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Topic: New to the scene - or - Help with CDM-150

This topic is old and might contain outdated or incorrect information.

Friendly greetings!
I've been interested in the DJ hobby/profession for many years, but never had any equipment to actually do anything or even try it out. I recently purchased (about 6 moths ago) a GemSound CDM-150 & I've been looking at different software to use along side it. I stumbled upon VirtualDJ & have been interested in making part of my setup.
My question, to anyone who might have any clue & who is willing to help out beginner, is there any way to use VDJ's CD Time Code sync with the beastly CDM-150. I couldn't find much on this machine, but the one little scrap I did find mentioned something about a sound card enabling the Time Code ability. So, is this true &, if so, what is the best sound card you would recommend to use to make this happen. (cheap is good & most proffered) Also, what would be the means of configuring this type of setup?

My current Setup includes:
IBM netvista P4 2.5gHz Win XP Home SP3
GemSound CDM-150
Sound Blaster Live! SB0060
Altec Lansing ADA995 THX 5.1
and of course a demo of VDJ

For those who want the specs to the CDM-150.
http://www.gemsound.com/products_cdplayers_cdm150.html

Much appreciation in advance for those who respond with any use full information.

--BBB >^.=.^<
 
Posted Thu 04 Feb 10 @ 8:36 am
If you are looking to use it to control VirtualDJ via timecode CD's, then unfortunately it is not suitable.

To work, timecode CD requires an individual output from each CD player that you would need to connect to a suitable ASIO sound card designed for timecode use, such as Hercules DJ Trim, Native Instruments Audio 4 DJ or ESI Maya44 USB.

All-in-one units like this do not have the required separate outputs for each CD player (Only master outputs from the built-in mixer for connection to your speakers and/or for recording.)

NOTE: If you have not purchased this unit yet and are looking for an all-in-one controller for VirtualDJ, then we would recommend the Hercules DJ Console RMX. This is an all-in-one MIDI controller that includes everything you need to get up and running, including a FREE Console Edition of VirtualDJ v5 and built-in DJ sound card.
 
Thank you kindly for the suggestions, they've been much appreciated.

Heh, wish I came here when I was thinking about buying this beast...not 6 months later. Also wish I did a little more research before hand, I sunk in probably about twice as much as i should've into the CDM. Could've bought you suggested Hercules Console for just a little more, but since I've already taken the plunge with this CDM & I'm quite short the cash to acquire a new setup I seek your advice once more.

Out of all the afore mentioned products, the Maya44 seems to be the most cost effective...but I don't want to sink even the $50 I could probably find it for & then find out that it's sketchy at best. How decent is it for the price?

My second question is slightly more technical. Since I don't have the dough to drop for another system, I kinda have to work with what I got. The thought did pass through my crazy little mind to pop open the shell, isolate the CD outputs, solder some spare RCA to them, pass them through the sound card & then back in to the built in mixer via the RCA inputs. From what I gathered in your post, It's just the fact that the individual CD-outs couldn't be isolated before it passes through the mix and to the PA outputs. It sound like it would work...unless there is some other factor, like it's just too old of a machine.

Again, thanks in advance for any advice one could pass down.

--BBB
 
Maya44 USB will work well for timecode. There is also the Hercules DJ Trim.

You could perhaps sell the CDM-150 on eBay and then use the money towards purchasing a Hercules DJ Console RMX?

Technically, yes you probably could modify it in the way that you describe, but you would void the warranty of the product and risk potential damage to it.
 
Well I was already looking into the Maya44 as a possible solution, not the best, but the Hercules Trim is just way out there...I am broke at the moment to the point that even the Maya is a little too pricey for me.

As for the suggestion on selling the CDM, I wont get nearly enough to buy your suggested Hercules RMX, I already paid too much for it to begin with. I'm going for cost effective solutions as you might have gathered in the other thread I was posting in.
http://www.virtualdj.com/forums/123629/Hardware_Technical_Support/maya44_or_rane_sl.html

As for voiding the warranty, I wouldn't worry too much about that...not only is this device at least five years old, most likely older, I bought it off of a police auction. Like I said, no worries on voiding the warranty. I'm not all too worried about damaging it either, it's not like I'm taking out the CD players or something, just attaching a pair of stereo cables to the CD-outs. I'll probably just tape them in to make sure this crazy idea works before I solder them in.

But thanks for your suggestions & concerns.
I'm just trying to make what I got work with as little as I can.

Regards!
--BBB
 
You might be able to find a Hercules DJ Console MK2 cheap on eBay, etc. The sound card in this can be used for timecode and it is also a compact MIDI controller too.

It also comes with VirtualDJ v3 Console Edition, however if purchased second hand, you will not be able to register it if the previous owner has already done so.

NOTE: VirtualDJ Pro is required to be able to use time code.
 
Thanks again for the suggestion, taking a look at eBay the lowest start on a used Hercules DJ Console MK2 is still a little pricey (about us$150 & up), though will take it into consideration when I have a little more cash to throw around.

It is noted that the Time Code ability is only accessible through VDJ Pro. I have a copy my friend no longer uses, but as you said, the serial was registered so I can not re-register. It's fine though...don't mind that at all. When things take off, I'll get my own copy & licence.

--BBB
 
Unfortunately you cannot use somebody else's copy of VirtualDJ Pro, even if they give it to you for free.

VirtualDJ licenses cannot be sold, given or transferred to another user. Doing so is a violation of the End User License Agreement: http://www.virtualdj.com/buy/index.html

Please support the software and its development by purchasing it: http://www.virtualdj.com/buy/index.html

If you can't afford VirtualDJ Pro at the momenmt, you could always start with VirtualDJ Basic or Home Edition and use the mouse/keyboard to control it. You can then upgrade to Pro at a discount at a future date: http://www.virtualdj.com/products/basic.html / http://www.virtualdj.com/products/homeedition.html

A new Hercules DJ Console RMX allows you to upgrade to Pro at a 50% discount off the normal price.
 


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