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