Software DJ Mixer

Sinny · 1 Aug 2010 at 02:43

Hi,

Well, as of the past year I've been really into Electronic music. I've gone off rock which I loved for so many years (well not gone off but Electronic music is real feel good vibe to it which is what I like).

Ever since I've wanted to get some decks and a mixer and start from scratch as a complete beginner, I know next to nothing about mixing but I really want to dedicate it as a hobby and maybe progress from their.

so before I end up shelling out for some cheap mixing decks and the rest lol, are their any software substitutes that are relatively cheap and may offer a free trial.

any resources as well I can look at about mixing.

thanks

edit - http://www.mixxx.org/

found this site, is this good for starting off? try to find some forums or guides now to start.

Sinny · 1 Aug 2010 at 03:50

It's something I've wanted to do for so long, and ever since I got into Electronica I've wanted to mix my own compilations up. but I've absolutely no idea where to look or what to get.

Currently as of the moment, I'm learning to drive so it's not the best time to shell out on something I can't afford but I want something to test out and maybe a few tutorials so I can atleast get to terms with the lingo/what knobs do what and get some advice from somewhere.

Sinny · 1 Aug 2010 at 15:27

I can't beleive I was messing about with Mixxx until 5am

.

aye, bumping this thread a bit early on is probably better than the time I posted it ;D.

Sinny · 1 Aug 2010 at 18:57

Just found a really good site for finding music samples and tracks, anyone else use this?

https://www.beatport.com/en-US/html/content/home/detail/1/beatport#

Thanks Tobes, save up time I think. £300 sounds reasonable as long as it'll get me started, don't really want to spend anymore "atm" until I've got some tracks and a bit of gen under my belt.

Wow, this is really what I'm after!!

Sinny · 2 Aug 2010 at 11:24

So a Behringer BCD3000 is my best bet as a beginner with absolutely no clue myself what I'm getting into?

is Trakktor LE enough or should I go for Pro?

Also considering getting "DJ for dummies" from amazon, seems a bit silly but it might start me off.

also any other forums I can join that'll help me?

I've no Idea what tracks/genre's I should be getting at the moment also, just to test out and hand mix in VDJ to start me off. I really like stuff like The bloody beetroots, Boys Noize, Edwin van cleef, We are terrorists, Kavinsky, Deadmau5, Soulwax, Tiesto. mostly Electro but some house.

Sinny · 2 Aug 2010 at 19:35

finga said:
BCD3000 feels like a childs toy, believe me, plus most brands midi controllers have a built in soundcard, as for what you say about brand names being everything!! how? they mean nothing, industry standard means industry standard, not the best, if you have plans to play in clubs and be a professional hired club dj then you will need to learn and buy traktor/serato and pioneer/technics, as this will be the equipment you will use, and your straight in at the deep end with no tutorial, as for quality of sound, that is only ever as good as your needle, mixer and speakers, cdjs are digital, end of.
you wont see virtual dj in a club as its not club standard, its for djs who tour and do parties and stuff, how you think traktor or serato are any different is beyond me, ive used all 3, and they all do the same thing with a different skin basically, please dont tell me what you read on a forum, it means nothing without personal experience, not knocking you, if you want to believe brand hype its your money
Whatever you buy, the mixer is the single most important piece, if you want cdj, its upto you if you want to spend 2 grand on pio's flagship decks, however denon make equally as good midi/cdjs, and are cheaper, even numarks new deck is very tight and well worth checking out, regardless of your brands of choice, mixing is mixing and if you are not beatmatching manually and cant do it using a platter and pitch slider then you are going to be in big trouble trying to use other equipment, when you can do this easily within 4 bars then it makes absolutely no difference what kit you use as all you need is play and stop. Loops, effects etc are luxuries and really only used by trance djs
apologies for the wall of text

I'm just looking for something that will help me build up my music collection while not spending an excessive amount on gear. If I sell some things I can probably scrape together around £200, anymore and I'd need to save up for a few months.

I've done a bit of research and Vestax Typhoon seems to come pretty recommended, as it comes with LE I could upgrade to Pro anytime. I'm not looking to spend loads, as it's the tunes that will add up at the end of the day.

Sinny · 2 Aug 2010 at 19:48

Bicko said:
I'll be following this thread, as I've been looking to learn to mp3/CD mix but also don't want to spend upwards of a grand just to buy a couple of decks and a mixer.. as much as I'd love to get a couple of CDJ-400's and a DJM-400 like this.

I've been playing with VirtualDJ for the last couple of days, do really wish I had some hardware to interact with the software though.. it's too hard to do it all via keyboard+mouse!

Exactly how I am at the moment, at the moment I'm just mixing some 2MANYDJS and Justice together, think I need to buy a few songs that I feel work together and try it.

but as you said, really wish I had some hardware at the moment.

Sinny · 2 Aug 2010 at 20:03

finga said:
yeah best you get a midi controller with a crossfader and eq's with built in soundcard such as a hercules or vestax etc, just dont get the behringer, its terrible
jogwheels i dont like much, but you get used to using whatever you have, and virtual dj is a quality piece of software regardless of what a lot of serato or traktor users say
at least you will get a feel for putting a set together and you will either itch to get proper gear or be satisfied with the sets your producing just for listening back to yourself

Exactly, but I appreciate all the help I've been given. think I'll save up for the Typhoon.

I really hope I end up like this guy

Sinny · 2 Aug 2010 at 21:18

finga said:
make sure the tracks you buy are the same genre, or same bpm range, for a newbie to try and cross bpm ranges in a mix, well its not happening, you need to know how to make good switches in the breaks as you cant blend the beats and generally eq the tunes together

I'll try and record some things I'm doing at the moment and share them, even though I've only been mixing 2 days I'm picking it up really quickly. MY GOD ITS ADDICTIVE!

I've downloaded

Flawless 2010 & Rhythm is a dancer 2010 remix.

both are electro, rhythm is electro/house though. they blend together like Nescafe.

the feeling you get when they blend is immense, I feel like breakdancing and snaping my neck (not advised).

Sinny · 3 Aug 2010 at 00:08

Just recorded a mix and it's amazing how off beat it is when you don't have any headphones. thought i was pretty good until I replayed.

Sinny · 3 Aug 2010 at 00:10

Bicko said:
Just had a look around, and I think a Hercules Steel might be the best option.. I'm particularly interested in the fact that all it needs is red/white audio cables and a USB connection, and it works with VirtualDJ. Check it out in action on YouTube if you want, I think I'll be getting it next month with my paycheck!

I looked at that but it doesn't come with Traktor and doesn't have a built in soundcard, which is why the Vextrax is really appealing.

Sinny · 3 Aug 2010 at 00:40

Infam0us said:
How are you mixing without headphones to begin with?

I've got headphones, but I can't seperate my amp with the headphones. so I just put stuff on loop with a good beat then wait for a phrase to end and carry it on.

using pre set queues.

What I mean is, I need a mixing desk combo

Sinny · 3 Aug 2010 at 00:59

Infam0us said:
Your matching prebeat matched tracks by listening to when they end and bringing the other track onto of it? Or have I totally got this wrong

I highly recommend you get two actual Vinyl or CD Decks, a Mixer and learn to do it this way! You'll get so much more out of it

rather than an MP3 mixer?

would've wanted a MP3 mixer as I like using software, or is it better if I go vinyl?

Sinny · 3 Aug 2010 at 23:54

After looking at all the hardware, I've come across the Numark total control, this seems fantastic but how does it pair up to other combi's?

http://www.decks.co.uk/products/numark/total_control

also is the DJ/IO the dedicated sound card?

Sinny · 4 Aug 2010 at 11:39

Infam0us said:
If thats all your after then I guess it works for you But I bet once you really get into it you'll change your mind.

I'm the same as Bicko atm, I just want to be able to mix songs for fun then it'll probably progress into wanting to play a few live sets. but buying something cheap to start off with so I can build up my music is essential rather than buying an expensive mixer.