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LAPTOP DJ'S ARE FROWNED UPON I KNOW, BUT ID LIKE SOME ADVICE
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:06 pm
by SPOONZ
i just started getting bookings to play shows and i didnt really have the cash to go out n buy a cdj setup or a traditional deck setup so i got myself a numark total control, did my research, asked around, seemed to get great reviews from everyone i asked.
my problem is now with the software. ive got vdj and numark cue, both seem similar but the actual device set up is slightly different.
id just like some oppinions on which software you lot use and prefer. Im using vdj at the mo as it seems to fit with what i wanna do nicely, but i havnt really got a clue about this side of things, i mainly produce see....
discuss.....
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Re: LAPTOP DJ'S ARE FROWNED UPON I KNOW, BUT ID LIKE SOME ADVICE
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:08 pm
by LordBid
meh they all do the same thing when it boils down to it.
Re: LAPTOP DJ'S ARE FROWNED UPON I KNOW, BUT ID LIKE SOME ADVICE
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:17 pm
by mks
I dunno, laptop DJ's aren't really frowned upon around here. Almost everyone has Serato, even the hip-hop cats are rocking it and scratching with it. I'm one of the few that doesn't have it. Laptop DJ's are actually pretty common these days.
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Re: LAPTOP DJ'S ARE FROWNED UPON I KNOW, BUT ID LIKE SOME ADVICE
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:18 pm
by SPOONZ
i think its first show nerves more than anything, i know its down to what you play, not what you use. but just wanted an idea of whats best really
Re: LAPTOP DJ'S ARE FROWNED UPON I KNOW, BUT ID LIKE SOME ADVICE
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:19 pm
by djake
man laptop dj's arnt frowned upon, its just easy to make fun about them watch porn/playing solitare/checking emails ect....

Re: LAPTOP DJ'S ARE FROWNED UPON I KNOW, BUT ID LIKE SOME ADVICE
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 2:07 pm
by 5-0-what
scrap both and get image-lines dackadance with a good sound card you can use time control cd or lps and it can run as a vsti inside your production software and you can use vst/vsti inside of it when in stand alone mode way easier midi mapping yada yada yada check it out
Re: LAPTOP DJ'S ARE FROWNED UPON I KNOW, BUT ID LIKE SOME ADVICE
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 4:32 pm
by deadnoisesystem
i use ableton live and a m audio trigger finger to mix on the laptop, the only thing you need to watch are your cue points,
Re: LAPTOP DJ'S ARE FROWNED UPON I KNOW, BUT ID LIKE SOME ADVICE
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 4:43 pm
by subprime
I think what's most important is that you really utilize the technology. You need to push the technology and do things that vinyl / serato DJs can't do. If you are not beatmatching that frees up time to do a ton of other things. Some ideas are mashing up tracks live, live remixes (with acapellas), tastefully messing with FX , cuing various one shots. Its really a matter of creativity. As far as getting creative, IMO Ableton Live is by far the most flexible for any midi controller based set. You definitely want to map a midi controller if you don't want the checking email hate. Hope this helps you.
BTW there are tons of successful DJs only using Ableton in their sets. Off the top of my head I know The Glitch Mob, iTAL Tek, Bassnectar and Magnetic Man all use it in various ways. Again its all creativity and pushing the tech.
EDIT: related thread
http://www.dubstepforum.com/dubstep-dj- ... 36799.html
Re: LAPTOP DJ'S ARE FROWNED UPON I KNOW, BUT ID LIKE SOME ADVICE
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 5:00 pm
by deadnoisesystem
subprime wrote:I think what's most important is that you really utilize the technology. You need to push the technology and do things that vinyl / serato DJs can't do. If you are not beatmatching that frees up time to do a ton of other things. Some ideas are mashing up tracks live, live remixes (with acapellas), tastefully messing with FX , cuing various one shots. Its really a matter of creativity. As far as getting creative, IMO Ableton Live is by far the most flexible for any midi controller based set. You definitely want to map a midi controller if you don't want the checking email hate. Hope this helps you.
BTW there are tons of successful DJs only using Ableton in their sets. Off the top of my head I know The Glitch Mob, iTAL Tek, Bassnectar and Magnetic Man all use it in various ways. Again its all creativity and pushing the tech.
EDIT: related thread
http://www.dubstepforum.com/dubstep-dj- ... 36799.html
bang on the money there bruv, if you computer mix you almost have a responsibility to do more.
Re: LAPTOP DJ'S ARE FROWNED UPON I KNOW, BUT ID LIKE SOME ADVICE
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 5:36 pm
by Prefoma
ableton is great for djing can drop random little loops and bits of tunes and pretty much do live remix work!
check out my live ableton mash up mix:
http://www.dubstepforum.com/live-ableto ... 36420.html
Re: LAPTOP DJ'S ARE FROWNED UPON I KNOW, BUT ID LIKE SOME ADVICE
Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 12:17 pm
by sanjion
I use Virtual DJ as a stand-alone with a decent external soundcard. You have to know your tracks, and your limits.. but it can be really good for keeping the mixes rolling, more than I ever could using CDJs.. somehow I find VDJ has more feel to it. I haven't tried Ableton though, but have heard great things about it..
If you wanna hear the results, check the podcast link in my sig, or plenty of my mixtapes elsewhere on DSF. All done with VDJ.. I wouldn't be shy about using it, but everyone else at my gigs is using Serrato.. I just get funny looks cos I don't have to use headphones.
Coincidentally, my main reason for mixing 320s rather than CDs or vinyl is that I can't actually buy any vinyl or CDs in Indonesia. And, due to Credit Card fraud, only Juno and Boomkat accept Indonesian Credit Cards. In case you were wondering.
The most important thing is that you have a decent soundcard.. I also route VDJ through my Cubase audio drivers. Helps open up the sound a little.

Re: LAPTOP DJ'S ARE FROWNED UPON I KNOW, BUT ID LIKE SOME ADVICE
Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 3:42 pm
by MOTHERDAVID
ha dont' worry bout it man, to be honest a lot of the DJs in my area have gone predominantly digital, and imo i reckon digital DJing is the way things are going to go in the future simply because there's so much scope for development and creativity. As far as programs go I'd recommend Traktor Pro, Its got great effects.
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