Timecode records are an amazing technology but sometimes their performance can be a fickle beast. DVS systems like serato and traktor scratch are subject to a wide number of variables including noise interference, cartridge quality and turntable calibration just to name a few. Its not uncommon to show up to a club and find one turntable is barely working with only a few minutes to trouble shoot before your set. For this reason I personally prefer the reliability of midi but turntable lovers must be able to diagnose timecode problems quickly and accurately. In this article Ranier, the author of the Traktor bible, will show you how to correctly identify almost all possible timecode problems.
Well over a year ago, I got up the gumption to chop up a VCI-100 that was on loan from Vestax in my quest to create a dj instrument. To my amazement I didn’t break the controller and Vestax didn’t seem angry that their loaner was never coming back. Emboldened by successful hackery and equipped with 8 arcade buttons I dove headlong into further developing theories on controllerism and cue point juggling. It was that mod and those ideas that kicked off this great site, and started something that has become much bigger- a community of like minded, creative djs.
In order to share the idea with others, I posted a simple tutorial video on youtube but the primitive techniques used then have improved greatly over time. Today, after modifying many controllers for customers around the globe, we have developed a reliable system that is easy and produces great results. Dj TechTools is now very happy to share that system with you, so that anyone that cant afford our custom arcade editions can produce one of their own.
Traktor Pro and Traktor Scratch Pro have graduated to version 1.2 and gained a bunch of great new features in the process. While the update does not have all the wrinkles ironed out yet, it is available to everyone as a public beta so you can go check it out for yourself. In the mean time, read on to get a list of major changes you need to know about.
Serato Audio Research has released a free update to their digital dj software, Itch. Version 1.1 does not bring any major features like effects but addresses bugs, streamlines the software and adds a few helpful extras. Read on for more details after the break.
After engineering several solid sound cards, Native Instruments has rounded out their lineup with the entry level Audio 2 dj. Its a portable card aimed at the controller crowd with 2 discreet stereo outputs. You can use one 1/4″ output for the headphones and one for the speakers or run both stereo outputs into an external mixer. With volume control for both channels, USB power, and very portable size (about the size of a deck of cards) this interface will make an excellent choice for those wanting a inexpensive sound card with good audio converters. Dj TechTools got an exclusive look at the audio 2 in Berlin and has the inside scoop on this new product. Continue reading Native Instruments Audio 2 DJ
We all love our iphones and fully embrace the app store concept but is it too much to expect a few innovative dj apps? Fortunately the folks that made mix-emergency (a Serato video app) have introduced a novel concept that’s actually useful. Their app sends out control vinyl through the headphone port so you can use it just like a turntable and control any DVS system with your iphone.
Ok kids- DONT try this at home. @ 1:40 everyone here in the DJ TT office was CRINGING as this adorable young controllerist started cutting all the wires at once. That’s a major no-no and will cost many hours of tedious backtracking as I am sure his dad soon discovered. Modifying your own arcade button controller is really not that difficult. In fact, as this video clearly demonstrates- even a kid can do it! But…. there are a lot of tricks and techniques we have learned at DJTT HQ that you really need to know before attempting this job yourself. In order to help you perform a perfect mod your first time, Dj TT has created an arcade button DIY kit that contains:
Comprehensive 30 minute video walking you through each step in detail
Arcade Button overlay to cover the holes and wrap the VCI
Pre-soldered lead extensions with the correct diods
DXF cut guide for your machine shop
On Monday we are going to be posting a 10 minute version of the tutorial video for everyone to use. The full kits will go up for sale on Monday, along with arcade buttons in all different colors so everything you need for the mod can be easily obtained in one place.
DJs who use PCs know that sometimes all the other software we use on our laptops gets in the way of what really matters, the Music!
I’m a laptop guru by trade and I get asked all the time by fellow DJs and performers alike, “Monika, how can I make my laptop better suited for DJing?” Here are a few short tricks and tweaks that can speed up your performance and optimize your machine for performance! Most of these have been floating around for a while, but I thought it would be a great idea to go over this again since the question is always on the lips of learning Digital Djs.
About 3 months ago the boys over in Auckland took a small step forward with their ubiquitously conservative software, Serato Scratch. Along with a host of bug fixes and tweaks version 1.9 added 6 samplers, and the ability to record directly into those samplers from a MIC. While the demand for more air horn and cowbell never seems to let up, 6 simple samplers stopped just short of something great and I was happy to open my big mouth and tell them so. “Hey guys, just support deck duplication to the samplers and you have opened up a whole new world!” One step at a time, I was told by the 7 foot tall zen dj master known as Sam at Serato. Well, I am happy to report they took that extra step with a brand new beta version and made their nice little samplers into something more- 6 additional decks. Continue reading Serato gets Multi Decked
The DaScratch controller from Stanton is a one of a kind and truly innovative controller. We have seen a lot of new devices aimed at the digital dj recently but not many manufacturers have been willing to think outside of the box and innovate on a software and hardware level. Developing such a device seems to have paid off for Stanton, as after several months of playing around with the controller I am happy to report its a pleasure to use and surprisingly fun! Continue reading SCS-3d “DaScratch” Reviewed
Here is one technique I use at almost every gig to make big tempo jumps. Its not the only way but if you use Traktor then its a trick that should absolutely be in your bag. Next time we will look at shifting the tempos of micro loops to create a similar effect.
Controllerism continues to take small leaps forward as the software and techniques improve but the giant steps are going to happen in the realm of performance interfaces. Without a solid controller surface that has been designed to play like an instrument we wont be able to leave the realm of noodling and enter the fabled land of flow.
The Otto interface brings us one large step closer in that direction. This remarkable research product is the brain child of Luca De Rosso at the IUAV (University of Venice). Luca created a single prototype interface and matching loop slicer software for his thesis project while he studied interactive design. Continue reading OTTO – Controllerism Instrument
So I noticed that there really isn't any type of fancy beer thread(unless I fail at searching) here so I figured I'd ask, whatca drinkin? Winter... […]
Trent Reznor has made stems of songs from the film score available for your personal use. I am a bit fuzzy on what exactly you are allowed to do... […]
