Something for Digital DJs to Think About

[mp3jrick]

Which Red are you looking at Jim?
VRM or 5.2?

[Jim Casey]

I be damned if I knew Rick...

I downloaded OTS too...I like it, except that it downloads music as an OTS file???

Big disadvantage if you ask me...

[Cap]

That proprietary file structure is what turned me off back in 2000. What other .mp3 players can play an OTS file? Does this mean one must covert a .cda to a .wav to an .mp3 and then an .ots? Then, what file types will the OTS program play? .mp3? .wav? .cda? .wmv?

[mp3jrick]

OTS used to convert and read it's own files yes.
But, they now read .mp3 files and create a seperate .omx file which holds gain, intros/outros, comments and other file specific data.
OTS probably leads the way with respect to auto play mixing, I like to set my own cues and mix. Mixmeister leads the way with auto beat mixing with neary perfect auto pitch control, sync and key identification for the musically impared.
It's all up to you and what you intend to do with it.
I know some really skilled OTS users that swear by it. I owned 2 copies but ditched them for several reasons.

If you are going to set up and run several demos you might run into some conflicts.
These little quirks have caused me some trouble in the past.
PCDJ 5.2 will import, read and list the .omx file as a track in your record case.
PCDJ FX/VRM will scan and store the file sensative data with the .mp3 file which changes the overall size of the file. Virtual dj id's a file by its byte size which once changed by the PCDJ VRM or FX scan renders VDJ lost trying to find files that have now been changed in size.
Most of these programs have data scans that must be run and take many days depending how large your library is, so you don't want to screw it up.

Jim,
If you are seeing anything called Red VRM or the program runs in full screen, you have the latest creation.
Personally, if I were getting into this, i'd be deciding if I want to use a controller or not.
Some guys are just as happy with keyboard shortcuts and track balls.
OTS does support Hercules, but that is regarded as somewhat of a toy and plastiky.

If you want an interface that matches what you are using for cd players, look at VDJ. It also supports the DAC 2 controller.

PCDJ on the other hand, has the most versatile controller out there IMO.

As you venture down the road you will find yourself learning the conflicts and ins and outs of each program. To master them all is a really hard thing to do, so take your time.
It will take quite a while to become acomplished and comfortable, don't give yourself a deadline, it's not just button pushing as many indicate.
Mix in a set of .mp3 along the way until you don't feel like doing the discs anymore.

Welcome to the party

[Bryan Durio]

To use the various OtsDJ goodies mentioned above, converting WAVs or (typically) MP3s to the .ots album file format is required. Rick is correct in that direct MP3 and WAV playing is possible, but a small .omx control file is created for OtsDJ-specific data.

What OtsDJ does is take an MP3 file and discard unneeded fields and add a few fields of its own, resulting in a smaller file than the original MP3! The music data portion of the MP3 is retained and is not changed at all. .ots files are very easily converted back to MP3 format.

I personally rip CDs into .ots album files using the Ots Studio ripper with the LAME encoder. That way, I can treat the .ots files the same as I would treat tracks on a CD, as a unit. In Ots Studio I can adjust intros, outros, cue and reference points, and informational data for each track that I rip.

[Art Dearing]

:clap From one who is "lurking" about this board and reading threads about the Digital aspects of DJing with computers, I have found this particular thread to be most interesting. The other related thread is also good reading.

I might add that at the Maine Wedding DJ Network Mini-Conference in Augusta earlier this week there was a great discusson and presentation about computer djing, plus a hands-on demo session. Thank you Tracy Carson, Digital Resources, Saco, Maine. Both presentations were outstanding.

From an "old" dog, this coming of age digital DJing will take a little time to get used to, but the advantages far outweigh the status quo, that's of course my opinion. CAP, I'm about a year younger than you, so I know that I should be able to pick this up and run with it.

Keep posting these interesting tidbits. I would like to know which company is making the better digital mixers for use with computer djing? Hope I have not confused anybody. I saw PCDJ-Red in action at the mini-convention, but it seemed onerous to have to use the keyboard and mouse. Is there a non-mouse digital DJ hardware out there? If so, what?

"Less Mic, more music for dancing"
"Still spinning after all these years...45's and CD's"

DJ Art

[mp3jrick]

Originally posted by mp3jrick@Feb 2 2005, 10:43 AM

Personally, if I were getting into this, i'd be deciding if I want to use a controller or not.
Some guys are just as happy with keyboard shortcuts and track balls.

Thats kind of what I meant Art.

However you can be just as happy with a keyboard with hot keys that perform just like a controller.

One of the things I like about VDJ is that I can create or change the keyboard values.
This coupled with an array of 12 sound effects and audio effects like overloop, loop out, brake, backspin, flanger, reverse, side loop, cut vocals and many many more that are designed and put up for free by members for licenced members. whew

I use both the keyboard and controller.
We will alway need a mouse or trackball until we get the telepathy plugin released for searches.

I am thrilled to hear they had a CPS seminar, hoping to see that at the shows soon.
It is a win win IMO, the gear is expencive, more are thinking about it, many need help even at a price.

5 years ago i'd have spent whatever to get the help I needed.
My cell phone bills went out of sight, lol, but it was worth it.

[Musical Madness]

Here is my take on Ots files....

They are simply repackaged MP3 files.

Packaged in a way that allow you to play VBR files properly, by calculating play time and other variables in the initial scan, just one time, instead of each time in a live environment. This in turn ruduces resource usage during playback.

Also, MP3 files are only capable of holding a single track stream, whereas an ots album can hold the data streams for an entire album or box set, making it more realistic. An album is truely an album.

MP3 tags tend to be very limited in the ability to store, and sort, multiple genres. Not a problem with Ots files. I search my library often by genre, release, tempo, BPM, lastplay, instrumental, soloist, group, male, female..... It's biggest downfall IMO, is that it will only allow 128 categories. There are more genres/Sub genres than that!

I complained about the Ots file myself in the very begining, but have no regrets from changing to it. If I ever wish to use an mp3 file, it's easy enough to export one to fill my needs.

Did you know you can make changes to the way Ots files sound without any distruction to the original audio data? Sure! I can change trim poins, reference points for triggering, and fade points, and it doesn't affect the original data at all! During the import process, the track is scanned and marked with a level indicator so that the dynamics processor will "normalize" the track on playback, therefore again, not deteriorating the original data, allowing for a true original.

Lastly, I can make several versions of the same song from a single data stream. For instance the bryan adams song, everything I do, I do for you. I can play the original full 6 minute version, or with a link to the original date, create a new audio control chunk that chops the song to a 3 minute radio version, and fades at the break. Now I have 2 song variations using the same audio data space on the HDD.

But hey! That's just me. I'm different! If you like MP3 files, then so be it. I don't plan to return to them personally. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif[/img]

[Cap]

There has been outstanding information shared. Doesn't everyone love their tools and toys to pieces? We protect and defend them like they were our kids. Me too!

Here's what I can share about BPM.

This program has all the cue points, fade points, normalizations features that higher end softwares offer. A big difference is that BPM uses ID3V3 file info tags that are not "locked" in. If you'd like a genre to be Tush Push, type it in. If you'd like a mini-group bio to appear in the Comments field, type it in. All fields are searchable, word by word, however one must know how to use wild cards (*=means all; ?=means space, etc).

There is auto-beat mixing, auto bpm identification, selectable and adjustable on-the-fly fades, and what I like most...files can be accessed EITHER through the BPM software OR using the operating system's storage file and foldering system. Use the program's search feature OR the Windows-based search. Very handy feature. THis allows me to access any file (song) in the software using the Windows based search and therefore can structure a folder system instead of srtict software reliance to find something. Other programs may do this too however I must plead my ignorance with them.

Being structurally MP3 based, there is no subsequent encoding or decoding to play a file in WinAmp of Win-Media. Kinda one size fits all. The program will play CD and other formats through it handily.

The program easily utilizes AISO drivers and will allow immediate USB sound card audio output channel selection. For example, using the GigaPortAG USB sound device, I have software Player A on GigaPortAG channel 1&2 connected to my mixer's channel 1; software Player B on GigaPortAG channel 3&4 connected to my mixer's channel 2; software Monitor on GigaPortAG channel 5&6 connected to my mixer's channel 3. The versatility allows mixing not only in the software but with the mixer's hardware in the traditional manner. Very handy feature for those who may opt to make the digital transition over an extended period of time.

The biggest advantage for new comers is that the graphic interface emulates a Denon dual CD player. Same colors, button locations, even size. That definitely eliminates the need to be a computer genius just to play a track. The rest of the more intricate features however has a deep learning curve.

There is a mechanical rack mount proprietary controller which is outrageously expensive so I remain a trackball/keyboard kinda guy. Not doing any club or school dance work, beat mixing is not a major concern however doing clever fades is a breeze.

There are illegal "cracked" versions of BPM floating around that, if used, will provide a realistic training excercise but lacks most of the significant updated features and drivers.

Most people shy initially from BPM because of it's price. Yep, what's new! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img] Fortunately, the software is very stable and non-invasive to an operating system so that customer support (horrendous if you don't know German) isn't needed.

I have had BPM since 1999 and have not had any operational difficulties (although lots of battles with BPM wanting more features). Yep, what's new! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[djdonny]

I have a copy of PCDJ Blue that I won. Most people here are not too complimentary apout PCDJ. I haven't even loaded it yet so I know nothing about it. But basically, what are the issues regarding PCDJ that should concern me?