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Slammer_Jammer_Man
Average Member
Australia
242 posts
Joined: Jun, 2004
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 Posted - 2006/08/28 : 11:17:24
I've been aspiring to become a DJ for years now, but the extreme cost of decks and records doesn't mix well with my poverty.  Lately I've been purchasing a lot of digital singles, which are much more within my price range, and had an idea - why don't I start out DJing on my computer and take it from there? I can get one of those virtual vinyl things that you can use to play MP3s like they're records, so at least I can start practicing until I am better off financially.
So my question is this: I've been told that in order to DJ on your computer and to be able to hear both tracks so that you can beat match, you need two sound cards. Is this correct? And if so, how would I go about putting two sound cards on my motherboard... wouldn't it cause a whole lot of conflicts?
Thanks muchly for any help you can give me.
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4 Tonnes of raw techno power!
Long live the NEC and all those innovative DJs tearing up dancefloors with Freeform and similar driving, experimental, high energy sounds!
http://www.nuenergy.co.uk/
http://www.finrg.com/
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charlieee
Advanced Member
Australia
1,422 posts
Joined: Dec, 2005
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Posted - 2006/08/28 : 11:31:25
if i was you i wouldn't bother going for comp, i would just slowly save up money for the real thing, which im doing atm. just to let you know if you can save up to $600 there is a baic dj pack which you can buy . http://lightsounds.com/product.php/id/238
or for $690
http://www.djwarehouse.com.au/catalogue/djpackages.htm
or if you are lyk me just save up money and buy cheap gear on ebay or trading post
i was able to buy a stanton c.303 for only $250
in the end comp dj will cost just as much as normal djing i think.so you might have to save up heaps of money and wait to buy it
lol iv been saving up from bout march and iv only have one deck, mixer,headphones and currently saving up for a secong deck lol
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iv got a purple monkey dishwasher do u?
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Underloop
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,895 posts
Joined: Mar, 2002
91 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2006/08/28 : 11:52:40
quote:
Originally posted by Slammer_Jammer_Man:
I've been aspiring to become a DJ for years now, but the extreme cost of decks and records doesn't mix well with my poverty. Lately I've been purchasing a lot of digital singles, which are much more within my price range, and had an idea - why don't I start out DJing on my computer and take it from there? I can get one of those virtual vinyl things that you can use to play MP3s like they're records, so at least I can start practicing until I am better off financially.
So my question is this: I've been told that in order to DJ on your computer and to be able to hear both tracks so that you can beat match, you need two sound cards. Is this correct? And if so, how would I go about putting two sound cards on my motherboard... wouldn't it cause a whole lot of conflicts?
Thanks muchly for any help you can give me.
You don't really need 2 soundcards, in fact I would reccomend against it. I got 2 soundcards running once (an M-Audio 2496 and an SBLive) and it was a bit of a pain!
You've really got 2 options, depending on the software you use. I use Traktor, and the methods I mention both work with that.
Firstly, there is the cheapskate way. You want a stereo to dual mono splitter. This takes the stereo output from your soundcard (assuming you have a single 3.5mm stereoheadphone out on your card) and converts it to 2 mono (L + R) 3.5mm outputs. In your mixing prog you can then specify to monitor on your Left channel, and the main out would be the right channel. Its not ideal, but if you can only afford a 99p gizmo then this is the route for you!
The much preferred way is to get a multi-output soundcard. You can get these from about £60. Check companies like M-Audio! This will give you extra stereo outs so you can use one for monitoring, and one for your main, both in glorious stereo! I spent a little extra and got an 8 output for £140ish. I have one output for each deck, and I use my 4 channel mixer for mixing control, only using the comp as glorified CD decks.
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"We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing."
- George Bernard Shaw
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Slammer_Jammer_Man
Average Member
Australia
242 posts
Joined: Jun, 2004
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Posted - 2006/08/28 : 12:56:06
Thanks Underloop. Is this the kind of thing you're talking about? http://www.piedog.com/musical_instruments/pro_music_live/computer_music/computer_hardware/audio_interfaces/m_audio-audiophile_usb.htm
From what I understood, you can plug your headphones in and your speakers at the same time, then designate which channel you want to hear through them, is that correct?
Also, do you know what those virtual turntables are called, and where I might find some prices on them?
__________________________________
4 Tonnes of raw techno power!
Long live the NEC and all those innovative DJs tearing up dancefloors with Freeform and similar driving, experimental, high energy sounds!
http://www.nuenergy.co.uk/
http://www.finrg.com/
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Underloop
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,895 posts
Joined: Mar, 2002
91 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2006/08/28 : 14:01:41
quote:
Originally posted by Slammer_Jammer_Man:
Thanks Underloop. Is this the kind of thing you're talking about? http://www.piedog.com/musical_instruments/pro_music_live/computer_music/computer_hardware/audio_interfaces/m_audio-audiophile_usb.htm
From what I understood, you can plug your headphones in and your speakers at the same time, then designate which channel you want to hear through them, is that correct?
Also, do you know what those virtual turntables are called, and where I might find some prices on them?
Not sure if the external Audiophile will do the job - it only claims to have 2 outs (ie 1 stereo) so the headphone channel will play the same sound as the main output jacks.
The card I have is this one
However, you probably won't need al those ins and outs. 2 options that would be ideal for you would be:
Delta 44 if you have a desktop
M-Audio Fast-track Pro if you really must have external (laptop or no pci slots left)
The software I use is called Traktor.
Actuall (and this is a [STOP PRESS] moment!) I just went on to the NI site to see if you can buy through them, and stumbled across this little beauty
Sounds ideal for what you want, although the RRP is a bit steep perhaps? It'll be cheaper if you buy through a 3rd party no doubt a little while after it comes out in October.
4 outs. The headphone is switchable between outputs. Assignable buittons/controller knob, and it comes with Traktor 3 LE which is a cut down, 2 deck version of Traktor - ideal for a beginner.
Its not out until October though.
__________________________________
"We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing."
- George Bernard Shaw
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Slammer_Jammer_Man
Average Member
Australia
242 posts
Joined: Jun, 2004
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Posted - 2006/08/28 : 14:29:47
The price sounds right with that Native Instruments one, and around October should give me just enough time to save up for it! Free bundled software is just what I'm after. Thanks very much! 
__________________________________
4 Tonnes of raw techno power!
Long live the NEC and all those innovative DJs tearing up dancefloors with Freeform and similar driving, experimental, high energy sounds!
http://www.nuenergy.co.uk/
http://www.finrg.com/
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milo
Advanced Member
Canada
3,391 posts
Joined: Sep, 2001
347 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2006/08/28 : 16:41:37
If you're buying digital stuff already, and want to go really cheap, pick up one of those dual CD players, that just have the mini job wheel and pitch bend, and a cheap mixer. atleast you'd be able to play out real easy =)
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HappyHardcore.com/North American Hardcore Movement/Totally Sweet Radio/Hardcore Street Team
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Cotts
Advanced Member
Australia
917 posts
Joined: Aug, 2004
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Posted - 2006/08/28 : 23:05:21
Yeah I started out getting a feel for mixing on traktor. Its really good and teaches you the basics of song structure and minor beatmatching skills before jumping into the real thing.
It is really good also in helping you decide if you actually want decks.
Now that I am actually on my decks it blows traktor out of the water, its very limited but good for a start.
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http://www.djcotts.com.au
http://www.youtube.com/djcotts
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Dain-Ja
Advanced Member
Canada
1,983 posts
Joined: Oct, 2004
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Posted - 2006/08/29 : 16:37:52
"If you're buying digital stuff already, and want to go really cheap, pick up one of those dual CD players, that just have the mini job wheel and pitch bend, and a cheap mixer. atleast you'd be able to play out real easy =)"
exactly!
you can get a used dual cd player from numark, gemini or american dj that will do the job fine for like 100-150$ US
a cheap mixer will run you 50$ US used
That'll be a good enough setup to play out...if you learn on traktor you'll never be able to play out because the real thing is too different
plus, unless you get a MIDI controller for traktor you won't be able to mix properly because you can't EQ a mix or do anything quick with a mouse - you need an external controller
might as well just get the real thing...
I guess fewer people are going with vinyl these days but I still think it's the best way to learn...
You can get a pair of used tech12s for 600$ US or so fairly easily
those are the best and you'll never have to upgrade - you're way better off getting a used pair of tech12s than getting a dj package with shitty decks (and no resale value if you don't like them...12s sell for what you paid for them)
My 0,02 cents
good luck
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Producer/DJ/Label owner
Rush Delivery Records
Visit makemeRUSH.com for music from the ONLY North American hardcore label pressing vinyl!
FREE track every Monday: http://www.rushdeliveryrecords.com/?p=229
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Underloop
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,895 posts
Joined: Mar, 2002
91 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2006/08/29 : 20:09:55
quote:
Originally posted by Dain-Ja:
That'll be a good enough setup to play out...if you learn on traktor you'll never be able to play out because the real thing is too different
plus, unless you get a MIDI controller for traktor you won't be able to mix properly because you can't EQ a mix or do anything quick with a mouse - you need an external controller
Sorry to contradict, but when I use Traktor (I have yet to do a hardcore mix with it, its mostly bootleg type randomness I do in Traktor) I have keys mapped to the various controls - it really is as good as mixing off a set of CD decks - and in some ways better. The only thing I use the mouse for is loading up tracks.
You can also get a cheap mixer as you say. If you have 2 stereo outs (which I've already reccomended) then just hook it up to your mixer and your sorted - this is how I use it.
quote:
might as well just get the real thing...
I guess fewer people are going with vinyl these days but I still think it's the best way to learn...
You can get a pair of used tech12s for 600$ US or so fairly easily
those are the best and you'll never have to upgrade - you're way better off getting a used pair of tech12s than getting a dj package with shitty decks (and no resale value if you don't like them...12s sell for what you paid for them)
My 0,02 cents
good luck
And on this point I will agree! You will learn alot more about mixing if you use vinyl - its like going back to basics - with Traktor the temptation is always there to mix visually (ie use the tempo on the screen). I got a wireless keyboard and take it over to my mixer so I'm not looking near the screen and mix by ear as with vinyl, but I learnt the ropes from vinyl.
Whatever you choose, learn to mix by ear!! Don't even think about using a tempo read out or any of these auto beat matching functions!
__________________________________
"We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing."
- George Bernard Shaw
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Dain-Ja
Advanced Member
Canada
1,983 posts
Joined: Oct, 2004
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Posted - 2006/08/29 : 20:15:13
I know some people who use keyboards as a controller but really, try EQing the high/mid/low separately on top of playing wiht the faders and pitch using just a keyboard
knobs are far, far better suited for the job than buttons (in fact I don't see how you would do that)
if you're only using the keyboard to control the pitch of the track (like you are) then it's fine
but you have an external mixer (which is an additional cost)
so I don't see how it's worth buying a mixer + traktor (which is expensive if you decide to be legit) if you can get decks for the same price
esp. since you'll never play out on traktor...you could play out on final scratch...but traktor? don't think so.
__________________________________
Producer/DJ/Label owner
Rush Delivery Records
Visit makemeRUSH.com for music from the ONLY North American hardcore label pressing vinyl!
FREE track every Monday: http://www.rushdeliveryrecords.com/?p=229
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