Renaissance Party
Hi, I'm just getting started with VDJ. I have a midi controller with plenty of knobs, buttons, and sliders that I have used for video & lighting controls. Provided I map out each controller input to functions in VDJ, what functionality would I be lacking compared to if I got a true dj controller?
Also, are there any other uses for platters besides scratch effects?
Also, are there any other uses for platters besides scratch effects?
Inviato Tue 23 Apr 19 @ 8:19 pm
groovindj
Well it's hard to say, because you haven't said which MIDI controller you have...
Inviato Tue 23 Apr 19 @ 8:51 pm
Renaissance Party
Well I have a couple actually, but it was my understanding that MIDI is MIDI. A MIDI knob/slider/button on one controller is no different than a MIDI knob/slider/button on another controller, provided you map them to the same function in software. I think one of the MIDI controllers I have has some dedicated buttons like play & record - haven't ever tried to map those. But yeah my midi controllers are pretty generic and just have map-able inputs - no real features specific to music/audio
Inviato Wed 24 Apr 19 @ 6:55 pm
groovindj
You're not making it easy...
Why can't you just say what controllers you have? Then your question about functionality vs a DJ controller can be answered.
Why can't you just say what controllers you have? Then your question about functionality vs a DJ controller can be answered.
Inviato Wed 24 Apr 19 @ 7:14 pm
Adion
If you have enough buttons/sliders then you can get the same functionality by mapping.
The biggest drawback is probably that a generic midi device doesn't have much labeling or a layout that makes it easy to remember what each button and slider does.
They may also lack feedback (at the minimum a controller made for dj use will have play/cue buttons that can be lit to indicate play status, and depending on the controller there might even be screens, led rings around knobs etc... to further make it easy to get some feedback on what is going on without looking at your computer)
Finally most dj controllers include an audio interface, so you get everything you need in one device.
The biggest drawback is probably that a generic midi device doesn't have much labeling or a layout that makes it easy to remember what each button and slider does.
They may also lack feedback (at the minimum a controller made for dj use will have play/cue buttons that can be lit to indicate play status, and depending on the controller there might even be screens, led rings around knobs etc... to further make it easy to get some feedback on what is going on without looking at your computer)
Finally most dj controllers include an audio interface, so you get everything you need in one device.
Inviato Wed 24 Apr 19 @ 7:32 pm
Renaissance Party
GroovinDJ: Sorry, wasnt trying to be difficult. I was mostly just trying to keep the convo high-level/general rather than diving into particular controllers. I have an Akai APC40 MKII which does have dedicated audio controls. This controller stays with shared lighting equipment though. I also have a generic no-name smaller midi controller that is just an array of buttons, sliders, and knobs.
Adion: Thanks for the insight. I had not thought about the additional feedback of dedicated inputs - even well mapped and labelled midi controls would not have that feedback/output. And that makes sense regarding the audio interface. Between mapping and labelling each control, adding other components like an audio board.... I see how a proper all-in-one DJ controller makes sense.
Last question - are there any other uses for the platters besides scratching? That's not really my jam, so unless there are other uses I'm unaware of, I will probably be on the search for a controller that does not have platters - something more portable or at least uses that space for other features.
Adion: Thanks for the insight. I had not thought about the additional feedback of dedicated inputs - even well mapped and labelled midi controls would not have that feedback/output. And that makes sense regarding the audio interface. Between mapping and labelling each control, adding other components like an audio board.... I see how a proper all-in-one DJ controller makes sense.
Last question - are there any other uses for the platters besides scratching? That's not really my jam, so unless there are other uses I'm unaware of, I will probably be on the search for a controller that does not have platters - something more portable or at least uses that space for other features.
Inviato Thu 25 Apr 19 @ 9:58 pm
VDJ Ron
I use the jog wheels all the time for adjusting the cbg and backspins out into karaoke or whatever. Also they can be handy for song searches in the explorer window. Don't rule out some form of scratching..I'm forever trying to integrate it into what I do. I think jog wheels help a lot.
I've got to add I like big Pioneer jog wheels.
I've got to add I like big Pioneer jog wheels.
Inviato Thu 25 Apr 19 @ 10:09 pm
groovindj
Renaissance Party wrote :
are there any other uses for the platters besides scratching?
Yes - VDJ has two default modes for platters. Reading the manual will help...
https://www.virtualdj.com/manuals/virtualdj/interface/decks/decksbasics.html
A lot of those controllers aimed at use with DAWs (i.e. Ableton Live) don't have a suitable layout or knob count for use as a DJ mixer, so they don't translate well. The APC40 is one example. Plenty of buttons (for triggering clips in Live) but not enough knobs.
Look at a typical DJ mixer. The channels are laid out in a similar fashion to a studio or live mixing desk. Volume on a fader, then above that are gain, high, mid, low, filter for each deck. The APC only has one knob above each fader.
I can't comment on your other unit as you've still not said/shown what it is....
Inviato Fri 26 Apr 19 @ 4:26 pm