carried away, or run drywet at half to keep looping 2 stuttered bars in the background of the track, turn buzz down to zero ond it gives you perfect 2 bar loop, more buzz, more it chops, the other 2 knob settings in this effect are a little to radcal, suit more dubstep etc.

This looks pretty mint. Seems to come with everything you need??

Damn.. let you in on too much.... yeah if i get rid of all my gear Im looking at an S4. All i need these days.

Goofy Whats EMP (electronic music protection?) probably only affect downloaded content. I actually am in the stoneage... as i only have mobile wireless internet which is a bit slow... so I buy the majority of my music on CD. Have a nice old program backed up, to rip at 192khz to mp3. Fark iTunes!!!!

[Goofy]

Electro Magnetic Pulse...

[Bowlen]

That S2 looks pretty good - from what I can see, I can't personally justify the extra $$ for the S4 but then again I am completely green.

[Kickass Koolridge]

I'm just wondering if there are purist/snobby DJ's out their that are spitting chips over this comment

^Well... maybe just a few chips at the moment, Max. Basically because this. v

All you digital dj's are gonna be sorry you didn't learn how to play vinyl when the EMP hits and your sync button stops working.

:arms:

[Thirsty]

That S2 looks pretty good - from what I can see, I can't personally justify the extra $$ for the S4 but then again I am completely green.

S4 adds 2 sample decks (samples are good fun at times) The ability to create live samples, then morph them with effects on the fly is quite impressive.
Dunno if the effects or transport section are as comprehensive on the S2 (or existant)

I do like to still have 4 decks connected tho - well i use 2 real and 2 virtual decks, lets me pre load more music to cue stuff up in less of a hurry... ie only 2 decks - waiting for 1 track to end especially if you were mixing it, before selecting and cueing your next track, but with 4 decks, usually atleast 1 deck not doing fark all to do the job in the background in no rush.

Really i could use 4 virtual decks, the Kontrol X1's give more than enough function the only thing you want a real deck for is scratching, but i aint no scratcher.

Okay limited time only for PSB (must pick up by Tuesdsay night or firm dibs for FIFO peeps as I work away too)
2x Denon DN-S1000 cd players, and 1x Denon DN-X100 2 channel mixer plus a nice UDG DJ bag with big Denon DJ logo embroided for it all to pack in (special model bag for this kit - unzip the top, plug in the power and line out to your soundsytem and BAM insta-tunes)
$300. Has Manual for decks. I should be able to sort out a set of RCA's to get it all connected, pretty sure theres already a set packed in the DJ Bag.
1 problem only - The line input selector knob is snapped off the left channel on the mixer. No biggie. You can still plug a deck in and it works.... even though its a 2 ch mixer, you can plug 4 things into this mixer, select 2 at a time with the line selct. So so say you run the 2 decks 1 each side, if you wanted to have an ipod plugged in through the mixer you can do that too, but could only use the right side to flip between the right deck or iPod, as the left line selctor lever is gone on the left side. Mind you a small self tapping screw into whats left of the switch would make it usable. I tried to replace it but denon couldnt supply the switch, just the lever. As I said, will work fine 2 decks no issues, just if you wanted to

And no Im not selling me traktor setup at this stage. Should be easily got on fleabay.

[Goofy]

FARK that's cheap.

[Shady7/8]

damn.... that's cheap.


Ps I think Chewie is selling some decks too.

My head started to hurt upon entry to this thread, but thankfully it was saved by some real DJs (read - not Traktor Pros...)