I have cdj and a dj 800, but I think I have decided to go the ableton route. Do I need a mixer anymore? Is there a way I can set up to the sound system with out one? Is this recommended? Thanks in advance.
Hi,
As ableton is very flexible, you would be able to get away with almost any combination of hardware. But in order to get the full benefit of Live’s capabilities for Djing I would strongly recommend you to get a multiple output soundcard (for cueing) and a Midi controller so you can have hands in control in the mixer section of Ableton, as well as any other parameter you would like, this way you can easily work without a mixer.
My very personal opinion is that having a mixer is always useful for a bunch of other possibilities (as for the efx loop if you want to add hardware effects to your set up,)
cheers
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I would like to get rid of the djm 800, and only use ableton. I was blown away when I watch the how to dj with ableton tutorials. If I purchase the right sound card and the apc 40, is that all I need to play live. When I say play live, I mean hooking up to the clubs system.
Thanks for you previous responses.
Edit: any recommendations on a sound card.
As for Sound Cards, the Native Instrument’s Audio 4 DJ and Audio 8 DJ are good options. They have just released a boile ddown Audio 2 DJ too, which is ideal for a Laptop only set up, should be cheaper also.
With that, an APC and the laptop you really are good to go imo. You don’t need a mixer per se, as much of this can be done via Ableton using the APC 40, and of course the two channels on the soundcard. However with a mixer involved it could be more familiar to you DJ set up.
Lots of possibilities though.
I’ve been using serato scratch to dj for a little while, and i just started messing around with ableton to dj.
Call me crazy but i feel like i don’t get the same depth or volume out of an ableton mix. It all just sounds a bit thinner. It must be something im doing because i know a lot of pro’s use ableton.
Thoughts?
Ps. rude of me to ignore the original posted topic.
Everything the other guys said is on point.
It truly is a matter of preference. Personally i think that if your soundcard is good enough and your comp is fast enough, midi controllers are the way to go, because they would allow you to take advantage of all of ableton’s included effects. moreover, you can have virtually as many audio tracks as you want playing simultaneously.
You need a few things on the master channel with Live to get it to match the output of CDJ’s…there are a few tricks you can do for that. I use BBE Maximizer, a compressor and Vintage Warmer. That bumps up my output to where it needs to be. I don’t use the same combo for when I make mixes for release or for production(since I master those after rendering) but for gigs you need that boost.
As for what controller you want, keep in mind you have to tote it around…I would never use anything other than what I have (BCF-2000), its cheap, very durable and small. Anything larger would be a pain in the ***. Maybe if you are a big name and have your own table to set up then fine but I’m always having to balance things on boxes and so on…DJ booths are NOT very accommodating to Live users quite yet.
Oh and you need a good I/O. Don’t skimp, its important…although I’ve been using a cheapy M-Audio USB system for a couple years and its survived 2 Burning Man festivals and other gigs so just goes to show you.
I would recommend a firewire I/O if your system can run it.