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Forum: General Discussion

Topic: Basic questions about the hardware I need

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Hi, I'm completely new to DJing but slowly getting the hang of Virtual DJ on my laptop. What I need now is some basic advice about what hardware I need to buy in order to get Virtual DJ working with a midi controller.

I'd be grateful for advice on the following:

Am I right in thinking that I need an external soundcard as well as a controller?

If so, does the quality of the soundcard matter?

Do any controllers have built-in soundcards?

Can you use pretty much any midi controller with Virtual DJ, or are there some particular features that I should look for when buying?

And finally, is there some kind of basic guide (for technology idiots like me) to how to successfully hook all of this equipment up?

Thank you!
 
Posted Wed 25 May 11 @ 12:47 pm
Check here for some of the recommended hardware.

http://www.virtualdj.com/products/hardware.html

Some have sound cards built i others don't. If your controller comes with an LE version of VDj it will also come with instructions on how to change the configuration settings to get it to work.

I started with the Numark Mixtrack Pro and it was great but I think in Europe it comes with Traktor instead of VDJ

I am sure others will chime in with their recommendations.
 
Thanks for that.

Advice on what sort of soundcard I should look for (if I go for a controller without one built in) would also be much appreciated!
 
 
I would suggest the Mixtrack Pro, great gear for the price & it has a built in sound card.
 
To be honest, I'm looking for something cheaper to start with. I asked about soundcards because I was wondering if there's some sort of 'minimum required'. Maybe the DJ Console Mk 4 is the cheapest way of getting everything I need, rather than buying an even cheaper console + cheap soundcard?

Thanks for your patience.
 
i don't know how skilled you are , or your budget .......


a controller is a handy thing it will let you do many things without the mouse

if you use keyboard shortcuts for the software and windows , plus a controller , you will look

and work , more professional

but, if it's not in your budget , just wait a bit


a soundcard takes care of the music , so the sound will be better quality

if the soundcard/ controller only outputs 2 channels , still that's better than the 1 mini plug output

on your desktop or laptop , and then you have the ability to play one track while previewing another

if you need more specifics google some potential candidates and/or PM for detailed help


i use an RMX it has it's own soundcard ......

it's midi functions and mixer features are nice

the soundcard is very weak though .....

i don't mean to pick on Hercules (especially since he may be the only guy around

bigger than me .... and he has his own gladiator movies)

but ... let's get real here ......for $350 you are NOT getting a great soundcard AND a great controller

all of the all-in-one devices are small and convenient , but don't expect audiophile sound


all responses you get about this are gonna be about personal opinions .....


whatever you like .....is a damn fine piece of kit

good luck to you in all your DJ endeavors
 
Once I found out about VDJ and wanted a controller I went the cheap route as well. Hercules MP3E2 and a Native Insturments Audio 2 DJ. Together they did the job untill I was ready to upgrade. If you shop around you can pick up those two items for well under $200 new.
 
Yeah, the Hercules RMX is well worth scratching some bucks together for.
Solid little piece of equipment that is very easy to play with and learn.

Hours and hours of fun and you can plug in and play gigs easy with it.

Solid and respectable little controller.
 
Thanks everyone.
 


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