| Many Mobile Discos have made the change from | | | | consideration. Remember the bigger the hard |
| a conventional CD or Vinyl based system to a | | | | drive the more individual tracks that you can |
| software based one, usually running on either | | | | fit on there. An average music file ripped at |
| a full sized pc or a laptop. The fundamentals | | | | 192kbps is around 5mb in size and so a 100gb |
| of both systems are largely the same, and so | | | | hard drive should fit around 20,000 tracks on |
| you shouldn't simply be taken in by reading | | | | there. However if you increase the quality of |
| other DJs horror stories about how their | | | | the track in MP3 format, then the file size |
| laptop overheated during the first dance at a | | | | rises also, so a 320kpbs mp3 could be as |
| Wedding or how their full sized PCs power | | | | large as 11mb in size and so the same 100gb |
| supply exploded halfway through a gig. There | | | | capacity would be reduced to holding only |
| are pros and cons of using both systems, but | | | | around 9000 tracks. Don't forget to factor in |
| largely whether to use a full size pc or a | | | | space for your operating software, drivers |
| laptop comes down to personal choice, | | | | and DJ software when working out hard drive |
| practicality, budget and space, and you'll | | | | capacity!. You can of course expand your hard |
| often find that DJ's criticising the opposite | | | | drive capacity by fitting external hard |
| machine, have never actually used the system | | | | drives to USB ports, and these are also |
| that they are criticising!. If possible visit | | | | reliable. If possible try and use a system |
| a DJ who already uses a system to that which | | | | which runs USB2.0 or even firewire since |
| you intend to use yourself, nothing can sell | | | | these run at faster data speeds than |
| an idea better than actually seeing it in | | | | conventional USB1.1 although many Dj's report |
| use!, for the record, I have watched Mobile | | | | no issues with hard drives and soundcards run |
| DJ's use both PC's and Laptops to DJ from, | | | | from older 1.1 systems.Give me Sound!Using a |
| and neither, in my opinion, was more reliable | | | | good quality soundcard is a must!, many |
| or better than the other, so it should only | | | | laptops and motherboard based sound chips on |
| be personal choice, rather than rumour or | | | | full sized pc's rarely do justice to sound |
| scaremongering which makes the decision on | | | | quality or are designed with full time high |
| that score!.Is running a Mobile Disco from a | | | | quality audio playback in mind. Consider |
| PC or Laptop reliable?Anybody who has ever | | | | installing a pci sound card in your pc, or |
| encountered the windows blue screen of death, | | | | investing in a good quality USB external |
| or worn out the Ctrl+alt+del keys on their | | | | soundcard if you opt to use a laptop. Most 2 |
| keyboard will possibly dread the thought of | | | | channel soundcards will suffice for DJ'ing in |
| using such a system as a platform to their | | | | most mobile applications, where the audio is |
| DJ'ing!. In essence, a decent dedicated pc or | | | | mixed between the players on the laptop and |
| laptop with a clean install, good quality | | | | the single output is then fed through a pair |
| hard drive and a reasonable amount of memory | | | | of "L" and "R" connectors on the soundcard, |
| will out preform most typical home pc set ups | | | | and then into the mixer or amplifier.However, |
| which may be running several applications at | | | | if more creativity is required, or the |
| a time, be infiltrated with virus or spyware | | | | software is to be used for mixing |
| traces, and have a hard drive and registry | | | | applications or the use of a crossfader |
| full of corrupt enteries and partly | | | | between channels on a conventional mixer is |
| uninstalled files.The key to running a | | | | likely to be utilised, then you need to buy a |
| successful software based DJ system, is to | | | | 5 channel soundcard. This allows the |
| buy a dedicated pc / laptop for the task, and | | | | soundcard to be set up, in a manner which |
| to only run the operating system and DJ | | | | allows one pair of "L" and "R" outputs to be |
| Software on there, and never allow it to run | | | | used for "Player 1" on the soundcard and fed |
| other applications or even connect to the | | | | into an individual channel on the mixer, and |
| internet. This way the installation runs and | | | | the same for "Player 2" - this allows each |
| remains clean and largely error free, will | | | | software player to have its own fader on the |
| rarely have a corrupt file, and won't get | | | | mixer - just like a conventional twin cd |
| infiltrated or bogged down with several other | | | | player.What Quality?Some Dj Software packages |
| applications. This advice is given by DJ's | | | | come complete with the means to "Rip" a cd. |
| who have been using software and PC's for | | | | "Ripping" means placing the original Cd into |
| many years, and have found this method of | | | | the PC's CDROM and the process of converting |
| DJ'ing to be just as reliable as conventional | | | | the original music on the CD to MP3 Data, |
| DJ'ing from CD's.The advantages of using a | | | | which is then stored on the hard drive as an |
| Laptop or Pc to DJThe advantages of | | | | MP3 File. In the case of OTSDJ, the option is |
| converting your material to music files and | | | | also there to convert to a file called OTS, |
| using a Pc or Laptop to DJ from are many. The | | | | this is a custom files regonised only by the |
| first is the most obvious, gone are the days | | | | OTSDJ software, however it sounds just as |
| where you are carrying several heavy boxes of | | | | good as MP3 and is also a slightly smaller |
| CD's around with you, most DJ's CD | | | | file size, meaning that more OTS files can be |
| collections can easily be converted to MP3 | | | | stored on a hard drive when compared to |
| and will fit onto a 80gb - 200gb hard drive!. | | | | conventional MP3 files.If you use a DJ |
| By converting to Software Dj'ing you also | | | | software package which does use conventional |
| rid yourself of that long search through | | | | MP3 files, then you will need to select the |
| several hundred CD compilations in order to | | | | quality at which to "rip". This figure is |
| find that elusive requested track that you | | | | measured in "Kbps" and often ranges from |
| just know that you have got somewhere!. With | | | | 32kbps and 320kbps. Lower ranges are not |
| most DJ Software, you can type in part or all | | | | recommended for professional use over a PA |
| of the artistes name or song title and find | | | | system since they can sound dull and even |
| it within seconds!. It really is possible to | | | | distorted. Ideally for professional use, the |
| find and cue up a request within 5 seconds - | | | | DJ should be looking at ripping their CD's to |
| something which just can't be done easily or | | | | Mp3 files at 192kbps or greater.192kbps is |
| quickly with a CD or vinyl collection.Other | | | | considered reasonable quality, however |
| advantages of a software based DJ system, | | | | 320kbps is near cd quality and may be |
| include the possibility to create playlists | | | | prefered by some Dj's - however on smaller |
| from frequently used tracks, and you could | | | | audio systems the difference may be hard to |
| create playlists from all genres, for example | | | | detect. As the quality is increased, so does |
| a playlist for background music, one for | | | | the file size, and a 320kbps file may be |
| dance music, one for the 70s and one for the | | | | several mb larger than its 192kbps |
| end of the night slowies. Of course you can | | | | counterpart, it may also take longer to rip |
| also group the tracks together and catalog | | | | an entire CD at 320kbps than at lower |
| them according to Genre which also makes | | | | rates.For Dj Software which doesn't have |
| finding tracks from particular era's easier | | | | ripping capability, Musicmatch Jukebox may |
| too. Some DJ Software will also allow you to | | | | prove to be an alternative for this |
| group tracks together which have a similar | | | | process,Are there any disadvantages to being |
| BPM - a boon for DJ's who mix.Which DJ | | | | a Digital DJ?Now the disadvantages!. |
| Software should I choose?There are many | | | | Obviously the initial cost of buying a PC / |
| different brands and types of DJ Software | | | | Laptop, a good quality soundcard, large hard |
| about, again it comes down to personal | | | | drive and the Dj Software itself is likely to |
| preference which type you choose. It is | | | | total far more than buying a conventional CD |
| always a very good idea to check out reviews | | | | Player or turntables. It also takes time to |
| and discussions on DJ Forums and if possible | | | | "rip" your cd collection to Mp3 and store |
| to find a DJ who uses a system based on the | | | | them on your hard drive. In some |
| software which is of interest to you, so you | | | | jurisdictions it is also illegal to convert |
| can actually see it in action, in a disco | | | | original material to MP3 format for digital |
| environment.Some DJ Software comes with a | | | | use without a licence, and this can prove to |
| free trial, which enables you to download and | | | | be expensive, if the Dj is to work on the |
| install the software on your system and try | | | | right side of the law. It is the possible |
| it for for free for a time limited period | | | | licence requirement that we discuss next.Do I |
| (usually 10 - 30 days). Depending on the cost | | | | need a licence to play music from a laptop?At |
| of the software, there can be differing | | | | the time of writing this article, an annual |
| features. Some Dj Software will simply allow | | | | licence is required in Canada and the UK in |
| you to cue up and play music using 2 | | | | order to use a PC or laptop to DJ from. In |
| "players", others will have more | | | | the UK, a further licence and possible |
| comprehensive features, such as being able to | | | | royalty payment is also required for the |
| fade between tracks, alter the pitch and | | | | conversion process. Although no fees have yet |
| tempo controls in a similar manner to | | | | been advertised (April 2006) these |
| conventional CD and Vinyl turntables, some of | | | | controversal laws are likely to make this |
| the more expensive software will even allow | | | | form of DJ'ing unattractive when compared to |
| you to mix, or add a USB controller which | | | | more conventional, and "licence free" |
| looks and functions like a twin cd | | | | alternatives.Finally, my tips for Software |
| controller!, some Software will even mix the | | | | Djing* Always buy and use a dedicated pc / |
| tracks for you!.Remember that a feature is | | | | laptop purely for Dj use, do not be tempted |
| only worthwhile if you have a use for it!. | | | | to use the family pc or run other |
| Carefully consider what features you need, | | | | applications on the machine you use to DJ |
| and which will be the ones that you will have | | | | from, and do not allow this machine to |
| any use for. It would be pointless buying a | | | | connect to the internet. On a pre-used |
| Dj Software package which allows you to mix, | | | | machine, also start from scratch with a |
| if you are a mobile dj who rarely has the | | | | format and fresh install of the operating |
| requirement to beat mix. Most Software in its | | | | system.* Use a good quality soundcard, even |
| basic form, also comes with the option to add | | | | if you need to upgrade or buy an external USB |
| and install plug ins which give you | | | | one* Always rip the music direct from an |
| additional updates and features, so its worth | | | | original CD at 192kbps quality or higher. |
| starting with the basic packages and then | | | | 320kbps is advised for higher quality pa |
| adding new features if and when you require | | | | systems and is near cd quality. 192kbps is |
| them!.My advice at this stage, if you are new | | | | okay for smaller systems used by the Mobile |
| to, or considering Software Dj'ing is to | | | | DJ.* Don't be too concerned about buying the |
| download the free trials of the various | | | | latest top of the range PC to run from. Most |
| software which is available, try them for the | | | | Dj Software will happily run from basic P3 |
| time limited period, and then buy the one | | | | 600mhz machines, but do check out the minimum |
| which suits you, and which is the most | | | | requirements on the software authors |
| comfortable to use.Some dj software titles | | | | website.* Read reviews on the various |
| which are currently popular and well reviewed | | | | software packages available. Stick to the |
| by Mobile DJ's include OTSDJ, DSSDJ and | | | | features that you will use, since you can |
| PCDJWhat type of PC do I need to run my DJ | | | | always upgrade extras later. Take advantage |
| Software packageWhen you have decided on a | | | | of the free trials of DJ Software which are |
| software package, it is then time to consider | | | | available and use the time to find the best |
| what pc or laptop to use it on. Contrary to | | | | software to suit you* If you choose a full |
| rumour, you don't need the latest brand new | | | | sized PC make sure that it is professionally |
| pc or laptop to successfully run DJ Software | | | | flightcased - pc's are not designed to be |
| from, and neither do you need a huge CPU | | | | carried around.* Select a high capacity 100gb |
| processor. Most DJ Software will happily run | | | | - 200gb hard drive from a reputable |
| on a pentium 3 processor with 600mhz speed or | | | | manufacturer. Where practical and legal |
| higher, many of the newer 1.2ghz+ celerons | | | | always back up your data* Fit your machine |
| will also flawlessly run DJ software with no | | | | with at least 256mb of memory, and ideally |
| problems and without breaking into a sweat. | | | | 512mb.* Check out the legal aspect of |
| Try and buy as much memory as you can afford, | | | | converting original music to MP3 and whether |
| ideally 512mb of memory or a minimum of 256mb | | | | a licence is required to operate such a |
| for most applications.How big should I be | | | | system. |
| :o)A decent sized hard drive is the next | | | | |