OTSdj-Good or Bad?

[scoopd]

Looking at OTSdj for relaiability and the mixing between tracks.Is it a good programme or does it have it's faults.Reliability is my main concern

[Vectis]

Rock solid and totally dependable and runs on fairly low-spec hardware too.

Depending on what you need, OTS-Turntables is pretty good and much much cheaper. Download the trials and give each a whirl.

[Nathan Fleming]

Forget Ots wait a few days and get PCDJ Reflex, it will be mile ahead of Ots in every aspect.

http://www.pcdj.com/reflex.asp

[scoopd]

Nathan,
They should provide updates that sort out all the current PCDJ issues bfre relasing another version methinks

[Nathan Fleming]

They cannot release updates for the VRM line of products because the developers that wrote the product do not work for the company and they do not have the source code.

The VRM line of products is a very stable line if used correctly.

Reflex however is a different kettle of fish; it's designed by Jorgen Hedburg who wrote the legendary and still much loved red 5.2/3 and its predecessors.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

The VRM line of products is a very stable line if used correctly.



Not in all cases.

[CRAZY K]

Not in all cases.

Tell me more, just bought PCDJ Red VRM and its seems to be fine running on my Laptop which has never been on the net and basically dedicated to music.

My only issue is if you have to use a replacement external hard drive on the system you have to muck about with renaming the Recordbox, or delete Recordbox and input the database again. Not very handy halfway through a gig if you just lost the first hard drive.

Unless anyone knows something else?

With Cortex it just reads any hard drive I plug in :D

CRAZY K

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Tell me more, just bought PCDJ Red VRM and its seems to be fine running on my Laptop which has never been on the net and basically dedicated to music.



After 4 years of using FX, I bought a new lappy and it didn't want to play on there at all. Lots of sound drop outs even after I'd optomised the PC.

[Nathan Fleming]

Crazy

With regard to your issue that can be easily rectified all you need to do is create a record case that is on the drive containing the data.

You then simply need to set the recordcase path so it looks at the recordcase location on the hard drive.

You then lock your hard drive to using that drive letter and if a drive should fail then you just need to enter another drive (but I see no reason for a drive to fail part way through a gig) you simply change the address of that drive so it appears as the same as the previous drive and FX will look in the same place for the data.

If you need further assistance in doing this let me know and I will sort out step by step instructions for you.

Darren

I would love to have a look at this laptop to see what is the matter with it, I know PCDJ has it's quircks (well the present software does) but if you play by the rules then it should work fine (subject to you knowing the rules of course).

I am sure we can improve the stability of this laptop (I know this is no longer an issue as you have turned to Virtual DJ but I would love to see if we can get the machine stable.

[GrahamH]

I'd forget about Reflex for the moment. Ive been watching this with interest and it was originally slated for an April release and now its any time soon, which they've been saying since the beginning of april

[Nathan Fleming]

It will be released very shortly, it stated May in DJ magazine and all US retailers are putting May as the arrival Date.

[CRAZY K]

Crazy

With regard to your issue that can be easily rectified all you need to do is create a record case that is on the drive containing the data.

You then simply need to set the recordcase path so it looks at the recordcase location on the hard drive.

You then lock your hard drive to using that drive letter and if a drive should fail then you just need to enter another drive (but I see no reason for a drive to fail part way through a gig) you simply change the address of that drive so it appears as the same as the previous drive and FX will look in the same place for the data.

If you need further assistance in doing this let me know and I will sort out step by step instructions for you.

Darren

I would love to have a look at this laptop to see what is the matter with it, I know PCDJ has it's quircks (well the present software does) but if you play by the rules then it should work fine (subject to you knowing the rules of course).

I am sure we can improve the stability of this laptop (I know this is no longer an issue as you have turned to Virtual DJ but I would love to see if we can get the machine stable.


Thanks Nathan, much appreciated, may well get back for some detailed help if I cant follow the track.

They did tell me this on the very helpful PCDJ help line--but at the time I forgot to write down the instructions :bang: :bang: :bang:

Re the Hard drive packing in---well its only an electrical apparatus--so im my opinion bound to pack up eventually---mind you I do have a 25 yr old H and H Mixer Amp still going strong.

thanks again,

CRAZY K

[CRAZY K]

[QUOTE=Solitaire Entertainments Ltd;113294]After 4 years of using FX, I bought a new lappy and it didn't want to play on there at all. Lots of sound drop outs even after I'd optomised the PC.[/QUOTE

Strange, I just loaded my new standard Laptop with PCDJ Red VRM, made no adjustments and its been gonig absolutely fine.

Admittedly I havent done a whole gig with it as its a back up to my Cortex.

CRAZY K

[Vectis]

So, back to the OP's question.

We've ascertained that the various versions of PCDJ are problematic (as I also discovered albeit a few versions ago).

Anyone had problems with OTS? I haven't and I've used all their versions on a number of different laptops over the years.

[Nathan Fleming]

PCDJ software is presently 4 years old, anyone compairing Ots to VRM is compairing it to an old product.

I would recomend that anyone considering purchasing software that you try all options and pick the best one, it is a fact that Reflex when released will be the best software available at that point.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Darren

I would love to have a look at this laptop to see what is the matter with it, I know PCDJ has it's quircks (well the present software does) but if you play by the rules then it should work fine (subject to you knowing the rules of course).

I am sure we can improve the stability of this laptop (I know this is no longer an issue as you have turned to Virtual DJ but I would love to see if we can get the machine stable.

Nathan - I am well aware of the 'rules' and how to optomise the laptop for music playback and PCDJ. Don't forget I have been a user for quite a while, even going back to when FX wasn't stable at all!

I have tried everything but to no avail.

Anyway, I'm finding VDJ to be a lot more flexible than PCDJ.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

it is a fact that Reflex when released will be the best software available at that point.

How is it a fact? :confused:

How can you possibly say that?

It's like saying "These are the best speakers to use for a DJ"

[Nathan Fleming]

OK it's not a fact it's my opinion, but if you compare the feature list of Reflex to that of any other software available at the moment then it has dozens of features that are unique to Reflex.

Like I said I would love to see if I can improve the laptop possibly it is impossible to say what is wrong with your specific circumstances by generalising.

What does it do that makes it unstable crash/stutter?

[jamesh]

hmmm i've looked at reflex and to be honest it won't be making me move from Virtual DJ (or errr numark cue if you buy the Numark branded version)....

In fact i've looked at most of the main softwares around that can do audio / video and karaoke in one and for the money Virtual DJ is unbeatable....!!!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

What does it do that makes it unstable crash/stutter?

It doesn't crash or stutter - it drops out sound for around half a second to a second (like pressing a pause button very quickly). I'd had this problem before, but it didn't happen very often. With the new laptop it was happening 12-15 times a night and was very embarrassing, hence my need for something immediate and stable. Enter VDJ.


hmmm i've looked at reflex and to be honest it won't be making me move from Virtual DJ (or errr numark cue if you buy the Numark branded version)....

In fact i've looked at most of the main softwares around that can do audio / video and karaoke in one and for the money Virtual DJ is unbeatable....!!!

I agree and also from what I've seen, many of the functions on Reflex are not geared towards the kind of things that mobile DJs use.

I await the arrival of the demo version.

[Nathan Fleming]

Was this using internally or externally stored music?

Are any network cards disabled and have you also disabled internet time sync?

Is USB power management disabled?

There are a couple of services that could be disabled that might help this, can't remember specifically which ones but I can have a look.

Looking to arrange another local get together shortly and if you are able to attend could you bring this along?

I have a process for setting up a PC and I know that for every PC I have installed PCDJ on if I follow my procedure then it all works fine.

I have had the occasional issue, but touch would I think these might have been down to the USB cables I was using and since having upgrading these all has been perfect.

[pagan_flame]

Looking at OTSdj for relaiability and the mixing between tracks.Is it a good programme or does it have it's faults.Reliability is my main concernHave had no reliability problems with OTSDJ at all on an antique Toshiba with 256mB RAM.

It all depends on if you want a reliable DJ program or the 'Latest and Greatest' - personally I never ever go for the latest upgrade / release of software, I wait until all the bugs and user issues have been fixed before buying --- and usually by then the price has gone down! :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Was this using internally or externally stored music?

Internal


Are any network cards disabled and have you also disabled internet time sync?

All disabled


Is USB power management disabled?

Not sure about that one - I'll check.


There are a couple of services that could be disabled that might help this, can't remember specifically which ones but I can have a look.

I have disabled everything that PCDJ recommend and also have optomised my laptop for music playback as followed in the guidelines here (http://www.musicxp.net/tuning_tips.php)


Looking to arrange another local get together shortly and if you are able to attend could you bring this along?



Yeah, I could do. I might arrange to come with Mr Chairman again. ;)

[CRAZY K]

Was this using internally or externally stored music?

Are any network cards disabled and have you also disabled internet time sync?

Is USB power management disabled?

There are a couple of services that could be disabled that might help this, can't remember specifically which ones but I can have a look.

Looking to arrange another local get together shortly and if you are able to attend could you bring this along?

I have a process for setting up a PC and I know that for every PC I have installed PCDJ on if I follow my procedure then it all works fine.

I have had the occasional issue, but touch would I think these might have been down to the USB cables I was using and since having upgrading these all has been perfect.

Just to pick your brains here Nathan,

I have recently put PCDJ red VRM on my new laptop which has never been on the Internet and only has 100 music files on the internal hard drive.

I have run it through my Disco for a while and it sounds fine---so far!

Should I be doing some special things to the laptop to avoid possible problems?

It runs on an external hard drive and because its only back up im using the internal sound card--which incidentally sounds surprisingly good using the earphone socket straight to the mixer.

Any suggestions--im getting a bit concerned reading Darrens post

thanks

CRAZY K

[Nathan Fleming]

Darren

Any ideas why my log in keeps timing out?

I have previously mentioned that it is my belief that internal drives are a no go.

I would think this is possibly the culprit, do any of the sound drops co inside with any other actions i.e. search load.

It is also recomended that you play every song at least once, I have never done this as I believe doing a BPM and Gain scan also indexes the file which can cause sound drops. Have you done either of these?

Do the files contain any of the following invalid characters in either the Id3 tag data or file name " £ $ % ^ & * / \ | # @ : These are known to cause problems.

Do you have task manager open and if so do these drops co-inside with processor spiking.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Just to pick your brains here Nathan,

I have recently put PCDJ red VRM on my new laptop which has never been on the Internet and only has 100 music files on the internal hard drive.

I have run it through my Disco for a while and it sounds fine---so far!

Should I be doing some special things to the laptop to avoid possible problems?

It runs on an external hard drive and because its only back up im using the internal sound card--which incidentally sounds surprisingly good using the earphone socket straight to the mixer.

Any suggestions--im getting a bit concerned reading Darrens post

thanks

CRAZY K


Alan if your's is working then don't worry!

It really does depend on the PC to a certain degree. Two of my DJ use the same as you and don't have any problems at all.

[Nathan Fleming]

Crazy

If you have no problems personally then don't be concerned.

I am going to compile a list of tips for using PCDJ without problems.

Many of these will be able to be applied very easily and will boost the performance of anyone’s system, this will be published in pro mobile but I am sure I can let anyone who wishes to read this have a copy before it goes to press.

All this aside I am personally of the belief that when Reflex comes out none of these issues will apply as Reflex is rock solid and has been written by the leading programmer in this field.

[CRAZY K]

Alan if your's is working then don't worry!

It really does depend on the PC to a certain degree. Two of my DJ use the same as you and don't have any problems at all.

Seems ok Darren, just a bit worrying if you get those "drop outs" happening,
will back test it thoroughly this week,

thanks

Alan
CRAZY K

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Darren

Any ideas why my log in keeps timing out?.

Err, no - sorry.



I would think this is possibly the culprit, do any of the sound drops co inside with any other actions i.e. search load.

No, completely random. I've never used an external drive (apart from with karaoke and video) and never had problems before.


It is also recomended that you play every song at least once, I have never done this as I believe doing a BPM and Gain scan also indexes the file which can cause sound drops. Have you done either of these?

Everything is BPM/gain scanned. Songs that haven't been played before take a fraction longer to load I've noticed, but that doesn't make the sound drop out.


Do the files contain any of the following invalid characters in either the Id3 tag data or file name " £ $ % ^ & * / \ | # @ : These are known to cause problems.

I looked at that and a few do, but that wasn't causing it either.


Do you have task manager open and if so do these drops co-inside with processor spiking.

I've not done this, but the laptop is a 2Ghz Pentium m, 2 Gb ram, so should be plenty powerful enough.

As I said, the drop outs appear to be completely random - I've even tried the same file a second time and it's been fine when I played it gain.:confused:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I am going to compile a list of tips for using PCDJ without problems.

Many of these will be able to be applied very easily and will boost the performance of anyone’s system, this will be published in pro mobile but I am sure I can let anyone who wishes to read this have a copy before it goes to press.



I assume most of it will be the same as the link I posted a while back?

If you want to post it Nathan, I can make a sticky out of it. I'll leave it up to you.

[rob1963]

In my opinion, OTS DJ is brilliant.

I downloaded the trial version last year when I was thinking of joining an internet radio station.

I love the way it reads the end of the track and starts the next track spot on time, depending on how the previous track ends.

Clever stuff!

:)

[Nathan Fleming]

It will contain some of the same tips, but mine will go beyond that and contain specific tips for PCDJ and getting the most from that were as the tips in that site are generalised.

[DJ Colin]

OtsDJ - Excellent

Used OtsDJ for 7 years doing min of 4 gigs a week x 52 weeks. I have never had to tweek any laptop or operating system settings and it has not once hiccuped, dropped out or let me down in anyway.

OtsDJ is stable, reliable and throughly dependable.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

OtsDJ - Excellent

Used OtsDJ for 7 years doing min of 4 gigs a week x 52 weeks. I have never had to tweek any laptop or operating system settings and it has not once hiccuped, dropped out or let me down in anyway.

OtsDJ is stable, reliable and throughly dependable.

And you just happen to be a reseller....:rolleyes: :p

[jamesh]

Personally i feel OTS is more suited to Radio than live DJ use - it seems far too automated for me but then everyone is different..

Does OTS have an external controller for it yet or is it still keyboard based...?

[Nathan Fleming]

I know this has been said many times before but the one thing that has always put me of Ots its the GUI, it looks so basic.

Will this ever change or will it always look the way it does.

[DJ Colin]

Yes I am a reseller of OtsDJ and proud to be associated with the product. However I am not going to say that it ticks all the boxes for everyone because no software product will do so unless it has been specifically written for you. Even then it is questionable.

In response to Jamesh - OtsDJ does have a selectable auto DJ mode or you can use it manually. The is no external controller as yet but MIDI control is planned for a future release. This will allow the use of many of the existing controllers in the market place.

In response to Nathen - The OtsDJ interface is uncluttered everything you require to perform is there on screen. The uncluttered interface has the advantage of reducing the load on the processor as it doesn't have keep redrawing numerous graphical elements. Also in a dim light environment it is easy to see and use.

In the end it is each to there own.

Colin