Macbook Pro & Playout

[djsteve10]

Hi guys,

I haven't been posting much lately but I have been reading a lot of the posts that get posted on here and there is lots of great content on here now.

I have just bought a Macbook Pro and I am just after some hints and tips really as to what software people are using on it to DJ off, What controllers people are using on the Mac to control their chosen software and if there are any hints and tips into optimising your mac.

Cheers

[simonp]

I've used various things with my Macbook Pro. At the moment I'm using Traktor Pro 2 with the Kontrol S4 controller. Everything works absolutely perfectly out of the box. Plug in and play :D

[WWDJ]

I too use Traktor Pro 2 however my configuration is different. The S4 wasn't out when I started using Traktor so I got an X1 controller but I have decided to keep it over the S4 because although it has less functionality it works better for me.

I have a Native Instruments X1 for control of Traktor and an Audio 6DJ for sound output, The sound card is routed to my denon X500 mixer. Also into my mixer I have a denon 2500 40gb for backup. This setup all fits within 19" mixer case with a laptop sliding shelf which means I can setup very quick.

The advantage for me of having seperate items is occasionally I get asked to do bars/clubs so I can take the audio 6dj and route it into their mixer.
You'd struggle to get an S4 into some of the booths.

On the optimization front, you don't need to do anything apart from make sure Traktor is the only thing running. There are some threads on the traktor forum about specific things that can be done but I haven't felt the need.

[djsteve10]

I also have a Traktor X1 controller that I am looking at using, I fancied going down the Serato route for the club work that I do but Serato has gone up in price which has put me off the price.

I have also looked at using Virtual DJ 7 with a HC4500 controller but I have been told off a few people that the HC4500 doesn't work with Mac yet which is a little bit of a shame.

[WWDJ]

I'd stick with what you have and use Traktor then.

This leaves a cluns cdj's free to use for scratching/samples or as backup. I just burn a few cd's which would keep me out of trouble whilst I booted a backup laptop