DJmga
Just a few of my first impressions and experiences with setting up a Hercules Rmx & VirtualDJ… A bit “wordy”, but might help someone else out there thinking about taking the leap... I know I was a little hesitant at first after reading about hangs, crashes, latency issues, etc., but finally took the plunge :-).
Finally picked-up an Rmx while visiting Chicago a few weeks back and once home with the unit, jumped straight in. I’m not going to say a lot about the Rmx other than a nice piece of kit and well packaged (it even survived a 3,000 mile flight in a suitcase – and we all know how suitcases get treated!!). Wasn’t sure what to expect after reading various posts here over the previous weeks before my purchase of the Rmx with different issues. Hooked-up laptop & Rmx to see what VJD had to offer with the Rmx.
Installation went smooth with the supplied Home Edition. After a little play around, decided to get the BPM’s setup, so started a full scan of the hd (approx. 12,500 tracks – music only), and left it alone. Returning a few hours later, the scan had hung! The scan window was not responding – only fix was to restart VJD. Had a few more attempts at re-scanning (and a few more hangs at various scan stages) before converting any .m4a’s to .mp3 and renaming a bunch of files. (VDJ doesn’t seem to like odd characters in the filenames, like some Spanish or Irish accents!). VDJ kept telling me the files didn’t exist when looking at the respective File Info’s. Thay did exist! By the way, I had no DRM files on my disk. Eventually setup a Filter Folder to list all tracks which hadn’t been scanned. Finally got them all scanned. Whew!
Couldn’t figure out where the Config menu was that I continuously saw references to in this forum. Found it after I turned on the trial version of Pro. There are just so many useful options in the Pro version, I’m not sure why anyone would want to be without it. After 2 or 3 days, I bought the Pro version (5.2.1). Again, installation was a breeze :-).
Overall, happy with VDJ and glad I made the purchase. Glad to report I don’t have any of the sound issues reported with other laptops (skips, etc). In fact, the latency checker only ever hits the yellow from time to time, whether running VDJ or not (even with the wireless modem on and extra process running in the background that I could turn off!). CPU usage hits the red zone only occasionally during large BPM scans :-). I’d never have regarded an Acer laptop as one of the top brands out there, but there you go, working better than some of the other bigger brand names I’ve read about here. Granted, I’m only mixing audio…
On the minor “anomalies” side, a few of the ones I’ve come across include:
(1) I haven’t yet been able to find a way to compensate for some tracks having different recorded/ripped volume settings, like setting a “keep output volume consistent for all tracks”.
(2) I haven’t found a way to keep tracks in automix playlist after playing. (Automix is a great feature, by the way. I like it!).
(3) Variable bit rate files don’t show the correct bitrate (no big deal, really).
(4) Some supplied skins in the 1440x900 resolution range would also be a nice touch, especially as more laptops have larger screens these days. I know about the skin download section, resizer, etc. but some out of-the-box would be welcome! And I haven’t yet found a 1440x900 skin along the lines of the basic Rmx/Steel.
(5) Thought there was a problem previewing tracks with the automix going – both cue and mix coming through the headphones. Forgot about the cue select button. Oops!
Still lots more playing to do, before using VDJ/Rmx in a live gig environment – a lot to learn.
Incidently, good forum. Lots of good info here. Well done to all contributors. (Too bad someone hasn’t started an Advanced User Guide, including some of the more detailed technical info as well as some handy tips! Yeah, I know there are sticky’s and links on this site to a lot of the relevant info, but it sure would be nice to have it all in one place. A “beefier” user guide would be real nice - I like to sit down some nights with the feet up and browse through a paper manual, rather than having to search online all the time. Also makes for a good “refresher” for all the info you read and forget. Just a thought…hint... :-))
Slán Leat from Ireland until the next time,
Mga.
Setup:
Acer Aspire 7730 Laptop, Intel Duo Core CPU T5800 @2.00Ghz, Vista Home Basic (32bit) + Service Pack 1, 4Gb Mem, 160Gb HDD (partitioned between OS & Music), Hercules Rmx, VirtualDJ V5.2.1, Behringer 2442fx mixer, powered kme digital sub, passive kme tops.
Finally picked-up an Rmx while visiting Chicago a few weeks back and once home with the unit, jumped straight in. I’m not going to say a lot about the Rmx other than a nice piece of kit and well packaged (it even survived a 3,000 mile flight in a suitcase – and we all know how suitcases get treated!!). Wasn’t sure what to expect after reading various posts here over the previous weeks before my purchase of the Rmx with different issues. Hooked-up laptop & Rmx to see what VJD had to offer with the Rmx.
Installation went smooth with the supplied Home Edition. After a little play around, decided to get the BPM’s setup, so started a full scan of the hd (approx. 12,500 tracks – music only), and left it alone. Returning a few hours later, the scan had hung! The scan window was not responding – only fix was to restart VJD. Had a few more attempts at re-scanning (and a few more hangs at various scan stages) before converting any .m4a’s to .mp3 and renaming a bunch of files. (VDJ doesn’t seem to like odd characters in the filenames, like some Spanish or Irish accents!). VDJ kept telling me the files didn’t exist when looking at the respective File Info’s. Thay did exist! By the way, I had no DRM files on my disk. Eventually setup a Filter Folder to list all tracks which hadn’t been scanned. Finally got them all scanned. Whew!
Couldn’t figure out where the Config menu was that I continuously saw references to in this forum. Found it after I turned on the trial version of Pro. There are just so many useful options in the Pro version, I’m not sure why anyone would want to be without it. After 2 or 3 days, I bought the Pro version (5.2.1). Again, installation was a breeze :-).
Overall, happy with VDJ and glad I made the purchase. Glad to report I don’t have any of the sound issues reported with other laptops (skips, etc). In fact, the latency checker only ever hits the yellow from time to time, whether running VDJ or not (even with the wireless modem on and extra process running in the background that I could turn off!). CPU usage hits the red zone only occasionally during large BPM scans :-). I’d never have regarded an Acer laptop as one of the top brands out there, but there you go, working better than some of the other bigger brand names I’ve read about here. Granted, I’m only mixing audio…
On the minor “anomalies” side, a few of the ones I’ve come across include:
(1) I haven’t yet been able to find a way to compensate for some tracks having different recorded/ripped volume settings, like setting a “keep output volume consistent for all tracks”.
(2) I haven’t found a way to keep tracks in automix playlist after playing. (Automix is a great feature, by the way. I like it!).
(3) Variable bit rate files don’t show the correct bitrate (no big deal, really).
(4) Some supplied skins in the 1440x900 resolution range would also be a nice touch, especially as more laptops have larger screens these days. I know about the skin download section, resizer, etc. but some out of-the-box would be welcome! And I haven’t yet found a 1440x900 skin along the lines of the basic Rmx/Steel.
(5) Thought there was a problem previewing tracks with the automix going – both cue and mix coming through the headphones. Forgot about the cue select button. Oops!
Still lots more playing to do, before using VDJ/Rmx in a live gig environment – a lot to learn.
Incidently, good forum. Lots of good info here. Well done to all contributors. (Too bad someone hasn’t started an Advanced User Guide, including some of the more detailed technical info as well as some handy tips! Yeah, I know there are sticky’s and links on this site to a lot of the relevant info, but it sure would be nice to have it all in one place. A “beefier” user guide would be real nice - I like to sit down some nights with the feet up and browse through a paper manual, rather than having to search online all the time. Also makes for a good “refresher” for all the info you read and forget. Just a thought…hint... :-))
Slán Leat from Ireland until the next time,
Mga.
Setup:
Acer Aspire 7730 Laptop, Intel Duo Core CPU T5800 @2.00Ghz, Vista Home Basic (32bit) + Service Pack 1, 4Gb Mem, 160Gb HDD (partitioned between OS & Music), Hercules Rmx, VirtualDJ V5.2.1, Behringer 2442fx mixer, powered kme digital sub, passive kme tops.
Mensajes Mon 06 Apr 09 @ 8:54 pm
Rune (DJ-In-Norway)
thanks for the feebacks :)
Skins are set at ratio size of your monitor, and there is a tool out to resize skins
Lots of skins can be found here :
http://www.virtualdj.com/addons/skins.html
As for the level/gain, to be at same level, for all tracks, set option to match gain as always, in VDJ options :)
When you automix tracks played will be removed, as a feature (show what is not played)
But if you make a playlist, and save it, you can always bring it back up.. and play them again :) or same mix again at later date
Mensajes Mon 06 Apr 09 @ 9:01 pm
SevanKambel
My tips would be
1. Platinum Notes - Don't buy this with the intet of giving your MP3s a huge boost unless you're spinning house or techno. This program however will help normalize the volume of the song down to 0db and will help put the song back in key and reduce or eliminate clipping.
2. Avoid downloading illegally. Your best bet for good sound would be to rip directly off vinyl or cd. Sometimes when people download illegally they can end up with an mp3 that was poorly ripped from vinyl on a crappy turntable with low torque causing the song to drift off tempo a bit and screwing up your mix.
Good review of the RMX. Cheers!
1. Platinum Notes - Don't buy this with the intet of giving your MP3s a huge boost unless you're spinning house or techno. This program however will help normalize the volume of the song down to 0db and will help put the song back in key and reduce or eliminate clipping.
2. Avoid downloading illegally. Your best bet for good sound would be to rip directly off vinyl or cd. Sometimes when people download illegally they can end up with an mp3 that was poorly ripped from vinyl on a crappy turntable with low torque causing the song to drift off tempo a bit and screwing up your mix.
Good review of the RMX. Cheers!
Mensajes Tue 07 Apr 09 @ 12:51 am
hawkmoon12
Hi I am reading with interest i have looked in the option but cannot see this bit.
As for the level/gain, to be at same level, for all tracks, set option to match gain as always, in VDJ options :)
i have only seen remember, auto remember but not always i have seen that in Pitch gain.?
As for the level/gain, to be at same level, for all tracks, set option to match gain as always, in VDJ options :)
i have only seen remember, auto remember but not always i have seen that in Pitch gain.?
Mensajes Tue 07 Apr 09 @ 4:40 am
Dan (djtouchdan)
Auto & Remember - will match the gains from deck to deck and it will also store that information in the database so next time the track is loaded it knows immediately (without having to scan it again) what the gain level should be. =)
Mensajes Tue 07 Apr 09 @ 5:17 am
DJmga
Thanks for the hints & tips guys. Appreciated.
Just for the record, I only rip from my cd's (and vinyl many moons ago). Don't do pirate music (or software for that matter!). Nor will I distribute music to others. (I've often had people come up to me at the end of a gig and ask me to burn them a cd/dvd of the music mix I played. Yeah, right!).
Thanks again.
mga.
Just for the record, I only rip from my cd's (and vinyl many moons ago). Don't do pirate music (or software for that matter!). Nor will I distribute music to others. (I've often had people come up to me at the end of a gig and ask me to burn them a cd/dvd of the music mix I played. Yeah, right!).
Thanks again.
mga.
Mensajes Tue 07 Apr 09 @ 6:21 am
radiofc
For gain I tend to go with mp3gain, set the files to the dB level of your choosing and then in VDJ I leave auto gain disabled. This works for me but may not be for everyone...
Mensajes Tue 26 May 09 @ 5:47 pm
bigc82
Thanks for the review i too. Am also looking at buying an RMX. Very interested now after reading your review
Thanks again Chris
Thanks again Chris
Mensajes Tue 26 May 09 @ 7:36 pm
DJmga
radiofc wrote :
For gain I tend to go with mp3gain, set the files to the dB level of your choosing and then in VDJ I leave auto gain disabled. This works for me but may not be for everyone...
Yeah, I discovered mp3gain since my original post and have found it works for me, with Auto Gain disabled also ;-).
Mp3gain (& Mp3tag!!) are now as much a part of part of my cd-extraction process as Cdex is!
None-the-less, appreciate the pointer... ;-)
-Martin.
Mensajes Tue 26 May 09 @ 9:01 pm
DJmga
bigc82 wrote :
Thanks for the review i too. Am also looking at buying an RMX. Very interested now after reading your review
Thanks again Chris
Thanks again Chris
You're welcome Chris. It's been working fine for me - and I've been throwing everything I can at it (& VDJ) for the last 2-3 months (at home!) to ensure I understood what I could do and (just as important) not do during a live gig. Finally gave the happy couple their first live outing last weekend, and everything went as planned.
They'll have more time together this weekend for even longer sessions (6.5 hours at one gig alone!). I don't expect any problems with long gigs though as I've had them working together without problems at home for at least 9-10 hours, non-stop (including Automixes, of course!). My confidence is growing with this combo all the time!
Good luck with your decision whichever why you go...
-Martin.
Mensajes Tue 26 May 09 @ 9:21 pm