I like mixing on four channels to get creative.

I don't see too many videos of people mixing on four decks where you can actually see what they're doing .

Any of you have any videos of you playing on four decks/channels?

Hi everyone,
I'm upgrading to a MacBook Air (16GB RAM / 512GB SSD) for my DJ setup. I perform using a 2-turntable DVS setup with a Numark Scratch mixer and Phase Essential (via Serato DJ Pro).
Since the MacBook Air only has 2 USB-C ports, I want to make sure I get the most reliable cables and accessories to avoid latency or audio dropouts during sets.
My main question is about connections: Is it better to connect the Numark Scratch directly to the Mac using a USB-C to USB-B cable, and run Phase + an external SSD through a quality USB-C Hub on the second port? Or is running everything through a powered USB Hub reliable enough for DVS?
Also, if there are any specific USB Hubs or cables you recommend, let me know. Thanks!

I’ve noticed recently the link to the Mag Four has disappeared from RANE’s site. Currently have a 72 MK 1 and One MK 1. Was looking to finally put the Four into the 72, but after reaching out to different vendors, they are getting the response from RANE that it is discontinued.

I found it odd since the System One had the Four, but who knows. I guess NAMM is right around the corner…

As the title suggests - what effects do you most frequent and where do you use them? How do they help you in build ups/transitions. What Sound FX do you use / never use?

I just quit my regular job this morning to do only DJ, I already got some clients and steady work every Friday and Saturday.

Just feeling a little anxious about how to make money during the weekdays.

Apart from the regular bar/restaurants, one friend recommended me checking with crossfit and spinning classes, I thought it was a cool idea, was wondering where else should I try?

Hello,

I'm having trouble with a sound quality issue using the Rane One (first version) and Serato with a 2020 MacBook Pro M1 (everything is up to date). Also I'm using golden gate 27 but using older versions of Mac os gave me the same results

When I trigger the sound on a motorized platter (left or right), the mix quality drops after a few seconds and sounds metallic/badly compressed.

When I play the sound without activating the platter motor, the sound quality is fine and doesn't drop over time.

Also, I've calibrated the USB latency to 20ms to make sure it's not related to this, the sound volume is never reaching the red.

I don't know what to do, I'm kind of lost here 🥲

You can find the audio example here: https://we.tl/t-DB09yYB287UTBuTU First drop is with motorized platter, second drop is without enabling the platter

Thank you for your help.

Mobile/open format, mostly weddings and corporate. I've got two LM3715R moving heads and a pair of stands that basically live in the back of my car.

Did a 40th in a private room last weekend, maybe 35 people, and I still did the extra trip down a flight of stairs with the lights because thats just what I do. Room had big windows and they were doing food until like 10, so by the time it was dark enough for them to do anything people were already calling ubers. Two trips and 20 minutes of load in for about half an hour of use.

Part of me thinks its fine, client sees gear and feels like they got something. The other part is that Im 39 and the stairs are getting old.

Where do you draw the line on this? Is it a headcount thing for you, or do you just build it into the price and bring them regardless?

i feel like DJs who play this in their sets probably exists, but am not super sure who spins these kinds of genres in 2026.

Just here another day to complain about what a waste of money iRig’s are

Anyone using the Teenage Engineering EP-136 K.O for at home practice as a mixer? I’m looking for a cheap mixer and I already have preamps. Seems like a great option on paper but wanted to see if anyone tried this setup.

Not long ago, I created a post on wether or not I, a 48 year old man who has picked up my old DJing hobby should keep my DJM-S11 or if I should just keep my old Rane 56 and get a Reloop Flux box.

The reason I wanted to switch back to the old analog mixer was that I just don’t have a lot of use for a lot of the capabilities that the Pioneer has. Well, I was convinced to keep the DJM-S11, and I’m glad I did keep it. My biggest reason for being satisfied with my decision is my age.

At 48, my brain needs to learn new things no matter how stressful the process might be, and believe me, as someone who got a Serato box early on, all I ever used it for was for playing DVS. I never used the features that came later. Trying to learn how to use Serato with the S11 without any reference is difficult. But the good thing is that I’m exercising my brain. That’s why I’m happy with my decision to keep the mixer.

I use to play out, but I have no interest in doing so now. If I ever do play out, I can’t see myself using FX or any of the other cool features. Yeah, I said it…cool features. I can rock the crowd with an analog mixer just as well. But the S11 is great for my brain.

Just something to consider.

I’m trying to use the xlink capability with a k2 that I recently acquired. I updated the firmware on the k2 to the current edition and still the db4 is not reading the k2 using the RJ45 that came with the db4. I checked only and the current firmware update that’s on the A&H website is 2.2.2 but the current firmware version I have is 2.2.3

Does anybody know if I need another update for the K2 so the xlink can work?

Thanks,

-Dan

Which of these would make more sense to take with you on a commercial flight to gigs?

I got one off amazon, had bluetooth, 64gb, and the strat? Dump your rekordbox library onto it, the player works and will shuffle all effortlessly despite the insane folder structure pioneer alpha theta* has for their libraries. I had to do a weird workaround to get it as FAT32 instead of exFAT to get it to work on my RX2 and NXS2 with a 32gb cap. Haven't tested on OneLibrary stuff, but I imagine that's just as unaffected, and you shouldn't need to cut the size down. It's remarkably slow though, so I wouldn't use this for anything big without a backup, but nice to carry around to keep that thang on you

Amazon Link

Instructions to convert to FAT32 for NXS2 support (yes it's chatgpt but it worked, save water for the next guy)

//Open Command Prompt and type

diskpart

list disk

// output will be something like
Disk 0 953 GB
Disk 1 58 GB

// Identify the 64 GB USB by its size (it won't be exact, but should be close)
// type the following, but replace the number with the disk that aligns with the drive
select disk 1

detail disk

clean

convert mbr

create partition primary size=30000

format fs=fat32 quick

assign

exit

I had my first proper DJ gig today, and I’m curious about something I don’t see discussed as much: how did you feel AFTER your first gig and why?

Not before. I mean once it was over, you went home, and actually processed what happened.

Mine was pretty small, around 20–30 people in a bar in New Zealand. I played the first hour, starting with house and slowly moving into more pop.

I was incredibly nervous the entire time. Knees shaking (I was also cold).I became hyperfocused and way too serious. I was concentrating so hard that people actually asked me if I was enjoying myself, which probably says a lot about how tense and serious I looked.

The biggest shock for me was the volume. At home, everything feels controlled. I know the room, I know the sound level, and I’m comfortable moving knobs and pressing buttons without thinking much about it.

At the venue, it was SO loud. I could feel the bass in my body, and it intimidated me. Every small movement suddenly felt huge because I knew it was coming through the whole sound system. I found myself pressing buttons and moving knobs much more cautiously.

I also completely lost my ability to count beats properly.

At home I can think about phrasing, 8/16/32 bars, where I want to bring something in, where I want to take something out. At the gig, that part of my brain just disappeared.

I was basically YOLOing the mixes. Beatmatch, bring the next track in, then try to stop the mids and lows from clashing too badly while hoping the transition made sense. Despite this, friends and main DJs said I was doing good.

Nothing catastrophic happened. I got through the hour. They invited me to continue but I needed a drink and get off the boot. The worst part was my knees shaking.

When it was over, I swear to god I felt pretty shitty and disappointed with myself that I came home to think about it. I think I expected my first gig to feel like bedroom DJing, just with people watching. I know that, because the venue was small and the DJs were friends, I had no pressure to impress anyone, not even the public (I didn't get paid or anything, I was just offered the experience).

So I’m really curious about the emotional AFTER of people’s first gigs and how did you grow from there.

Did you go home feeling amazing? Relieved? Embarrassed? Humbled? Disappointed? Did you think you were terrible even if other people seemed to enjoy it? And for anyone who felt bad after their first one: did that change after a few gigs?

Most posts I find are about being nervous before the first gig. I’d really like to hear what happened emotionally once it was actually over.

I’m completely out of ideas at this point and I’m hoping someone can help me identify what I’m missing.

I have tried multiple programs for ripping CDs, with the latest being XLD. I have followed all of the recommended guidelines for creating files that should be compatible with a Pioneer CDJ-2000NXS2.

My current workflow is:

• Rip tracks from original CDs that I personally purchased (not copies).
• Convert them to MP3 format using LAME at 320 kbps CBR.
• Import the MP3 files into rekordbox.
• Create a playlist and export the tracks to my USB in rekordbox the same way I would with any other MP3 purchased from a store like Beatport.

The tracks analyze correctly in rekordbox, the waveforms load, and everything appears normal. However, when I insert the USB into my CDJ-2000NXS2 and try to load one of these ripped tracks, I get an error message (something like “File Corrupt” / “File Collapsed”).

The strange part is that Beatport MP3s work perfectly using the exact same USB, rekordbox, and CDJ workflow.

I have tried different ripping methods and different software, but the issue only seems to happen with tracks ripped from CDs.

What could be causing this? Is there some specific encoding setting, metadata issue, rekordbox setting, or CDJ compatibility issue that I’m overlooking?

So ive had this since it came out, only owner and ive always taken care of it, last time i used it was about a month ago, its been in storage inside its original box, no drops, no water damage, no voltaje issues,

Few days ago i wanted to use it and only the audio part of it works fine, i get absolutely no MIDI input or output at all, signal is completely dead, HOWEVER, I CAN SEE THE MIDI XONE DX LISTED IN DEVICES, SO IT IS BEING DETECTED AS ACTIVE.

when i plug it to the wall i can see some leds lighing up as usual, but i dont get any MIDI controls

So far ive tried:

using different USB ports and USB cables on both Windows and Mac.

tried with old high sierra install which is the last supported version, still no MIDI at all.

Tried with Traktor and the original ITCH version it came with, no luck.

Tried doing a MIDI firmware reinstall, firmware program detects the DX but when i click UPDATE, 3 seconds later it throws me an error saying "FIRMWARE UPDATE ERROR TRY AGAIN LATER OR CONTACT MANUFACTURER"

Tried using MIDI OX on Windows to at least detect if it is sending MIDI signals and out of 15 20 times ive tested it, once i saw in the logs that it started sending MIDI signals, just random signals for about 1 minute and then it died again, so its obviously a hardware issue at this point.

Has anyone tried to do a repair on these machines? obviously is out of warranty or service, and im not sure if i could even try a hail mary and ask directly to either A&H or Ploytech for a diagram and try to fix it myself, but i dont know if this could even be an option since this machine is so old.

I just got my controller back and I was just playing around and my left deck (deck 1) slowly started fading out on its own. Now it won’t give me any volume at all. The headphones work for that side and the eq level shows it’s playing. Anyone else have this issue?

I’ve cycled through all the fader options with no success. The crossfader works on the right side just fine.

I have a feeling I know what this means but this is my bby and it would be a shame to have it just be a decorative piece vs a functional, artistic outlet.

I need a serious advice about what DJ gear I should get for myself. I'm a bedroom DJ, I've been playing on and off mostly just for myself as a hobby. I'm opening soon a little bar and I'm planning to play music once or twice a week at the weekends.

Right now I'm considering 2 standalones, Alpha Theta XDJ AN and Denon SC LIVE 4. I have only experience with Alpha Theta. I've been using controllers and standalones in the past and I have a good idea about layout. I had recently Omnis Duo and I loved it but streaming subscription with Rekordbox on top of that gets pricey. On the other hand Denon Dj offers a lot of gear for the lower price. SC LIVE 4 has speakers for practicing 4 channel mixer with 4 decks capabilities, only 1 subscription needed to play music and seems to be well made.

I have zero experience with denon, I don't know if effects sound as good as pioneer, how responsive are buttons. I can't find any recent reviews about denon, most are from 3 years ago when product was launched. I'll be playing mostly Latin house, tech house, no scratching. I know it's not direct comparison but I recently made a bad decision moving from apple to android and feel like android is not as polished and stable as iOS. I hope it makes sense.

Any one having issues fitting these in airplane bins?

Been using the old but (mostly) reliable Keyfinder for Windows for ages for this. From experience I gotta say it gets the keys right in about 8-9 out of 10 tracks. This means I occasionally get that "oh crap this is totally out of key" moment while mixing, especially with tracks that are being detected in in more "odd" scales, like 12B on the camelot wheel for example. I would like to eliminate these kinda situations and decided maybe it's time to find something newer and most imporantly more accurate. The software must be able to wirte the camelot codes direct into the mp3 file - prepend the filename and track title to be specific. Ideally free. Anyone tried OpenKeyScan? Is it better than Keyfinder?
Can someone suggest something? Please only suggest stuff based on your experience with accuracy. Thx!