Beginner Setup Question
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2018 02:52
I'm looking to get a bit further into some bedroom DJ/VJ'ing.
What I'd like to have is a setup where I can use Algorithm's Djay software for music selection and basic DJ'ing, while running Resolume for VJ'ing. Resolume will be playing to a projector (with some 3d projection and maybe a DMX laser or something at some point).
Any tips on what I'll need for that sort of setup? I was originally thinking of getting a DJ controller like a Pioneer DDJ-SB2 for the music and then a midi controller for Resolume, but now I'm thinking a DJ controller may be overkill for what I'm doing audio-wise (ie. track selection, some hi/low pass filtering, and simple transitions). Meanwhile, on the VJ'ing end of things, I'd like to be able to play around with quite a few clips and effects I think. So far, I've only been using Resolume without a controller and I find effects pretty arduous without having access to any dials. Many of the suggestions I've seen for controllers SEEM like they'd be too small (not enough buttons/dials). I've had my eye on the Akai APC MK2 but I wonder if it's going to actually be overkill since I'm seeing a lot of suggestions for things like the LDP8 or similar.
Is there anything else I should worry about buying if I get into some DMX? Will I be able to run that from the same midi controller?
Also, is it possible to control Djay and Resolume at the same time without switching back and forth between apps on my laptop? I'm on Windows but I do have access to a Mac if for some reason that's much different.
Finally, if I'm playing music with a wide range of BPM's is there a good way of syncing my clips to the music? None of the (free) clips/loops I've downloaded seem to have any obvious connection to a particular BPM so I'll just use effects to emphasize the beat because I can set them to a BPM or make them audio reactive. Do people manually adjust the speed of clips live as they go to essentially "beatmatch" the clip to your audio (so, for example, a spinning ball might make one rotation per beat)?
Thanks for indulging the questions. I've spent hours and hours looking at controllers in a effort to make the right decision for myself but without more experience, it's difficult to know I'm not wasting my money.
What I'd like to have is a setup where I can use Algorithm's Djay software for music selection and basic DJ'ing, while running Resolume for VJ'ing. Resolume will be playing to a projector (with some 3d projection and maybe a DMX laser or something at some point).
Any tips on what I'll need for that sort of setup? I was originally thinking of getting a DJ controller like a Pioneer DDJ-SB2 for the music and then a midi controller for Resolume, but now I'm thinking a DJ controller may be overkill for what I'm doing audio-wise (ie. track selection, some hi/low pass filtering, and simple transitions). Meanwhile, on the VJ'ing end of things, I'd like to be able to play around with quite a few clips and effects I think. So far, I've only been using Resolume without a controller and I find effects pretty arduous without having access to any dials. Many of the suggestions I've seen for controllers SEEM like they'd be too small (not enough buttons/dials). I've had my eye on the Akai APC MK2 but I wonder if it's going to actually be overkill since I'm seeing a lot of suggestions for things like the LDP8 or similar.
Is there anything else I should worry about buying if I get into some DMX? Will I be able to run that from the same midi controller?
Also, is it possible to control Djay and Resolume at the same time without switching back and forth between apps on my laptop? I'm on Windows but I do have access to a Mac if for some reason that's much different.
Finally, if I'm playing music with a wide range of BPM's is there a good way of syncing my clips to the music? None of the (free) clips/loops I've downloaded seem to have any obvious connection to a particular BPM so I'll just use effects to emphasize the beat because I can set them to a BPM or make them audio reactive. Do people manually adjust the speed of clips live as they go to essentially "beatmatch" the clip to your audio (so, for example, a spinning ball might make one rotation per beat)?
Thanks for indulging the questions. I've spent hours and hours looking at controllers in a effort to make the right decision for myself but without more experience, it's difficult to know I'm not wasting my money.