dj equipment usb
How do I set up these turntables with my laptop?
I am wanting to setup 2 Pioneer CDJ 800 MK1's to my laptop. I want to be able to play my MP3s from my computer and be able to scratch and mix them with this equipment. I already have Virtual DJ Pro installed my my laptop as well. I have not purchased an external mixer yet, but plan on doing so. Is this type of setup possible? The turntables don't have usb connections, so some people have told me no...please help thanks!
First off, the folks telling you that you can't because they don't have usb connections have no clue what they are talking about. There are some toy solutions that use usb for direct control, but pro solutions generally use timecoded audio, for which you can use ANY cd players or turntables.
You will want to buy a hardware interface system. These systems come packaged with software much more professional than Virtual DJ. What these systems do is convert audio from special timecoded cds into control signals for the computer. The interface "listens" to the sound as it is manipulated, and it tells the computer how to play the mp3. This all happens with very little latency (delay) when you use better systems.
I endorse the industry standard system, Serato Scratch Live. Serato is installed in most better clubs in cities, so it is very easy to interface wherever you are playing. Just plug your laptop in and go! Serato includes an interface, timecoded vinyl and cds, as well as fresh software that allows the DJ to spin with true creativity. Most software these days uses algorithms to do the work for the DJ, but what you get is a mix that sounds like it is done by a computer. Serato feels and sounds like spinning real records. http://www.pssl.com/Rane-Serato-Scratch-Live-DJ-Software
Another new product that seems really cool and exciting to me is Traktor SKratch Duo by Native Instruments. This is a brand new system; I don't know anyone who has used it personally. All I know is that its "big brother" Traktor Skratch Pro is a BEAST. Duo is $200 less than Serato, but I would recommend it above any system in its price range, just because it appears to have the same control mechanism as its big brother. http://www.pssl.com/Native-Instruments-Traktor-Scratch-Duo-s
I do NOT recommend any other solution if you want to do this professionally, in front of people.
Good Luck!
PS - You will need that mixer, too!
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Numark DJ I/O Multi Channel USB 2.0 DJ Audio Interface List Price: $199.00 Sale Price: Too low to display  |
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A compact, portable audio interface expressly designed for DJs, mobile music producers and other musicians who work with computers, the Numark DJ I/O connects easily with a standard USB cable to the computer and supplies extremely high-quality, 24-bit audio to output systems... |
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ION Audio iCUE3 Discover DJ System List Price: $129.99 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $85.00 |
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DISCOVER DJ is the easiest way to become a DJ. This computer-DJ package is perfect for anyone from people wanting to be a DJ to music lovers who have never tried DJing before. The DJ system harnesses the processing power of your Mac or PC and enables you to DJ parties, events and even clubs using the music that is already on your computer... |
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KARAOKE DJ PA CLUB BAR MOBILE PROFESSIONAL SYSTEM EQUIPMENT USB DIGITAL CDG CD |  |
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Rane SL3 Serato Scratch Live ADVANCED 24 BIT USB Pro DJ Equipment BRAND NEW | |
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Numark Total Computer DJ USB MIDI Software Controller Mixer Turntable Equipment | |
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Alesis M1-Active 320USB Studio Monitors with USB @ NAMM 2008
Everything You Should Know About USB Turntables
The USB turntable is the modern incarnation of the old style vinyl record player or gramophone. They take the old principle of playing a vinyl disc and connect it to a computer via a USB connection. The major bonuses of this is that it is possible to record the vinyl record into a computer media file format to be included on your iPod or to turn your old vinyl records into CDs.
I recently removed my extensive vinyl collection from the loft and attempted to play them on my record player but sadly the machine would not work. A quick trip to the electronics shop and I was told that there was little hope of fixing my old friend and I was told that if I did try and get it repaired it would cost me as much as getting a new one. I was definitely not happy about the prospect of selling my prized records at the car boot and as a result invested 100 pounds on a new USB turntable. I was pleasantly surprised as the new device kept the same quality of sound as my old record player but with the added bonuses of increased reliability and modern USB capacity.
The History of Sound recording
The gramophone disc was first introduced as a commercial product to America in 1889. In the following years the discs became increasingly popular. After the first world war these discs became the most popular format for recording and this remained so for many years. In 1948 the Ampex 200 became the first commercial tape recorder and the use of the magnetic tape technology that this method boasted soon became extremely popular.
By the late 1950s the 78rpm gramophone discs were being replaced by the 12 inch LP vinyl discs and the 7 inch 45 vinyl disc. The cassette arrived on the scene in 1964 and began to erode the popularity of the vinyl record. Tapes remained the popular choice for people for the following years with portable tape players and walkmans becoming a real favourite. The CD was first released in 1982 and has been a very popular option since. In 1992 the minidisc was introduced. These discs used digital technology to record music onto but never achieved the same level of popularity as tapes despite the fact that they were easy to record onto.
Whilst CDs still remain incredibly popular there are a number of music playing formats that utilise computer media formats. This has seen music imported onto mp3 players and iPods. These devices allow thousands of songs to be stored and carried around on a tiny portable device.
Like traditional record players the USB turntable lets you listen to vinyl discs through speakers and plays them in the conventional way - with a needle that runs over the discs. However it has the modern benefit of a USB connection which can be joined to a computer. This means that the vinyl can be played through the computer or can be recorded into a modern MP3 format.
The software that is available for the computers enable the sound that is recorded to be manipulated. This means you can remove the grainy sound from your vinyl recordings or take out jumps and scratches in the music. It can also enable you to record from your vinyl into a stereo format.
The US turntable can cost anything between 50 pounds and 500 pounds depending on the level of sophistication you are after. Generally the cheaper end of the market are adequate for people that do not want to perform complex functions. Anything around the 100 pound mark will provide enough sophistication for most vinyl players.
About the Author
Expert disc jockey and distributor of numark, pioneer and technics dj equipment and the USB turntable. Shaun Parker has been involved in the music scene for many years.
