Hey Levous,

If you will be using PCDJ, I highly recommend using 2 soundcards, or a soundcard that is capable of putting 2 outputs (like the SB Extigy). If you already have 2 soundcards, great, give it a shot!

When you get your DMC-1/PCDJ, configure PCDJ for 2 soundcards. In the same configuration screen, select soundcard #1, test it. Then, click on the soundcard #2 tab and test it. Now you should be configured for 2 sound cards. By the way, do you have an external mixer? If so, now is the time to run a mini-to-RCA from your soundcards to your mixer.

The only reason I had trouble with 2 soundcards was because my internal factory soundcard (came with my compaq laptop) is a piece of crap. I tried one channel coming out of my Exigy external USB soundcard, and the other channel out of my internal soundcard. The channel that was coming out of the internal soundcard sounded muffled. Just make sure you check the volumes on your soundcards, and adjust them accordingly. If you have quality soundcards on your PC, you should not have any problems with sound quality.

Beatmatching That's a tough one. What I do is play song A, get a feel for it. Then, I listen to song B in the monitor and find a good cue point. This cue point should be a 1 count of the 1-4 beats in a measure. Just count 1-2-3-4-CUE! You can set cue points in PCDJ, so you'll never have to do it again in a song. Ok, Song A is playing, you have song B cued. Now, just practice, don't worry about bringing song B in on Song A's outro. Just try to match the beats. Count song A's beats 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4 now, after the 4th beat in a measure, hit your play button to bring in song B. Adjust the pitch sliders accordingly (slower/faster). You can also finely tune the pitch by pressing 'load'+'pitchbend'. If you are very close, hang on the pitchbend a little until the songs sync up. It took me a few days to get the hang of it on PCDJ, just be patient, remember to take a break every now and then. It also took me a few days to get TT beatmatching...still working on it, but improving and having fun.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

hahahaA~ great info .. i'll try it tomolo coz i am have plenty of sch work to do rite now ... hopefully i can gain something from ur info .. Thx u very much u4ea

btw for temporary i still dont have external mixer .. planning to buy it in a short time .. still cant decide which mixer .. i think most likely i am going to buy Behringer .. but not sure whether VMX300 or DX500

i know u have tried to help me with the mixer but perhaps if u have time .. could u check and compare the 2 mixer and tell me which one is better ? coz i find it very similar and if i am not mistaken VMX300 has better fader ?


GreeTZ, LeVouS

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tRaNcE iS a JOuRneY tO ThE DrEaMLanD ThRoUGh a LaNDsCaPe PaInTeD FRoM ThE MeLoDiES oF ThE MuSiC

i think i'll be able to solve some questions of yours.

i've been through a lot as far as the "soundcard" matter is concerned...
i've also used the pcdj software too, only not with the numark controller.

if you don't own a descent soundcard, then you DO need to buy a new one. if you don't at least own a soundblaster 128 (thats what i got x2) then it should probably sound like real CRAP.
extigy is the PERFECT solution for any soundcard problems that might occur, only too pricey though...

if you decide that you need a new soundcard i'd suggest you two of the cheapest soundblaster so that you have at least a DESCENT sound. if you can't afford two of them, go for a single one. only you'll have to use a mixer with that setup (each channel goes to left/right, that means MONOPHONIC sound. which is pretty bad), unless a quadraphonic soundcard (each channel goes to front/rear).

in case your pc contains an onboard soundcard, don't even think of using it...

one more tip, if you're into bying a mixer, don't bother bying numark controller for pcdj (useless if you don't care about the feeling). also the software can be easily found cracked online. (i think pcdj isn't worth bying, there are better progs like bpm studio. it's the best i've used far up until now (believe me, i've experienced lot's of them!), if you care about the feeling there's a controller for it too, only a bit more expensive).

as far as the mixer is concerned...
DO NOT go for the behringer VMX-300, no way i would trust a mixer with THD 0.05% (distortion)
there are so many other options (most of them are far better)at the same price range. beat counter is no need, unless you're so lame you won't waste few time to learn how to beatmatch... a simple 2 channel mixer would do.

better go buy quality mixer (go for more known to the massive brands, these are more likely to last...), not necessarily expensive. could be a 100$ mixer.

hope i've been helpful, if you have any more questions i'd be glad to help...

*sigh... wat advice can u give to people like me... who'z friends have no deckz?i can't try it, coz no one i know has deckz... i really want 2 get started off mixing as well but the equipment is so damn expencive, i get all paranoid about the wat if'z... like wat if i get sick of mixing or i end up hating it?... thatz a waste of ALOTA money!!... ur advice is heaps welcome dudes... should i take a risk?... coz i really love my trance

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under construction

Hey Nomiz,

Well, unfortunately, if you want to mix, you're gonna have to spend some money somewhere. I know that's not what you want to hear, but its the truth

Before I started buying equipment, I read alot of trancEaddicts stating that if you don't go for it, you may miss out on something big. I took their advice, and I'm happy that I did. I've learned alot from everyone that posts on these forums.

Well, from my perspective, you have 3 options:

-Turntables & Mixer

-CD Players & Mixer

-PC Mixing program (possible mixer)

If you love trance, and you want to spin, do something about it! There is nothing worse than regret.

I started out mixing MP3s (with a cracked version of PCDJ-free). I wanted more hands on. So, I dropped $100 US, and bought the external MP3 controller, and another $70 on an external mixer (piece of crap). That was enough to mix MP3s and learn beatmatching, etc. I learned a little more about mixing, started becoming somewhat proficient. I sold my mixer on eBay and bought a better one.

Mixed a bunch of MP3s, and wanted more. I did some research on TTs, and looked at used equipment. I found a pair of used direct drive decks for $150. I bought them, and I love them. I really love spinning vinyl.

So, look around. You don't need to go to the music store and shell out over $1000 dollars to get brand new Tech 1200s and a Vestax mixer. Do some research, align it with your budget, and go for it!

If you end up hating it, put it up for sale online somewhere, there's always someone looking for a deal...you may even make a profit! So, my advice to you, after all of my incoherent rambling? Determine what you want to mix (vinyl, CDs, MP3s), do some research on these forums and look around for equipment reviews, then maybe look for some used equipment online or in a store. You can do it!

Best of luck!

no jokes dude .... drop the mp3 dj-ing


if money is an issue .... buy belt driven TTs .. they work fine as can be as long as you the hamster running in a little wheel in a cage to produce the electricity that runs the motor of the TTs does his job right!

quote:

Originally posted by u4ea -Turntables & Mixer -CD Players & Mixer -PC Mixing program (possible mixer) If you love trance, and you want to spin, do something about it! There is nothing worse than regret.

true dat!

quote:

Originally posted by u4ea You don't need to go to the music store and shell out over $1000 dollars to get brand new Tech 1200s and a Vestax mixer.

you don't need to, but that's what i did, it cost me about $3000CDN total including a vestax PCV275, needles, slipmatts, and some records. if i ever get bored of it, which i know i won't, i can just sell my tables. but, good luck trying to sell some belt driven geminis.

In fact, i disagree with jdat, belt driven are not sufficient for DJing. at the very least get cheap direct drive tables.

in short, do what you need to do man, but don't let life pass you by, it's to short for regrets.

quote:

Originally posted by JohnSmith In fact, i disagree with jdat, belt driven are not sufficient for DJing. at the very least get cheap direct drive tables.

oh I totally know that belt driven TTs suck ass...
I was being sarcastic in continuation of the current despair poor kaos feels about wanting to get the "real" stuff

thanx for ur advice fellaz... i think i will take a leap of faith!

but just one more question (i must be gettin annoyin now) did u guyz just d.i.y when youz stArted mixing? or did u take mixing lessons? like does the deckz include manuals?!! or do u have to slowly find out for urself how things work and wat goes well with wat and how to beat match etc. etc. etc?... if u did d.i.y... would i be right by saying that the first month or the first few weex must of been hell, just by trying to learn the very basics of mixing and all those gadgets and knobs on the mixer??

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under construction

I can't speak for all tranceaddicts on this one...but, from the messages posted on this forum and possibly:

http://www.recess.co.uk
http://www.godisadj.org

You should be able to get a descent start from the aforementioned sites. You probably won't sound like Marco V or PVD when you first slap some vinyl down, but don't get discouraged. Your TTs/headshells/needles will come with small manuals for setting up your equipment (esp. the weight for the tone arm), but it will not describe beatmatching...that's a skill you must practice/develop

I doubt many people have taken lessons here. I guess there is nothing wrong with taking lessons, but I would rather spend that money on vinyl or equipment. You can also develop your own style. Don't be afraid of your equipment, throw some records on there and get dirty!