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Digital Dj'ing - Using a Laptop or PC as part of your Mobile Disco

Many Mobile Discos have made the change fromconsideration. Remember the bigger the hard
a conventional CD or Vinyl based system to adrive the more individual tracks that you can
software based one, usually running on eitherfit on there. An average music file ripped at
a full sized pc or a laptop. The fundamentals192kbps is around 5mb in size and so a 100gb
of both systems are largely the same, and sohard drive should fit around 20,000 tracks on
you shouldn't simply be taken in by readingthere. However if you increase the quality of
other DJs horror stories about how theirthe track in MP3 format, then the file size
laptop overheated during the first dance at arises also, so a 320kpbs mp3 could be as
Wedding or how their full sized PCs powerlarge as 11mb in size and so the same 100gb
supply exploded halfway through a gig. Therecapacity would be reduced to holding only
are pros and cons of using both systems, butaround 9000 tracks. Don't forget to factor in
largely whether to use a full size pc or aspace 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'llcapacity!. You can of course expand your hard
often find that DJ's criticising the oppositedrive capacity by fitting external hard
machine, have never actually used the systemdrives to USB ports, and these are also
that they are criticising!. If possible visitreliable. If possible try and use a system
a DJ who already uses a system to that whichwhich runs USB2.0 or even firewire since
you intend to use yourself, nothing can sellthese run at faster data speeds than
an idea better than actually seeing it inconventional USB1.1 although many Dj's report
use!, for the record, I have watched Mobileno 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 reliablegood quality soundcard is a must!, many
or better than the other, so it should onlylaptops and motherboard based sound chips on
be personal choice, rather than rumour orfull sized pc's rarely do justice to sound
scaremongering which makes the decision onquality or are designed with full time high
that score!.Is running a Mobile Disco from aquality audio playback in mind. Consider
PC or Laptop reliable?Anybody who has everinstalling 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 theirsoundcard if you opt to use a laptop. Most 2
keyboard will possibly dread the thought ofchannel soundcards will suffice for DJ'ing in
using such a system as a platform to theirmost mobile applications, where the audio is
DJ'ing!. In essence, a decent dedicated pc ormixed between the players on the laptop and
laptop with a clean install, good qualitythe single output is then fed through a pair
hard drive and a reasonable amount of memoryof "L" and "R" connectors on the soundcard,
will out preform most typical home pc set upsand then into the mixer or amplifier.However,
which may be running several applications atif more creativity is required, or the
a time, be infiltrated with virus or spywaresoftware is to be used for mixing
traces, and have a hard drive and registryapplications or the use of a crossfader
full of corrupt enteries and partlybetween channels on a conventional mixer is
uninstalled files.The key to running alikely to be utilised, then you need to buy a
successful software based DJ system, is to5 channel soundcard. This allows the
buy a dedicated pc / laptop for the task, andsoundcard to be set up, in a manner which
to only run the operating system and DJallows one pair of "L" and "R" outputs to be
Software on there, and never allow it to runused for "Player 1" on the soundcard and fed
other applications or even connect to theinto an individual channel on the mixer, and
internet. This way the installation runs andthe same for "Player 2" - this allows each
remains clean and largely error free, willsoftware player to have its own fader on the
rarely have a corrupt file, and won't getmixer - just like a conventional twin cd
infiltrated or bogged down with several otherplayer.What Quality?Some Dj Software packages
applications. This advice is given by DJ'scome 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 ofthe PC's CDROM and the process of converting
DJ'ing to be just as reliable as conventionalthe original music on the CD to MP3 Data,
DJ'ing from CD's.The advantages of using awhich is then stored on the hard drive as an
Laptop or Pc to DJThe advantages ofMP3 File. In the case of OTSDJ, the option is
converting your material to music files andalso there to convert to a file called OTS,
using a Pc or Laptop to DJ from are many. Thethis is a custom files regonised only by the
first is the most obvious, gone are the daysOTSDJ software, however it sounds just as
where you are carrying several heavy boxes ofgood as MP3 and is also a slightly smaller
CD's around with you, most DJ's CDfile size, meaning that more OTS files can be
collections can easily be converted to MP3stored 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 alsosoftware package which does use conventional
rid yourself of that long search throughMP3 files, then you will need to select the
several hundred CD compilations in order toquality at which to "rip". This figure is
find that elusive requested track that youmeasured in "Kbps" and often ranges from
just know that you have got somewhere!. With32kbps and 320kbps. Lower ranges are not
most DJ Software, you can type in part or allrecommended for professional use over a PA
of the artistes name or song title and findsystem since they can sound dull and even
it within seconds!. It really is possible todistorted. 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 orMp3 files at 192kbps or greater.192kbps is
quickly with a CD or vinyl collection.Otherconsidered reasonable quality, however
advantages of a software based DJ system,320kbps is near cd quality and may be
include the possibility to create playlistsprefered by some Dj's - however on smaller
from frequently used tracks, and you couldaudio systems the difference may be hard to
create playlists from all genres, for exampledetect. As the quality is increased, so does
a playlist for background music, one forthe file size, and a 320kbps file may be
dance music, one for the 70s and one for theseveral mb larger than its 192kbps
end of the night slowies. Of course you cancounterpart, it may also take longer to rip
also group the tracks together and catalogan entire CD at 320kbps than at lower
them according to Genre which also makesrates.For Dj Software which doesn't have
finding tracks from particular era's easierripping capability, Musicmatch Jukebox may
too. Some DJ Software will also allow you toprove to be an alternative for this
group tracks together which have a similarprocess,Are there any disadvantages to being
BPM - a boon for DJ's who mix.Which DJa Digital DJ?Now the disadvantages!.
Software should I choose?There are manyObviously the initial cost of buying a PC /
different brands and types of DJ SoftwareLaptop, a good quality soundcard, large hard
about, again it comes down to personaldrive and the Dj Software itself is likely to
preference which type you choose. It istotal far more than buying a conventional CD
always a very good idea to check out reviewsPlayer 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 thethem on your hard drive. In some
software which is of interest to you, so youjurisdictions it is also illegal to convert
can actually see it in action, in a discooriginal material to MP3 format for digital
environment.Some DJ Software comes with ause without a licence, and this can prove to
free trial, which enables you to download andbe expensive, if the Dj is to work on the
install the software on your system and tryright side of the law. It is the possible
it for for free for a time limited periodlicence requirement that we discuss next.Do I
(usually 10 - 30 days). Depending on the costneed a licence to play music from a laptop?At
of the software, there can be differingthe time of writing this article, an annual
features. Some Dj Software will simply allowlicence is required in Canada and the UK in
you to cue up and play music using 2order to use a PC or laptop to DJ from. In
"players", others will have morethe UK, a further licence and possible
comprehensive features, such as being able toroyalty payment is also required for the
fade between tracks, alter the pitch andconversion process. Although no fees have yet
tempo controls in a similar manner tobeen advertised (April 2006) these
conventional CD and Vinyl turntables, some ofcontroversal laws are likely to make this
the more expensive software will even allowform of DJ'ing unattractive when compared to
you to mix, or add a USB controller whichmore conventional, and "licence free"
looks and functions like a twin cdalternatives.Finally, my tips for Software
controller!, some Software will even mix theDjing* Always buy and use a dedicated pc /
tracks for you!.Remember that a feature islaptop 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 havefrom, and do not allow this machine to
any use for. It would be pointless buying aconnect 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 theformat and fresh install of the operating
requirement to beat mix. Most Software in itssystem.* Use a good quality soundcard, even
basic form, also comes with the option to addif you need to upgrade or buy an external USB
and install plug ins which give youone* Always rip the music direct from an
additional updates and features, so its worthoriginal CD at 192kbps quality or higher.
starting with the basic packages and then320kbps is advised for higher quality pa
adding new features if and when you requiresystems and is near cd quality. 192kbps is
them!.My advice at this stage, if you are newokay for smaller systems used by the Mobile
to, or considering Software Dj'ing is toDJ.* Don't be too concerned about buying the
download the free trials of the variouslatest top of the range PC to run from. Most
software which is available, try them for theDj Software will happily run from basic P3
time limited period, and then buy the one600mhz machines, but do check out the minimum
which suits you, and which is the mostrequirements on the software authors
comfortable to use.Some dj software titleswebsite.* Read reviews on the various
which are currently popular and well reviewedsoftware packages available. Stick to the
by Mobile DJ's include OTSDJ, DSSDJ andfeatures that you will use, since you can
PCDJWhat type of PC do I need to run my DJalways upgrade extras later. Take advantage
Software packageWhen you have decided on aof the free trials of DJ Software which are
software package, it is then time to consideravailable and use the time to find the best
what pc or laptop to use it on. Contrary tosoftware to suit you* If you choose a full
rumour, you don't need the latest brand newsized PC make sure that it is professionally
pc or laptop to successfully run DJ Softwareflightcased - pc's are not designed to be
from, and neither do you need a huge CPUcarried 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 ormanufacturer. Where practical and legal
higher, many of the newer 1.2ghz+ celeronsalways back up your data* Fit your machine
will also flawlessly run DJ software with nowith 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 256mba licence is required to operate such a
for most applications.How big should I besystem.
:o)A decent sized hard drive is the next



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