Thinking of going down MP3 route

[future]

I am thinking of going down the MP3 route as my Citronic cd decks are getting tired, so which software should I look at, I realise that I should have 2laptops with external hard drives making 1 for back-up, what about sound cards which are the ones to be recommended, I use Ohm 228s as they sound warm and full and a pair of Mackie SRS1500 Bass Bins with a Yamaha 1400 watt amp....well what do you think??

[CRAZY K]

I think you ought to think about the Cortex 1000 USB Reader. £450

Now in stock at DJ PRO in Newcastle.

Just bought a headset radio mike from them delivered next day and they said they have some Cortex in stock.

http://www.djpro.co.uk

CRAZY K

[Danno13]

Have a look here -

http://www.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3918&highlight=laptop

[axeman]

i use a newmark usb mixer with built in soundcards, it's cheap and works well alongside pcdj red, as this is very functional simple to use, most importantly for me has auto play, the thread linked above goes into more detail.

[funkymike]

certainly good to go down the mp3 route, however I would advise to research it first to see what fits your requiremnts, what works for someone else might not be best for you, and I mean the hardware and software. Plus there is the law or rather lack off information.

I been using mp3 now for 2 yrs, I wont look back, and I use pcdj vrm and a desk top but thats my choice.

hope that helps

mike

[Silver]

I use Traktor and have done for a couple of years, been brill. There's an update out in the next few days, by all reports going to a MAJOR leap forward, have a look Also you can download a fully functioning programme that you can use at gigs free for 30 days, hey give it a bash....http://www.nativeinstruments.de/index.php?id=traktor3_us

[CRAZY K]

Miike, how bulky is the desktop, screen keyboard etc.--any reliability issues?

Just wondered as looking at going MP3 route next year by pc, laptop or usb reader,

cheers

CRAZY K

[Sapphire Disco]

There is no doubt in my opinion laptop is the best option, I am sitting here at the moment on a leather armchair watching football, tidying up my music files and downloaded a couple of tracks( wireless ) at the same time, you can't do that with a desk top , carrying around a screen ,keyboard , mouse etc no thanks.

[axeman]

agreed 100% - although im watching footy and downloading using my pc to a memory stick, as i dont use laptop on t'internet...lol

[Danno13]

I am sitting here at the moment on a leather armchair watching football, tidying up my music files and downloaded a couple of tracks( wireless ) at the same time, you can't do that with a desk top

Its not really a good idea to use a computer you rely on for DJing for anything else.. especially connecting to the internet.

You can't purpose build laptops, nor can you easily upgrade components when you need to or if something goes wrong, plus they're more expensive than an equivelant desktop system.

[Jiggles]

This should fit the bill http://www.qualitydj.co.uk/00dj-p-114.html :D:D

[Sapphire Disco]

Its not really a good idea to use a computer you rely on for DJing for anything else.. especially connecting to the internet.

You can't purpose build laptops, nor can you easily upgrade components when you need to or if something goes wrong, plus they're more expensive than an equivelant desktop system.

I've never had a problem, got 3 laptops just incase and all my music files are also on a plug in hard drive as well, not really worried about the laptops but I would never want to do all that ripping again:)

[DJK Liverpool]

i use traktor 3 and i've road tested a few of the other software dj programs and traktor works best for me

there was a few issues with traktor until they got the updates sorted but now it works like a treat

with a laptop life is just so much easier i've got 100gig hd on the laptop (which holds about 17000 mp3's) & i've just bought a 250 gig external hd which i'm planning on filling.

the only pain in the arse was tagging 17000 mp3's, it took me from june til the end of august to complete.

alaways back them up on dvd as well, a dvd will hold about 1000 mp3's

[DMX Will]

Those of you using Tracktor, do you know ways of getting the program to spit out each deck to a different sound card...I can only seem to get them to come out of the same sound card, but on different channels....

Any help appreciated

[Danno13]

I don't think you can do that with Traktor. At least you couldn't on the last version i played with (v2.5 if i remember rightly). I know another PC DJ ing program you can do that with though :D

[groovy-nights]

will i use a sound blaster surround 5.1 usb sound card set up to output to 4 speakers speaker 1 and 2 deck 1 3 and 4 deck 2
cost £40 from pc world

[jamesh]

Well as most know i use Virtual DJ 4.1 and it knocks the socks off the rest of the competition so far... - and yes before anyone says anything i have tried most of the main DJ softwares!

PCDJ Red 5.2 used to be my weapon of choice but virtual dj knocks the socks off it (and most others) in both sound quality and functionality - not to mention it being able to do video, and karaoke too... and only costs around £150!!!

Definatly worth a look!

[colinm345]

Well as most know i use Virtual DJ 4.1 and it knocks the socks off the rest of the competition so far... - and yes before anyone says anything i have tried most of the main DJ softwares!

PCDJ Red 5.2 used to be my weapon of choice but virtual dj knocks the socks off it (and most others) in both sound quality and functionality - not to mention it being able to do video, and karaoke too... and only costs around £150!!!

Definatly worth a look!
Each to their own but I use and feel traktor 2 be the most professional out of the lot

[dannyboy]

Earlier on this year I custom build a pc into a 19inch 2U rackmount server style case.

This just slotted into my rack along with my dual cd players etc.
The top lifts off my rack unit to reveal my mixer and 19inch tft which is folded over the mixer and folds up to face you.

The keyboard with rollerball is on a rack shelf which slides out from under the mixer when required.

It just keeps everything in one case. just plug your rack in to the mains then to the speakers thats your sound sorted yet not to heavy either.

[Candybeatdiscos]

Well as most know i use Virtual DJ 4.1 and it knocks the socks off the rest of the competition so far... - and yes before anyone says anything i have tried most of the main DJ softwares!

PCDJ Red 5.2 used to be my weapon of choice but virtual dj knocks the socks off it (and most others) in both sound quality and functionality - not to mention it being able to do video, and karaoke too... and only costs around £150!!!

Definatly worth a look!

Totally agree mate both VDJ and Atomix are excellent choices and are easy to use, has a built in auto mixer if you get lazy or are away to the bar - no more dead air, easy search function etc, i hate PCDJ, find it boring, hard to understand fully and basically poor quality. but hey thats me :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

, i hate PCDJ, find it boring, hard to understand fully and basically poor quality. but hey thats me :)

What didn't you understand and how is it boring and poor quality?

Explain yourself young man!:D

[colinm345]

What didn't you understand and how is it boring and poor quality?

Explain yourself young man!:D

LOL
Well had a look at Virtual Dj and Atomic,or whatever its called and I thought they came from Toys R Us

[Thames Valley Discos]

LOL
Well had a look at Virtual Dj and Atomic,or whatever its called and I thought they came from Toys R Us

would agree with that. pcdj, to me , seems a great bit of software.

[colinm345]

would agree with that. pcdj, to me , seems a great bit of software.

But...............................not as good as Traktor (whoops sorry about that) :o :o :o :) :) :) :)

[jamesh]

Well you obviously haven't had a look at virtual dj in the last 6 months since version 4 came out as it is a totally new software... and is also used by numark..... Their software numark cue is Virtual DJ 4.1 re-branded!

I 100% agree upto version 3.4 looked too much like a toy and that was taken onboard with the re-write..... now it's nice and slick and professional.... Oh and custom skins are available so you can have it looking like anything you want..

[Thames Valley Discos]

used by numark..... .
i rest my case! :D

[Ricesnaps]

I think you ought to think about the Cortex 1000 USB Reader. £450

Now in stock at DJ PRO in Newcastle.

Just bought a headset radio mike from them delivered next day and they said they have some Cortex in stock.

http://www.djpro.co.uk

CRAZY K

Might be way behind and not read the rest of the thread, but in everything I have read in the press about the Cortex unit, nobody has said if it sounds any good. I'm sure it's great, but if the quality of sound can't match my Denon's, then not interested!

Anyone got any feedback from a sound point of view?

[Thames Valley Discos]

its down to your sound card and mixer, not the software. i use denon 5000,s , but pcdj using a maya 44 pci card sounds as good, maybe not as much fun as the denons mind

On this subject, does anyone know the program for pcdj to print the record case?

[soundtracker]

As a Phillistine still using CDs, I was interested to read on another forum that some previous advocates of PC DJing have reverted to CDs, I find this rather interesting and mildly amusing. I've had a bit of a play with the new Cortex- but it didn't totally sell itself to me, and I've also had PCDJ red demonstrated before now, which also failed to sufficiently excite me! Anyone on here reverted, or thinking of doing so?

[Ricesnaps]

its down to your sound card and mixer, not the software. i use denon 5000,s , but pcdj using a maya 44 pci card sounds as good, maybe not as much fun as the denons mind

On this subject, does anyone know the program for pcdj to print the record case?

Isn't the whole point of the Cortex that you don't need the laptop and the soundcard - just plug into the mixer and there you go?

So how does it sound?

(I apreciate that it will depend on the mixer, amp and speakers, but generally....)

[soundtracker]

The one I heard sounded fine - can't remember what it was through sorry!

[Thames Valley Discos]

As a Phillistine still using CDs, I was interested to read on another forum that some previous advocates of PC DJing have reverted to CDs, I find this rather interesting and mildly amusing. I've had a bit of a play with the new Cortex- but it didn't totally sell itself to me, and I've also had PCDJ red demonstrated before now, which also failed to sufficiently excite me! Anyone on here reverted, or thinking of doing so?

I use both, but to be honest, having pcdj on a 19 inch monitor is great. I can see say 30-40 tracks at any one time to play. Great when you cant think what to play. The cd,s i use just for a bit of a change, or to play cd,s from the customer.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

As a Phillistine still using CDs, I was interested to read on another forum that some previous advocates of PC DJing have reverted to CDs, I find this rather interesting and mildly amusing. I've had a bit of a play with the new Cortex- but it didn't totally sell itself to me, and I've also had PCDJ red demonstrated before now, which also failed to sufficiently excite me! Anyone on here reverted, or thinking of doing so?

Nope.

I've been using it for almost 4 years now and find it waaaaay too convenient.

[CRAZY K]

As a Phillistine still using CDs, I was interested to read on another forum that some previous advocates of PC DJing have reverted to CDs, I find this rather interesting and mildly amusing. I've had a bit of a play with the new Cortex- but it didn't totally sell itself to me, and I've also had PCDJ red demonstrated before now, which also failed to sufficiently excite me! Anyone on here reverted, or thinking of doing so?

Soundtracker what put you off Cortex? im waiting for the local dealer to get one!

Also what was the reason for going back to CDs after using PC Djing?

Rice--- Cortex has its own built in soundcard

http://www.djsupply.com/

CRAZY K

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Also what was the reason for going back to CDs after using PC Djing?

CRAZY K

I can answer that as I also go on the aforementioned forum.

The guys concerned got 'bored' with computers and thought it was too easy. They also liked to handle and collect the CDs and prefered to mix with them rather then a PC.

[Dragonfly]

im looking at the cortex letest date for me is first week in dec????? what has upset me is ive calculated its going to take me 3 and a half days non stop to put my music on a hard drive.

[Ricesnaps]

Rice--- Cortex has its own built in soundcard

http://www.djsupply.com/

CRAZY K

EXACTLY - So can anyone tell me if it SOUNDS any good????

[colinm345]

As a Phillistine still using CDs, I was interested to read on another forum that some previous advocates of PC DJing have reverted to CDs, I find this rather interesting and mildly amusing. I've had a bit of a play with the new Cortex- but it didn't totally sell itself to me, and I've also had PCDJ red demonstrated before now, which also failed to sufficiently excite me! Anyone on here reverted, or thinking of doing so?


I have been using Traktor 2.6 Dj for some time now and would never ever revert back:)

[soundtracker]

EXACTLY - So can anyone tell me if it SOUNDS any good????

See post 31 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:bang:

[colinm345]

See post 31 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:bang:

Why
I thought your question was has anyone reverted back from computer to CDs?as per your post 29:confused:

[Corabar Entertainment]

Why
I thought your question was has anyone reverted back from computer to CDs?as per your post 29:confused:Colin - think confusion is reigning here.... Pete was replying to Matt (hence him quoting Matts question in his last post) :)

[colinm345]

Colin - think confusion is reigning here.... Pete was replying to Matt (hence him quoting Matts question in his last post) :)

:) :) :) :)

Thats ok
Btw thank you very much for your e-mail it was kind of you,and I have made a reply via e-mail to you