I am happy to report that several writers here at dj tech tools are now going to be offering insight, recommendations and reviews on the emerging dj-video world. Although it remains to be seen if people really want to embrace this upcoming trend, the technology is starting to look exciting. One of the most promising programs is Serato Scratch Live Video. Its an $180 optional plug-in for the Scratch Live platform that works seamlessly with Rane’s TTM-57SL. Check out the following video for more info and to see what it looks like when we apply a little controllerism to music videos.
Continue reading ‘Controllerism with Serato Scratch Video’
VCI-100 DIY
One of our readers that goes by SGB has posted a very well done walk through on how to fix a jog wheel that feels too stiff. You can download detailed instructions with pictures here (direct link). While we are on the subject of DIY projects this might be a good time to also bring back this tutorial on adding arcade buttons to a VCI-100. If you have anything like this that you feel the community here at dj tech tools would benefit from DONT hessitate to let us know. I know many of you might be afraid to take apart some very expensive dj gear but trust me, its really hard to break this one so have fun and come up with your own MOD!
Some older djs seem to have a sixth sense about mixing tracks. They will often mix similar songs to other djs but for some reason the sequence and timing results in a completely different feel. Promoters and dancers are left happy as the dance floor consistently explodes on the big tracks and chugs along between without any energy drops. There is no secret to their formula, many guys have just developed a keen ear and sense of when to play the rights tracks. Take a closer look by examining the musical structure of their sets and you might find they are often mixing in key and don’t even realize it.
So how you reliably tap into that knowledge without waiting for those random perfect mixes to pop up in your sets? Figure out all the keys of your songs and then learn how to wield that information to create a powerful dance-floor.
Continue reading ‘Are you mixing “in key”?’
As many of you know, I have been working on a special layout for the VCI-100 that is in the beta stages. You can download, test and give feedback on the current version here. In the mean time I stumbled on this crazy midi mod that got me REALLY excited (which is rare) so I wanted to share it. I mix externally with the vci-100 so all the central controls are dedicated to effects. However sometimes I need to quickly cut out a song and I have been using the input faders to do that by engaging the reverb to 100%. Each channel fader engages the reverb, fades in the mix and then at the top freezes the effect. So, if you quickly flip the fader up you get a really clean cut with a cool reverb tail. Then I was thinking instead of 2 faders, what if the cross fader did the same thing for both decks but in opposite directions? So when you move the cross fader to the left the right decks cuts out with a adjustable reverb trail and when you move it to the far right the left deck cuts out with a reverb tail? Continue reading ‘NEW VCI-100 mod and the “super” crossfader’
I have no idea man, I just connect this funny looking cable to my computer and it works. Well my friend, that may be true, but its time to understand some basic facts about MIDI so you can use it to help you do crazy stuff like my custom VCI-100 midi mod.
Most of you may own a midi controller but few people actually know what MIDI really is. Lets boil away the excess technical fat and get down the meat of the matter. MIDI is a communication format sort of like an email. Each midi message has diffrent parts just like every email message has sender, receiver, Subject and body. So, each time you hit a key on your VCI-100, your sending a midi email to your computer. The VCI is the sender and the computer is the receiver.
Each midi email contains the following info:
Continue reading ‘organize your midi mail’
VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE**** 1/29/08
Editors note: It has recently come to light that the first run of VCI-100’s that were sent out had a completely different mapping layout than all the subsequent “Firmware V2″ VCi-100. You can find out which version you have by holding down both jog wheel buttons at the same time. If the jog wheel lights turn off and your pitch bend no longer works then you have the NEW firmware and my layout will NOT work with your VCi-100. Your new vci firmware is sending out completely different note values and they will result in NOTHING working as I designed. if you have the OLD firmware then by all means enjoy the layout bellow. Otherwise wait until march when you can get your hands on a VCI-100 that ships with these performance mods already installed
After 2 months of intense button pushing, code twisting and testing, I think its almost done. Here is the near final version of my programming for the VCI-100. In the coming months you will be able to get your hands on a limited edition set of plates (hopefully gold and black) that match this exclusive layout. What is different? Almost everything, but the general idea is to give you hands on immediate access to do really cool things without looking at a screen. This is the testing phase so only people with a Macintosh computer will be able to use the layout. Once the controls are finalized Vestax will make available a firmware update that will give the VCI all of this functionality without any extra programs.
So if you have a Macintosh follow the instructions bellow and PLEASE give me feedback here on this post.
If you have a WIN machine you can try out this patch for BOME Midi translator.
Continue reading ‘Ean Golden’s personal VCI-100 layout for Traktor’
As a result of our videos a ton of people seem to be very interested in the VCI-100 but remain confused about how it works. Every day I get more emails asking “Do I need a sound card, if so how does that work?” Dont fret, here at Dj Tech Tools we have the answers for you. Just check out this Sound Cards 101 video courtesy of Ean Golden.
Here is a video that shows you the steps needed to do the modification. Download the cut guide for your machine shop and click bellow for a list of items you will need. Thats it!
Continue reading ‘Add arcade buttons to a VCI-100′
Let’s take a brief departure from the norm here in digital-DJ land and look at a very talented turntablist and a few of the techniques that make him great. The man I want to reintroduce to you is DJ Kentaro. Earning one of the highest scores in DMC history, Kentaro stole the show in 2002 with a creative musical take on turntablism. The previous year’s third-place performance included a trademark routine he calls “Jah-Jaka,” which can almost be described as heavy-metal turntablism. Creative use of tape to add rhythm to tone, meaty filter tricks with EQs and guitar riff-like playing of the record all contributed to a compelling musical performance that we will break down. Continue reading ‘How to scratch like a DMC champ’
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