What do you use?

[Charlie Brown]

I'm terrible at making decessions so I thought before I go and spend £500, I better make sure it's the right thing for me.

What do you use? (either laptop/computer or digital playout system/cortex etc)

Has anyone brought a digital playout system and then swapped it for a laptop?(or viser versa)

Thanks in advance.

PS: This is the first poll I have done on the bus on my iPhone - bare with me :sj:

[andyw]

i voted laptop but we also have the cortex 1000 for backup and we still use cd's as well, the laptop is used the most charlie i recommend you get out and have a play with everything you can, because at the end of the day it is about what suits you and your show.

[Excalibur]

Two Cortex for me, but I also have a laptop with a playout system on. I haven't learnt enough about it to use it as a main, and probably wouldn't use it as one. It is nice to have it there as extra insurance, and track download.

[Charlie Brown]

I know - I work well with a laptop now. Buying a touchscreen laptop is another option. Anyone done this?

[Woodyo]

This year have been using 1 American Audio SDJ2 SD Card Player as my main player ( also has a mixer facility which could be used as a back-up). Have had this for a year now , basically keep two 4GB sd cards loaded in the machine all the time with all the tracks I would normally play at Weddings and Parties. Having a usb port also means I can use a couple of memory sticks for new tracks and customers playlists. I have a SDJ1 as a back up for this , and carry back-up SD cards which are a copy of the ones I have in the machine.
I Also use a laptop running mixmeister for finding requests quickly. Works for me.
Cortex type players work fine but in my opinion laptop is best as you can see a lot more info on the screen , playlists etc are easier to manage and change and you don't have to constantly update databases etc. Whatever you go for just make sure if one playout system goes down you have a back-up that you are comfortable with.

[thex-faders]

We use a laptop with PCDJ VJ and a DAC3 controller. Taken about ay ear or so to get all the songs in collections and cue'd up but not gigs are so much easier as everythings in genre's etc.
However we are looking at the American SDJ 2 dual player with the mixer that woodyo has as a back up due it having the built in mixer.

[Megamix]

tried Cortex - but too many errors, tried several laptop progs until I found one rock steady - think its about what your comfortable with and agree with Woody, more info, managing data.

[jeff wood]

I use a rack mounted PC running OTS AV with a 4500 controller.

Also have two Denon DN1200 cd players.

( these have USB sticks filled with tunes aswell )


http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs280.snc1/10726_179433487305_603622305_3782026_1726828_n.jpg

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Jeff, how do you transport kit if you work anywhere other than your res?

[jeff wood]

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs280.snc1/10726_179433507305_603622305_3782027_2642263_n.jpg








easy, its on wheels :)

I dont often do anywhere other than my res, but I find that nearly all hotels and venues have flat access.

Ive been using my "superconsol" for over a year now, and it works well, I'm happy with it..

you cant see in the pic, but theres two amps in it, plus the pc, and theres a two way active cross over kind of behind and down a bit from the denon 4500.

[Shaun]

Main: HD2500
Backup: HD2500
2nd Backup: Cortex

[Vectis]

For several years was an avid OTS DJ on a laptop user.

When the Numark d2 launched, I was right in there, and have used this as primary playout ever since.

It's rock solid, works the way I want it to (crate facility etc.) and as a party DJ it gives me all the features I require.

So...

Primary - Numark d2 director
Secondary - Numark iDJ2
Tertiary - OTS DJ on the lighting (DMX) computer
Quaternary - OTS Turntables on the karaoke laptop
Quinary - OTS Turntables on the video laptop
Senary - iTunes on my iPhone

:beer1:

[rob1963]

When the Numark d2 launched, I was right in there, and have used this as primary playout ever since.

It's rock solid, works the way I want it to (crate facility etc.) and as a party DJ it gives me all the features I require.

So...

Primary - Numark d2 director
Secondary - Numark iDJ2
:beer1:

Same here...except I was a bit behind you in getting the D2.

[Mark Wild]

Primary - Numark d2 director
Secondary - Numark iDJ2
Tertiary - OTS DJ on the lighting (DMX) computer
Quaternary - OTS Turntables on the karaoke laptop
Quinary - OTS Turntables on the video laptop
Senary - iTunes on my iPhone

:beer1:

Is that part of your sales pitch? " I'm ready for anything and carry a primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary, quinary and senary playout system " LOL !! You're in the :Censored: if your senary option goes Pete Tong VV ! maybe you should have another 2 just incase? (whatever they'd be called lol)


Lappy with midi controller for me Charlie.

[Charlie Brown]

Thanks guys - keep them coming. :)

[DJ Jules]

1. Primary playout is now 2 x Denon DN-S1200's with a USB HDD each (though I'll probably move to using them as Midi controllers at some point in the future).
2. Backup is a Cortex HDC3000 with USB stick
3. Last resort is a Blackberry.

I've just been through this myself Charlie over the last 6 months, partly because of the issues I've had with the Cortex's stability and reliability (buttons failing, etc) and partly because I want to start getting a bit more creative and while the Cortex supports Hot cue points, loops, samples & effects, most of these functions are buried beneath menus and not very accessible. I'd really recommend trying a whole bunch of different units and seeing what works for you. For me the two which stood out were the Denon HD2500 and the Numark DDS, the stability of both really impressed me. The Denon has a lot more features (effects, MIDI, etc), but the Numark won on ease of use (because Crate does just what the average party DJ wants). In the end I went for the Denon DN-S1200's as they basically run the same engine as the HD2500, but have bigger jog wheels and a smaller screen ;) Both the HD2500 and the DN-S1200 have the advantage that they can be used as MIDI controllers too if you go down the PC/MAC route.

Julian

[Vectis]

Is that part of your sales pitch? " I'm ready for anything and carry a primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary, quinary and senary playout system " LOL !! You're in the :Censored: if your senary option goes Pete Tong VV ! maybe you should have another 2 just incase? (whatever they'd be called lol)

:D

Actually if you rummage around in the van (sorry, motor, must stop saying van) you'll find a couple of cheap & nasty mp3 players which normally get plugged into the PA on the carnival float which could easily serve as septenary and octonary playout. Then there's my son/roadie's iPod Touch which is surgically implanted in his hand that I could prise away in the event of a major catastrophe as nonary playout :cool:

Failing that, I could reverse the motor up to the fire doors and crank up the stereo (denary playout) :p

[Charlie Brown]

Vectis! How do you know all these werid words :lol: I won't ask what you do in your spare time. ;)

[OllieJames]

I use a desktop computer with VDJ - controlled by a Denon DN-HC4500.
I use a Cortex HDC1000 as back up, and also have a CD player too.

[Charlie Brown]

So what do you enjoy using the most Ollie?

[Daryll]

I started with a laptop running mas party DJ
then:
Laptop running Ultramixer
Coming soon:
cube PC running RPM with a denon HC-4500.

Martin:

Clive had a pioneer dual cassette deck at the show , would have made a great 11th back up :D :D

Daryll

[ppentertainments]

2 Cortex for normal use and always carry 2 laptops, one setup ready to go and used for background music, the other if needed.

[OllieJames]

So what do you enjoy using the most Ollie?

Definitely the HC4500 with VDJ. Reason being is I like having a large (19" ;) :D ) visual display, rather than a tiny little screen as it shows a lot of song names which helps when you're struggling for song ideas. Also, VDJ has a lot more features than the Cortex does. The Cortex is a fantastic unit, but I still prefer using the Denon.

[Excalibur]

2 Cortex for normal use and always carry 2 laptops, one setup ready to go and used for background music, the other if needed.

That's mah boy. ;) :D :D :D :D

[1st Choice Karaoke]

Still CD's at the moment but imminently going over to Laptop with a Denon controller. I have been playing around with a few programs and decided on OTS AV for our Music & Karaoke (Have been converting tracks for months now, a bit at a time)

[Penfold42]

Main: HD2500
Same here....

Backup: HD2500
Same here....

2nd Backup: Cortex
WTF is that........:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

I think Steve uses the same as well....the Denon that is.....

Never had a 3rd....:o

[Adam_F]

Main - pair of Pioneer CDJ 2000s
Back up - Pioneer MEP 7000
If the :Censored: hits the fan - Denon HD 2500

[OllieJames]

Main - pair of Pioneer CDJ 2000s
Back up - Pioneer MEP 7000
If the :Censored: hits the fan - Denon HD 2500

Could have bought a better back up! :p :p :D

[Adam_F]

Could have bought a better back up! :p :p :D

:ner:

LoL - was my main playout up until last Saturday.

[Cj_The_Dj]

Is that part of your sales pitch? " I'm ready for anything and carry a primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary, quinary and senary playout system " LOL !! You're in the :Censored: if your senary option goes Pete Tong VV ! maybe you should have another 2 just incase? (whatever they'd be called lol)


Lappy with midi controller for me Charlie.


I'm same as you been well happy for about 3 years now. i use PCDJ red and I'm very happy with it. this is the controller i used i paid £100.00 second hand mint condition..

I have tried other software but i keep coming back to pcdj very simple but effective to use..

[Twinspin]

Main - Denon DN-HD2500 Media Controller.
backup - my trusty Denon DN-D4000 Twin CD Player (with slappa 600's and case logic cd wallets)

[notroubleclubber]

Lappy with VDJ and bcd3000 USB controller

Second - Numark CD Mix 2 Unit with tunes needed for most parties on cd
Third - Portable CD Player

Also got ipod 120GB if need be.

[djdave01]

i use a small form self built pc, with a keyboard & mouse. Ive never used a controller for it.

ive got an ipod for backup, and my phone has lots of music on too, just incase.

Although i dont normally take it with me, ive also got a laptop setup for DJ use and still have my old Denon 1800F cd players

[yourdj]

Vestax VCI Mac & Serato Itch.

Great unit very very small and portable and simple to use.
I don't understand why more mobile dj's are not using them?

- if anyone is thinking about one the mic input is pants!
You may need another mixer as i do in my rack.

Numark idj as backup at the moment but i will probably get an SD player?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_044PTfUkGaA/S5jM-MgrM-I/AAAAAAAACOk/Frng-4REfTc/s320/VESTAX+2.jpg

[welby]

MAIN: High Spec Laptop with Virtual DJ (MUSIC/KARAOKE/VIDEO)
BACKUP: Numark DDS80

BACKUPBACKUP: Spare Laptop
FINAL BACKUP: I can run quickly!