Brenchen

Hey guys, I've been doing some thinking about controllers and did some reading. The readings suggest if I am someone who practices at home but performs out regularly, a modular setup is the way to go. If it's the other way around, as in play more at home and go out to play at parties occasionally, all-in-one is the way to go. I am the latter type of people (for now anyway), but I have a couple of dilemma with the current equipment I have. Very limited space: I live in a sharehouse so my playing area is limited to my very small bedroom; I don't have a dedicated space to practice on, and everytime I want to practice, it's always an effort taking everything out, find somewhere to put them and practice on them for a little bit then put it away again because it's causing strains on my neck and shoulders USB port availability: I use a Zenbook for my mixing, which has only 2 USB ports. I tend to use one on mouse, the other on AIO controller (Numark Mixtrack Pro 2). But now having 2 devices, I can only use the trackpad and use the other USB port for my F1 So since I have an AIO controller (with an inbuilt soundcard) and a Kontrol F1, I was wondering whether based on my limitations, it would be good just go with a modular setup and add an X1 to replace the mixtrack pro 2? The mixtrack pro will not be unused, but at the moment space is an issue. And if I add an X1, does that mean I need to get an external audio IO? Or am I OK to just use the internal one (inside the PC) and add a cheap USB-Audio adapter? Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance. Brendan

Sorry I missed this part. I'm using Numark Mixtrack Pro 2 and Kontrol F1 (currently only as a cue machine). Software wise I use Traktor Pro 2 on a Zenbook PC.

Take 2, here it is . Changes are: Cut the intro in half and blend it into the second track No accidental mistakes in one of the tracks like the first time Made efforts to beatmatch before bringing anything in No effects of any kind used Tried to mix a rap into the final song, but wasn't confident, so didn't go quite as well as I'd like it My overall impression is that it does seem to sound better with all of your advices! Cheers!

I re-played that a few times to see what I was missing and could hear no faults. OK thanks for the clarification, I'll take that as being acceptable. Cheers!

My replies in Red. Overall I think it's a great first go. Everyone has a first mix that is not so flash. What equipment are you using? I think AlexJ addressed most thing things, so I won't repeat what has already been said. I was referring to the 3rd and 4th track, harmonically it seemed a bit clashy? But yea, 2nd and 3rd is a bit of a screw up as well now that you mention it, I didn't pick it up in the first place... Cheers.

Yea I won't bother with the effects for now, not only I get overwhelmed when I apply it, it sounds terrible... Personally, I like stacking melodies on each other, but haven't really done anything beyond stacking chorus and versus of the same track together. Much appreciate the discussion here

Indeed mate, thanks for the comments on my other thread, very useful indeed. Even going through my first practice run, as terrible as it may be, I got a lot out of it, hope to do another run today incorporating your CCs!

Thanks for the feedback, very informative! I'll work at what you're saying and try again soon Several questions though: RE the opening track, if say I cut through a few hot cues to speed up the progression of the track and bring in the 2nd opening track, again do the same, it would be more effective? At this stage I don't have a DJ name or a dedicated opening like I hear some DJs have... Would you say the last and the 2nd last track simply don't mix well together because of such a change in the energy levels? Effect wise I think I probably shouldn't be using any at this stage as it sounds terrible to my ears, not sure how it sounded to your years? They seemed too harsh... During the 3rd transition, would you say a good fix might be placing another track in between the transition so you have get the harmonic trainwreck? Cheers

Wow, you guys are an active bunch! Thanks for the super quick replies! I'm based in Brissie mate, and I was (I say was because I am no longer ) a pianist. And yea, there are sooo very much to learn. Before creating music, one needs to learn the tools

Hi guys, First let me say that this site is awesome! Very resourceful and "felt at home" for a newbie like me \:D/ Just a bit about myself; I was classical-trained and still enjoy it very much. One of the reasons I took up DJing is so I can not only make music by putting tracks together and adding extra spices to create something new, but I hope to fusion contemporary electronics/dance music to the much overlooked/past classical music, and share these creation with people who would like to listen. Since the decision, I did a lot of reading and watching clips to learn how to begin, and thought I might actually give it a go (CC always welcomed: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=15408 )! I hope to continue to grow with you guys and enjoy your creation together! Cheers! Brendan

Hi guys, After much learning and reading about how to get started and got myself some equipment, I've finally taken the courage to record a mix of six tracks together. It's nothing fancy, just beatmatching and joining tracks together from head-to-tail, played around with some effects which was fun at the time but sounded awful afterwards , and also pressed a wrong cue on a playing track by accident when I was trying to cue up the next track. I would be much appreciated to receive some comments and CCs for this mix. Thanks in advance. Brendan