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Forum: Music discussion

Topic: I'm a total newbie with minimal equipment. What should i learn and do?

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Hi everyone!

Recently i experimented with audio software. After making "mixes" in Audacity i had decided that i should start doing something real. As such the natural option would be VirtualDJ. But any tutorials i go through aren't suited to me.

Unfortunately due to a broken laptop. I am stuck with a basic netbook (1024x600 display), Meaning that skins are usually out of the option. And with a home free version of Virtual DJ and No controller. I am pretty much in the worst possible situation.

So, what can i actually do to start learning about mixing and such in Virtual DJ? I want to begin to move away from using software like Audacity and be able to make mixes that seperates me from the average person who just picked up a copy of Garageband and decided to use it with no knowledge?

Thanks, Dubphyte
 
Posted Sat 19 Jan 13 @ 2:12 pm
I'd suggest spending £50 on a Numark DJ2GO, which comes with its own LE version of VDJ.

That way you get to use a controller without needing to buy the full Pro VDJ, and if you decide to upgrade VDJ or your controller later, you'll still have a nice little portable controller for travelling.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I have been considering that for a while, among other controllers. but i think your right. a small controller will be perfect and still have multiple uses in the future. Until then what can i actually do?
 
What is it that you need to learn about mixing?
 
Well right now i only know how to do a fade between songs using DJ Ravines method. It means i'm pretty inflexible if i want to do some mixes and uncreative. Not to mention that i can only mix between songs with the same BPM. I ideally wanna learn to stop "fading" and start getting creative and not have to be limited with what i can mix by my ability.
 
DJ Ravine's method? I doubt very much it's his method, whatever it is. Can you explain?
 
Well, i call it his method because he teaches it on his tutorial, but yeah.

Basically, you need the Mixlab 3.1 Skin. What you need to do is transfer all the bass into Song A on the bass crossfader. When song B is synced you can then turn up the volume on it. You then transfer the bass from song A to song B when you are a few beats from the end of the song.

If that doesn't explain it well, a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ulp6eGu2Uw
 
You're using the Mixlab skin with VDJ Home free?!



He says in the video that having a crossfade EQ is "extremely important" for a good mix. To be honest that's garbage!

You don't need a crossfade EQ or even a plain crossfader to mix.

Some people these days will also say that you need to turn down the bass on one channel, then gradually bring it up as you mix across........or some other similar "method".

Again, not a requirement. As the saying goes, there's more than one way to skin a cat. A basic mix can be done with nothing more than your two channel faders and your ears. All this other stuff is icing on the cake, not a necessity.
 
Well, hopefully a controller will mean i can alter more than one thing at a time, making skins no longer be needed. But i'm trying to learn new mixing techniques. I like the idea of transferring bass but it isn't applicable to all situations and can get repetitive. I'm just trying to learn new skills so i can actually sound like a DJ and not a person who fades every song. I got the basic fades down but i wanna know a few more techniques and add in a few things to keep the mix interesting
 
OK so you say you want to learn new techniques, but you also said that any tutorials you find aren't suited to you...

What do you mean by that?

Surely you need to watch as many different methods as possible.
 
What i mean is that i have to work with a small screen and no controller currently, which means that usually i can't scratch or such. Well maybe i just over generalised actually. Are there any tutorials that i can use with no controller?
 
I would say that your priority should be to get yourself a controller.

Even the DJ2GO is better than trying to DJ without one.

Better still get a Mixtrack Pro. They're not expensive and do make you look a bit more like a "real DJ". Plus they're probably the best selling controller around, so you won't have any problems selling it if you decide to upgrade.
 
I've actually seen another controller around that looks good and has an OEM of VDJ. Would a Hercules DJ Control MP3 e2 be a good controller? I have heard it is good for beginners and experts alike.
 
Personally I don't like the Hercules ones - I think they're too small.

There's a good reason why the majority of other controllers are a particular size. To allow for a pair of sensibly sized platters and to give enough space around the controls to make it comfortable to use.

It's all personal though. "One mans meat is another mans poison" as the saying goes.
 
You should get one that is natively supported by VDJ. If I remember correctly, the mixtrack pro now only comes with serato intro...
 
I did take a look at the MixTrack Pro. But it is a bit steep for me, I've been looking at the Hercules DJ Control Instinct. And getting that second hand or off an online store means i may be able to get it for roughly £60. Plus it seems like a good controller as it is future-proof, meaning i may not need to replace for a while.
 
£150 isn't "steep" by any means.

Remember it's DJ equipment we're talking about here. Lots of knobs, buttons and electronics.

I'm sure you've heard the phrase "you get what you pay for" - well with DJ equipment it's even more true than usual.

If you want something worthwhile, that won't break after 5 minutes, and will sound reasonable, then you will have to pay for it!

If you try to get something on the cheap, thinking you'll save some money, then in the long run you'll probably end up spending more when you realise your mistake.

Mixtrack Pros are not exactly high end anyway! They're pretty basic but good for a beginner on a budget.
 


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