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NS DJ's? Help + K

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14.
Posts: 974 - Karma: 48
i have basically just used this program on my mac called djay to "attempt" (and i say that loosely) to mix stuff, it sucks cause i know im good at it
i want to go big or go home and i actually wanna get good at this stuff

For Christmas i want turntables and a program so i can just mix stuff in my room , but i don't even know, is that all i need? What is a good beginner set that i can use?

The more info the better, thanks NS.
Nov 9 2009 10:03PM
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wobbly_panda
Posts: 155 - Karma: 10
If you want to mix digitally ie. with a computer rather than real vinyl, then you're going to need a set of turntables, a computer and a thing called Serato Scratch Live. What this basically is, is a box you connect from your decks to your comp that allows you to use a set of control vinyls to play whatever mp3 or sound file you choose. However if you're starting out with nothing, its gona be pretty pricy. If you're really serious about it though, this is definitely the best option. Its the only way to still feel like mixing real vinyl digitally, rather than playing with a bit of plastic.

The other options are things like control decks that are like smaller imitation turntables but don't use real vinyl, simply act as a physical device to mix mp3s with. Whilst cheaper, they have a tendency to feel like a toy and not be quite so rewarding as real vinyl.

As far as turntables go, theres 2 main choices...get a cheaper set to start out with such as a pair of numarks or something. They'll do you fine but will be limited. Or spend a little bit more and get some technics 1200s that will be pretty much the only decks you'll ever need.

Then finally you'll need a mixer. There are lots out there, you dont need something too fancy to start off with.

I hope this helps! I point out its also all a matter of opinion so what I think may not be what other people think but I hope this gives you a basic idea.
Nov 9 2009 10:58PM
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debrickshaw
Posts: 1957 - Karma: 68
seduce andrew hathaway

if successful, all of his mixing skills should be transferred to you
Nov 9 2009 11:00PM
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Noss.
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 149
indeed
Nov 9 2009 11:02PM
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superpoluha
Posts: 1986 - Karma: 10
dowbload virtual dj, i shall talk to my main friend about true settups guy
Nov 9 2009 11:15PM
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soup
Posts: 6320 - Karma: 4,261
I suggest downloading a program called Numark Cue, or Virtual DJ. Both are simple, easy to use programs that will allow you to do most to anything you want to do to mix. You can play around with it with your mouse and use your own mp3's to mix and its really fun too. Both programs are the same just different looks. Learn how to beat match, and drop beats and just play around wit hevery button on the programs and learn it all.

If you want to take it a little further, then look into getting a control board or a mixing board. this allows you to seamlessly mix two songs together, play with the level of bass and treble, and have some fun. there are some good examples here http://www.virtualdj.com/products/atomixmp3.html they are called midi pads which is basically a piece of technology that allows you to use virtual dj and cue to its fullest. You can get a good one that will let you do a lot for around $80-$120. Or you can go ballin and get one for around $350-$500.

THEN if you really want to keep doing it, get some tables and get the Sarato vynil things that the guy above suggested. Thats basically what every DJ is going to, there are still those few out there that use real vynil but its sooo expensive, and really hard to find vynil. At that point your gonna need some good speakers, mixing board, two tables, a mean sound card, and some chedda cause shit gets expensive. Djing and mixing are serisouly a lot of money man and takes a lot of time to do some good with it all but its hella fun and when you have parties, chicks will be all over your junk.
Nov 9 2009 11:16PM
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PappaG
Posts: 931 - Karma: 797
Chances are that you won't really need an additional program that already isn't on your computer. Just hook up the tables to a mixer (which you will need to buy), run a line from the mixer to speakers or a stereo so you can hear feedback while playing, then run a line from the stereo to your computer which will allow you to record using very simple software.
Nov 9 2009 11:17PM
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wobbly_panda
Posts: 155 - Karma: 10
I concur.
Nov 9 2009 11:25PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
where do you live? I've got two tech 12 mk5s with m447h cartridges both in flight cases and a denon dnx120 mixer that are yours for 700.
Nov 9 2009 11:32PM
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Bright_Nation
Posts: 400 - Karma: 12
I'd go with something along the lines of this to begin with.

its a digital console with all the basic controls built in.  Its simple enough to learn with, comes with software, and is good enough to actually play gigs with.

This is not top of the line, but I'd say its the best bet to start with.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/TorqXponent.html



Nov 10 2009 1:08AM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
searchbarz

and join djforums.com
Nov 10 2009 1:11AM
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yojimbo
Posts: 3631 - Karma: 27
dont waste money on tables that arent technics 1200. then you'll need a mixer. you should try messing with cheaper means of making beats first though. have you ever done anything with fruityloops?
my buddy is a legit producer/dj he rocks venues and shit and he usually rocks tables and an mpc, but his mpc died so he went fruitloops for a while and made some ill ass shit.
Nov 10 2009 1:12AM
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DaveM
Posts: 2936 - Karma: 1,558
Trust me is i know anyone that knows whatsup with this kind of techknology its Doug. PM bishop and ask him whatsup, im sure he'll know the answers to all your question, he's been doing this stuff for years
Nov 10 2009 1:15AM
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DaveM
Posts: 2936 - Karma: 1,558

Also there is a thread right above this one dealing with the exact same thing...

https://www.newschoolers.com/web/forums/readthread/thread_id/496766/

Nov 10 2009 1:20AM
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wobbly_panda
Posts: 155 - Karma: 10
Am i being stupid when thinking fruity loops was for production, not djing?
Nov 10 2009 1:32AM
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wh@t
Posts: 6204 - Karma: 52
correct, but i think the guy was just messing around with his own beats because his mpc died. like he said.
Nov 10 2009 2:55AM
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wobbly_panda
Posts: 155 - Karma: 10
Ahhh ok. That was me being stupid and thinking he meant he was using fruity loops live to replace the mpc. Gotta stay off the meth...
Nov 10 2009 6:53AM
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bp.lando
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 1,495
Ableton can me a really cool program for mixing, however it can also become overwhelming, definently something to look into, I have been learning the program for a little bit now, it's nuts the kind of stuff you can do with it. You can end up coming up with some really sick stuff, and the way it keeps things on tempo makes it really easy to mix once you have all your songs setup right. It's also the program Hath uses, if that helps at all, something to look into.
Nov 10 2009 12:03PM
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wh@t
Posts: 6204 - Karma: 52
i use ableton to make beats, as do most people. if youre not doing live mixing or "disk jockeying" then its okay. but most of the time ableton is gonna be used as a production tool. it has a huge bank of synths that are hella modifiable which is why i use it.
Nov 10 2009 12:13PM
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T-Holt
Posts: 5020 - Karma: 639
Is ableton good for making mashups? Idk a lot about djing or mixing stuff.
Nov 10 2009 12:15PM
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bp.lando
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 1,495
I am willing to disagree, once you get some controls Ableton is pretty awesome for live mixing. However you have to set up everything before hand, but once you get a bunch of audio tracks lined up and warped, add in some beats to add in while your mixing and you got something awesome going on. There so much you can do with ableton, Mash-up Tracks, Mix Songs, Make Beats, Produce songs, stuffs nuts!
Nov 10 2009 12:19PM
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wh@t
Posts: 6204 - Karma: 52
yeah it is, which is what Hathaway uses it for. i have heard rumors that Gregg Gillis aka Girl Talk also uses it though he would be using the top of the line studio edition and i have reason to believe that he doesnt anyway.

that being said, "djing" and mixing are two related yet different things. "djing" is live mixing while mixing can be production mixing or mashing.
Nov 10 2009 12:35PM
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wh@t
Posts: 6204 - Karma: 52
exactly, setting everything up beforehand is not live mixing. i see what youre saying, but its not live mixing. programs like Tractor are live mixing programs that function alot like VINYL (come on guys its not that hard to spell correctly) on the wheels of steel but are alot easier to use because the visualizer maps out the track for you. it can be used on the computer screen but 90% of the time youre gonna use a controller with the program to play. i personally use a Numark Omni control and i have a 9 pad beatpad that i use for samples. i think its one of the better controllers out there and definitely worth a look into.

but yo, OP. dont go buy turntables. i dont know what the fuck some people are talking about on here. i sold my tables, and moved to MP3. some people say oh its so much better to work on tables but vinyls just getteing harder and harder to come by and no one releases 12 inch anymore. keep up with the times i say.
Nov 10 2009 12:45PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
girl talk uses ableton.
Nov 10 2009 1:23PM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
Its something like 80% of techno is still released on vinyl, and almost all hip hop still is. There is also serato to "keep up with the times"


get educated
Nov 10 2009 2:50PM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
I also want to point out this irony

You say "like VINYL (come on guys its not that hard to spell correctly)"

yet you misspell it a few sentences down

 but vinyls just getteing harder and harder to come by

my trolling is done here
Nov 10 2009 2:54PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
the only problem with vinyl is that, you can get a lossless copy of, lets say Justice's Cross for 10 dollars off beatport, or free off a torrent, but if you want the record, IF you can find it, its going to set you back at least twice as much, not to mention shipping, because its definitely not available locally if you live anywhere besides new york, LA, London, Paris, Berlin, or Tokyo.
Nov 10 2009 6:17PM
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T-Holt
Posts: 5020 - Karma: 639
Sick, thanks.
Nov 10 2009 7:18PM
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.newman.
Posts: 1552 - Karma: 236
exactly what people have been saying... there are a number of sick programs out there that can get you exactly what ur looking for in different ways
Nov 10 2009 7:27PM
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Hepworth
Posts: 18 - Karma: 10
A program named traktor is super sick and you will need an audio card mixer tables and a ton of cords and stuff
Nov 10 2009 7:31PM
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Click_Here
Posts: 1728 - Karma: 14

tech 12's. the way mixing and scratching is supposed to be heard

Nov 10 2009 8:18PM
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