docfeelgood
hey all,
I'm a new VDJ user and ive finally become use to all the features and consider myself fairly confident with all the features.
I have been considering upgrading to a 'real' DJ set up. 99% of my music is in mp3 format.
I am a university student and I have some other fairly expensive hobbies, so Id like to get into DJing as cheap as possible.
Ive looked at the timecoded vinyl, but i have no idea what it is or what its function is.
Those who have DJ'd before, would you suggest i buy a vinyl setup, cd setup, or vinyl+timecode setup?
I play mostly house/trance/dance. I may also get involve in music production in the future.
so what do you suggest?
cheers,
Aaron
I'm a new VDJ user and ive finally become use to all the features and consider myself fairly confident with all the features.
I have been considering upgrading to a 'real' DJ set up. 99% of my music is in mp3 format.
I am a university student and I have some other fairly expensive hobbies, so Id like to get into DJing as cheap as possible.
Ive looked at the timecoded vinyl, but i have no idea what it is or what its function is.
Those who have DJ'd before, would you suggest i buy a vinyl setup, cd setup, or vinyl+timecode setup?
I play mostly house/trance/dance. I may also get involve in music production in the future.
so what do you suggest?
cheers,
Aaron
geposted Tue 11 Jul 06 @ 6:40 am
tunic
Hiya
Timecoded vinyl is special a special kind of record that you use with a normal record deck (e.g. a Technics 1210). Instead of wiring the record deck into the mixer you wire it into a soundcard, like your DJ Console Mk2. The time coded vinyl record itself doesn't contain music, but rather a special time coded signal that the soundcard (or rather Virtual DJ) interprets to determine where in a song and at what speed it should be playing. There are a few different modes for Virtual DJ to be set at but they all generally work on this basis.
Time coded CDs work on an equivalent basis, but obviously using a special time coded CD (which can be downloaded from this site).
As for what you should get..that is very much a personal preference.
Vinyl looks "cool" to some people, and the hands-on tactile nature is what some people prefer. Time coded vinyl is especially good for people moving from traditional vinyl. Just be aware the record and the pitch are still basicallly analogue so you have to do more work to keep mixes tight and in time. Traditional vinyl is the most expensive way to build a music collection.
CDs have basically now become mainstream - and as you can burn mp3s to CD you have the best of both worlds. But decent CDJs are very expensive, and my personal feeling is that cheaper ones will frustrate without some form of touch sensitive or spinning platter. Ideally VDJ needs these for time-coded CDs although it is not essential.
The other option is to go pure digital - and get a digitial only controller like the XP10 or, like you already have, the DJ Console MK2. This means your mixes will stay spot on and gives you the full power of the software.
At the end of the day it is a personal choice. I would say though that if you go with time-coded vinyl or CDs you need to be prepared to do a live re-wire of the mixer if you ever play at a club or bar and use their equipment (unless you are the only one on when you can do it before/after the night). With a digital only solution it is generally a case of just plugging in to a free couple of channels.
Hope that answers the question. :o)
geposted Tue 11 Jul 06 @ 9:16 am
docfeelgood
The cheaper packages such as this one:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gemini-CD-Mix-5.0-Package?sku=800198
...are no good? I'm aspiring to get to the point of playing local clubs... small crowds and what not.
I rarely scratch but i find the jog wheels on the hercules controller far to small (or my touch is too imprecise lol)
Now im worried about the technical switch to a 'real' set up. Im worried that VDJ has handicapped me by making me dependent on the beat sync and looping functions. From what i gather, the real setups are just two decks, with an EQ, tempo control and crossfader. How does one create loops with that?
cheers,
Aaron
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gemini-CD-Mix-5.0-Package?sku=800198
...are no good? I'm aspiring to get to the point of playing local clubs... small crowds and what not.
I rarely scratch but i find the jog wheels on the hercules controller far to small (or my touch is too imprecise lol)
Now im worried about the technical switch to a 'real' set up. Im worried that VDJ has handicapped me by making me dependent on the beat sync and looping functions. From what i gather, the real setups are just two decks, with an EQ, tempo control and crossfader. How does one create loops with that?
cheers,
Aaron
geposted Tue 11 Jul 06 @ 7:46 pm
SecretSoul
I tried out the time coded CDs on some cheaper cd decks the other day and they don't handle them too well. the only problem was when cueing a track, as the cheaper, non scratch type cd decks sort of jump when cueing (if you've used them you'll understand what i mean).
I'd highly recommend saving until you can afford some nice cd decks, like the cdj800s. I know you just wanna get started asap, but I wish I'd have waited now. I first bought a pair of belt drives, then bought a pair of gemini direct drive turntables. i only had them for a couple of months before using my student load to purchase a brand new pair of technics 1200s. about 6 months later i bought a cdj800, and then another 6 months later i sold my technics turntables to buy a dz1200. Now I've just spent more money on other equipment, and I'm looking at new laptops.
Seriously, save your $$ and buy what you need once. Also make sure you look after what you buy, get flight cases if you plan on taking them out, and be very protective. I'm telling you from experience as I have made mistakes in the past (my CDJ800 doesn't work anymore :( ) Hope that helps a bit.
I'd highly recommend saving until you can afford some nice cd decks, like the cdj800s. I know you just wanna get started asap, but I wish I'd have waited now. I first bought a pair of belt drives, then bought a pair of gemini direct drive turntables. i only had them for a couple of months before using my student load to purchase a brand new pair of technics 1200s. about 6 months later i bought a cdj800, and then another 6 months later i sold my technics turntables to buy a dz1200. Now I've just spent more money on other equipment, and I'm looking at new laptops.
Seriously, save your $$ and buy what you need once. Also make sure you look after what you buy, get flight cases if you plan on taking them out, and be very protective. I'm telling you from experience as I have made mistakes in the past (my CDJ800 doesn't work anymore :( ) Hope that helps a bit.
geposted Tue 11 Jul 06 @ 8:30 pm
phillydj
one thing to keep in mind before buying anything for timecode is that the home edition doesn't support time coding...just giving you a heads up, before u think it's the software
geposted Tue 11 Jul 06 @ 10:53 pm
A Man and His Music
Secretsoul said it best, Never buy what you can afford, buy what you want. Plus, what do you need food for anyway? That whole nutrition thing is overblown.
geposted Tue 11 Jul 06 @ 11:08 pm
phillydj
lol... i remember starving just to buy records when i was younger
geposted Tue 11 Jul 06 @ 11:10 pm
Superstom
Or you could wait for the Numark iCDX. This player is able to play audio cds, mp3 cds and mp3 dvds. You could also attach a harddrive or usb memory key to play your songs. Best thing in my opinion is that it is able to control software (will probably get native support in vdj). Then you don't need timecode anymore, what results in better control in my opinion.
Ewout
Ewout
geposted Tue 11 Jul 06 @ 11:11 pm
phillydj
yeah i think i'll starve again for 2 icdx's....what does the baby need pampers for anyway
geposted Tue 11 Jul 06 @ 11:12 pm
docfeelgood
Just did a google search for that new Numark icdx and i gotta say... sweeet.
Bloody pricey though...
Man this is an expensive hobby.
Bloody pricey though...
Man this is an expensive hobby.
geposted Thu 13 Jul 06 @ 7:03 am
djderricke
To me that iCDX looks affordable compared to what I payed for my Pioneer CJ-1000. (About $200 more than what they are asking for the iCDX, that was three years ago.) The iCDX does way more than my lowly CDJ-1000. I WILL be getting at least one of these.
geposted Thu 13 Jul 06 @ 7:10 am
SecretSoul
phillydj wrote :
lol... i remember starving just to buy records when i was younger
haha, me too. I'd get my dinner money from my mum and only have a packet of crisps just so I could buy some tunes.
geposted Thu 13 Jul 06 @ 1:13 pm
phillydj
yeah those where the days....but i can see it coming with the icdx my stomach is already getting less full
geposted Thu 13 Jul 06 @ 5:34 pm
SecretSoul
phillydj wrote :
yeah those where the days....but i can see it coming with the icdx my stomach is already getting less full
i wish mine was, i need to work out. damn credit cards meant i can eat and buy equipment : (
geposted Thu 13 Jul 06 @ 8:25 pm