Getting ready for clubs using a controller Been mixing using my Mixtrack Pro for a while now and I really feel that I can master the Controller-DJ mixing. I have had several gigs but were I have brought my own gear so It hasn't been any problem, now I want to take it another step further and try to hit the clubs and bars, only problem is I am a bit worried about playing on other gear, CDJs, which I have barely tested and doesn't know anyone with that type of gear either. So my question is, how big is the difference? When mixing on my controller I try not to use the extra functions that I get, I still beatmatch manually and doesnt watch the screen at all other then when I select and browse through tracks. Is there anything else I need to have in mind to get ready? Bringing my own gear to a bar or club is very rare around my scene here.. Any advice?
Thanks! |
Ngoc Ninow
12.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by Steve Zorilow
If you want to hit "any" club and use their existing gear, you want to have a software & hardware who allow to use Timecode AND/OR HID as not every club might have the latest version of CDJ (or else CD player). For example Traktor VS Traktor Scratch.
Depending which CD player, features will be different. Assuming a CDJ800, you'll not have any button on those to access your Cue point or Track browser, or anything else on screen. If their mixer is not a "Scratch certified" one, you'll also need to have a scratch certified soundcard.
How different it will be... well, if you can beatmatch manually on a controller, you'll be able with almost everything else. The "touch"/reaction time will be different but you should get familiar with it really quick.
I would suggest you to grab/rent a pair somewhere to make your own decision.
Nothing bad to add a small controller to your setup (like Kontrol X1) for some browser/cue points/effects purpose.
This is what I did... bought a reloop contour CE for my setup for a cost of around |
Arnulfo Morten
15.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by Lundgren
Been mixing using my Mixtrack Pro for a while now and I really feel that I can master the Controller-DJ mixing. I have had several gigs but were I have brought my own gear so It hasn't been any problem, now I want to take it another step further and try to hit the clubs and bars, only problem is I am a bit worried about playing on other gear, CDJs, which I have barely tested and doesn't know anyone with that type of gear either. So my question is, how big is the difference? When mixing on my controller I try not to use the extra functions that I get, I still beatmatch manually and doesnt watch the screen at all other then when I select and browse through tracks. Is there anything else I need to have in mind to get ready? Bringing my own gear to a bar or club is very rare around my scene here.. Any advice?
Thanks!
have a stand for your controller and a separate stand for your laptop. the booth is small gear is hard to set up most of the time i have a hard time finding a place for a single X1. get to the gig early most of the time there is a 4 channel mixer just use rca and plug into 1 channel if your gonna run off your controller. Honestly if your serious about moving to the next step and playing clubs and bars. id suggest going to guitar center or something and bringing 2 cd's or 1 usb stick and patch in there and learn the hardware. There is a reason why DJM and CDJ is industry standard. good luck have fun |
Doreen Schurle
12.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by makar1
The XLRs are Master 1 right? You'd only ever be using XLR outputs on a mixer, RCAs are only any use for recording.
Yeah, although usually I go from Master 2's RCAs into a channel on the house mixer so I can have a master EQ Balanced vs Unbalanced is mostly an issue when there's significant lengths of cable run; going .5m to the house mixer isn't usually an issue |
Alphonso Deitchman
12.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
The RMX has both Master 1 is a linefader, Master 2 is a knob
The XLRs are Master 1 right? You'd only ever be using XLR outputs on a mixer, RCAs are only any use for recording. |
Doreen Schurle
12.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by makar1
Like the Reloop RMX-40 you mean?
If you want to use the Contour instead of using the CDJs you'll realistically need two, at which point you're pretty much back to using a controller again. I would recommend something like an X1 to cover functions that the CDJs don't, and keep the amount of gear you're bringing into the booth to a minimum.
The RMX has both Master 1 is a linefader, Master 2 is a knob |
Alphonso Deitchman
12.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
it had one of those nasty linefader master volume controls (I prefer knobs for master so you don't accidentally knock it mid-set).
Like the Reloop RMX-40 you mean?
If you want to use the Contour instead of using the CDJs you'll realistically need two, at which point you're pretty much back to using a controller again. I would recommend something like an X1 to cover functions that the CDJs don't, and keep the amount of gear you're bringing into the booth to a minimum. |
Ngoc Ninow
12.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by Steve Zorilow
If you want to hit "any" club and use their existing gear, you want to have a software & hardware who allow to use Timecode AND/OR HID as not every club might have the latest version of CDJ (or else CD player). For example Traktor VS Traktor Scratch.
Depending which CD player, features will be different. Assuming a CDJ800, you'll not have any button on those to access your Cue point or Track browser, or anything else on screen. If their mixer is not a "Scratch certified" one, you'll also need to have a scratch certified soundcard.
How different it will be... well, if you can beatmatch manually on a controller, you'll be able with almost everything else. The "touch"/reaction time will be different but you should get familiar with it really quick.
I would suggest you to grab/rent a pair somewhere to make your own decision.
Nothing bad to add a small controller to your setup (like Kontrol X1) for some browser/cue points/effects purpose.
This is what I did... bought a reloop contour CE for my setup for a cost of around |
Mai Tomsha
13.03.2013 | Been mixing using my Mixtrack Pro for a while now and I really feel that I can master the Controller-DJ mixing. I have had several gigs but were I have brought my own gear so It hasn't been any problem, now I want to take it another step further and try to hit the clubs and bars, only problem is I am a bit worried about playing on other gear, CDJs, which I have barely tested and doesn't know anyone with that type of gear either. So my question is, how big is the difference? When mixing on my controller I try not to use the extra functions that I get, I still beatmatch manually and doesnt watch the screen at all other then when I select and browse through tracks. Is there anything else I need to have in mind to get ready? Bringing my own gear to a bar or club is very rare around my scene here.. Any advice?
Thanks! |
Arnulfo Morten
15.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by Lundgren
Been mixing using my Mixtrack Pro for a while now and I really feel that I can master the Controller-DJ mixing. I have had several gigs but were I have brought my own gear so It hasn't been any problem, now I want to take it another step further and try to hit the clubs and bars, only problem is I am a bit worried about playing on other gear, CDJs, which I have barely tested and doesn't know anyone with that type of gear either. So my question is, how big is the difference? When mixing on my controller I try not to use the extra functions that I get, I still beatmatch manually and doesnt watch the screen at all other then when I select and browse through tracks. Is there anything else I need to have in mind to get ready? Bringing my own gear to a bar or club is very rare around my scene here.. Any advice?
Thanks!
have a stand for your controller and a separate stand for your laptop. the booth is small gear is hard to set up most of the time i have a hard time finding a place for a single X1. get to the gig early most of the time there is a 4 channel mixer just use rca and plug into 1 channel if your gonna run off your controller. Honestly if your serious about moving to the next step and playing clubs and bars. id suggest going to guitar center or something and bringing 2 cd's or 1 usb stick and patch in there and learn the hardware. There is a reason why DJM and CDJ is industry standard. good luck have fun |
Jerica Salava
12.03.2013 | Don't use SYNC and leave Traktor in Full Browser (|\ on the keyboard). Just use your eyes to find and load the tracks and only use your ears to cue and mix. If you can master that, you can play on anything.
> |
Alphonso Deitchman
12.03.2013 | Looks like cloning the DJM 600 has its drawbacks |
Doreen Schurle
12.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by makar1
The XLRs are Master 1 right? You'd only ever be using XLR outputs on a mixer, RCAs are only any use for recording.
Yeah, although usually I go from Master 2's RCAs into a channel on the house mixer so I can have a master EQ Balanced vs Unbalanced is mostly an issue when there's significant lengths of cable run; going .5m to the house mixer isn't usually an issue |
Alphonso Deitchman
12.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
The RMX has both Master 1 is a linefader, Master 2 is a knob
The XLRs are Master 1 right? You'd only ever be using XLR outputs on a mixer, RCAs are only any use for recording. |
Doreen Schurle
12.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by makar1
Like the Reloop RMX-40 you mean?
If you want to use the Contour instead of using the CDJs you'll realistically need two, at which point you're pretty much back to using a controller again. I would recommend something like an X1 to cover functions that the CDJs don't, and keep the amount of gear you're bringing into the booth to a minimum.
The RMX has both Master 1 is a linefader, Master 2 is a knob |
Alphonso Deitchman
12.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
it had one of those nasty linefader master volume controls (I prefer knobs for master so you don't accidentally knock it mid-set).
Like the Reloop RMX-40 you mean?
If you want to use the Contour instead of using the CDJs you'll realistically need two, at which point you're pretty much back to using a controller again. I would recommend something like an X1 to cover functions that the CDJs don't, and keep the amount of gear you're bringing into the booth to a minimum. |
Doreen Schurle
12.03.2013 | I used my pair of Contours last evening
for an hour set I did, along with the house DJM600. Set-up was pretty quick and easy, just had to push the CDJs out to the sides to fit the Contours either side of the mixer.
Only downside to my setup last evening
was that I was using the house mixer which was battered to fuck :-/ all the effects knobs had been ripped off, the centre detent on all the EQs was practically non-existent, and it had one of those nasty linefader master volume controls (I prefer knobs for master so you don't accidentally knock it mid-set).
Still, the Contours are DEFINITELY worth getting |
Latina Samon
12.03.2013 | I wouldn't have been able to go straight from my s2 to playing on CDJs in a club, personally. At least have an hour on some if you can to make sure you're ready and be shown the odd thing. |
Ngoc Ninow
12.03.2013 |
Originally Posted by Steve Zorilow
If you want to hit "any" club and use their existing gear, you want to have a software & hardware who allow to use Timecode AND/OR HID as not every club might have the latest version of CDJ (or else CD player). For example Traktor VS Traktor Scratch.
Depending which CD player, features will be different. Assuming a CDJ800, you'll not have any button on those to access your Cue point or Track browser, or anything else on screen. If their mixer is not a "Scratch certified" one, you'll also need to have a scratch certified soundcard.
How different it will be... well, if you can beatmatch manually on a controller, you'll be able with almost everything else. The "touch"/reaction time will be different but you should get familiar with it really quick.
I would suggest you to grab/rent a pair somewhere to make your own decision.
Nothing bad to add a small controller to your setup (like Kontrol X1) for some browser/cue points/effects purpose.
This is what I did... bought a reloop contour CE for my setup for a cost of around |
Alphonso Deitchman
13.03.2013 | Getting a little practice on a CDJ setup is the best way to be prepared. If you're looking to use timecode CDs in a club (if they have outdated CDJs) you may want to practice cueing with the jog wheel rather than the cue button, as all timecode suffers from inaccuracy/lag when using the cue button to start a track from standstill. |
Lisa Lochotzki
13.03.2013 | If you want to hit "any" club and use their existing gear, you want to have a software & hardware who allow to use Timecode AND/OR HID as not every club might have the latest version of CDJ (or else CD player). For example Traktor VS Traktor Scratch.
Depending which CD player, features will be different. Assuming a CDJ800, you'll not have any button on those to access your Cue point or Track browser, or anything else on screen. If their mixer is not a "Scratch certified" one, you'll also need to have a scratch certified soundcard.
How different it will be... well, if you can beatmatch manually on a controller, you'll be able with almost everything else. The "touch"/reaction time will be different but you should get familiar with it really quick.
I would suggest you to grab/rent a pair somewhere to make your own decision.
Nothing bad to add a small controller to your setup (like Kontrol X1) for some browser/cue points/effects purpose. |
