[dnb-prod] Re: doin it live... what do i need?

[mbrodie]

Title: Re: [dnb-prod] doin it live... what do i need?

Well, rule #1 is to not use mom's laptop. She might catch a virus, need it when you do, or drop it, then suddenly your scheduled show is out of equipment.    I actually Dj a Lot off of a Dell PIII laptop. I use both BPM studio (www.alcatech.de) and traktor during live shows. For the audio interface I use an Emagic 2I6 which has 6 independent output channels. It stutters slightly when I use ASIO drivers but works fine with EASI drivers. The crowd does not notice either way. You definitely need a multi channel audio interface for this kind of setup, or you will have to play without CUE. USB or FireWire multi channel audio interfaces are the way to go. 2 separate soundcards, and/or a separate USB/Soundcard setup will never sync up well for beat matching, It has to be a single output unit. I had learned that the expensive way. I plug this setup into a Roland SP808 mixer (which has my songs on it too for backup, and which allows me to use the d-beam during the shows [guaranteed crowd pleaser]. I also have the sample pads to add samples to the show without weighting down the PC's CPU. I also have a Pioneer CDJ player as a backup in case [God forbid] there is a crash on the PC I can also use the CDJ for scratching. That is plugged into channel 2 of the SP808 so I can mix it in at any time. If a crash occurs, and it has before, I can simply mix in a new song from the CDJ before the crashed song comes to an end. BPM 4.0 studio plays out the song even when a crash occurs. I have recently upgraded my copy of BPM studio, which costs about 300$ to ver 4.2 and that does not crash [so far]. The updated version of BPM studio 4.2 works just like a CDN 88 but without the scratch wheel, the company also sells controller units that can be used  fairly easier than the keyboard. The program does perfect beat matching [better than the CDN88] it also saves BPM info and organizes your tracks around it, it also displays an organized list of your tracks by genre, and it ca keep logs of all the songs you play in a show. Traktor has features that BPM studio does not though, it can play tracks in reverse, it can scratch, cut, and save your performances by actions rather than just a simple audio file [which can also be edited later] The only problem I have with traktor is that its interface is not comfortable enough. Oh, and also, if you plan on using a PC to DJ, A definite recommendation is to get an independent [non USB] optical mouse. It is no fun to do a performance with the laptop controls.   I also DJ using CDN88s, CDJ 1000s, and SL1200s all the time, but the main benefit of laptop dj'ing is its a light setup. I can also play any song [from over 3000 songs on the HD] I have in a matter of seconds, without searching through album jackets or CD books. I used to have to carry my own sound system to shows so it was easier to bring the laptop than my turn table coffin or my CD set and mixers. I definitely like turntables more for big floor sets, but for small, tight venues, where skipping is an issue, nothing beats PC Djing. I make all of my mp3's from vinyl, [when applicable] because they sound better than CD copies.   Any other questions, I'd be happy to answer...............................................>Winterman   http://www.mp3.com/winterman           on 2/7/02 2:30 PM, bravoman at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: my mom will buy a notebook soon (for her work...) ... so why dont i (ab)use it for (live-)audio purposes... which (usb-, firewire-, pcmcia-) audiointerfaces would u recommend? i think i dont need a rme-solution which is very expensive... any "mid-cost"-solutions (suggestions)? which software is good for mixing mp3s? or how do u do ur "live sets" via notebook? which software combos do u use for live pa? bravoman --- Drum&Bass Arena Producers Discussion List http://www.breakbeat.co.uk You are currently subscribed to dnb-prod as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Drum&Bass Arena Producers Discussion List http://www.breakbeat.co.uk You are currently subscribed to dnb-prod as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Drum&Bass Arena Producers Discussion List http://www.breakbeat.co.uk You are currently subscribed to dnb-prod as: archive@jab.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]