DJing recording a set..

[doobie581]

so, i know tomtom has a thread above which gives out some tips on how to record a set to your computer...i figured since it was written about four years ago, if maybe there are new/better methods or programs to record with...

i'll be dj'in a small restaurant/lounge this friday and would really like to record the set. i usually use my virtual dj console to record sets via my computer, but i really don't like the quality of the recordings and find that it sometimes sounds like its skips (don't know how to explain)...it's just a very bad quality recording.

i have a hp laptop, and was just wondering if any of you guys can give me some advice on how to record a set onto my laptop. (what software to use? do i need to buy a soundcard?)..thanks

[panoulix]

Re: recording a set..

Hi,

First of all Tom's guide features one of the best Audio Recording Software (the best according to my opinion) and the guide is very very comprehensive and fully detailed and up to date as it describes one simple thing: Recording. Since you are doing a simple recording so no filters or plugins are used, the procedure is exactly the same.

As I can understand by reading your description, you may be an amateur DJ playing with a DJ Console (I assume you mean Hercules???). Secondly and for the same reason, I would personally find buying a new soundcard for just only one recording, a waste of money, time and thinking...

Lastly, I also assume that you use Virtual DJ software and not Traktor. Maybe switching to Traktor would help you record the set more easily.

Regarding the glitches thing (skipping like issues), this could be driver related, software related, or machine related or even related to the DJ Console i.e. bad cabling, faulty faders that are short circuiting e.t.c.)..

If I were in your position, I would play with the CDJs provided by the restaurant (and if they don't have, I would request to rent a pair of CDJs and a Mixer) and I would record the set to the notebook.

To sum up, playing at a Restaurant/Lounge with just a DJ Console and a Laptop is 100000% risky for your reputation and your audience. "Don't try this at home"

PS: If there is an alternative setup for you to play there, or if me or any other member can help you further, then feel free to ask.

All the best, Panos.

[m1sT3rL]

Re: recording a set..

I use Audacity to record all my sets. I use Serato for my DJing. I've not tried recording and playing off one computer though. I use my MacBook to play off of and I have either my Dell Inspiron for home recordings or my iBook G4 for recording when I'm out.

I've never had any issues with Audacity. I've used it for over 5 years and have always been happy with it.

[panoulix]

Re: recording a set..

I use Serato for my DJing. I've not tried recording and playing off one computer though. I use my MacBook to play off of and I have either my Dell Inspiron for home recordings or my iBook G4 for recording when I'm out.

+1 on that. This is crucial too (at least it can isolate and reduce lots of problems).

I never used Audacity but I hear good experiences from many people for this prog.



@doobie581:
Alternatives to these are Steinberg Wavelab and Adobe Audition (formerly known as Cool Edit Pro).

These 4 programs are the most popular ones.

I would recommend you not to try experimenting with which one is the best for this simple task, just follow the already posted guide as this is a simple process and it does not worth spending time for experiments since you are DJing on Friday... )

[doobie581]

Re: recording a set..

thanks for the replies guys

i do use the hercules at home, and was also thinking that it was a problem with the console itself and not the laptop (i've had a couple other issues with the thing in the past) i eventually want to get rid of it, but i'm saving to buy a proper mixer so it'll have to do for now lol

i also have audacity on my laptop, but have only used it to convert the sets i've recorded from .wav to .mp3 in order to upload them easier...ummm, quick question about using audacity to record: the equipment at the spot are 2 cdj 800's and a pioneer djm 500 mixer..in order for me to record using audacity, can i just connect from the record line out cables from the mixer and into the microphone in line on my computer (does that make sense?) or is there a different way that it needs to be connected..

[lilsensa]

Re: recording a set..

I use Audacity to record all my sets. I use Serato for my DJing. I've not tried recording and playing off one computer though. I use my MacBook to play off of and I have either my Dell Inspiron for home recordings or my iBook G4 for recording when I'm out.

I've never had any issues with Audacity. I've used it for over 5 years and have always been happy with it.

If you have a Mac, this program shits all over audacity as far as not using much of your Mac's processing power...Simple program...Only thing I use..I run it on my Mac while using Serato...Never ever had a prob.

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/mac/17392

[panoulix]

Re: recording a set..

thanks for the replies guys

i do use the hercules at home, and was also thinking that it was a problem with the console itself and not the laptop (i've had a couple other issues with the thing in the past) i eventually want to get rid of it, but i'm saving to buy a proper mixer so it'll have to do for now lol

i also have audacity on my laptop, but have only used it to convert the sets i've recorded from .wav to .mp3 in order to upload them easier...ummm, quick question about using audacity to record: the equipment at the spot are 2 cdj 800's and a pioneer djm 500 mixer..in order for me to record using audacity, can i just connect from the record line out cables from the mixer and into the microphone in line on my computer (does that make sense?) or is there a different way that it needs to be connected..

If they have a DJM-500 and 2x CDJ-800s, then get a hammer and smash the Hercules, as you have a far better equippment to play there, which is proved to be stable.

Burn a few CDs and you are set. The CDJ-800 MK1 is quite slow, but after a few minutes practising and 3-4 transitions you will get used to them, so I would suggest you to go at about 1hour earlier to do the connections with the laptop and a little practising.


Regarding the connections, you can use the REC OUT from the Pioneer mixer with an RCA to Stereo Jack cable and connect it to your Line In (NOT Mic In). Mic In as well as Phono In (for Mixers and Soundcards), use signals with different Impedance and Voltages, so connecting a Line signal there, may result in damaging the input channel permanently...

After connecting the mixer REC out to your soundcard line in, you can use Audacity, Soundforge, Audition or Wavelab to do the recording quite easily...

[doobie581]

Re: recording a set..

Regarding the connections, you can use the REC OUT from the Pioneer mixer with an RCA to Stereo Jack cable and connect it to your Line In (NOT Mic In). Mic In as well as Phono In (for Mixers and Soundcards), use signals with different Impedance and Voltages, so connecting a Line signal there, may result in damaging the input channel permanently...

After connecting the mixer REC out to your soundcard line in, you can use Audacity, Soundforge, Audition or Wavelab to do the recording quite easily...

thanks panoulix!!!!

just one more quick question...i don't have an external sound card, so i guess i'll have to connect directly to my comp, however the only stero jack inputs are on the front. there are three that are together: the one to the left has a mic picture next to it, then there are two other inputs with the headphone pic in between the two of them...would i connect to one of them in order to record, or do i need to get an external soundcard? i doubt i'll have the right set up for tonite unfortunately, but for future reference it would be good to know...and thanks again

[dj_macgyver]

Re: recording a set..

the headphone pic usually indicates a headphone OUTput is there a pic missing, or what's the third jack for?

usually laptops come equipped with only two connectors - one mic in and one headphones out. with that combination your best off with an external sound card, because a line signal has a way higher level than a mic signal. connecting it to the mic input will most probably end up sounding completely shite...

you can try out that third connector... that's the setup one usually finds on a desktop pc: one mic in, one line / headphones out and one line in. if you're lucky, you gut exactly that.

remember, in order to get a signal into your software you'll have to set your mixer right

[doobie581]

Re: recording a set..

the headphone pic usually indicates a headphone OUTput is there a pic missing, or what's the third jack for?

usually laptops come equipped with only two connectors - one mic in and one headphones out. with that combination your best off with an external sound card, because a line signal has a way higher level than a mic signal. connecting it to the mic input will most probably end up sounding completely shite...

you can try out that third connector... that's the setup one usually finds on a desktop pc: one mic in, one line / headphones out and one line in. if you're lucky, you gut exactly that.

remember, in order to get a signal into your software you'll have to set your mixer right

thanks...i'll have to check as soon as i get home from work...there's no pic next to third one (at least from what i recall)...it's an HP lappie that I bought about a year ago exactly...

[panoulix]

Re: recording a set..

Model and Product Part Number of your HP notebook and I will tell you if you need to use an external soundcard for sure.

There is a possibility that the Input Jack is shared and/or rerouted to a Mic/Line signal (sometimes this happens too, but you have to select whether the Input is Mic or Line through your soundcard software). If the last case happens, then expect to have a shitty quality signal.

Best onboard soundcards for notebooks are the ones on the Dell XPS series, Toshiba Qosmio series and on Clevo M980NU.

[Eau Rouge]

Re: recording a set..

total n00b question here too but:

I have a dell Studio 15 and im trying to record the audio out from my laptop into audacity and record as wav or mp3. Ultimately I am trying to record the the sound being played into the speakers. I can record up what the mic is getting but its just picking up the sound which is being played through the speakers.... make sense?

I read the faq but couldnt find the outputs required etc. Is that because there is no external soundcard? Im running windows 7. Thanks

[panoulix]

Re: recording a set..

Please identify the source you want to record (i.e. the playback software).

Either the whole situation is too noob, or there is something else that I do miss...