Sunday Weave for an Off Week
I finally got a real DJ mixer. I’ve had one before, but it was devoid of modern features (sound card). So this is quite the step up.
Spent a few hours with it today, and it’s made the work of going from the Denon portable all-in-one to an iPad-based, huge rolling case with an analog mixer and full-size platters worth it.
Looking back, I can’t believe I was doing what I did with what I had.
Firstly, I needed more room. The Prime Go unit was just too small. It was cramped and a bit janky.
And the Engine DJ software is a huge pain with the making tracks and the computer and the flat-out bad beat gridding. The side work was really insane. But I didn’t know any better.
Now I do.
Having started with Serato, then switching to Engine, the switch to Djay Pro has been so pleasant.
Mixes are smoother because the beat gridding is great. A few things here and there, but it’s very dependable and predictable.
And I do think the iPad mini is the perfect head unit. Small, powerful, and pretty much glitch-free (as long as you’re not in the sun).
It’s just one of those things: do you want to be a purist, or do you want to leverage tech to your advantage?
Listeners don’t care. Maybe they like the look of real records being fussed over, but come on!
They’ll get over it.
Anyhoo, I’ve got a solid mix of new tech and updated old tech, and have compiled it one piece at a time via Marketplace, etc., and that’s been super satisfying as well.
I’ve got my 1,000 songs, my solid-ass rig, and I’ve got the experience.
So yeah.