As if I actually have the time to take up this hobby, I went against my better judgement the other day and purchased 2 Pioneer CDJ 1000 MK3's and a DJM 600 mixer from a guy in Chicago. I have absolutely no clue how to DJ (i've just messed around with virtual DJ on my computer) but do have a very large trance and house music collection that I'd like to use and learn how to mix. I've got a pretty nice set of Sony MDR-7509's and a Yamaha receiver with speakers, and a Gateway laptop- so I think I should be set as far as everything I'll need.

A few questions here:

I realize that I'll have to burn cds with my laptop in order to use them in the MK3's, but I've seen laptops hooked up to the MK3's before while using different programs such as traktor, virtual dj, etc. and I'm wondering how this works. How can I record mixes into mp3's by hooking up my laptop with the setup? Are different computer mixing programs compatible with the MK3's and mixer? The CDR's can't recognize mp3's from your hard drive, correct?

With my Yamaha receiver- will that be all I'll need to hook up to the DJM 600 to get sound out of my speakers? I won't need to buy a separate amp or anything, correct?

Is there any other equipment other than what I listed that I have that you'll think I'll need, or any that you recommend me getting?

Just general advice for a beginner using this setup would be much appreciated. I'm determined to learn.

I realize these questions are quite elementary for most of you, just understand thatI have no djing experience whatsoever.

Thanks

thats a killer first setup!

You can use MP3s on the 1000s (MK3 only).

You don't need anything else at the moment.

Jarv

Thanks much Jarv.

So when you say I can use mp3's with the Mk3's does that mean I can burn mp3's to a cd, or the mk3's can hook to my laptop and read the mp3's directly from my hard drive?

Thanks again

where do you live, i will help you out. what time do you go to sleep usually?

you can burn mp3's to a cd, the cdj1000's can't read from your hard drive - you'll need something like serato or final scratch to do that, which will cost around an extra £400 ($800), which probably isnt worth it if you've got cdj's.


http://www.rane.com/scratch.html

http://www.stantondj.com/v2/fs/prod_fs2.asp

quote:

Originally posted by nefardec where do you live, i will help you out. what time do you go to sleep usually?

yeah...

Reason I decided to start with the MK3's and djm 600 is that I had read a lot of reviews, looked at prices, and I think I ended up getting this setup for a good price. So if I find that I just don't have the time to invest in this, I can always turn around and sell it and get my $ back. The setup is 3 months old, and the MK3's and 600 come in a coffin case. Ended up getting this all for $2500, and I'm fairly certain I could get more off of ebay if need be.

The guy that sold this to me said he's going to Serato. Still a bit confused on how that works without the MK3's, but it sounds like he's going to make it happen.

Appreciate the feedback so far

quote:

Originally posted by Sukhoi29SU The guy that sold this to me said he's going to Serato. Still a bit confused on how that works without the MK3's, but it sounds like he's going to make it happen.

Serato can be used with normal turntables. Thats what most people actually use it for, as an alternative to cdjs

Basically, if you want to avoid having to burn cds to use with the cdjs, you can turn to vinyl emulation software such as Rane's Serato Scratch Live or M-Audio's Torq, for example. With Torq, you get two vinyls and two control cds. Serato is basically the same. You put the control cds into the cdjs and open the program (after hooking up the box that comes with the program with simple rca red white hookups to your cdjs and mixer) and you can then access your music library on your HD or HDs, drag and drop them to deck A or B, and then have full control of your mp3s off your computer HD using the cdjs. (You loose a few features of the cdjs such as master tempo which locks the pitch, but Serato just implemented their own master tempo-like feature and Torq is working on one as well). I was confused at first too, but it's really a great addition to a setup EVEN WITH cdjs and not vinyl. Honestly though, if you're starting out, i'd just try straight up burning and cdjs first, with no laptop program. You'll learn the beatmatching basics and all that and not be relying on a scrolling waveform. You'll be using your ears which, I believe, is essential to learning before using visual aids. Hope that helps.

MTM

___________________
Click the link below to stream all of my mixes past and present. New mixes go up about once a month. Enjoy!

www.mixcloud.com/jluger

quote:

Originally posted by miamitranceman Hope that helps. MTM

Sure does. Thanks for the explanation and advice.

where did you get it for 2500? I hope you appreciate the bargain you got... That's nearly much half of the value of the gear. You could easily sell it for 3 grand


to answer one of your questions - to record simply use an RCA to mini stereo (1/8") cable to connect the djm600's RCA master out to your laptop's line-in or mic jack. then using a recording program monitor the levels so that they are maximized without clipping (ie don't let the vu meters on the recording program go into the red) press record, and play.

If you want better sound quality you are going to need to invest in a better external soundcard or digital recording interface

quote:

Originally posted by nefardec where did you get it for 2500? I hope you appreciate the bargain you got... That's nearly much half of the value of the gear. You could easily sell it for 3 grand to answer one of your questions - to record simply use an RCA to mini stereo (1/8") cable to connect the djm600's RCA master out to your laptop's line-in or mic jack. then using a recording program monitor the levels so that they are maximized without clipping (ie don't let the vu meters on the recording program go into the red) press record, and play. If you want better sound quality you are going to need to invest in a better external soundcard or digital recording interface

I found it on an online auction, with pictures. I contacted the seller and asked if he'd be interested in selling it locally, since we were from the same area. I low-balled him a price of 2300 and he came back and said if I made it 2500 he'd sell it to me and deliver it to my sister's place which happened to be a few minutes from his. I accepted, and he ended the auction early online. I figured it was a pretty sweet deal considering everything is only a few months old, and I get the case to go with it all.

Any recommendation of a good recording program? I have recorded a few mixes on Virtual DJ. Would that be compatible?

I have the echo indigo DJ soundcard, which seems to work pretty nicely as far as sound quality goes.

Thanks again!

Many here, including myself, use Audacity. It's free and you can export your mix as an mp3 or WAV file. You can pay money for more advanced features in other programs, but I'd try that first as there's nothing to loose.

___________________
Click the link below to stream all of my mixes past and present. New mixes go up about once a month. Enjoy!

www.mixcloud.com/jluger