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Topic: Anyone Else Using A Touch Screen For A DJ Controller?

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I started off with a Stanton SCS3 touch sensitive DJ controller, when I got back into the DJ thing several years ago. I switched over to a ADJ VMS2, last year... It just wasn't the same. So, I picked up a 24 inch touch screen and added to the DJ console... I just used the gear at a car show, last week, and was very excited with how well it worked for me. I don't do night clubs, but more daytime events. A tent with sun shades is imperative, but I am having a blast using the VDJ software skin as the interface on the screen! I think this will drive me to do more customization in VDJ.

Anyone else done this? What are your experiences with just dumping a dedicated controller and going virtual?
 
Posted Fri 02 Jun 17 @ 6:35 pm
 
 
 
wickedmix wrote :
looks like this skin to me -> http://www.virtualdj.com/plugins/index.html?addonid=15772


Thanks for the feedback, WickedMix! I checked out the skin... I don't do VDJ, yet. I am not sure if I will use the layout to its most efficient design. Plus, they are huge on a 24 inch screen (:>) I'll see how I do with this skin. It takes a bit of getting used to... jumping between panels to load a song then pop back over to the platters.

Anyway... I think I have made the transition from physical controllers to touch screen, and may stay here!
 
 
How's the latency on a touchscreen?
 
christianwheel wrote :
How's the latency on a touchscreen?


I don't notice any delay... It is an HDMI video monitor with USB3 (mouse and HUB). I actually detach the monitor from the stand and use the mount head from another Dell monitor stand mounted to a 6U rack lid. Tilted to about 55 degrees (down from vertical), it is the right angle for my arm to move from the bottom to the top of the screen. It is pretty cool to use your finger to drag a title into a play deck or play list!

I picked the monitor up during a Dell sale, last month... about $40 off the current price:
http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-24-touch-monitor-p2418ht/apd/210-alcs/point-of-sale
. I almost went with the Acer, but I had reservations about the glass screen.

I still use the laptop touch screen for FreeStyle to run lighting. I only have a strobe and RGB bar, right now.
 
So can a touch screen be run side by side with a controller ?

This has got my mind working on a set up that could be perfect for me but didn't know it was possible until now.
 
Fumps wrote :
So can a touch screen be run side by side with a controller ?


I don't see why not
The touch screen must be the same (or close to the same) as using the mouse and your normal screen, only (probably) with a different skin optimized for touch screen
That shouldn't block a controller (you can even run two controllers at the same time)
The only place where you need to have only one setup is on the audio page, where you choose which audio card setup to use. But even there you can combine multiple audio cards
 
I use a touchscreen monitor and two controllers with no problems whatsoever.
 
Splendid news.........this is very good news.

Thanks guys, I'm now hatching a plan for a new set up. I just now need the touch screen to make this happen.
 
Yes, everyone... The touchscreen just adds the mouse pointer to the screen without disabling any hardware interface(s). But, that (switching to touch screen) changes the function of the graphical user interface (GUI) relationship with the software. To me, it takes away the physical mouse and allows me to directly select software functions... without the middleman (:>) I directly touch a button, slider or platter. Change the skin, and I have a new controller!

Good luck to everyone on this venture! It takes about a week to get used to any change in the mouse... Just give it a few hours, and you will be good to go.
 
AudioMaverick wrote :
Yes, everyone... The touchscreen just adds the mouse pointer to the screen without disabling any hardware interface(s). But, that (switching to touch screen) changes the function of the graphical user interface (GUI) relationship with the software. To me, it takes away the physical mouse and allows me to directly select software functions... without the middleman (:>) I directly touch a button, slider or platter. Change the skin, and I have a new controller!

Good luck to everyone on this venture! It takes about a week to get used to any change in the mouse... Just give it a few hours, and you will be good to go.

This is exactly what I was hoping for, I must be very strange when it comes to computers of any kind, I've never been very good with a mouse or laptop touchpad, for some reason I'm just really inaccurate, I always use a trackball so the idea of a touch screen would solve my issues.

I'm definitely going to look deeper into this, I just hope my very limited tech knowledge doesn't hinder me too badly
 
Fumps, You will be amazed at how easily you will adjust. If your laptop has a touch screen, tilt it back on a table and stand in front of it with your DJ software running. If you can finger drag a title onto a platter, you are 90% there. Tap the play button, and the track should kick in. It really is that simple. Putting that screen from a 12 or 15 inch size to 24 (or 27) makes the buttons large enough to not have accidental overlaps. No more moving the mouse pointer to a button and clicking! Just tap the screen!

The BIG thing is that your computer, laptop or table has an HDMI out, as well aa a USB port (hopefully USB3, but not a show stopper). If you have those two connections, you are golden! If you don't have an HDMI output, but have a USB3 port, there are USB3-to-HDMI adapters that will solve that. Now...
. To through in an option, Dell has this Docking Station that has a USB3 hub, two HDMI outputs, and a stereo audio interface, for $125 on Amazon and $100 at Sam's Club - https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Display-Docking-Station-D3100/dp/B00O0M46KO . It has its own power supply, but a single USB3 cable into your computer's USB3 port gives you just one connection to your laptop for your major audio. I have one of these on my workstation, and use a mixer with USB audio built in for the DJ. It may sound complex, but I assure you it isn't!

Good luck, and contact me if you get stuck. I am in California, and work during the week. But, I will do my best to help you out with this.

Cheers!

Fumps wrote :
AudioMaverick wrote :
Yes, everyone... The touchscreen just adds the mouse pointer to the screen without disabling any hardware interface(s). But, that (switching to touch screen) changes the function of the graphical user interface (GUI) relationship with the software. To me, it takes away the physical mouse and allows me to directly select software functions... without the middleman (:>) I directly touch a button, slider or platter. Change the skin, and I have a new controller!

Good luck to everyone on this venture! It takes about a week to get used to any change in the mouse... Just give it a few hours, and you will be good to go.

This is exactly what I was hoping for, I must be very strange when it comes to computers of any kind, I've never been very good with a mouse or laptop touchpad, for some reason I'm just really inaccurate, I always use a trackball so the idea of a touch screen would solve my issues.

I'm definitely going to look deeper into this, I just hope my very limited tech knowledge doesn't hinder me too badly


 
AudioMaverick wrote :
Fumps, You will be amazed at how easily you will adjust. If your laptop has a touch screen, tilt it back on a table and stand in front of it with your DJ software running. If you can finger drag a title onto a platter, you are 90% there. Tap the play button, and the track should kick in. It really is that simple. Putting that screen from a 12 or 15 inch size to 24 (or 27) makes the buttons large enough to not have accidental overlaps. No more moving the mouse pointer to a button and clicking! Just tap the screen!

Good luck, and contact me if you get stuck. I am in California, and work during the week. But, I will do my best to help you out with this.

Cheers!






Thanks Maverick I'm very excited about this idea. I knew touch screen technology was around but thought it had died a death & was never going to effect the world of the digital DJ.

I love how simplistic this idea is. It could really change the way I mix completely

Like I say at the moment I use a track ball & small blue tooth keyboard to keep my desk uncluttered when doing a mix, the touch screen idea makes it even more simple. I'm just reading reviews now of new screens etc to make this happen.

I have all the correct connections which is pretty cool so I'm set there.

Thanks for your offer of help, I will defiantly take you up on this as I'm a bit of a caveman when it comes to technology.
 
To cut down the research time, Check out:
. The Acer "T" series. They have 2K versions: T232HL (23", about $330US) & T272HL (27", about $500US)... They have just released a 4K 27" (&272HUL, $800). I almost went with the T232HL, but I was worried about the glass getting chipped, the stand being a bit fragile (didn't really matter for me), and the weight.
. The Dell P2418HT 24", because I can quick-release from the base and snap it onto the console. The screen is a matte plastic and edge-to-edge... currently selling for $300 on the Dell store... http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-24-touch-monitor-p2418ht/apd/210-alcs/point-of-sale

Good luck on your research and post some photos!

Fumps wrote :





Thanks Maverick I'm very excited about this idea. I knew touch screen technology was around but thought it had died a death & was never going to effect the world of the digital DJ.

I love how simplistic this idea is. It could really change the way I mix completely

Like I say at the moment I use a track ball & small blue tooth keyboard to keep my desk uncluttered when doing a mix, the touch screen idea makes it even more simple. I'm just reading reviews now of new screens etc to make this happen.

I have all the correct connections which is pretty cool so I'm set there.

Thanks for your offer of help, I will defiantly take you up on this as I'm a bit of a caveman when it comes to technology. [/quote]
 
Sir you are a diamond !

I appreciate your advice & time. Thanks loads
 


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