Coli DJs, a newbie with questions here.

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

Bought a controller for DJing and some DJing headphones today. After messing around with the virtual djs for a while and loving Master of the Mix, various youtube videos of DJs, I decided to actually try my hand at this after years of contemplating. I did a ton of research about what I should get, as far as hardware, places I should visit to stay in tuned with the community of DJing. I'm at work now but here is what I got. I figured that if I'm going to purchase something, do it right the first time around.

If anyone can offer anything by the way of pointers and anything I should know, it's greatly appreciated.

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

Can a mod move this thread to The Tunnel? Thanks.

 

[hustlemania]

dope mixer..

might be a bit complicated to use, especially if you're new to DJ'ing.. but, if you're really getting into DJ'ing, by all means you got what i consider the next best thing to actual Serato..

 

[hustlemania]

@TEKBEATZ @OnlyInCalifornia @AkaDemiK can provide some more insight for you, as well..

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

dope mixer..

might be a bit complicated to use, especially if you're new to DJ'ing.. but, if you're really getting into DJ'ing, by all means you got what i consider the next best thing to actual Serato..

If you are going to do something and you don't have to cut corners, i.e. price, then do it big and do it right.

 

[hustlemania]

If you are going to do something and you don't have to cut corners, i.e. price, then do it big and do it right.

i hear you.. but, i wasnt speaking price.. maybe should've been more direct..

they have a toned down version similar the mixer in the OP.. depending on what exactly you're trying to do with it.. and, just to even get used to mapping, controlling,etc.. I'd personally go with the toned down version..

but, if you have the resources and time to get down with the higher end model- by all means.. no reason not to..

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

i hear you.. but, i wasnt speaking price.. maybe should've been more direct..

they have a toned down version similar the mixer in the OP.. depending on what exactly you're trying to do with it.. and, just to even get used to mapping, controlling,etc.. I'd personally go with the toned down version..

but, if you have the resources and time to get down with the higher end model- by all means.. no reason not to..

Yeah, I'll make the time. The money spent wasn't an issue. I've played around with all of them at the local Guitar Center and I also had one of the resident DJs model them for me. Unsurprisingly, the level of enjoyment seems to correlate with the more expensive controller due to having more features. I didn't want the feeling of restriction so even though this will be overwhelming at first, I'd prefer that over the feeling of saying that I got some shyt barely above my DJ hero turntables Therefore as my skills increase, I will be able to utilize the various features here.

 

[OnlyInCalifornia]

Ill say the very first thing is break your 'sync' button on the controller. Pop it off, hide it, something. Do not fall into the trap I see a lot of newer DJs do on the controllers which is to heavily rely on the software/sync button to mix. You never learn correctly and you'll never be able to seamlessly jump from your home setup to say decks at a party/club/whatever. Not to mention the software cannot mix every record.

I am not sure on that controller but most have the ability to add an external source such as a turntable. While you think you can find everything in MP3, it doesn't always happen. On top of that, scratching on those tiny ass platters is a pain and only works if you are someone who knows how to scratch and is good at it.

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

Ill say the very first thing is break your 'sync' button on the controller. Pop it off, hide it, something. Do not fall into the trap I see a lot of newer DJs do on the controllers which is to heavily rely on the software/sync button to mix. You never learn correctly and you'll never be able to seamlessly jump from your home setup to say decks at a party/club/whatever. Not to mention the software cannot mix every record.

I am not sure on that controller but most have the ability to add an external source such as a turntable. While you think you can find everything in MP3, it doesn't always happen. On top of that, scratching on those tiny ass platters is a pain and only works if you are someone who knows how to scratch and is good at it.

I can add a turntable.

Here is a good pic for inputs/outputs

 

[OnlyInCalifornia]

I can add a turntable.

Here is a good pic for inputs/outputs

When you go to build your library in Serato/Itunes I suggest doing it right the first time because once you start up it's too much work to go back and fix your playlist/crates. Really think about how you want to organize your music and all that. Don't import any low quality mp3s either. If they are not 320kbps, don't put them in. You'll thank me later.

I also will put the BPM at the start of the file name just for organization purposes and so you can quickly see songs that are similar speeds. I know that you can scan the bpm and all thati n the newer version of Serato and Traktor but I just do it myself. When I was first learning I counted out all the beats manually using a watch then wrote it on the vinyl label. Ended up doing it digitally because Serato didn't count the BPMs right originally on every song E... 98 - Dr Dre and Snoop - Deep Cover

Online record pools such as DJCity will give you mp3s with cue points already setup and bpms tagged.

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

When you go to build your library in Serato/Itunes I suggest doing it right the first time because once you start up it's too much work to go back and fix your playlist/crates. Really think about how you want to organize your music and all that. Don't import any low quality mp3s either. If they are not 320kbps, don't put them in. You'll thank me later.

I also will put the BPM at the start of the file name just for organization purposes and so you can quickly see songs that are similar speeds. I know that you can scan the bpm and all thati n the newer version of Serato and Traktor but I just do it myself. When I was first learning I counted out all the beats manually using a watch then wrote it on the vinyl label. Ended up doing it digitally because Serato didn't count the BPMs right originally on every song E... 98 - Dr Dre and Snoop - Deep Cover

Online record pools such as DJCity will give you mp3s with cue points already setup and bpms tagged.

I'm thinking about doing it by Genre then Artist, what would you suggest though? Thanks for the tip on 320kbps and DJCity.

 

[OnlyInCalifornia]

I'm thinking about doing it by Genre then Artist, what would you suggest though? Thanks for the tip on 320kbps and DJCity.

I would almost go even deeper than just the basic genre but it depends on what you plan on doing. I think eventually when you get comfortable youll want to do parties and all that so Hip Hop and Rock are super broad. When your mp3 collection on your PC gets massive digging through all of Hip Hop to find say 'old school Hip Hop' or maybe even lets just say 'crunk' takes up time. Under Rock it could be punk rock, new wave, classic rock, alternative, etc. You can always use 'crates' in Serato for that reason, they explain it in the help a bit more.

Nothing sucks more than playing a little set and in the middle you end up putting on a low quality mp3, people can and will hear the difference. As your ear gets more tuned from mixing it'll absolutely drive you nuts.

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

I would almost go even deeper than just the basic genre but it depends on what you plan on doing. I think eventually when you get comfortable youll want to do parties and all that so Hip Hop and Rock are super broad. When your mp3 collection on your PC gets massive digging through all of Hip Hop to find say 'old school Hip Hop' or maybe even lets just say 'crunk' takes up time. Under Rock it could be punk rock, new wave, classic rock, alternative, etc. You can always use 'crates' in Serato for that reason, they explain it in the help a bit more.

Nothing sucks more than playing a little set and in the middle you end up putting on a low quality mp3, people can and will hear the difference. As your ear gets more tuned from mixing it'll absolutely drive you nuts.

Been spending all night with it. I'm having a lot of fun with this. Setting up cue points and everything else is easy, it's knowing how to utilize it. Back to reorganizing my library now.

 

[Self_Born7]

Serato has been a blessing and curse at the same time for me.

 

[Self_Born7]

man, yall new dj's got it made. yall don't have to put in no kind of work, or practice... these controllers with the sync button keeping your mixes tight and not off beat and Serato/Traktor that measures the BPM's does everything for you already.