laptop dj

heybaby

Hi guys am getting into laptop dj'ing will this laptop be sufficent to support a dj software package etc? cheers:)





Fujitsu ESPRIMO Mobile V5535 - Pentium Dual Core T2390

• Processor - Intel Pentium Dual Core T2410 / 2 GHz ( Dual-Core )
• RAM - 2 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM - 667 MHz
• Hard Drive - 160 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
• Operating System - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Screen - 15.4" TFT 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
• Optical Drive - DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - integrated
• Graphics - SiS Mirage 3+
• Bluetooth - No

Hagakure_irl

I would go for a processor at least above 2.2. Even 2.4 if you can.

Then the ram is fine. The hard drive space doesn't really matter, you can always use an external hard drive but I would go a speed minimum of at least 7200 RPM. Having an integrated graphics isn't the best either. The screen size is fine. I would honestly for a dell if you're gonna buy a Windows laptop.

What is your budget? If you want to PM, I can help you put together a laptop. I'm also a computing student, so I know whats going on inside and I also use Ableton and Virtual DJ, so I know whats needed.

ED E

If you cannot afford an upgrade, PCDJ will run on that. I suspect CUE will too.

Jev/N

Depends which software you using or planning to use?

Táck

i was gonna get into the laptop dj thing. i even bought a numark total control for my laptop. then i realised that being a laptop dj is like being the kid that had plastic wheels on their rolerblades, when their mates had rubber wheels and bits of plastic to "grind"

so when i settle down a bit, i'm getting cdj's.

jimi_t

Táck wrote: »

i was gonna get into the laptop dj thing. i even bought a numark total control for my laptop. then i realised that being a laptop dj is like being the kid that had plastic wheels on their rolerblades, when their mates had rubber wheels and bits of plastic to "grind"

so when i settle down a bit, i'm getting cdj's.

Dear oh dear. Some people just can't see the wood for the trees

Heybaby : Thats a more than adequate spec for Traktor/Ableton nevermind the likes of VDJ or similar. Believe me, people manage on far less. Most important thing you could do would be to wipe that harddrive (and ''secret'' partition with the backup OS) of the woeful F-S OEM Win XP (and that's XP, NOT Vista... Don't even consider using it).

franklyshocked

heybaby wrote: »

Hi guys am getting into laptop dj'ing will this laptop be sufficent to support a dj software package etc? cheers:)





Fujitsu ESPRIMO Mobile V5535 - Pentium Dual Core T2390

• Processor - Intel Pentium Dual Core T2410 / 2 GHz ( Dual-Core )
• RAM - 2 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM - 667 MHz
• Hard Drive - 160 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
• Operating System - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Screen - 15.4" TFT 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
• Optical Drive - DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - integrated
• Graphics - SiS Mirage 3+
• Bluetooth - No

The one thing I'd say you need is a better soundcard. An external USB or SCSCI soundcard will really improve your abilitgy to perform.
Spec-wise that system will run most software out there, is you get something like asio4all, you can google that, but you should really get a seperate card too

Zascar

Yep. Or get something with an intergrated soundcard.
I have this and it's excellent: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/TorqXponent.html

heybaby

OP here guys thanks a mill for all the advice,:)

pad180

iv been dj now for few years now ,for the last year or so iv start using my laptop , all has been working fine untill last night at a gig ,when certain songs i was playing start to jump or skip beats .most people didnt notice as they had a few on them but to me it was head wrecking.
could it be that the laptop im using isnt up to scratch its a couple of years old .its a dell inspiron 1300 ,or the external sound card (dj io ) as i was saying all was working fine up to last night
any tips or pointers would be greatly apreciated

ED E

Was it very hot? That could cause issues.


Also, if it only just started I'd say its likely to be a maintance issue. What size HDD do you have/how much is free. Has the machine been defragged recently(chkdsk too)? Do you have a lot running in the system tray? From what I know skipping mainly occurs when the CPU fails to keep up while feeding the audio files to the soundcard.

A temporary fix would be to inrcease the latency times. This impedes scratching but will lighten the load on your CPU. Long term, either service the machine or wipe the drive and install the OS again. Starting from scratch can give you back all those wasted resources.

Edit: One other thing, I have a dell laptop and the IO. I found my wifi interfered with the soundcard and cause it to cut sound for a fraction of a second and then crack. Was your wifi on?

sweetie

I have to knock off the wifi when I'm using my hercules rmx and irtual dj or it tends to pop and click

Preset No.3

Can anyone ask a serious question without the 'oh laptop djs are ****e' response. DJ 20 years. Used records, the moved to CDs, then moved initially to a HP laptop with pcdj red, the basic version, finally Im using a mac book pro running traktor and usb out to a gigaport ag external sound card.

Just because you have a set of 1210s doesnt automatically make you a good DJ. Been there, done that, have done the big gigs! These days, its a job, and a job I love and get well paid for. But your laptop djing is only as good as (a) the equipment and (b) the DJ.

franklyshocked

Preset No.3 wrote: »

Can anyone ask a serious question without the 'oh laptop djs are ****e' response. DJ 20 years. Used records, the moved to CDs, then moved initially to a HP laptop with pcdj red, the basic version, finally Im using a mac book pro running traktor and usb out to a gigaport ag external sound card.

Just because you have a set of 1210s doesnt automatically make you a good DJ. Been there, done that, have done the big gigs! These days, its a job, and a job I love and get well paid for. But your laptop djing is only as good as (a) the equipment and (b) the DJ.

Fully agree with you on this one man.
I've been a DJ for almost 10 years and have a big collection of Vinyl. However, in recent years I've been using a lot more CD and a couple of Gigs with Ableton Live on the Laptop.
In recent days I've had a bit of a realisation. Whats been holding me back as a performer has been my need to be seen DJing, as in, using CD's or Vinyl. Its also been getting in the way of the way I work Digitally.
I'm constructing my digital sets to sound like a standard DJ set when working digitally I can take some bigger chances.
I suppose I'm going to have to start putting some prefixes after my sets, (Live) or (DJ Set).
It should be all about the music and performance,
not just the medium, I suppose

pad180

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

Was it very hot? That could cause issues.


Also, if it only just started I'd say its likely to be a maintance issue. What size HDD do you have/how much is free. Has the machine been defragged recently(chkdsk too)? Do you have a lot running in the system tray? From what I know skipping mainly occurs when the CPU fails to keep up while feeding the audio files to the soundcard.

A temporary fix would be to inrcease the latency times. This impedes scratching but will lighten the load on your CPU. Long term, either service the machine or wipe the drive and install the OS again. Starting from scratch can give you back all those wasted resources.

Edit: One other thing, I have a dell laptop and the IO. I found my wifi interfered with the soundcard and cause it to cut sound for a fraction of a second and then crack. Was your wifi on?

it was on for about an hour so it wasnt very hot but warm , hdd has 29% free . i defragg nearly once a week . i think ill leave it in to get an overhall wipe the whole lot and start from scratch , also i cant seem to find wifi so i dont know if its on or off
thanks for the help

Super-Rush

Preset No.3 wrote: »

Can anyone ask a serious question without the 'oh laptop djs are ****e' response. DJ 20 years. Used records, the moved to CDs, then moved initially to a HP laptop with pcdj red, the basic version, finally Im using a mac book pro running traktor and usb out to a gigaport ag external sound card.

Just because you have a set of 1210s doesnt automatically make you a good DJ. Been there, done that, have done the big gigs! These days, its a job, and a job I love and get well paid for. But your laptop djing is only as good as (a) the equipment and (b) the DJ.

Agree totally with you. It makes everything so much more easy. I don't have to spend my time looking through endless amounts of cd's for tracks, and its the natural progression records, to cd's to media players.

To answer the OP's question. That machine is fine. As long as it has a Pentium processor and a decent sound card then you can't go wrong.

Stab*City

franklyshocked wrote: »

It should be all about the music and performance, not just the medium.

Exactly whatever you think makes your performances better is best for you. Been djing 15 yrs. Got 1210's, CDJ's and Ableton use em all if you can!!

sweetie

pad180 wrote: »

it was on for about an hour so it wasnt very hot but warm , hdd has 29% free . i defragg nearly once a week . i think ill leave it in to get an overhall wipe the whole lot and start from scratch , also i cant seem to find wifi so i dont know if its on or off
thanks for the help

if you're running vista go to control panel, devices and you should see a listing for your wireless card. you should be able to right click and disable.

joeduggan

i havent a clue, but my bro is a dj and i asked him why he wouldnt move on to a laptop too and his answer was that the dj just looks lazy there playing with his laptop. at least with cds u are constantly busy. therefore looking as if u are earning ur crust.

Super-Rush

joeduggan wrote: »

i havent a clue, but my bro is a dj and i asked him why he wouldnt move on to a laptop too and his answer was that the dj just looks lazy there playing with his laptop. at least with cds u are constantly busy. therefore looking as if u are earning ur crust.

Thats rubbish. By not having to route through hundreds of cd's it means i can concentrate more on getting mixes right than freaking out because i cant find the song i am looking for.

Zascar

joeduggan wrote: »

i havent a clue, but my bro is a dj and i asked him why he wouldnt move on to a laptop too and his answer was that the dj just looks lazy there playing with his laptop. at least with cds u are constantly busy. therefore looking as if u are earning ur crust.

Arse. That view may have been touted 5 years ago, but nowadays that **** talk.

phelixoflaherty

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/askjack

Musicman2000

Dont use a laptop myself, prefer the cds, but I do agree with some of the comments, it would help you rooting threw cds looking for tunes, especially if you are a mobile jock and have half the place looking for this and that.

Some clubs i have played in the uk, banned laptops becuase it makes the dj look lazy, I was in a club last week in the uk, the dj was using a laptop, had it plugged into one channel as far as i could see, and running from a playlist, he was doing more jumping up and down on the mixer, had to laugh at him when he wasnt mixing at all, was the laptop doing it for him

ED E

sweetie wrote: »

if you're running vista go to control panel, devices and you should see a listing for your wireless card. you should be able to right click and disable.

If its on it'll there will be a status light lit. http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/xps2/WiFiLightSmall.JPG Second last one in that pic.

To disable hold Fn and press probably F2, or whichever Function key has a litle blue aerial on it.

Turn on your machine, log in, and leave it sit for five minutes, then open the task manager and see 1: How much memory is in use(very bottom, right) and watch the CPU monitor(very bottom, middle), see if it jumps to a very high percentage at any time. Should bounce around up to about 5%.

Also, what sample rate/latency are you running at?

pad180

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

If its on it'll there will be a status light lit. http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/xps2/WiFiLightSmall.JPG Second last one in that pic.

To disable hold Fn and press probably F2, or whichever Function key has a litle blue aerial on it.

Turn on your machine, log in, and leave it sit for five minutes, then open the task manager and see 1: How much memory is in use(very bottom, right) and watch the CPU monitor(very bottom, middle), see if it jumps to a very high percentage at any time. Should bounce around up to about 5%.

Also, what sample rate/latency are you running at?

i checked the wifi and it was on, so i disabled that . i opened up the task manager and a couple of times it did jump to a high precentage but ouickly it went down in between 0% to 4% but as i said it jumped to over 30% at one stage . also i have the latency running on auto . its virtual dj im using but have cue there aswell .. once again lads i really apreciate this help

column

I've been asked to DJ a friend's wedding in June - I'll be using a laptop and Mixmesiter. He manages a bar and is well used to renting out PA equiptment and so is looking after that part.


A few questions - My laptop - a Sony Vaio - never has a problem with performance when I'm using Mixmesiter at home - does that indicate that it should be fine connecting to a PA?

2nd - He says I'll need an external sound-card? Why is this?


3rd - There's no band - I am the only entertainment and I'll have to provide that between 9 and 12:30 - is that too long to reasonable hold a crowds attention? (crowd will be around 100 people)

Stab*City

column wrote: »

I've been asked to DJ a friend's wedding in June - I'll be using a laptop and Mixmesiter. He manages a bar and is well used to renting out PA equiptment and so is looking after that part.


A few questions - My laptop - a Sony Vaio - never has a problem with performance when I'm using Mixmesiter at home - does that indicate that it should be fine connecting to a PA?

2nd - He says I'll need an external sound-card? Why is this?


3rd - There's no band - I am the only entertainment and I'll have to provide that between 9 and 12:30 - is that too long to reasonable hold a crowds attention? (crowd will be around 100 people)

1. :pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:
2. Tell your buddy hire a real dj.

column

Stab*City wrote: »

1. :pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:
2. Tell your buddy hire a real dj.

That is an option.


But seriously, I am enjoying preparing the set list and mixing it.

Stab*City

column wrote: »

That is an option.


But seriously, I am enjoying preparing the set list and mixing it.

Ok so to answer your questions:

If your laptop is working at home then probably will work just fine at the gig.
Maybe you should disable some startup programs on the day to make sure as much of your machines resources are available to mixmeister on the day.
Also worst case scenario do you have a backup plan? maybe you should make a couple cd's as a back up just in case anything does go wrong.

You will need an external soundcard to connect to the pa amp. laptop connects to soundcard then soundcard to mixer/amp.

From what i can make out at a wedding unless they are a really clued up musical audience they will be too busy getting plastered to even care what your playing.

Hope this helps.

column

Thanks for the info. They're not all clued up - but I'll still be trying to be clever with my mixing.


Thanks for the tip about disabling the start up programmes.


How much should a decent soundcard cost?

Stab*City

column wrote: »

Thanks for the info. They're not all clued up - but I'll still be trying to be clever with my mixing.


Thanks for the tip about disabling the start up programmes.


How much should a decent soundcard cost?

Track selection is a big thing with this type of event. im sure there will be requests for songs for the party goers so be prepared to deviate from your prepared set.

Decent soundcards go for all amounts. You could have a look on adverts for something secondhand. Your gonna be looking at over €150 for something really decent. And over €300 for the professional/advanced user cards.

column

Stab*City wrote: »

Track selection is a big thing with this type of event. im sure there will be requests for songs for the party goers so be prepared to deviate from your prepared set.

Decent soundcards go for all amounts. You could have a look on adverts for something secondhand. Your gonna be looking at over €150 for something really decent. And over €300 for the professional/advanced user cards.

Oh, my set is going to be party-orientated but still clever - plus I'm working with the bride and groom on it too.

Thanks for the information, SC.

sweetie

seriously, doing this after a band is a risk but a person with no experience providing the entertainment for the whole night is asking for trouble. Yes, you may be lucky and not have any technical issues and have the perfect crowd that dances to everything but if not I'd prefer to have an experienced head to rely on. I do quite a few of these each year and they are a challenge and enjoyable but some of them can be hard work indeed.

column

sweetie wrote: »

seriously, doing this after a band is a risk but a person with no experience providing the entertainment for the whole night is asking for trouble. Yes, you may be lucky and not have any technical issues and have the perfect crowd that dances to everything but if not I'd prefer to have an experienced head to rely on. I do quite a few of these each year and they are a challenge and enjoyable but some of them can be hard work indeed.

Thanks. You raise good points. I will bring these up with my friend.

When you say they are a challenge - what, in particular, do find the challenging part to be?

sweetie

a) keeping a busy dancefloor - usually (but not always) a wide spread of ages and tastes that you will be expected to cater for and will have their own requests/demands
b) keeping b&G happy i.e. their requests - they may insist on some not so suitable or undancey songs to be incorporated at certain times which may affect the flow and empty the dancefloor
c) trying to match the live band experience that is expected at many weddings so you will often need to have a bit of banter and have something to say on the mic (as inane as you might think it sounds) or they will just think its a guy with a laptop so why bother!
d) mixing, if you are trying to mix it might not be noticed if done ok but will be noticed if done badly. sometimes the simple fade is better used rather than the train wreck of bad beatmatching. More and more weddings are expecting the dj to have decent mixing skills these days and software while helpful wont do everything.

column

sweetie wrote: »

a) keeping a busy dancefloor - usually (but not always) a wide spread of ages and tastes that you will be expected to cater for and will have their own requests/demands
b) keeping b&G happy i.e. their requests - they may insist on some not so suitable or undancey songs to be incorporated at certain times which may affect the flow and empty the dancefloor
c) trying to match the live band experience that is expected at many weddings so you will often need to have a bit of banter and have something to say on the mic (as inane as you might think it sounds) or they will just think its a guy with a laptop so why bother!
d) mixing, if you are trying to mix it might not be noticed if done ok but will be noticed if done badly. sometimes the simple fade is better used rather than the train wreck of bad beatmatching. More and more weddings are expecting the dj to have decent mixing skills these days and software while helpful wont do everything.

Thanks for your advice. I will take that into account.


I will say that A may probably the only problem - B - the b&g will already have added their requirements to the setlist and they will be aware of what I'm playing.

c - they have said that no mike work is required.

d - I'll have the vast majority of mixing done before the night.


I'll also have the whole thing on mp3 player and cd in the event of a disaster.

The_Honeybadger

column wrote: »

Thanks for your advice. I will take that into account.


I will say that A may probably the only problem - B - the b&g will already have added their requirements to the setlist and they will be aware of what I'm playing.

c - they have said that no mike work is required.

d - I'll have the vast majority of mixing done before the night.


I'll also have the whole thing on mp3 player and cd in the event of a disaster.

I've done alot of weddings over the years and along with sweetie I think this is a bad idea. There are so many variables with a mixed age group and different music tastes. If your playlist bombs what are you going to do? Just because the b & g tell you it will all be ok that doesn't mean it will be. Some weddings can be very hard to get going with people slow to dance and mic work is definitely required at most of them. You could of course be lucky and it will be a brilliant night, but at the very least have a plan b.

column

I'm going for plenty of 60s pop and lively traditional Irish thrown in at the beginning of the night so as not to alienate older guests. And there's lots of britpop that mixes very well for the more alternative elements of the crowd.


I'll have a serious discussion with the b&g - both of whom are very aware of what works and what doesnt work in a live setting.


Thanks to all - I appreciate your advice and I may well end up not going ahead with this.

sweetie

you seem to be putting the prep work in and thats a good thing. Will you be able to change things round should it be needed, ie. go live? Backup is good and make sure the pa has enough headroom for the venue; if you push it too much you could blow something. Also have you enough lighting? If not maybe rent some for the room, even a few pars cans or a par bar might suffice depending on the size.

column

Yeah - I will be able to move parts of the set around in Mixmesiter - in fact, now that I think about it I should over stretch the set by about an hour so that I can just remove chunks that aren't working and still have enough to last the night.


Lighting is being arranged by the groom - who is also getting the PA - he's used to booking that stuff and knows what is needed. I'm still in two minds but I think I can manage this with a lot of preparation and an ear for what people enjoy. I did a cd mix for another friends wedding party and it went down well - we played it before the proper DJ arrived.

mordeith

Stab*City wrote: »

You will need an external soundcard to connect to the pa amp. laptop connects to soundcard then soundcard to mixer/amp.

This isn't strictly necessary. If the amp on the PA has 1/4 jack (which it almost certainly will) then you could just take a 3.5mm lead from the laptops headphone socket into an adapter plug and from there into the amp (or the amp may have RCA inputs as well). Mind you there is a possibiblty that this will result in mono output. Also I've noticed that if I do that with my laptop and my seperate hi-fi amp I got pops and crackles but not if I connect to a standard line-in on a budget stereo. Still worth trying it out first if you can before shelling out on a new soundcard.

ironclaw

mordeith wrote: »

This isn't strictly necessary. If the amp on the PA has 1/4 jack (which it almost certainly will) then you could just take a 3.5mm lead from the laptops headphone socket into an adapter plug and from there into the amp (or the amp may have RCA inputs as well). Mind you there is a possibiblty that this will result in mono output. Also I've noticed that if I do that with my laptop and my seperate hi-fi amp I got pops and crackles but not if I connect to a standard line-in on a budget stereo. Still worth trying it out first if you can before shelling out on a new soundcard.

Not a great option to be honest. Most laptop internal sound cards give off all sorts of noise. I'd do this as a last resort however under the 'once off' circumstances, should be fine.

Honestly I can't see this going well. Not being bad or anything but its a very tall order. I've been DJing nigh on 6 years and I wouldn't touch a wedding. Even 21st's are difficult if the family comes. 'Please play something from the 80's for all us 30 year olds' while also dropping 'Dancing Queen', but in doing so you basically alienate the entire younger generation.

Playlists are all well and good until you press play, then the cracks start to show. Your 4 songs in and none of them have worked. Its an entirely different crowd, regardless of what anyone told you before. Unless its a DJ as the groom, everyone's opinion of what will 'work' is frankly irrelevant. Genuinely mean that. People can be very optimistic of taste. I wish you luck with it and if/when you pull it off, fair play.

column

But every wedding has a DJ so surely some DJs are able to do it well - why not you?

How are they able to cater for the 30 year olds without alienating the younger generation?

francois

column wrote: »

But every wedding has a DJ so surely some DJs are able to do it well - why not you?

How are they able to cater for the 30 year olds without alienating the younger generation?

I just asked on the invite everyone to name a track, got the set together and pressed play. Worked a treat everyone was happy.

old gregg

francois wrote: »

I just asked on the invite everyone to name a track, got the set together and pressed play. Worked a treat everyone was happy.

This makes perfect sense and seems like the stress free way to go for everyone. I saw it used at a formal 50th birthday party recently and all went smoothly. Unfortunately my request for some Lamb of God fell on deaf ears

column

That is a good idea. I'll see what the groom says.

column

Well, I DJ-ed my friends wedding last night and after months of preparation I had an amazing time doing it. I had about 5 hours of music mixed (for a 3 and half hour slot) so I had the options of taking out parts that weren't working. I had to wing about an hour in the middle and did just fine.

The crowd were really into it - especially the older people who really responded to the upbeat 50s and 60s stuff.

Everything I played was fun.

I finished the set with loads of modern euproric pop and had everyone going mad.


People were very surprised this was the first time I had every done anything like this.