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