quote:

Originally posted by nchs09 iv seen that, i was hoping for a better explanation.. i duno

you need:

a track playing
a looped scratch sample on a CD deck with vinyl mode
a transformer effect

the EFX unit allows you to take the BPM from the playing track, and use it as the parameter for beat effects. beat effects are based on tempo, because, for instance, and echo if its not in time with the track, will sound shitty.

1/1, 1/2, 3/4, 1/4 and such time buttons mean that the current BPM times the fraction you selected is how frequent the effect will be.

ie. if you pick a transformer and have it at 1/2, for every 1 beat of the track, the transformer cuts twice. (1/2 of a beat) and such.

so basically, you have your track going. the unit takes the BPM, you tehn select the transformer effect, and do not apply it to the track, rather to the looped sample you send to the unit. the transformer cuts it up, and you then move the platter for pitch changes.

funny note: you can avoid using the platter by setting the pitch to wide range. then, moving the pitch up and down, and using the reverse switch, you can scratch without using the platter.

an EFX unit is not necessary for this effect. i've pulled it off with the effects unit on the DJM600 and DJM800 plenty of times. what you do is set the effect to the master channel and have it auto-catch the BPM. then, set it as the BPM (remove the auto-catch). set the effect now to the channel of your loop. select transformer, and set it to 1/4. the BPM will stay in time with the track now, but you have to start the effect on beat.

many times you might have to re-pitch the track, as the effect might not be spot on.

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quote:

Originally posted by ZeJayMan I heard that song on Saturday night, what's it called man. Love it. Scratching is MASSIVE as well. I've absolutely no idea where to start with scratching.

the freaks - the creeps (lee coombs remix)

i like the vandalism mix the best, but meh. a big +1 to inertia's post.

quote:

Originally posted by Inertia you need: a track playing a looped scratch sample on a CD deck with vinyl mode a transformer effect the EFX unit allows you to take the BPM from the playing track, and use it as the parameter for beat effects. beat effects are based on tempo, because, for instance, and echo if its not in time with the track, will sound shitty. 1/1, 1/2, 3/4, 1/4 and such time buttons mean that the current BPM times the fraction you selected is how frequent the effect will be. ie. if you pick a transformer and have it at 1/2, for every 1 beat of the track, the transformer cuts twice. (1/2 of a beat) and such. so basically, you have your track going. the unit takes the BPM, you tehn select the transformer effect, and do not apply it to the track, rather to the looped sample you send to the unit. the transformer cuts it up, and you then move the platter for pitch changes. funny note: you can avoid using the platter by setting the pitch to wide range. then, moving the pitch up and down, and using the reverse switch, you can scratch without using the platter. an EFX unit is not necessary for this effect. i've pulled it off with the effects unit on the DJM600 and DJM800 plenty of times. what you do is set the effect to the master channel and have it auto-catch the BPM. then, set it as the BPM (remove the auto-catch). set the effect now to the channel of your loop. select transformer, and set it to 1/4. the BPM will stay in time with the track now, but you have to start the effect on beat. many times you might have to re-pitch the track, as the effect might not be spot on.

wow...so scratching on CDJs is nearly automatic?!?!....thats terrible!! What happened to moving the platter and using the fader?????????

You can scratch with a CDJ just like a turntable, the Vinyl mode on the CDJ 800 or 1000 emulates vinyl, so you can scratch with the faders and platter if you want.

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quote:

Originally posted by Konix Zabiela/Halliwell style scratching is cool, but that isn't "real" scratching. More like a "scratching effect." Looping the ahhhh sample and using the transformer effect isn't that hard. This is real scratching with CDJs (well, DVJs, but same thing)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1FtGwECGOc

I still don't get the whole DVD mixing thing, particularly scratching videos - I think it looks fucking dire.

If you want to do performance videos, learn to be a VJ - not a DVD DJ.


In response to the original question, I do the occasional bit of scratching on CDJs and I think I actually prefer it to vinyl now (no skipping needles!). With CDJ1000s in vinyl mode, you pretty much make the same movements as you would with vinyl and it sounds pretty much the same - as the platter isn't moving it feels a little bit strange at first, but when you learn to forget that, you realise that it is basically exactly the same action. Where as with Denon CD decks, as the moving platters are such low torque I actually find it LESS realistic, or comparable to scratching on a belt drive deck.

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quote:

Originally posted by Konix Zabiela/Halliwell style scratching is cool, but that isn't "real" scratching. More like a "scratching effect." Looping the ahhhh sample and using the transformer effect isn't that hard. This is real scratching with CDJs (well, DVJs, but same thing)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1FtGwECGOc

that dude reminds me of the douchebag-white-guy in dave chappelle's "the mad real world"

quote:

Originally posted by Stu Cox I still don't get the whole DVD mixing thing, particularly scratching videos - I think it looks fucking dire. If you want to do performance videos, learn to be a VJ - not a DVD DJ. In response to the original question, I do the occasional bit of scratching on CDJs and I think I actually prefer it to vinyl now (no skipping needles!). With CDJ1000s in vinyl mode, you pretty much make the same movements as you would with vinyl and it sounds pretty much the same - as the platter isn't moving it feels a little bit strange at first, but when you learn to forget that, you realise that it is basically exactly the same action. Where as with Denon CD decks, as the moving platters are such low torque I actually find it LESS realistic, or comparable to scratching on a belt drive deck.

doesn't the dn-s3500 platter actually have much more torque than a tech platter?

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quote:

Originally posted by skip doesn't the dn-s3500 platter actually have much more torque than a tech platter?

Yeah, the 3500 is the exception, feels 100 times better than the other Denons (although apparently has some software issues) - when I tried one it didn't feel quite as strong (it wasn't far off) but I know on paper it's supposed to be higher torque than a tech... dunno if that's down to shoddy load compensation or an inefficient motor or what, but I remember seeing the same with a few decks in the past - like Numark declaring that certain models of their decks had higher torque than a tech but then when you use them they don't feel as powerful at all (not talking about the TTX-1 here - they do definitely have more torque and it's very obvious when you use them!)

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quote:

Originally posted by Stu Cox (not talking about the TTX-1 here - they do definitely have more torque and it's very obvious when you use them!)

I had the TTX's, they actually had too much torque. That's why they recalled some of their earlier models and I unfortunitely had one of those that wasn't pulled from the shelves. The torque was like 4.7kg, and they reduced it I believe to 3.8 kg on the newer models. For turntablists, they seemed really good, but those who just mix...they don't need THAT much torque (even 3.8 is WAY too much).

quote:

Originally posted by agentdansmith Nice one cheers. So I just loop a sample, apply a 1/4 Transform to it and then scratch the sample. I presume that the Transform effect will make it sound like i'm chopping it very fast.

i just tried that ~ BADASS!! It gets old kinda quick, but it is cool.. i could def throw that in a couple times a night.