Ok, I used to be a supporter of programs like Virtual Turntables and think "who needs vinyl when you can just do it from mp3s?!" But the more I think about it, the more I realize that DJing from mp3s can't be done professionally in its current state. There's a craplod of reasons for that :P

1) Music quality.... a 128 kbit mp3 sounds relatively crappy on a good sound system (ie. you can definitely tell it isn't as high quality as a cd on my system which cost ~$1000)

2) Controls... some things just cant be done well with a mouse and keyboard. Like changing the pitch control while slowing down the record while beatmatching. Or switching the bass over smoothly between 2 tracks.

3) Equalization... in addition to the problem I mentioned before about switching the bass over to the new track when mixing, it also takes a couple seconds for the changes to take effect.... which needless to say isn't that great

4) Skipping... every once in a while VTT does skip even though I have a (relatively) fast computer :P
Which is VERY bad when 2 tracks are playing at the same time

5) Finding the beat.... a real pain in the ass, cuz its a hell of alot easier to just move the vinyl back and forth instead of playing, rewinding, moving the cue point.... repeat :P

I'm not saying that mp3 DJing is completely crap... it might be ok for a small house party or whatever... but I'm sure if you sat down even paul van dyk in front of a computer and gave him ages to practice he wouldn't be able to DJ nearly as well on a computer as on turntables....

Anyone agree? Disagree? Anyone care at all?
and finally... are there any programs that actually address most/all of these issues?

I got software thats 1200sl's in software form... granted u cant do 3 things at once, but u can move thru the track like on turntables, and when the rare occurance of a skip is encountered it compensates the other tune so its still in tempo. Also anything u do is instantaneous so there is no delay when u cahnge volume/pitch or something. And what u sed about quality, i never use 128 bit anyway

Still u cant beat using proper equiptment!

peace

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MUGGETS

You speak the truth ... hehe ... no matter what everybody says, MP3 mixing (or any other medium for that matter) won't replace the 1200s for a long long time. There is just some things you can't do digitally and DJing is one of them.
Now, some of the programs aren't all that bad if you are interested in spinning and want to learn the basics without spending $1500+ on equipment and vinyl, but for any kind of public performance MP3 is not a viable option.

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djskywarp.com
:: Ways of the Wikkid :: Canada's premiere Artist, DJ, Promoter, and Club Portal ::

I agree mostly,and yes the 12" is also more authentique,but it's true that you can more easily get the bass right with vinyl and you can do two handlings at the same time,like mixing and adjusting your sound at the same time,and your comp.has to take time to react no mather what processor you have!
PVD couldn't arange a set like he does with vinyl,that's a fact,but to not break the computermixing completely down,I have made some mixes and I had some good reactions on it,so,it doesn't sucks big time!

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Als er zo ene sta, heb ik twee woorden...Engelbert Humperdinck, ik rij altij me humperdinck daar wijk ik ni van af

I've been using a VTT with external mixer and a couple of soundboards for a year. The program itself is the best of it's kind at my personal point of view. It's easy, it does not require too much system resources (I had a P166 32RAM that time) and so on. Well, if you use an external mixer, it makes the process easier a bit, but..when you need to adjust pitch, for example, or rotate the virtual "jog wheel" you'll have to use this freaky mouse anyway. That's what sucks about mixing those MP3z..

Generally this would suit for training your ear.

I use a couple of those Pioneer CDJ500II at work now, and I'm not sure I could mix on my PC again.
Handwork is the best.

I tried to use the turntables once, in the beginning of summer, but I did not manage with those. ) It will take a certain time to get used to them.

Wish you all luck.

"2) Controls... some things just cant be done well with a mouse and keyboard. Like changing the pitch control while slowing down the record while beatmatching. Or switching the bass over smoothly between 2 tracks.
"

there must be some mp3 mixing program which has midi control of the knobs.. I've been looking for one myself... then I can use the modulation wheel on my keyboard as a cross fader.. if I had more knobs .. well then..

note: computers still suck for mixing...

well what about BPM-Studio you can get an external mixer for it and I think that it's the best program for mixing mp3's by far.

Thanks for your input everyone.... tu_face, are you referring to Digital 1200's? If so it sounds interesting and I might be forced to try it out
And I stated that mp3s sound bad in 128 kbit because often you can't find a rare track encoded any better than that. Of course, you could go out and buy the vinyl and then rip it to your computer.... but that would defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?
And I'm not knocking computers for un-live mixing (Cooledit, acid, sound forge, etc) I have made a number of mixes in acid, and IMHO they are quite good... but I couldn't come close to doing the same thing live on my pooter

I use BPM-Studio and it is very cool. In fact, beat matching seems too easy at times. There is a button that will set the other track to a near perfect pitch to match your first track. I think the biggest problem so far with mixing MP3 though is the sound level in which they are recorded. Its rediculous trying to match sound levels. Some people have ripped music too softly and others its too hard. It gets very frustrating trying to get a proper volume mix. Its certainly saves a lot of money though so you can't go wrong there....

Yeah I agree with you Morbius.

There's no way you can match the beats in MP3 mixing programs because you can't scratch your screen. Moving the vinyl is much better way to do this.
The EQ thing is true too. Try to control 2 EQs at the same time with your mouse!

However if you don't mind about those little drawbacks in MP3 mixing and if you're not so seriously into mixing then an MP3 program might be a good idea cause it's a LOT cheaper than a couple of turntables & mixer. (Esp. good ones)
I've said this before, but my opinion really is that if you want to do better mixing with your PC try Sonic Foundry's professional products like Soundforge and Acid Pro. It may take some practice to learn how to use them well but trust me, it works much better! However you can't mix in real-time, so it's more like studio mixing.

Why would one want to mix using soundforge or Acid? You can't do any real time mixing with those programs. Its not DJ software its audio editing...BPM Studio is made for the DJ who wants to mix real time...You can learn to play a two hour set with BPM Studio w/o stopping...

That's true. I didn't mean to put all the real time computer mixing programs completely down. If I mix MP3s I rather use sound editing software cause if I would mix MP3s in real time it would only sound crappy. I'm sure everyone has their own opinions and know which programs they like to use.


Antti