Anyone DJ? Need some help with setting up DJ equipment to computer??

[Josh]

I've just been looking into DJing a little bit for fun on the side, I love playing music and always did so at my local parties/etc with just my iMac and a mouse/keyboard (yea, boring - i know). I've recently just been looking into getting turntables/mixer/etc, but want to start off with something relatively inexpensive...

http://cnj.craigslist.org/msg/470066392.html

Is it possible to hook that set up to a iMac?? I was reading a little information on this site:

http://www.rockit2000.com/DJSo...j-rockit2000-setup.htm

But, just wanted to make sure it was all possible. What kind of software would I need for my Apple and specifically what equipment would I need to just get basic things done such as scratch here and there and go from one track to another smoothly??

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Alistar7]

I took my PC on DJ gigs years back. I used a cable/adapter to connect my sound card into my mixer, it is easy.

 

[effowe]

Well first off if you are looking to invest in that setup and are wanting to start DJing often, you are just going to be throwing your money away. If it is just going to be a part time hobby then start off on that, but I would suggest sinking some money into some quality equipment such as the industry standard Technics 1200 MK-II's. I've had mine for about 10 years and they work as well as the day I bought them. As far as a mixer is concerned, Rane makes very high quality mixers. I have the TTM-56 model. The thing that sets Rane apart from other mixers is the magnetic cross fader which prevents any "bleed through" you may experience with older electronic cross faders.

As far as hooking it up to an iMac, it is quite possible with an RCA>Minijack adapter. This will allow you to take a cord from the master out in the mixer and plug it straight into Line In on your computer. From there it's just a matter of having recording software, I think Garage Band would be able to do this, and I'm sure a program like the open source Audacity would also allow it (if they have a mac port, or if you feel adventurous and installing from the linux sources using Fink on the Mac.)

I would also suggest looking into Serato. It is owned by Rane and basically allows you to play any digital track on a vinyl as if you owned that particular record. Do a google search and check out some of the things it can do. It is a hefty initial investment, but then again if you plan on making this a long term thing, you would be saving a ton of money in the long run on vinyl purchases.

Your second link is borked at the moment, but let me see if I read that correctly. You want to "get basic things done such as scratch here and there and go from one track to another smoothly." Well you would be doing all of that on your own and the computer would just be recording in what you are doing. I don't know what that second link is but if it's some sort of software to help you do that then buying the tables would be pointless..

Anyways, feel free to ask more questions, I'll help if I can.

 

[Josh]

Originally posted by: effowe
Well first off if you are looking to invest in that setup and are wanting to start DJing often, you are just going to be throwing your money away. If it is just going to be a part time hobby then start off on that, but I would suggest sinking some money into some quality equipment such as the industry standard Technics 1200 MK-II's. I've had mine for about 10 years and they work as well as the day I bought them. As far as a mixer is concerned, Rane makes very high quality mixers. I have the TTM-56 model. The thing that sets Rane apart from other mixers is the magnetic cross fader which prevents any "bleed through" you may experience with older electronic cross faders.

As far as hooking it up to an iMac, it is quite possible with an RCA>Minijack adapter. This will allow you to take a cord from the master out in the mixer and plug it straight into Line In on your computer. From there it's just a matter of having recording software, I think Garage Band would be able to do this, and I'm sure a program like the open source Audacity would also allow it (if they have a mac port, or if you feel adventurous and installing from the linux sources using Fink on the Mac.)

I would also suggest looking into Serato. It is owned by Rane and basically allows you to play any digital track on a vinyl as if you owned that particular record. Do a google search and check out some of the things it can do. It is a hefty initial investment, but then again if you plan on making this a long term thing, you would be saving a ton of money in the long run on vinyl purchases.

Your second link is borked at the moment, but let me see if I read that correctly. You want to "get basic things done such as scratch here and there and go from one track to another smoothly." Well you would be doing all of that on your own and the computer would just be recording in what you are doing. I don't know what that second link is but if it's some sort of software to help you do that then buying the tables would be pointless..

Anyways, feel free to ask more questions, I'll help if I can.

Wow, first thank you for the helpful response.

I fixed the link: http://www.rockit2000.com/DJSo...j-rockit2000-setup.htm

Basically I want to be able to play my library of MP3s off my iMac and use the turntables to scratch/mix and transition into different songs smoothly. I don't really see the need to record any of my mixing onto the computer as of this time...

So what I want is basically software that will be able to handle my MP3s and read the mixer/turntables which will in turn let me scratch/transition into songs by using a scratch or effects vinyl?? Do you understand what I am trying to say?

I was also pointed to this software/hardware kit:

http://www.m-audio.com/product...s/TorqMixLab-main.html

 

[effowe]

Exactly, this is what I was talking about when I mentioned Serato. They give you two vinyls that are specially marked with grooves that allows them to time out where in the song the vinyl is. If you backtrack it will pick that up and automatically reverse the digital audio as if you owned that record. It really is a cool piece of equipment and is what I see whenever I go out and see a DJ with their laptop set up. Rane even sells a mixer with Serato integrated to prevent using a separate box. I don't know anything about those two links that you gave me, but I do know Serato is pretty much industry standard.

I guess it's called Scratch Live.. here is some info http://www.rane.com/scratch.html

And their website.. http://scratchlive.net/

 

[Josh]

Originally posted by: effowe
Exactly, this is what I was talking about when I mentioned Serato. They give you two vinyls that are specially marked with grooves that allows them to time out where in the song the vinyl is. If you backtrack it will pick that up and automatically reverse the digital audio as if you owned that record. It really is a cool piece of equipment and is what I see whenever I go out and see a DJ with their laptop set up. Rane even sells a mixer with Serato integrated to prevent using a separate box. I don't know anything about those two links that you gave me, but I do know Serato is pretty much industry standard.

I guess it's called Scratch Live.. here is some info http://www.rane.com/scratch.html

And their website.. http://scratchlive.net/

That looks perfect hahaha. After seeing that set up they have pictured, it looks like exactly what I need. Thank you. Now to decide what turntables/mixer I am going to purchase...

 

[Josh]

The M-Audio Torq: http://www.m-audio.com/product...s/TorqMixLab-main.html

Seems pretty similar for a much cheaper price? I'll have to look into it a little more see if it's worth splurging the extra few hundred or if the Torq will do..

 

[sash1]

the DJM-400 mixer by Pioneer is a great 2-channel mixer. it has a BPM analyzer and it's own sound effects.

my friend DJs in and around Chicago and she uses this. it's not all that expensive, and it's defintiely worth however much you pay for it. it's a great mixer.

if you're into digital CD decks instead of turntables, the CDJ-200s are great, cheap ones and work well with the DJM-400.

(all of this is Pioneer, btw)

 

[effowe]

Originally posted by: Josh
That looks perfect hahaha. After seeing that set up they have pictured, it looks like exactly what I need. Thank you. Now to decide what turntables/mixer I am going to purchase...

Well I am going to suggest the Technics 1200s and the Rane TTM-56 mixer, but that is what I own and am used to. If you do get this setup you will be paying over a grand so it may not be cost feasible. Whatever you do make sure to get a Direct Drive table and NOT a belt drive. Read over reviews comparing cost to performance. Gemini and Newmark make lower end tables, but I have seen them coming out with higher cost Direct Drive tables. I have no idea if they are good so read up on the reviews.

As far as a mixer I suggest the Rane because the crossfader is magnetic. This is going to save you the hassle down the line of having to replace a crossfader to due bleed through. It is also smooth as butter so scratching is easy (if you know what you are doing of course.) I used to own a Vestax PMC-07 Pro mixer which was also very good as far as scratching, but I did have to replace the crossfader on that due to bleed issues.

On to the stylus. I use Shure M44-7's. These are made for scratching and I have had mine for a long time now. They are built for heavy use so you should not have a problem with them, and they are fairly cheap compared to the higher end concord style needles which are made for superior sound quality. You also don't have to worry about them messing up your vinyl as that is what they are made for.

Again, just make sure you read up on reviews before making any purchases, and decide whether this is just going to be a phase or a commitment from you. If you are planning on doing this often then it may be worth it to invest a little more initially so you can have quality equipment that will last you. If you end up buying the cheaper stuff and do start getting into it, you will definitely realize why it is cheaper. You will then end up buying the more expensive stuff anyways so really think / read about it before you make your purchases.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[effowe]

Originally posted by: Josh
The M-Audio Torq: http://www.m-audio.com/product...s/TorqMixLab-main.html

Seems pretty similar for a much cheaper price? I'll have to look into it a little more see if it's worth splurging the extra few hundred or if the Torq will do..

Look closely at what you linked. That is their software only mixer, so you are using their mixer with only audio files on the laptop. You are not using turntables.

This is the product that is similar to what I linked where you use special timed vinlys in conjunction with their box and software. It is also $350.00 dollars.