New DJ Hardware – NuMark NS6

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Chris

httpv://youtu.be/DEG2JGkMePg

NuMark NS6 Controller - Photo provided by NuMark.com

Hot on the heels of the NAMM Show release of the DJ2Go mini-DJ MIDI controller, NuMark is at it again– they have downsized their venerable NS7 full size professional DJ MIDI controller and packaged it into a hefty (read “heavy”) full sized control surface dubbed the NS6 that is smaller than the 35 pound NS7, but far from a featherweight in its class when compared with similar offerings from other companies.

The good news is that the so called downsizing of the NS6 did not come with loss of features, but it did reduce the price tag down to around $1,000 USD (from the NS7’s $1,500 USD MSRP). The unit still weighs in at around 14 pounds and has a considerable footprint of 23.8″x13.4″x2.5″ (WxDxH). Bottom line: Do not expect to push this puppy into a back pack. You’ll definitely need a flight case to tote it around. Product engineering must have been very aware of the size because there are two convenient handles built into each side of the NS6 that helps to ease the burden of moving and placing the MIDI controller.

What the NS6 lacks in ease of transport, it makes up for in professional features. There are four stereo inputs (two with pre-amps) and two microphone line in ports. For outputs, the NS6 comes with four total ways to bring the noise: Master (Stereo XLRs), Master (Stereo RCAs), Booth (Stereo RCAs), and Headphone (Stereo 1/4″ and stereo 1/8″). This offsets the need for lugging along a mutli-channel mixer and somewhat explains the footprint.

Like you would expect in a MIDI controller at this price point, there is a built in 24-bit sound card for audio files that samples at 44.1 kHz. MIDI is 14-bit. Again, this means your laptop audio needs are completely offset especially considering the output is rated at >98dB SNR on all analog ports. Expect professional grade sound output when paired with a decent computer using good quality MP3s (192-bit 48 kHz sampled) audio files. Sample output audio I heard via was excellent and on par with other professional grade MIDI controllers.

NuMark NS6 Controller Back Ports - Photo provided by NuMark.com

Layout is somewhat cumbersome (watch those controller disc platters when adjusting effect parameters pot knobs). This issue is similar to other NuMark units and if you do nudge the platter when reaching for a knob you will see the same “reach and accidentally nudge/stop a track” issue happen when in “scratch” mode that you see with the DJ2Go and other NuMark controllers. You do not know embarrassment until you accidentally pause a track by bumping the controller platter during an effect adjustment.

The controller strip feature on each deck is pretty neat. This lets you manually slice and skip through a track using the touchpad like you would be able to do with a traditional “needle drop” on an analog turntable. The controller strip therein enables all sorts of “controllerism” style mixing.

NuMark NS6 Controller Front Ports - Photo provided by NuMark.com

The normal array of sliders exist and a welcome “full range” pitch slider is found on each deck. There are plenty of knobs for tracking pot based parameters (such as gain, volume, EQ channels, effects, etc..) and easy to configure hot buttons to trigger effects, as well as, sampling/cue points (not to mention beat repeat and being able to increase/decrease beat repeat counts on the fly with the touch of button).

The unit comes with Serato’s ITCH DJ software (for both Windows and Mac). I know several DJs who use ITCH and the biggest complaint is “limited” interface that is not as extensible as other DJ software applications such as Traktor. Do not get me wrong– from an integration stand point ITCH will perfectly integrate with the NS6, but it does so at the expense of limiting that user experience with canned effects and limited knob configuration. Having said that, the software product is easy to learn and will work for most DJs out there without a gripe.

Traktor support is provided through a TSI file, but because NuMark partnered with Serato back in 2008 and developed a high resolution “HID MIDI” standard that samples at ten times the normal rate of MIDI, the wheel jog and slider functions are no where as accurate or quick in Traktor as they are in ITCH. Is this a problem? Not unless scratching is your thing or you are completely adverse to using ITCH– then you are going to find yourself between a rock and hard place.

Serato ITCH controlled by the NS6

It should be noted that Virtual DJ Pro (7.0.4) also includes native NS6 mapping and the same standard MIDI sampling rate is present in this software package as well. I must reiterate the point that this is not a show stopper, it is something to think about though as you choose your software path. I suspect (though I haven’t been able to test) you could overcome this issue in Virtual DJ using the configuration “sensitivity” settings. Mind you, this would not offer the HID experience in complete, but at least give you a seemingly close enough for government paperwork experience when scratching.

I have been able to make scratching work well enough with the much less expensive DJ2Go and Virtual DJ. In fact, my feeling is the wheels on that unit are far too sensitive (including the aforementioned “nudge issue” when in scratch mode and reaching for the gain pot) so I feel pretty confident it can be overcome with the superior circuit board wiring that feeds NS6 even in standard MIDI mode. The experience isn’t perfect, but most listeners will not notice when in a club setting.

All in all, the NS6 offers a logical lay out and ease of use with cutting edge features that will lend itself to enhancing the capabilities of most DJs. It is definitely not an entry level product. The NS6 is clearly meant for the professional DJ who needs a durable full featured mixing control surface. Most event DJs will find it as overkill for weddings and the like, but club DJs along with electronic or hip hop DJs will find it has the right features to enable the creativity process both live or in the studio.

DJ Tips – Windows XP/Vista/7 Optimization

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Chris

httpv://youtu.be/Ey-YiiXpwoM

If you’re a Windows OS (Windows XP, Vista, or 7 systems) based computer to DJ like myself (whether it be laptop or desktop PC) you’re going to get flack from your Mac OS X counterparts. Simply put, the Mac OS is much more “tuned” to multimedia than Windows, whereas Windows is more flexible from an application stand point (support more “stuff”).

In other words, because specific parameters are put in place that limits and thus prevents rampant resource abuse of the system in Apple’s Mac OS that are not present in Windows– Windows has more of a potential to “leak” memory and lose performance where the Mac simply hums along without a slowdown.

The simplest way to fix this is to simply reboot your PC before doing a show (or even better yet: Do a full shut down off site then start up on site), but it’s important to keep your system clean nevertheless.

DJ Tech Tools (which is an awesome electronic DJ or eDJ site dedicated to MIDI controllers, mixing/editing/composition software, and general eDJ culture) is running a great article on additional steps you can take to “tune your Windows DJ system” that can be found here:

http://www.djtechtools.com/2011/08/14/optimizing-windows-for-djing-part-i-power-script/

This includes MixTrain’s (another great web site for the eDJ) awesome Windows Optimization Script:

http://themixtrain.wordpress.com/resources/djtt-pro-audio-optimizer/

You should also check out Spy Bot Search and Destroy:

http://www.safer-networking.org

While the utility is great for removing “spyware” and cleaning the system up, it goes deeper than that. In the tools area you can scan your registry for errors and remove those errors.

Also check out CCleaner, which is another great application for cleaning up your application data, tuning Windows, and cleaning up your Registry (the Registry is the closet where Windows stores all its file info, but sometimes stuff gets left in the closet that is no longer needed– these applications clean that closet out and make sure only what you need is in it keeping less in the closet and giving Windows more room to “breath”).

http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER

Finally, don’t forget to do your Windows Updates so that you all the latest critical and optional fixes. The optional fixes have lots of sound driver and multimedia application fixes that “help” keep your computer running good with DJ software and controllers.

I’d recommend keeping two PC’s if you afford it– one for your every day work like surfing the Internet and testing out applications. Then have a portable for your DJ software and your “accepted” configuration of applications that is used solely for performance/composition/recording. This will insure you have a “stage ready” rig and experiment properly in a “sand box” that if it gets hosed won’t stop you from playing a gig.

The sand box doesn’t have to be anything amazing. A simple $899 desktop from Dell or HP with a decent 24-bit sound card and high resolution 2D video card will do. Just be sure to get your system memory above 4GB if possible.

Happy DJ’ing boys and girls– keep the mix going!

DJ Tips – M-Audio X-Session Pro Mapping

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Chris

I’m a huge fan of the M-Audio X-Session Pro MIDI controller that emulates all the core functions of a traditional two channel DJ mixer. The controller retails at most stores and online for around $99 brand new, which is a great deal considering its linear feeling sliders and tactile feeling pot knobs. You really feel like you have a good quality product in your hands for a really cheap price. Don’t get me wrong, there are better mixers with more options; but bang for your buck it’s a great controller for both beginners and as a back up unit “just in case” for the pros. I especially enjoy the low friction cross fader that’s perfect when matched with time coded vinyl like the Rane CV02 digital vinyl. My big complaint comes from how the controller integrates into most digital DJ software including my all time favorite virtual turntable software package, Atomix Virtual DJ. I’ve been using Virtual DJ since release version 3 and each release I had to manually recode the MIDI control map for the X-Session Pro.

In short, because M-Audio bought the rights to the controller from Evolution and didn’t do any further work on mappings while continuing to tweak the hardware, there is a true and literal disconnect between the controller surface and the on screen functions. Even the latest version of Virtual DJ (7.0.2) doesn’t fix this issue. That’s the bad news; the good news is if you go into the configuration area of Virtual DJ on the controller tab with your X-Session plugged in you can “teach” Virtual DJ the right keys and fix the issue thus allowing you to enjoy using the X-Session like it was meant to be used.

Simply click on each listed map function and then click the trash icon below to remove the “broken” mappings. Once all the key mappings are remove from the map click the new icon (a big green plus sign) on the screen. You then click the Key-Learn button on the screen and turn the appropriate knob you wish to program on the X-Session. Then in the Action-Learn area type in your function you need that knob to do. You’ll find two images above in this post that show you how I map my X-Session MIDI functions in Virtual DJ. This map is simple, effective, and very easy to use for most DJ styles. I think you’ll find it as a good fit for your DJ rig as well. I hope this saves you a lot of time and effort because I looked all over: NOBODY has this info posted so I figured I should get it up there. Happy mixing my friends!

Flashback – Drinks On Me Be Cos They Be Free

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Chris

I’m sure you are aware of by now (especially since the posts been on this page for a year staring at you every time you visit) that back just over a year ago before I went on hiatus (July 23, 2010 to be exact) I was a proud participant in St. Baldrick’s Day. The St. Baldrick’s Charity helps to raise money for children’s cancer research, helps offset payment for medical bills and finds kids as well as their parents temporary housing while being treated for cancer, and helps spread the word about cancer awareness. In short, it’s a great charity for a great cause and one that hits home (cancer runs in my family claiming both my paternal grandmother’s life and my father’s life) so when DJ SlipK and Skow of the East asked me to join them on the Metal Brethen St. Baldrick’s team it was an absolute no brainer– and so it began.

After weeks of pushing both online and in person for donations, I was able to squeak together $230 for the cause; which I turned in at the event. The Metal Brethren as a whole brought in a combined amount of $2,273; which is not too shabby.

The event doesn’t end with just raising funds, but actually ends in a party thrown at a supporting venue who also contributes funds, as well as, shaves the heads of all who participated as a showing of solidarity with cancer patients who during them chemotherapy treatment also experience hair loss.

All the toil of raising funds, trucking down to the venue, and raising yet more funds before having all your hair shaved off is absolutely worth it– again it’s a great cause and the money is used to help kids out, so how can you go wrong? You can’t.

Metro 53 (307 east 53rd Street; New York, NY 10009) was our host venue and what a venue it was– they had three full stocked bars and was exactly what you would expect of a midtown Manhattan club– absolutely posh. We were checked in, given our tee shirts, and then waited for things to begin.

I should add that the Metal Brethren was led by Ken Pierce. Any event involving Ken Pierce (of Piercing Metal.com fame) is going to be insane and Ken brought his A-game buying all in sight God knows how many rounds. He’s a class act guy and if you’re into rock or metal definitely check his site out.

A lot of people showed up in support of our team. My lovely wife Chrissy came along, as well as, a bunch of our friends and family members. Drinks were on the house as were hors d’oeuvres for over an hour.

Shortly after that, the head shaving began. Our barber was obviously not a professional– in fact I’m not even sure she had seen a razor before. It was quite the chop job, but the end results were close enough for effect if not crudely done. Again, it’s for the kids so it is what it is as they say.

More drinks were had afterwards and we partied to the wee hours of the night. Metro 53 did all sorts of donation pushes throughout the event and the total raised was several thousand dollars, which is pretty cool. Every body was tossing cash into the donation bucket and it was incredibly cool of Metro 53 to do both an extended free drink hour and to do drink specials all night long. This encouraged some very generous “give back” on the patrons’ part and I absolutely salute them for their goodwill– excellent show and a place I’d highly recommend visiting except that unfortunately a few months ago it shut down.

You can find some pics in the gallery below showing the night as it progressed and I’d like to thank all of those who contributed donations to our pledge drive, as well as, thank all those fine folks who turned out to watch the head shaving and get some good drinks– all for the kids. And to those kids– I salute you all and hope that this small bit of charity helps to ease your ills just a little bit.

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DJ Birthday Battle – Live Show

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Chris

This past weekend on Saturday, July 30, 2011 I performed a surprise live set at my good friend DJ ADD.’s birthday party. DJ ADD had been promoting the party through his private Facebook account and was hosting a “DJ Birthday Battle” open to all comers. He was quite surprised when I showed up with DJ SlipK and a vintage Dell Pentium 4 ready to rock. I’d recently purchased a Numark DJ2Go and had worked that over the proceeding week into an upgraded Atomix VirtualDJ 7.0.4 setup. Augmenting my existing M-Audio X-Session, Boss DR-202 Groove Station, and my Akai MPD16 touch pad; the DJ2Go rounded out my scratching capabilities. I performed two 45 minute sets, as well as, participated in the four way one hour long mix off. A good time was had by all (DJs and party guests). Everybody was moving and the feedback was that everybody enjoyed the wide variety of sets offered. I was honored to join DJ ADD (who spun two great euro dub mix sets), DJ Space Catastrophe (who did two crazy four turntable club sets), and Mervernator (who came with his throwback Technics turntables and CD players– total old school in effect grinding out some insane drum and bass) for the event. They are all absolute gentlemen, incredible professionals, and brilliant DJs. It was truly a great experience. I understand that DJ Space Catastrophe did record much of the event and I’m hoping that DJ ADD will be able to compile it into a streaming set I can put up here on DF.com. I played my first set with old school throw back club grade hip hop and my second set was underground goth club industrial. It was great to get back to mixing and I’m looking forward to getting active with music production again. You will see more from the site and yes– DF.com is in effect after an all too long hiatus once again. Let the chaos begin anew!