legunner Posted May 26, 2011 Posted May 26, 2011 Setting up your controller rig at home is usually smooth as butter and seems to work perfectly every time. Confident in your set-up, you decide to bring it to the next gig and boom- 10 different complications pile up, your nerves go though the roof and the show does not go as planned. Sound familiar? Then continue reading for some solutions.1) Sound check on your own table 5 hours in advance (before club opens)This is the ideal scenario for every controller dj with more than just one extra device. Show up to the club early and set up your gear well in advance in a CONTROLLED environment that will not change. Then when you show up to the club 30 minutes before your set you can just glide on with zero stress and maximum impact. In this scenario, everything you need is left on stage except for the laptop (which should never be left behind)Advantages:Set up is locked into placeMinimal pre-show stressHours to set up, tweak and solve bugsDisadvantages:Requires dialogue and coordination with sound techs (costs the venue money) - (only applies at festivals/high end clubs)You’re officially “on the spot” and expected to put on a show!2) Sound check in the booth 1-5 hours in advanceIf you can’t get your own table/mixer/audio link to the mains then you may need to set up in the booth. This is the same as above except that your equipment may need to be moved into place just before playing. In the shot above, I started playing off to the side and then at the start of my set, equipment was moved and I got into the ideal ergonomic placement without disturbing the other dj. Here are the steps to follow:Set-up all equipment in the most ideal positions possible- test as if you are djing then break down:Tuck away sound card and leave it or RCA extension plugged into the mixer (mark the input if possible)Leave the USB cable running to where your laptop will liveTuck away controllers but keep USB cables running to eventual laptop positionLeave power cable plugged inJust before your showConnect controllers and sound card to computer off to the side (out of the way of the other dj)Bring a long USB cable for the sound card in case your setup area is far from your eventual dj areaBoot up programs and test that audio signals are running into the mixer properlyCheck to make sure your controllers are functioning properlyClose laptop if possible and place controllers on laptopOnce it’s time to switchMove the laptop into positionPlace the controllers in positionEverything should be connected and ready to goSwitch over to your input on the mixerPlug in the headphones and rock it!3) Set up during your timeslot (if you can afford to ease into the mix slowly)Bring a record, mp3 player, CD, or anything available that is at least 20 minutes longMix into your pre-recorded mix in the least invasive way possibleCD’s off the CDJ’s are generally the easiestWait until the other dj has completely left the boothSet up your gear rapidly but without stressing yourself4) Super last minuteIf an advance setup is not possible then absolutely give yourself a solid 30 minutes to complete the following tasksCommunicate to the opening dj “Hey, I am just casually setting up, no rush, you still have 30 minutes to play. I am going to be setting up a few things around you, please let me know if I get in your way”Only make moves to plug things in and set up after the dj is done mixing, don’t come anywhere near the mixer during a blendTake your time, be like Fonsie, and keep the vibe very relaxedFirst Steps:Connect controllers and sound card to computer off to the side (out of the way of the other dj)Bring a long USB cable for the sound card in case your setup area is far from your eventual dj areaBoot up programs and test that audio signals are running into the mixer properlyCheck to make sure controllers are functioning properlyClose laptop if possible and place controllers on laptopOnce it’s time to switch:Move the laptop into positionPlace the controllers in positionEverything should be connected and ready to goSwitch over to your input on the mixerPlug in the headphones and rock it!THE CASH $ TIPSRemove CDJs when possibleBring foam to set on turntablesDon’t use turntable covers unless they have the slide in tabsRemoving turntables is not as hard as you would thinkYes- you do need help from the sound techStaying relaxed and calm is top priority!Hope this helped Quote
legunner Posted May 26, 2011 Author Posted May 26, 2011 ps: why wouldn't i have posted this in the venue dj's section lol oh well hopefully the almighty cupe will move thanks Quote
fackedd Posted May 26, 2011 Posted May 26, 2011 The last point you make with being super last minute is pretty important. I Found that applies even with setting up a laptop using a DVS with the clubs cdj's and/or TT's.Bringing a pre-mixed cd is also essential like you said. Quote
eggssell Posted May 26, 2011 Posted May 26, 2011 ahem you may want to quote yer source, but nice post very informative.that dj on the left in the second photo is working really hard poor ean having to do all the work Quote
legunner Posted May 26, 2011 Author Posted May 26, 2011 haha i thought you guys would already recognise ean from djtechtools but so it isnt necessary haha. Quote
fackedd Posted May 26, 2011 Posted May 26, 2011 ahha yeah i thought he looked familiar. was going to post something about it. Quote
dim Posted May 26, 2011 Posted May 26, 2011 Staying relaxed and calm is top priority!good post ean, i mean karma, i mean... +rep anyway boss.see: http://www.ausdjforums.com/modules.php? ... 6525#76525 Quote
Gandy Posted May 26, 2011 Posted May 26, 2011 fuck thats a lot of effort compared to just rocking up with your cd wallet and cans Quote
Jaz Posted May 26, 2011 Posted May 26, 2011 fuck thats a lot of effort compared to just rocking up with your cd wallet and cansLOL exactly my 1st thought Quote
fackedd Posted May 26, 2011 Posted May 26, 2011 yeah just bring a DVS and timecode CD's. f that. Quote
legunner Posted May 26, 2011 Author Posted May 26, 2011 gandy you are so unbelievably biased it's not funny. maybe people want to take their own gear cause they trust it and know what it can do. use your cds as much as you want we dont care but dont troll a thread about controllers just cause you dont like them Quote
Gandy Posted May 26, 2011 Posted May 26, 2011 gandy you are so unbelievably biased it's not funny. maybe people want to take their own gear cause they trust it and know what it can do. use your cds as much as you want we dont care but dont troll a thread about controllers just cause you dont like themumm, ok? Quote
JonnyB Posted May 26, 2011 Posted May 26, 2011 gandy you are so unbelievably biased it's not funny. maybe people want to take their own gear cause they trust it and know what it can do. use your cds as much as you want we dont care but dont troll a thread about controllers just cause you dont like themdont he was having a go karma ask anyone that dosent use a controller and i bet theyd have the same reaction.......it wasnt a 'see look how much better cdj's are blah blah blah you dont need to haul shit around'it was more of a 'fuck thats an effort compared to just havig cd's'dont think it meant as an attack or anything dude, i mean i thought the same thing, so did djaz, but i dont have any major problems with controllers etc etc Quote
awesome88 Posted May 26, 2011 Posted May 26, 2011 larf.... this should be aus cdjvscontroller forum Quote
Cupe Posted May 26, 2011 Posted May 26, 2011 larf.... this should be aus cdjvscontroller forummore like aushomeandawayreeactmentforum Quote
Jaz Posted May 26, 2011 Posted May 26, 2011 ausderailersforumim sick of you whales derailing threads....i never do it Quote
fackedd Posted May 27, 2011 Posted May 27, 2011 he's kinda right though gear fucks up all the time, I've been caught a few times now where the cdj's have been freezing n shit like that. Quote
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