DJ Set Question - Mp3 Mixing?

[rdfcpete]

Hey guys,

So I've been asked to Dj for my sisters big 16th do by my parents... It was my idea, I'm more than up for it However just need some pointers on equipment setup.
The do is at a local hall style building, quite big, but only 3/4 of your average school hall concept. It's 8-late afaik.

Basically, my experience is various nights on CD Decks and Vinyl Decks for a few hours here and there in the last 2 years, but nothing big or demanding, but live and I've got the hang of it, particularly on CD. I never had the chance to master vinyls, although I'd love to have the time.
I use Traktor DJ Studio 2.53 now to mix my mp3 and wma tracks, which I'm really getting the hang of and ultimately, thats the format I'd want to use as its what I'm good at, and I'd have everything I need on my laptop without loads of CD's and cases etc

How would I be able to gain a setup where I could use mp3 mixing software to do a live set for that night?
What would I need?
I'm guessing;
- Laptop + Software
- Aux Lead
- Speakers + Stands
- Amp
- Headphones and accesories like that
- Lighting and the like...

I'm gonna need to definately hire the amp and speakers and wiring, but what would I need?
Vinyls are out the question, as my collection isn't even double figures, and thats out my depth for now, but With Traktor Id be easily within my range, CD decks slightly harder but anyone can do that , so is my desired setup possible and not too expensive to acquire?

I'm very grateful of any advice

Thanks,


Pablo.

 

[The_Biggles]

- Laptop + Software
- Aux Lead
- Speakers + Stands
- Amp
- Headphones and accesories like that
- Lighting and the like...

The software you have is fine but is it worth buying a laptop for one night? You can pick up basic laptops for £300-400 but Traktor might need a bit more power than that. A Celeron CPU and 256 DDR RAM might not be enough to pull through. If you can borrow a more powerful laptop that would be fine, but then you would need an external HDD (about £60) or to move all your MP3s onto someone elses laptop. It would be easier to bring along a basic PC with LCD monitor, and cheaper than having to buy a laptop.

Also, with a venue that size you would need an external soundcard. I used my laptop (Acer Travelmate) last week to do a party and it only just managed without one. This is obviously an additional expense. Something like the Echo Indigo would be perfect, but it retails at about £100.

Heaphones - any cheap closed cup headphones will do. If you really want a "DJ" style pair, then you can pick up Sennheisers for about £20+.

Hiring the amp. speakers and lighting can be done locally but wont be that cheap either. Looking at about £300+ from previous experience. Your parents may have to sort that out if your not that old. They would probably be reluctent to give £1000s of gear to an 18 year old

GL

 

[Pete_m]

your taking your own pa?? either you have a huge bedroom or its a damn small venue. hifi speakers really wont cut it in a hall of any type, look in the yellow pages and try and rent some, same for lighting.


to use 'virtual dj' programs well you ideally nead some sort of hardware interface.. and a good sound card otherwise you will get digital artifacts and clicks each time you tweek the eq or try to load another mp3 into the s/w. A seperate master and headphone out on the sound card is needed too, otherwise you can't cue up your tunes..

gaffa tape is 100% usefull to to stop peope trpping over your cables and cutting the power. two pairs of headphones can save the day too... as can extra cables etc.

Also, turn off any background services on your laptop

have fun and good luck

 

[rdfcpete]

The software you have is fine but is it worth buying a laptop for one night? You can pick up basic laptops for £300-400 but Traktor might need a bit more power than that. A Celeron CPU and 256 DDR RAM might not be enough to pull through. If you can borrow a more powerful laptop that would be fine, but then you would need an external HDD (about £60) or to move all your MP3s onto someone elses laptop. It would be easier to bring along a basic PC with LCD monitor, and cheaper than having to buy a laptop.

Also, with a venue that size you would need an external soundcard. I used my laptop (Acer Travelmate) last week to do a party and it only just managed without one. This is obviously an additional expense. Something like the Echo Indigo would be perfect, but it retails at about £100.

Heaphones - any cheap closed cup headphones will do. If you really want a "DJ" style pair, then you can pick up Sennheisers for about £20+.

Hiring the amp. speakers and lighting can be done locally but wont be that cheap either. Looking at about £300+ from previous experience. Your parents may have to sort that out if your not that old. They would probably be reluctent to give £1000s of gear to an 18 year old

GL

19 Actually
Ok mate, thanks. And, £300?! Hmm, locally its about £130 ish for a full 'set' so to speak, so luckily I guess I won't have to spend that much.
I've got quite a few sources to hire a laptop, but yeah could just format my PC and take it up there, probably better.
With the ext. soundcard, what will I gain by using that, won't an auxilary lead sound fine? [Does in my room on my hifi, its nothing special, but the speakers tollerate the mixing/fading well ]

your taking your own pa?? either you have a huge bedroom or its a damn small venue. hifi speakers really wont cut it in a hall of any type, look in the yellow pages and try and rent some, same for lighting.

Huh? 'PA'?... Its not a small venue, its your average hall as I said really.
When I said speakers, I meant hiring them, thus a decent sounding pair that any regular party DJ would have I guess, but obviously not mine from my bedroom

Headphones and software all sorted, was just a bit of detail on the amp and speakers I required...

Thanks guys.


Pete.