The DJ Booth - For all DJs on Facepunch (lets press sync n play) - General

[QUOTE=CreativeName;38534311]Well, I just re-organized my music collection. Now everything is in C:/users/me/Music as opposed to some of it being in /music and some being in an iTunes folder another four levels in. I also converted the iTunes AAC's I had to 320 MP3s. The whole thing is much cleaner and easier to move around now, really happy I did it. [editline]20th November 2012[/editline] Also rekordboxing all my shit, because at this point I think I'm just gonna move over to CDJs for gigs (lol gigs yeah).[/QUOTE] I've spent the last week getting my beatgrids set up PERFECTLY aligned for my entire library (ie. manually beatgridding a couple thousand songs) + resynching cue points and BPMs. It's been hell but my god they're so clean.

rekordbox is better with tempo than traktor but it likes to place beat markers a few frames after the beat...so annoying.

[QUOTE=CreativeName;38535688]rekordbox is better with tempo than traktor but it likes to place beat markers a few frames after the beat...so annoying.[/QUOTE] I would never rely on my software to detect tempo correctly on it's own. Tap it out and then double check it, you'll be glad you did if using sync is your thing. I just glance at bpm when I load the next track up so I have an idea where the track I'm pulling in needs to head and then do the rest by ear.

Rekordbox is usually accurate with tempo, I rarely have to double or half things and it's not an issue of sync since most CDJs don't have it. it's just where it thinks the beats are-I'm usually spending a few minutes nudging beats around, even for simple 4/4 house tracks. I do double check with tap and my phone if something seems off though.

Or you could ya know, not look at your laptop at all, do it totally by ear. Do it enough the first 2 or three seconds into cueing you'll be able to place the pitch in roughly the right area, recue, fine tune. Then drop at the start of the next phrase. You don't need waveforms, you don't need tempo readouts, you don't need phrase counters. Why is this important? It means that you can dj on any setup, in any genre comfortably. You can rock up to someones houseparty, notice they've got a vinyl setup and happily jump on for a few tunes. J's with only cds and no laptop? easy! Controller/timecode with laptop? BREEZE Oh and if your software fails to beatgrid a tune or read the bpm, you're screwed. Cover all your shit up or put your laptop where you can't see it. I even cover up the pitch readout on my cdjs, not the bpm counter (doesn't have one) the readout that indicates where the pitch is set so I can't just look across when i'm mixing dubstep and go oh it's set to 1.2...just match it on the one i'm mixing on.

[url]http://www.native-instruments.com/specials/three-course-deal/[/url] Traktor's half off for the next week for anyone who wants it

[QUOTE=Broni;38554755]Or you could ya know, not look at your laptop at all, do it totally by ear. Do it enough the first 2 or three seconds into cueing you'll be able to place the pitch in roughly the right area, recue, fine tune. Then drop at the start of the next phrase. You don't need waveforms, you don't need tempo readouts, you don't need phrase counters. Why is this important? It means that you can dj on any setup, in any genre comfortably. You can rock up to someones houseparty, notice they've got a vinyl setup and happily jump on for a few tunes. J's with only cds and no laptop? easy! Controller/timecode with laptop? BREEZE Oh and if your software fails to beatgrid a tune or read the bpm, you're screwed. Cover all your shit up or put your laptop where you can't see it. I even cover up the pitch readout on my cdjs, not the bpm counter (doesn't have one) the readout that indicates where the pitch is set so I can't just look across when i'm mixing dubstep and go oh it's set to 1.2...just match it on the one i'm mixing on.[/QUOTE] I'm prepping tracks, not mixing them. I'm learning to DJ on any setup, that's part of why I got rekordbox since it at least approximates the strange cue point functions of a Pioneer CDJ. I've been practicing with no waveforms or BPM readouts, and I had a go with a friend's pure vinyl setup a few weeks back. That said I don't see the point in deliberately crippling yourself because if something like tempo detection helps you mix better, but still without actually doing it for you, why not? I think [i]being able[/i] to do it without modern stuff is more important than [i]never[/i] doing it with modern tech, because as you said if you can't bring your exact gear, you're fucked. I don't see the problem with branching out and utilizing technology as long as you're not "DELAY FILTER DROP CUE POINT JUGGLE LOL." [editline]22nd November 2012[/editline] the main reason I'm concerned with where it's placing beat markers is so I can use autoloops

Yeah man I'm not saying don't take advantage of the modern tech I'm just saying while practicing 90% the time don't use it. The idea being if you learn to mix totally crippled then when you throw in all the modern tech it's going to be an absolute breeze for you :)

Latest gig; Pool Party! Excellent weather for it as well, and enjoy a new mix! [img_thumb]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/107294/gigs/IMG_0475.JPG[/img_thumb] [media]http://soundcloud.com/jrfhardstyle/summer-party-sessions[/media]

Anyone have any advice for...I guess just being taken more seriously seeing as I'm only 16 and I look like I'm 12 or 13?

Well for clubs, you can't. It's pretty tough to get a gig unless you're drinking age and since you can't lie about your age (you look like you're 12 or 13) they're pretty much out of the question for a few years. Parties, though - try volunteering for DJing school functions or other events that everyone goes to - that way people realize "hey, this kid's actually a good DJ" and getting your foot in at parties is good practice and will definitely help you get a gig in a club.

[QUOTE=CreativeName;38585663]Anyone have any advice for...I guess just being taken more seriously seeing as I'm only 16 and I look like I'm 12 or 13?[/QUOTE] Is the music speaking for itself not good enough? 1. Get together a tight as fuck Minimix and put it on soundcloud 20-30 minutes. Then send it to other DJs to get feedback, you'll get some tips and put your name out at the same time. I'm assuming you have some gear to interface with Traktor/Serato whatever you're using, mixing on the software won't do. Either it'll be too perfect or you'll clang it to shit because using a mouse as a pitch slider is just silly. (I know it's possible but you'll never get it perfect) 2. Start making your own tunes, Find a DAW that you are comfortable with and STICK with it, not switch and change. Tunes are like business cards. (I haven't made a decent tune yet but I know if you have original material you're much more likely to get taken seriously by a promoter AND by the crowd) 3. Try jump on the decks as much as possible when you have an opportunity, don't hustle the DJ off but if it's a house party or something like that why not try jump on for a few tunes? I have a student! :D Yes I will be forcing them to learn on vinyl... hahahah! Damn it..just realized I have no 4x4 records on vinyl.. CDjs it is!

Quick question: Can you guys recommend the best sounding studio speakers I can get (the pair) for under $250-300? These speakers look tempting [URL="http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studiophile-Powered-Monitor-Speakers/dp/B0051WAM64/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_0"]http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studiophile-Powered-Monitor-Speakers/dp/B0051WAM64/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_0[/URL] though I'm not an expert on audiophile quality equipment, 4" woofers seem a little on the small side? I'm just looking for a good set to use at home while casually using FL/Abelton Nice strong, clear bass is a must. I'm willing to buy used speakers if I can find them in good condition

If you want strong, clear bass stay WAY away from anything under a 6" woofer. I've heard nothing good about those maudio speakers, ever. That's kind of a low budget for studio speakers, you have any wiggle room?

Best PAIR of studio monitors you'll get new for under $250. [url]http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOBX5D2[/url] [editline]26th November 2012[/editline] Also, those 4inch M-Audio's suck major cock.

[QUOTE=KmartSqrl;38605373]If you want strong, clear bass stay WAY away from anything under a 6" woofer. I've heard nothing good about those maudio speakers, ever. That's kind of a low budget for studio speakers, you have any wiggle room?[/QUOTE] Possibly, but music is more of a hobby for me so I'm not sure I want to sink $500 into speakers I won't use to their full potential I'm more than willing to buy speakers used/refurbished though Can someone throw out some popular brands and models that would be easy to find refurbished?

Just watched Swedish House Mafia last night... HOLY FUCK. If you can get your hands on a ticket, GO DO IT RIGHT NOW.

Damn, never knew Facepunch had a DJ thread. Might as well post my current set-up. [t]http://i.imgur.com/MlI2j.jpg[/t] Picked up the Stanton when I didn't know anything about turntables from some pawn-shop, the stylus was fucked and there's no target light, top notch quality! Managed to pick up the 1210 and DXM off my co-workers for a nice price, the pair of Concorde's were a nice little bonus too. Also have a Mixtrack Pro I got as a gift for when I just feel like mixing my MP3's. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up a nice digital controller soon, anyone had any experience with the Denon DNMC6000? Was going to get that, sell the DXM and Stanton and grab another 1210 and run it all through Traktor.

anybody got tips for fixing a bleeding crossfader? driving me fucking insane every time my crossfader decides to stop working entirely. i have to practically stand on the thing to get it to make contact and start working again.

Replacement faders usually aren't too spendy, cleaning it might help too. What's piece of gear is the crossfader attached to?

numark dm1002mkii bought it on craigslist in a rush for like $40 because i figured i'd get something quality soon, but that was in august and i don't have money for a new mixer. looking around for replacements. are replacement faders somewhat plug and play (ie i can get something for a behringer and pop it in) or does it have to be specific to the model?

Check the user manual for your mixer, it should tell you what you need. I'm sure you can find the manual online. I think you might need a numark RS45t but I'd double check to make sure you get the right one.

Unless you're trying to scratch just use the upfaders...get a contact and leave it in the middle.

Does anyone actually use the crossfader to mix? I only use the upfaders.

all I do is scratch, never had much interest in mixing. definitely not a dj by any means.

I prefer the crossfader when mixing, don't know why. Though the one on my Numark is loose as hell, definitely designed for scratching.

My latest mix: [url]http://soundcloud.com/alex-godbehere/mix-1-27-nov-2012[/url]

[QUOTE=Wablur;38618989]Does anyone actually use the crossfader to mix? I only use the upfaders.[/QUOTE] I use the channel faders normally, but I do use the crossfader if I'm cutting back and forth between two tracks quickly.

[QUOTE=Fudgeblood;38611341]Damn, never knew Facepunch had a DJ thread. Might as well post my current set-up. [t]http://i.imgur.com/MlI2j.jpg[/t] Picked up the Stanton when I didn't know anything about turntables from some pawn-shop, the stylus was fucked and there's no target light, top notch quality! Managed to pick up the 1210 and DXM off my co-workers for a nice price, the pair of Concorde's were a nice little bonus too. Also have a Mixtrack Pro I got as a gift for when I just feel like mixing my MP3's. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up a nice digital controller soon, anyone had any experience with the Denon DNMC6000? Was going to get that, sell the DXM and Stanton and grab another 1210 and run it all through Traktor.[/QUOTE] Get an S4, you can run your turntables through it and straight into Traktor without a seperate soundcard. Comes with Scratch Pro for free too.

made a new dnb mix if anybody is interested starts off with jungle and then moves into darker territory [url]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/4450873/mixes/28-11-2012%20dnb.mp3[/url] only really mixed jump-up before recorded on virtual dj with [url=https://dl.dropbox.com/u/4450873/mobile%20uploads/IMG_20111110_152417.jpg]this piece of shit[/url] all i've been able to afford up to now; doesn't even have a god damn headphone jack so all im really doing atm is sync+play. gonna get a numark mixtrack pro and some headphones for xmas or something though not been able to learn to beatmatch by ear yet, though this has helped me hone my actual EQ mixing skills and shit