Doni’s DJ Setup
This is my set up! Isn’t it beautiful? It took me several years to work up to this arrangement, and I think it is the best combination of simplicity and behind the scenes complexity. When you watch me arranging a set, it may look like I’ve practiced everything for hours, but usually I just mix on the fly! (Don’t worry promoters, if that makes you nervous, I can still get you a track list before the set) The reason why everything may look so practiced is because I spent hours setting up my mixer and software (detailed below) so that everything could be as automatic as possible.
I’ll take you through my DJ setup piece by piece so you can get a better idea about how the parts work towards the whole:
1. Korg Kaos Pad and Microphone: The Korg Kaos Pad is an effects processing module that I use to give my vocals and my tracks effects. It has a silly amount of presets for effects like delays, flangers, and filter effects. I use this to add a bit of variety to my mixing; like if I want to combine effects with my software application or something. I also use it to give my vocals a bit more presence when I am doing a track with some singing. Just dial up the preset and go. So simple!
2. Audio 8 DJ and Traktor Scratch (Traktor 3.3): It took a while for it to become fully functional (an extra 5 months after the release… very lame Native Instruments), but Traktor Scratch has arrived in full force nonetheless. Traktor scratch is basically a system that connects to your mixer (analog or digital) and to your computer that allows you to play any MP3 on your hard-drive! I don’t know about you, but I absolutely HATED lugging around records when I used to. Now, my tracks have all been converted to digital, so not only am I saving my back and my time, but I am shooting my versatility through the roof as well! Traktor 3.3 is a really stable beast combined with my laptop and it has yet to crash on me. I will review this system in full in later additions to this site, so stay tuned!
3. MacBook Pro - 15″: My pride and joy. My sweet little baby. My blanket when I am cold. My MacBook Pro. They really are as nice and as awesome as Steve Jobs would have you believe and they are extremely stable so they are perfect for any DJ. I use Traktor 3.3 and the response and stability is flawless. No delay, no problems whatsoever.
4. Technics 1200 Turntables: The classic! For the longest time, these have been the industry standard. I have to admit though, some of those high tech turntables out there really have some great features that these don’t, but they are the pinnacle of durability and they just seem to keep on spinning. I’ve had mine for about 5 years and they perform as good as new!
5. Allen and Heath Xone 3D Mixer/Controller: The ultimate DJ mixer/controller combo! This 4 channel mixer is off the charts even without any of its controller functionality! I use this to mix everything going on in my laptop and I control everything with ease on the surface of the mixer. Basically, all my laptop is used for is a visual cue. It’s absolutely excellent! Of course, look for a more in-depth look at the Allen and Heath Xone 3D a bit later.
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