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Forum: General Discussion

Topic: Need General Advice

由于该帖子已年深日久，可能包含陈旧过时或描述错误的信息。

Hi, I hope I don’t impose. Seems to be some really cool and knowledgeable people here.

Please help me out here.

Im an old fashion guy, started with SL1200’s years ago and eventually made my way to CDJ’s. Recently my friend introduced me to VDJ, and gave me his little midi controller and laptop to play around with. I had it for a week, and must say Im hooked. It just has so much potential, its amazing. So now I want to change to digital, and want to get me a copy of VDJ. I need some advice. My setup at home: CDJ800 with DJM 400. I have a powerful HP laptop so that’s not a problem. What else do I need? Ok, so I know that I need an external sound card like the Rane / Serato SL1 and some time coded discs right, but what else? Question about these sound cards, I noticed there are many different types (SL1,2,whatever, Maya Virtual Vinyl etc). a Quick search on taobao I found a cheap Numark DJ IO (http://www.numark.com/djio), and while I realize that you obviously get what you pay for, I cant go and blow my budget just yet. Is this the same as the SL and VV? Can you recommend some products to me?

Ok, second question.
If I use one of these sound cards, how do you connect VDJ to it. I didn’t have allot of time with the product, as I had to return my friends laptop, but I tried to look around the config window and couldn’t see any support for any other sound drive. In the sound card part he had his berhineger controller ticked, so I take it the software has some kind of support for this product. How about external drives? How do you actually connect these?

Ok, then finally, I play at three different clubs during the week. I don’t have a residency at only one place. One of the clubs, I play only a 90 minute set, so Im usually just in and out. Im used to only taking my disc case and head phones, and nothing else. All three clubs use CDJ1000’s, but different mixers (two have DJM one have allen and heath I think… cant remember now). So, if I want to use my laptop with VDJ at clubs, how do you guys do it? Do you just take your external sound card with and then connect it to the CDJs? If so, how quick does this setup take? With the one gig Im usually in and out, and the other djs don’t like the be bothered. Will this work? If you use this setup, I take it that the CD player acts as a control for the software, so in that case, do you still have access to the cd players functions (like loop etc)? will it work on CDJ1000?

How stable is this set up for a club gig?

Hope someone can give me some advice. I hope I can buy the software and the hardware without breaking the bank. Im exited about this new idea.

Thanks for reading all of this ;)
E
 
发表时间 Wed 24 Jun 09 @ 4:35 am
Hi, welcome to the site

I personally use the Numark cm200 usb mixer as they have two sound cards on board and dual usb outputs/inputs etc........
 
If you're looking for the easiest setup, I would suggest just getting a compatible soundcard. For me I've just used Creative X-Fi or alot of people use the maya sound card. All you have to do is connect directly into the mixer. If the club is using channnel 1&2 for the CD's. you could use channels 3&4 for VDJ. You can control the sotware with the keyboard and mouse. I would think this would be a good start for you till you more comfortable. I can be setup in about 5 minutes. Just a suggestion.
 
First off, Numark doesn't make the CM200USB mixer anymore, it's now called the C3USB. But he already has a Pioneer DJM-400 so he wouldn't want to downgrade to a more inferior mixer. No offense to those who own one, I am an owner of one as well (C3USB) but I also own a Pioneer DJM-800 so I have personal experience with the difference between the two, not to mention 25 years experience using equipment of all types. The 400 has nearly similar sound quality to my 800 and is superior to the CM200USB or C3USB from Numark. All you need is a sound card. The Maya-44 seems to be what everyone is using with a set-up similar to his. I use Pioneer CDJ-400s which are USB and have built-in sound cards so I don't need an external SC. You will also need time codes so maybe your best bet would be to purchase the whole Virtual Vinyl set which includes the software and the time code CD's, or forgo the 800s in favor of some new CDJ-400s. Or you could get the Serato set up, I believe I read somewhere that the Serato time codes will work with VDJ, I know the box does work as the sound card. Since you have CDJ-800s you must use time code CD's because the 800s are not USB like my 400s which the time code is built in. I personally own the Serato SL-3 which has superior sound over the SL-1 and it is USB 2.0 rather than the old standard 1.1 which means less latency, etc. I run my VDJ through the Serato SL-3 even though I don't need to, its because I play around with the Scratch Live 1.9 software once in awhile though it doesn't compare at all to VDJ.

Just a thought!



DJ RuDe
 
What ever you do.. Keep the CDJ 800s and the DJM 400 mixer. That's good. You only need a sound card and thats it. Dont buy a Numark CM 200 usb mixer. here are 2 Great sound cards that work well. 1 is the serato sound card and 2 is the M-audio Connetiv. (Either one). The Maya is OK but i dont recomend it. Its a cheap most of the time huming soundcard. I tried many so i know. Spend a little more to match what you have. Great and ok doesn't equal to flawless.



My new slogan.. I just Know..
 
if you want to use time codes with your cdjs the entry smart solution will be the Hercules RMX
it will give you a discount against VDJ pro, two inputs for your time code cdjs, a midi controller, a decent sound card and all of this for just $500

I also like the Xponent by m-audio
If you just want to use an external card, FocusRite LE firewire is a good one (with 4 channel inputs = 2 stereo inputs and 6 channel outputs =3 stereo, one for each deck and one for the vdj's built in sampler )for about $220 + $300 for Vdj pro download version
 
If you are committed to sound hi-fi, a good soundcard for the money is:Echo AudioFire 4. Works with Timecodes and have great sound (better than Maya, Esi U46DJ, m-audio and Native Instruments (this last 2 are good ones but echo sounds a bit better for me))

Your checklist could be: VirtualDJ Pro + timecodes + soundcard interfase+ audio cables (there are one from NI that could be place and remove like you do with normal XLR conectors).

A good Laptop will be also recommend, finally you got all you need (and more) with this setup.

At the end you could buy 30 usd audio cables (2) and plug and unplug directly in a few secs, you can left those cables in the clubs (not big money)



and to let on the clubs:




Good Luck!
 
Thanks for all the advice.
Im not new to DJing, Im just new to Virtual Djing. I been at it for longer than I care to admit.

Ok, so I should get a sound card to connect to my laptop, and some time code cd’s. I don’t want to take the midi controller to the clubs I play at, mostly because the clubs already have some good gear. So this setup, I can just plug the cables into the cdj 1000’s and then use them as the controllers?

Thanks for all the advice so far. This new digital djing seems to be the way forward.
 
In order to play with Timecoded Cds (laptop+VirtualDJ+soundcard+Timecoded Cds) requires a specific kind of connectiions which are impossible to be done when another DJ is playing without them. You will have to stop the music, actually.
That's my opinion.

Well, you may unplug the first Cd Player, adjust the software, begin with it, and then unplug the other one, but it's a very tricky situation, i wouldnt recomend.

Note. Normal Cds RCA goes to mixer. Timecoded Cds with laptop, RCA of CDS, go to input of soundcard and RCA output of soundcard go to mixer. So you see you need a lot of work.
Solutiion...there are Multiple RCA cables which you may use to avoid pluging and unpluging. I don't know if they are good quality though.

Stability.... It reminds me an email i received long ago explaining why Intel does not produces cars! (Imagine!! Runtime Error , get the bus!!!! LOL)
 
If you are committed to sound hi-fi, a good soundcard for the money is: Echo AudioFire 4. Works with Timecodes and have great sound (better than Maya, Esi U46DJ, m-audio and Native Instruments (this last 2 are good ones but echo sounds a bit better for me))

Your checklist could be: VirtualDJ Pro + timecodes + soundcard interfase+ audio cables (there are one from NI that could be place and remove like you do with normal XLR conectors).

A good Laptop will be also recommend, finally you got all you need (and more) with this setup.

At the end you could buy 30 usd audio cables (2) and plug and unplug directly in a few secs, you can left those cables in the clubs (not big money)



and to let on the clubs:




Good Luck!


Thanks for those pictures. Sorry, im a little slow. Does everthing go to the sound card? which cable goes to the amplifier?
 
All I'm going to say is don't get the Numark DJ IO unless your 12 years old because there an absolute toy for bedroomers.
 
@ ACW DJ. Does The Audio Fire Give USB Drop Outs ?.. The M Audio sound excellent and works really good and also the serato. When i say works, i also mean that it doesnt cause USB drop outs like other Sound cards. I know one of the cards by native instruments gives USB drop outs.
 
Hello guys,

1.- I'm not recommending here NI sound cards, however they work fine in my test. I recommend Echo AudioFire 4 which is much better and IT's FIREWIRE not usb. For me this sound card sounds better than M-Audio FireWire 410 or 610. Pick on the name on my last post to have more info about the audiofire 4. The cables are from Native Instruments but work on any sound card that will be use for timecodes (Vinyl or CD).

2.- The cables plug automatically the CD-Palyers to the mixer when you are not plugin in your soundcard,and re-route them to your soundcard when you plug them... so for the guys who are playing, play the same. You just have to unplug one of the XLR shape connectors and you have back your CD-Player connected directly to the mixer. Please READ the info that you find clicking the pictures I put on my last post for more information.


My idea with this setup is: enter to the club with your laptop, put your laptop in place, your sound card and have your cables ready. When it is your turn to mix, then plug the wire that belongs to the cd-player that is not playing in that moment. Put your CD timecode, check your timecode params and with 100% in quality signal and circles in your timecode graphic screen, load your song and go. Then plug the other cable and do the same with the other side. Now you are playing with timecodes in that club.

When you finish, unplug your cables (one at a time) and let the other DJ put it's cd on the cd-player that it's not running, and that's it. You finish, take your sound card, your timecodes and you laptop and go out. The cables that are conected to the mixer REMAINS in there, so you don't have to unplugged all cables every time you go in there. You can remove such cables once you where no longer working on that place.

Hope this clarify what and how could be done.
 
yes thanks acwdj. thats whay i wanted to know :)
 
I am in the process of making some mix cds. I have recorded a couple of mixes using my vitural dj software, but it creates the mix in one mp3 file. What software can I use to divide the mp3 into different tracks?
 
blkonyx2000 wrote :
I am in the process of making some mix cds. I have recorded a couple of mixes using my vitural dj software, but it creates the mix in one mp3 file. What software can I use to divide the mp3 into different tracks?




int he record options where u set what you want the file to be called you can click on split into multiple files,i dont use the split on crossfade,i just have a key on the keyboard set to split when i press it but sometimes this dosent sound good,it kinda jumps a little,i use lsony acid music studio for other stuff which isnt to expensive but i think you can use audacity which im pretty sure is free,just google it
 
djdad wrote :
In order to play with Timecoded Cds (laptop+VirtualDJ+soundcard+Timecoded Cds) requires a specific kind of connectiions which are impossible to be done when another DJ is playing without them. You will have to stop the music, actually.
That's my opinion.

Well, you may unplug the first Cd Player, adjust the software, begin with it, and then unplug the other one, but it's a very tricky situation, i wouldnt recomend.

Note. Normal Cds RCA goes to mixer. Timecoded Cds with laptop, RCA of CDS, go to input of soundcard and RCA output of soundcard go to mixer. So you see you need a lot of work.
Solutiion...there are Multiple RCA cables which you may use to avoid pluging and unpluging. I don't know if they are good quality though.

Stability.... It reminds me an email i received long ago explaining why Intel does not produces cars! (Imagine!! Runtime Error , get the bus!!!! LOL)


Every club that I go to play or not, I see that transition, Just carrrie a mix cd that will give youtime for the transition.
It easy to switch CD djs but there are tons of advantages of playing from a computer, like having all your music with you everywhere, playing videos, databases, etc.

Stability: You need to have a back up plan (Always). CD's, extra computer with music on it, Ipod and in the begining bring your music and CD's and you will know when is time to start leaving some behind.
 
I would better use a digital Y-Adapter like this one:

http://www.alphalabs.com/

Take a look at the MASTERKEY (Produkte/DJ Tools/Masterkey) ~ 150,- Euro
You don't evr need to change any cable AND you can plug in up to 2 Computers at the same time WITHOUT having any groundloop or impedance problems !!!

Greets, Heiko

acw_dj wrote :


and to let on the clubs:




 


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