Ingresar:     

Forum: General Discussion

Tópico: Why a controller..? - Page: 3

Esta parte del tópico es antigua y puede contener información incorrecta para la nueva versión.

After following this post and, considering your primary use for said controller, my suggestion would be. Buy whatever the hell you want. I would suggest the cheapest one you can find but, you don't sound like the type to go low end on anything. So, get whatever floats your boat...
 
Mikey_With wrote :
Very diplomatic, Chuck.

Seriously considering a controller now, but only because its a funky looking piece of kit to stick on the desk, and don't want to spend a fortune, as its only ever going to a hobby rather than a profession. Before I do, tho. How much configuring does it need? Does it just plug and play, given its USB? And whats all this business about time codes? Is that how the software interprets what the controller is telling the software what to do, as far as the jog dials and speed controls are concerned?


Hi Mikey,

As far as configuring goes, my guess is it depends on the controller. I started with a Vestax Typhoon, and it was plug and play. I quickly outgrew that controller, and upgraded to a Numark NS6. That one was mostly plug and play, with more customization rerquired for my particular style of DJing. There are I believe 176 controllers supported now, not sure how many are plug and play.

The time codes you referenced are for those DJs using vinyl to control the software. The timecoded vinyl sends signals to the software letting it know speed, time elapsed, and the like. It's not something you would need to worry about. Time code basically turns vinyl into jogwheels.

I will echo the sentiment that you should go with the approach that works for you. I started as a point-and-click guy, moved to basic controller, and now am advancing on Top-Tier kit! Personally, I enjoy the more traditional DJ style feel of using a controller. It just feels more like you are DJing as opposed to programming. (My opinion, just what works for me!)

But I would also recommend giving a controller a go. You may just open up a new path!!!

Cheers,

Paul
 
You may be able to map your keyboard to do EQ'ed beat-mixing on different styles of music. But I've never found out how to do it smoothly, so I couldn't do my DJ'ing without a controller :)

Best regards
Klaus Mogensen
 
Guys, I've taken the plunge, and ordered myself a Mixtrack Pro, which will hopefully arrive next week. My mates are still chuckling at the PnC DJ thing... :)
 
Not to insult anyone but I once taught the dog to move the cross fader with auto start on the fader and a play list and had auto mix on. I sent it to ellen when they had djs try out.. none of this matters , controler , no controler .. its so simple even the dog can do it.. its really funny but she never played the video...truth is its the djs skill that makes the difference. I just had a company jaw drop when they asked me to spin on weekends and I came up with a price. they wanted to pay pennys when I was asking twenty's/ Truth is its all in the show.. now that I have the apc effects ready to go its going to change the entire thing.. dials work faster then you can click...
 
Correction - just cancelled the order for the controller - why on earth doesn't Pro Basic support MIDI..?! Guess I'll stick to being a PnCDJ after all.

:(
 
Mikey_With wrote :
Correction - just cancelled the order for the controller - why on earth doesn't Pro Basic support MIDI..?! Guess I'll stick to being a PnCDJ after all:(


Ahh yes. I was going to bring it up as I saw the postings..but I figured someone would let you know sooner. Anyway, I find it much easier to use a controller than PnC. Remember that with certain controllers you get a very nice discount to upgrade to PRO.
 
Mikey_With wrote :
why on earth doesn't Pro Basic support MIDI..?!


Because it's basic! Remember that controllers usually come with DJ software in the box too.

If it ships with VDJ LE, that version will work fine with the controller it came with.

Even if it ships with some other software, it will still enable you to discover the feel of using a controller.

Of course you can also use VDJ in demo/trial mode to try out the controller.

If you find you like it, upgrade from basic to Pro...
 
Mikey_With wrote :
Correction - just cancelled the order for the controller - why on earth doesn't Pro Basic support MIDI..?! Guess I'll stick to being a PnCDJ after all.

:(



If you buy a controller that comes with VDJ you can get a discount sometimes on the full version of the software. Free updates for life, and you can install it on Two machines! It's a really nice deal.

Look at the Hercules, Numark, and American DJ controllers.
 
Hold up... you ordered a MixTrack Pro and then cancelled the order because only the pro version of VDJ works with the controller and you're too cheap to upgrade to pro?? Seriously man, how can you take yourself seriously as a DJ if you're not willing to spend a couple of bucks? I spend more on new music every month than it would have cost for you to upgrade to VDJ pro. All you've done is waste everyone's time with this thread. That's like ordering a $1000 3D TV and then canceling the order because you didn't know you'd also have to spend $150 to upgrade to a 3D blu ray player. You obviously weren't serious about getting a controller in the first place if you were so quick to cancel your order based on the fact that you'd have to upgrade to VDJ Pro. So enjoy continuing to be a cheap "point and click" DJ lol. And for the record, everyone can say what they want about "use what works for you", but where I'm from "point and click" DJs are a total joke... heck man, even the DJ at my local bowling alley uses a controller. If you claim to be a DJ then at least try to look like one... put away the mouse and get some decks already!!
 
Woah, Dizzy, would you like to borrow the climbing gear to get down off that box of yours..?! ;)

But, to answer your comments and queries:

"Seriously man, how can you take yourself seriously as a DJ if you're not willing to spend a couple of bucks?"
Simple. I don't. I'm merely a hobbyist (see my previous posts)

"heck man, even the DJ at my local bowling alley uses a controller."
So? Bet he uses the SYNC button too, just like me. But you'd never do that. No, not you.

"If you claim to be a DJ then at least try to look like one... "
Why? Who can see what you or I would look like doing our thing from a recording on a CD my freinds and I play in the car..? Unless you have a thing for seeing your face on cover artwork..? Weird...

I think what tickles me the most, is all this beard-wearing, cardigan-ridden, cane-waving, 'It wasn't like that in my day, we never had it this good, you young-uns dont know how good you got it today!' that goes on, not just here on this forum, but everywhere, from the invention of ovens to microwaves, vinyl to tape to CD to iPod, roadmaps to satnav, the evolution of the ZX Spectrum (squishy rubber keys FTW!) to the laptop I type this on now, all sorts. What ever next? Electric cars? Sliced bread? Thats technical progress - like it or not, it happens.

I love a bit of progress, me, and I love that VDJ has made the inaccessible accessible to me - I'm more a wannabe computer geek than I'll ever be a wannabe DJ, but I always want more, bigger, better - even a couple of my mates have downloaded the demo to play around with (knowing full well they'll never, EVER buy the software like I did) on the strength of me PnCing a set or two. Does that make you at all nervous..? If it doesn't, it should - the geek really will inherit the Earth. Try keep up.

And so, despite your derogotary view on us humble, lowlife, hobbyist PnCers, I shall persist in using VDJ, with my cheap-as-chips £25 (Thats about $40) external sound card, and my cheap-as-chips £50 (about $80) Numark M101 mixer, thoroughly believing (in MY mind at least) that I'm the next BK, or Fergie, and that I could rock a club full of messed up youths who don't know (or care) any better, just as well as you with your fandangled, expensive controller, because it makes me smile when I nail the mix. And isn't that what counts?

Mind your footing on the way down.
 
Humm,

I guess there is no definative answer to this question of PNC or controller.

We seem to be forgetting the most important thing of all.............whether the customer/punter/listener is happy.

It does not really matter what you use, as long as the chap or chapess that booked you feels like they are getting there money's worth out of the performance. :)

I personally use controllers but thats mainly due to the fact that I feel self concious about customers thinking I have just rocked up to their wedding with nothing but a laptop & a P.A. system and potentially could feel they may as well have DIY'ed their own reception with a home PC or ipod :)

It's mainly about how passionate you are about your hobby.

To draw a comparison, when I am not Dj'ing my other hobby is flight simulation.
Everyday I fly online with people that are using nothing more than a laptop and cheap joystick, wheras I hve spent thousands building a home cockpit with all the trimmings................Does this make me a better pilot ??.......................HELL NO OF COURSE IT DOESN'T. !!.
(But I probably enjoy the experience of it all more than they do.)

If your happy with the way your are doing it and the listeners are happy then all is good.......If it aint broke don't try to fix it :)

Nuff Said

Cheers

Producermat
 
frank699 wrote :
Everyday I fly online with people that are using nothing more than a laptop and cheap joystick, wheras I hve spent thousands building a home cockpit with all the trimmings


I bow to your geekiness, Sir. I thought I was a video game enthusiast (hence VDJ - the natural, logical progression from playing DJ Hero far too much!). I'd sometimes compare CLICKING play (with my MOUSE, Dizzy!) with pressing the button to stop the swing of say, a golf game. Also, I see computer screens like that bloke from the Matrix...
 
blondes, brunettes, etc.....??

that was some good stuff there Mikey ......

if it was within my power to bestow another star for bravely besting the slings and arrows of

outrageous fortune , i would .....


anywhoo as you may know there are very good people here who pnc

and some of same very popular.....

and there's nothing wrong with being a hobbyist or a noob

i have an RMX which is low end and if i ever feel like i am any good with it then

at that point i might get something more advanced .....or not
 
chucknorrisyouwimps wrote :
i'm gettin' some popcorn also .......

fascinating ?!?? shirley , you can't be serious ......?


I'm dead serious. And don't call me shirley...

Didn't think anyone would catch that one huh Chuck...

Airplane RULES!!! That and Kentucky Fried Movie.
 
High 5 to Dizzy, right to the point! If you want to play, you have to pay. Example, look at all the response to the "This is my set-up whats yours" post. Its no different than a bunch of car enthusiasts showing off the hard work they've put into their rides.

If you think his criticism is too harsh, try doing a live gig for a bunch of drunken rednecks and you'll see what this is all about. Its about arming yourself with the right gear to pull off a gig better than your competition so you can get paid, bottom line.

Being a bedroom DJ is one thing, just take away the "DJ" cause you ain't one!
 
I worked in some of the largest clubs in Alberta and I can use anything. I would say you should get a cheap controler to start. Hercules rmx or mk4 is good enough I just sold one last week for 100$,
 
DJECoast wrote :
High 5 to Dizzy, right to the point! If you want to play, you have to pay. Example, look at all the response to the "This is my set-up whats yours" post. Its no different than a bunch of car enthusiasts showing off the hard work they've put into their rides.

If you think his criticism is too harsh, try doing a live gig for a bunch of drunken rednecks and you'll see what this is all about. Its about arming yourself with the right gear to pull off a gig better than your competition so you can get paid, bottom line.

Being a bedroom DJ is one thing, just take away the "DJ" cause you ain't one!




i DO that live gig for drunken rednecks EVERY night we're open - without a controller. want to take the "DJ" away? fine, but i'm gettin paid and we're crushing our competition.
 
I just did a corporate gig for a client for 1000 guests and the client probably spent close to $200,000 on this event. What if I had shown up with just a laptop and a mouse? The client would have said "Ummm, you're the DJ? You're kidding me right? Where's your DJ equipment?? I thought we hired a DJ". The client hired a DJ, and they expect someone who looks like a DJ to perform. How the hell am I going to justify the amount I charged the client if their perception is that they've hired some guy with just a laptop and no "DJ" gear. They'll think "we coulda just used Bob from accounting to do this party!". Say what you want but there's something to be said for the visual aspect of a DJ's set up. People have a certain preconception of what a DJ looks like and I can assure you some dude hunched over a laptop and mouse ain't it. And using the "I'm behind a booth so they can't see me and they don't know the difference" argument is BS. The gig I mentioned before had me out in the middle of a stage in plain sight with no veil covering up my gear. The crowd could see that I was using decks, I was scratching etc. and that's what they wanted to see... some showmanship, not some dude on a laptop. Like I said before to all you "point and click" DJs, at least try to look the part! You may be more comfortable DJing with just a laptop but come on, step out of your comfort zone and learn how to use decks or a controller for eff's sake! It's guys like you who call themselves DJs who are ruining the image of our industry because you're creating the perception that we're not doing anything the average person couldn't do themselves with a laptop. At least by adding a controller into your setup you're projecting the image that you're doing more than just playing an iTunes playlist.
 
this thread is going the way of the PC vs MAC argument and is going to end up getting locked like so many others.

i need a controller or turntables to "look the part"? what's after that? spiked hair, ed hardy D-bag gear, and a jersey shore reject on my arm while i fist-pump? after almost 15 years in the same nightclub, and 20 years of dj'ing, i'm gonna dress comfortably and dress like my customers.

1,000 people a night - those are my weekends, and weds. nights anywhere from 300 and on up. one slow night during the week. thats it.

i turn down headhunters for other clubs on a regular basis - i like where i live. being offered almost half again my normal income is nice, but i like the job security of where i am at.

and i DON'T do mobile. i turn down mobile gigs and farm them out to other local guys on a regular basis cause i just don't want to do them and don't want the headaches that goes with it. if they want to play dress-up and look the part then more power to them.


controllers, software, turntables, cdj's : all part of the same category. tools to help you do your job. there are so many dj's who just don't get that concept.


dj'ing is a darwinian occupation, and its not the equipment that decides where you are in the food chain, it's playing and mixing the music so that the customers are entertained.
 
61%