How can I use my laptop for DJing

[windsweptdj]

So,Hi all...Im very new at this...so far I did one party and have two more lined up and I looking for and and all tips for DJing....
Anyway,I just bought a new laptop and I would like to get some ideas on what I can use it for...I was told its good for running the lights....
Its a Dell Inspiron 6000 with a CD/DVD player/burner
Thanks,Paul

[xperii]

well um, i know of some dj's using them to project visuals onto screens and stuff, depending on weather or not you have turntables/cd players to play your music, the laptop would help for awhile if you dont :P and i've seen people use some kinda software and 2 turntables and load mp3s on to these special tables, i dont really know any details about it though.

you could also download or buy a software seqencer like FL / Cubase or something, and maybe invest in a keyboard and get into producing even, thats what im gonna do :O

[DJ MeizieFeizie]

You can DJ from a laptop. There is alot of software out there that can be used to dj a set from your laptop. Software like Mixvibes, Mixmeister, Virtual DJ, DSS Turntables, PCDJ, and others are capable Programs.

[NodozFi2eak]

if you already have turntables... i would suggest getting final scratch... that software is awsome... :smash: :dj:

[windsweptdj]

I have a Numark CD mixer...so I thought I could use my laptop for something else.???

[LunchieTey]

Sounds overly complicated for a small dj setup to use a laptop/DMX lighting system. Most intelligent lights have built in programs and linkable facilities and work well. A laptop system would require a full DMX software linkup as well as needing to cable up all of your lights. You will then need to manually program lightshows(takes some time) as well as set up this extra gear at shows(laptops don't like beer!)
I'd just go with the built in programs on DMX lights,they are sound activated(inbuilt mic) and have quite a few patterns(I'd say over 50 moves/colours etc)
Otherwise just get some good software(I use Virtual DJ) and mix on your laptop. If its just straight cuts it'll work well(you can't monitor unless you get extra sound channels) Use your mixer/CD combo as a backup. You should get quite a few MP3's on there(not much room for
much else though)
I've seen a DJ use just a laptop and two Mackie SRM450's(as well as four par cans) for a corporate job lasting 5 hours and got paid $650AU playing Michael Jackson,Queen,ACDC,Greased Lightning Megamix etc!

[dj_hektik]

DSS DJ is amazing. I have tried other software but DSS wins hands down. IMO, it has just the right amount of powerful features that are easy to use without being too complicated. Basically the software emulates two MP3/CD decks and a 2-channel mixer. Also has assignable effects for each deck (up to 4 simultaneously) and an excellent looping function.
Scratching is not really practical but you can do some very basic baby scratches using the reverse button on the keyboard to toggle reverse/forward play ...
Beatmatching is near-perfect. It wont do it all perfectly, and sometimes it will mess up your cue point as it forwards/reverses your track to match the beats, but when you get to know the softeare you learn to set a cue point, beatmatch, then go back to your preset cue point and hit play at the right moment.

all in all a great piece of software, its very stable too, its never crashed on me. the longest i've run it for is 6 hours, mixing and recording the whole set with no problems. rarely tho the program does "semi-crash" - it keeps working perfectly but the keyboard shortcuts stop working, but you can easily fade to iTunes or something similar for one track then restart DSS.

hope it helps