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Forum: General Discussion

Topic: New Guy Looking for some answers - Page: 1

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Hi All,

I am an 11 year DJ who, after dragging my feet for about three years now is about to make a full digital upgrade. I have done the research on all three major platforms, and like all three. I have also demoed all three and while it is probably not in my best interest (because the area I live in is Serato and only Serato.) I am leaning really heavily towards VDJ. With that said, I am making a full switch. I am a mobile dj, who plays all types of parties. from weddings, school dances, and private events, to also some club work etc.

The gear I use now is,

Normal:
Numark Cdn-88
Numark DM1200
Pioneer HDJ 1,000 (not recommended for anyone btw)
4 Jbl eon powered
Mackie swa 1501 powered sub.

Video:
Three dvd players,
old news station video mixer


What I am looking at:
Vestax PMC 05 pro iv
2 Numark ndx 800's
VDJ


My question is, what do I need to run this system?
Can I even run this system? (I don't see why I can't but maybe I am missing something)
I realize I will have to buy VDJ 7 (using all demo software in my house still) but its 400 cheaper than serato with video. Also is there any difference good or bad between serato with video and vdj? (is vdj just as good or better I can't find anything really comparing the two besides lovers and haters, loving or bashing)

Will all of this just hook into my laptop and then out from the mixer to the speakers like a normal system?
for video I just add an s-video cord correct??

Sorry I just want some answers before I blow $3000 you know?
Thanks for all the help, I hope you guys are nicer than the traktor reps I talked too.
 
geposted Sat 08 Jan 11 @ 4:42 pm
sorry babe i cant answer your question (i'm sure someone else will though but i just had to say...

WWWOOOWWW 11 YEARS OLD!!! OMG.!

i wish you the very best ov luck in your endevours.

Keep on keepin on babes.

Good luck

Seana
XXX
 
haha i meant eleven years of experience... I'm 25
 
ah dont know! women drivers?????? lmfao
 
Step No1. Rip all your music to mp3 (higher bitrate possible). Rip also all your DVDs, since you will not gonna need those DVD players any more.
Step No2. Download the FREE Home VirtualDJ version. Play around with keyboard, mouse and your laptop (PC) internal sound card.
Step No3. Imagine now a way to control the software without using keyboard or mouse.

There are 2 ways of controlling the software (video & audio)
1. Timecode. You're gonna need a sound card with 2 stereo inputs (at least) such as Maya44USB, Hercules Tim, NI Audio 4 etc
2. Midi controller. Chose the one fits your needs and budget (there are plenty !!)
3. Timecode+Midi controler
 
yeah I have everything in mp3 and all dvds are mpeg-4....I was thinking that since everything I want is USB and a midi controller already, that they would just hook right into the laptop...
 
if you have a midi controler already, just plug it into the laptop and install its drivers. it should control vdj automatically once you load the programme. however if youre using the home edition, your controler will be useless as the home edition does not allow the use of a controler.

so you have some options.

1, buy pro version and a usb soundcard to enable TT hook up
2, buy a new controler with built in soundcard, this will give you the ability to hookup exernal equipment such as TT's or CDJ's plus it will give you the limited edition of the softwaare.
3, buy pro and a new controler which will pretty much set you up for good.

if you chose to buy a new controler with built in audio, you can upgrade to pro for a fraction of the price pnce you have the limited edition. which is going to save you money in the long run.
 
djberto690 wrote :
haha i meant eleven years of experience... I'm 25


HA!! oh i am pleased... 11 is way too young... How would you ever get into the club to do you set!!!


XXX
 
I was just impressed on how an 11 year old could put a paragraph like that together! I thought he was the Doogie Howser of the DJ world. lol
 
I though he was age 11 as well!

Shows how specific you have to be with your wording on forums to avoid confusion....
 
if you have a midi controler already, just plug it into the laptop and install its drivers. it should control vdj automatically once you load the programme. however if youre using the home edition, your controler will be useless as the home edition does not allow the use of a controler.

so you have some options.

1, buy pro version and a usb soundcard to enable TT hook up
2, buy a new controler with built in soundcard, this will give you the ability to hookup exernal equipment such as TT's or CDJ's plus it will give you the limited edition of the softwaare.
3, buy pro and a new controler which will pretty much set you up for good.

if you chose to buy a new controler with built in audio, you can upgrade to pro for a fraction of the price pnce you have the limited edition. which is going to save you money in the long run.

I plan on going pro, I do way too much video stuff not too.

So then my last question is, if the mixer is midi, and both decks are midi, you could potentially run all three usb right? or would you just run the mixer usb and then run the decks like normal rca inputs?
 
I though he was age 11 as well!

Shows how specific you have to be with your wording on forums to avoid confusion....

I thought leaving out "old" was enough. haha next time I'll add vet.
 
What! your an eleven year old Vet as well! jeez just shows what an education can do for ya...
 
lol, i must be the only person who read his post correctly.
 
is your midi mixer a two channel or 4 channel...
mine is a four channel pioneer djm 5000 and i use two for vdj on gig machine and two for 2nd lappy as backup that can also be used as normal inputs for decks ipod ect if i needed to use them..
i was like you using dvd players karaoke machines ect and since taking the plunge and learning a lot from forums ive never looked back switching to digital and the job is just so easy now
best of luck mate
 
is your midi mixer a two channel or 4 channel...
mine is a four channel pioneer djm 5000 and i use two for vdj on gig machine and two for 2nd lappy as backup that can also be used as normal inputs for decks ipod ect if i needed to use them

The mixer I want, and will be ordering once they release the new color scheme is the new vestax pmc-05 pro 4, so it is a "three" channel two dedicated channels, but there is a third channel of sorts.

here is a link (they also offer it in a nasty red so i am waiting for the black to be fully released.)
http://www.vestax.com/v/products/detail.php?cate_id=120&parent_id=4

so then do you hook up your mixer via usb? should I use a soundcard instead? my laptop is built for gaming, (nvidia 8800 gtx video card, realtek hd sound card, etc.)
 
to me from what i see this unit has no built in soundcard so you will have to use whatever soundcard you have.
so you will be comming from your soundcard to your mixer so then any channel you can connect to.
as i said my mixer has a built in soundcard which i configure from vdj sound set up....i use 2 channels from software on external mixer config
did you look at usb midi mixers with built in soundcards
 
ok, I took a look at the specs of the gear you plan on buying

Vestax PMC 05 pro iv
2 Numark ndx 800's
VDJ

The good thing about this gear is that they all have MIDI and with MIDI you can control the functions of Virtual DJ.
The only thing I didn't see in the specs of the hardware are built in sound cards, this means you will need an ASIO compatible sound interface. I highly recommend Native Instruments Audio 2, 4 and 8 with my favorite being the Audio 2 due to its small size. No matter what Native Instruments card you chose they all offer amazing sound quality, the only difference between them is in the number of inputs and outputs and not to mention the difference in price.

The Hercules DeeJay Trim and Scratch sound interface package seems pretty good also, it comes bundled with a version of virtual DJ that will allow you to do time code, you don't really need to do time code with your setup since the Numark NDX 800 are MIDI and can control the software without the need of time codes. Time codes can be handy if you decide to add some 1200s to your setup. Also, most Hercules products bundled with Virtual DJ give you a massive discount when you upgrade the software to Pro.

Numark Virtual Vinyl is basically a Numark sound interface bundled with the retail version of Virtual DJ (Numark Cue). The software is basically the same to Virtual DJ, the only drawback is that software updates tend to take a little longer for Numark CUE since the Numark people decide on when they are released and are not released when Virtual DJ decides to update.

Anyway your choice in gear seems pretty solid for Virtual DJ, you just need to add a sound interface to the setup to make it work.

Here's some more sound interface
Numark DJio
MAYA 44usb
American Audio Versa Port
ESI Gigaport-HD

Basically any sound card will work with virtual DJ but don't be cheap on the sound card since the sound quality depends on it. For best results get an ASIO compatible sound card and get one that is 24 bits, most of the cheaper ones tend to be 16bits in sound quality.

Now as far as your Serato vs VDJ question is concerned, it all comes down to the end user. All software out there have their strengths and weaknesses. I think that listening to what others say about a software is like shooting yourself in the leg, you must try them all and end up going with the one that you feel the most comfortable using, even if its not the one that is the most popular in your area. I think it all comes down to the end users style of play, just because your friend swears by Virtual DJ that doesn't mean its going to fit your needs. Everybody where I live is on Serato but I hate it, I tried many times to force myself to like it but I just couldn't, I choose Virtual DJ #1 and Traktor #2 because both of these software fit my style but just because these software are the perfect fit for me that doesn't make them perfect for you, we all mix differently. Try them all I say and put your money on the best one for you!
 
well I asked a rep at the store and he said because it was midi there was no need for a sound card, that was the point of midi. iThe mixer says it is ASIO compatible so I take it that i probably doesn't have a built in sound card.
 
@ magagar80

so with the native instruments audio 2 will I have enough to run this system? should I just get the 4 just for the extra inputs?

I have serato with a pmc 05 pro 2 samurai and two technics 1200 mkii's but I do some video work and with Technics not making the 1200's anymore and vestax doing away with the samurai line, I put the battle system away. I did use it to demo serato and traktor. I was mainly more curious if anyone saw any real big problems between the three, I can use all three. I am just more comfortable with a program like VDJ that is basically the google chrome of djing.

@ All of you thanks, for your help! I have gained alot of knowledge in the past 24 hours
 
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