DJing with Laptop (Traktor)

[paan]

Oi

Got a question about djing dubstep wth a laptop.
I know its not the same as vinyl, but i aint got no money and
I really want to put some dirty bass out there!
Working on a bad ass set with Traktor Pro software.
Anyone got an idea how to put my master-output without having quality loss?
Plugged my laptop on my soundsystem, but i get some static and you can hear the laptop working. Any ideas?
Do i really need a 200€ soundcard for this?
Seen a lot of minimal-djs in berlin djing with their fancy macbooks, so it gotta work, no?

Greets
paan

[dj vision]

plug into a dj mixer directly from your audio out on your computer. it should work fine

what kind of laptop do you have?

you will probably need an external soundcard if you wanna use headphones.

[paan]

Well, thats what i did.
I plugged the master with a normal stereo plug to stereo chinch into
my mixer that goes into my amp. Still hearing the laptop work.
I got a HP pavillion (3 to 4 years old) and already got a 20€ external soundcard for my headphones (works fine).
When i turn down the volume at the amp i cant hear it, but then the music is not loud enough...

[dj vision]

i dunno, turn the volume on your computer all the way up, and turn the gain on the mixer up

also, try using your external soundcard for the main audio output, and the computer's socket for the headphones

[paan]

Gonna try that as soon as i have time today. thx
But just in general: a normal laptop soundcard should be enough to rock a nice soundsystem ?

[nilone]

Gonna try that as soon as i have time today. thx
But just in general: a normal laptop soundcard should be enough to rock a nice soundsystem ?

Nah man. Well... you can, but i wouldn't recommend it. most laptop 'stock' soundcards are wank and only used for general headphone use.

Get yourself a dedicated DJ soundcard, i know native instruments make one. Or even better get a midi controller/audio interface combo like this one - http://www.dv247.com/invt/38160/

Im a vinyl dj but had to downsize recently, and i'm pleasantly surprised with my results using this beast. Def a contender to vinyl

I agree with Depone on this, the sound cards you get as standard pick up all sorts of interference which you don't really notice until you amplify the signal any more than you're used to.

I bought a Hercules RMX about a month ago as I wanted something that was a bit more 'DJ specific' than my MBOX and i've got to say it's a hell of a tool... it all depends on your budget though, i know the BCD3000 is the best for how much it costs that's for sure.

E.

[paan]

I see
But dont know if i can spare this money soon.

So the BCD3000 for example:
You connect it with the laptop via USB and then you connect the
device via chinch to your amp. Correct?

[caeraphym]

Presuming you've aquired Traktor somehow already why not invest some of the pennies you've saved on http://www.dv247.com/invt/38321/ and some control vinyl maybe?

[paan]

uff, dont think I will have that kind of money soon.
dont even know if i will buy the cheap BCD3000 for 190€.

thx anyway.

wobbawobba

[esk-l]

I am a traktor (scratch) owner to,
even if you use timecode or an external soundcard you will hear the awfull noise that that you mean if you use a laptop (apple users do not have this problem because a powerchord for a macbook does not have an "earth").
It sounds like a modem making bleeps 'n beeps or like a hum. It's not the computer making the noise, it's the "earth"(I'm not shure if this is the right term in English for what I mean) in your powerchord, you can fix this easily!
1. You just buy a new plug for the powerchord for your laptop without an "earth plug", you cut off the original plug and moant the new one.
2. - You buy a box like this one:
- You open the box with a screwdriver.
- Cut the "earthcable off.
- Close the box.
- place this box between the powerchord from the laptop and your electric source.
- there you go...

Sorry for my crappy English....

[gnome]

I am a traktor (scratch) owner to,
even if you use timecode or an external soundcard you will hear the awfull noise that that you mean if you use a laptop (apple users do not have this problem because a powerchord for a macbook does not have an "earth").
It sounds like a modem making bleeps 'n beeps or like a hum. It's not the computer making the noise, it's the "earth"(I'm not shure if this is the right term in English for what I mean) in your powerchord, you can fix this easily!
1. You just buy a new plug for the powerchord for your laptop without an "earth plug", you cut off the original plug and moant the new one.
2. - You buy a box like this one:
- You open the box with a screwdriver.
- Cut the "earthcable off.
- Close the box.
- place this box between the powerchord from the laptop and your electric source.
- there you go...

Sorry for my crappy English....

Are you being serious? Are you. Because you sound serious. But I still don't understand how you can recomend cutting of an EARTH from a laptop. Will it not fry you?

[DZA]

^

[gnome]

^

Maybe he didnt mean earth. Because he speaks bad English maybe he meant something else

[rbnc]

Earth is only required for things with metal casings that's why on a lot of plastic cased electronic goods the earth pin on the plug is plastic.

[rbnc]

Oh actually it isnt to do with the casing, my bad, dunno why I thought that.

[gnome]

Oh actually it isnt to do with the casing, my bad, dunno why I thought that.

So are you now sayin Earth is required in everything?

[strye]

[Pallms]

Is your laptop plugged in while you're using it? If so, you're most likely hearing the interference from the power. Unplug your laptop and run off the battery and it should go away.