Friday, February 11, 2011

Getting back into DJing

   It's been about 4 years+ since my last gig.  That last gig was a make-up gig for a show I had to cut short due to receiving horrific news mid-set.  My whole gigging vibe was thrown off, and I basically quit mixing altogether for a few years. 


  But over the last 2 years or so, I've really gotten an ear and mind for it again.  I have mostly been mixing digitally on the laptop, but that is not cutting it anymore.  I have begun to get out a lil more, at the same time getting an idea of what is moving dancefloors in Halifax these days.  Needless to say, there is still a great energy in this city; an energy I have definitely missed.  But being so rusty, especially when it comes to playing out on larger sound, is not an option for me.  So I have decided to kit up a bit, to work of the rust mixing live as opposed to with my mouse on the coach, heh.


  Not going to go all out, just going to start with a USB mixer/interface to get back to real hands on mixing.  Have been taking a serious look at 2 models, with one featuring jog wheels for more of a hands on experience.



The first is the M-Audio X-Session Pro.  Fairly simple layout, lots of function knobs (3band eq+3fx/channel).  Every button and fader is assignable to any function as midi controller, but many are laid out to be used as they are (standard mixer funct's).  This is the cheaper of my options @ roughly $100cdn.






Also looking at the Hercules DJ Console MK4

This comes in a lil pricier ($179cdn), but is def worth it.  Many more functions/controls on this one, including jog wheels, which in the right setting, offers a very solid scratch ability.  This piece works with Virtual DJ, and the buttons are all what you find as features in the software.  Judging by review videos I have seen, it is very easy to use if you are already a virtualdj user (that's me!).

Also, there is a bypass option, and inputs for vinyl turntables.  So if you prefer a larger hands on the record feel vs the smaller jog wheels, you can hook  your time coded vinyl  up thru the software.









So I don't know which one I will decide on.  Got one helluva tax return coming, but don't expect it for at least 3-4 more weeks.  So I got time to really decide.   I don't mind being cheap here, cuz even the smaller $100 option will allow me to step my game back up greatly.  I will update for sure.  May even update this entry with a few of the demo videos I have watched. 


Peace for now guys.

Thanks for reading and supporting.

18 comments:

  1. i got a buddy real big into DJing, KvonB he calls himself.

    its expensive shit

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  2. damn i totally forgot about my taxes

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  3. looks cool. i hope it goes great if you get back into it.

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  4. I only produce now. But I want to start learning DJing. I only need a good starting point.

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  5. They both look sick! but i suppose choose the one you prefer the most man!

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  6. i think the simpler one would be a good transition back in to the game

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  7. You should choose the one you feel comfortable with. Something similar what you used befor!

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  8. Sold all your games for DJ equipment? :p

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  9. Sweet Setup your after, both look great

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  10. show us some of your work

    followed

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  11. Good Seeing You Again today ! I love Mobile DJs ! GO DJ ! GO DJ!

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  12. Nice equipment, set us up with some of your sounds.

    Keep up the good posts

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  13. thats sweet. I hope it works out for you. following.

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  14. thats awesome, I want to learn to DJ

    following your blog now!

    xenomusic666.blogspot.com

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  15. Very cool, I've been getting into beat making lately, after playing guitar for 9 years, it's a nice change of pace.

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