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