Serato DJ Pro General Discussion

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 Serato DJ Pro General Discussion
Honestly! Never Been This Disappointed By DJ Equipment!
Talk about Serato DJ Pro, expansion packs and supported hardware

Honestly! Never Been This Disappointed By DJ Equipment!

Djnedksm 10:23 AM - 15 January, 2012
I've been deejaying a long time, I learnt on cassette decks and turntables.. those were the days DJ's carried a pen in their pocket so we could cue the cassette's at high speed (fast back then) I've used domestic cd walkmans for gigs, hifi turntables, playstation one's to play cd's and so on.. eventually I graduated to pro cd players, my first was the Numark cdn 18 that lasted me 5 years before I sold it, in that time I bought a Numark cdn 88 and a Numark cdn 25 (both of which still work perfectly) infact I used the cdn 88 on friday night to play some function specific cd's.. My first mixer was a 2 channel dj citronic mixer that I bought from my teacher and it has lasted 8 years with me and he used it for 5 years before I bought it, it still works although the faders are quite stiff but they work fine, I have a russian mixer that's name I can't pronounce and it's well over 20 years old, giant PA club install type and even though I haven't touched it in 5 years it still works stiff faders and all, I have a 19inch Monacor mixer that I bought used in 2005 and its well over 15 years old and I still use it at gigs and it works fine (I replaced the line faders) my original turntables, one Hitachi and one Soundlab both still work fine and I bought them used in 2004, Lord knows how old they are, they did active duty at a club for better than 10 years before I bought them. I went digital, bought a hercules dj console rmx (supposedly cheap quality) in 200, still works perfectly despite being my primary tool for about 2 years, I'm not even talking about sound equipment here because it would be too much, I used the hercules on friday night too, my behringer mixer also bought used in 2009 has worked for atleast 5 years no drama at all, also used on friday night, I bought my NS6 end of Aug 2011 and I love it, use it at my weekend residency and it hasn't broken yet even though the platter on the right deck has already gotten wobbly (from practicing tears I guess) but you know what's broken at least a dozen times? The damn software! it is so frustrating for me to have to constantly worry about sound dropouts every time I play, I have dealt with hundreds of different situations as a mobile dj but this is on a whole new psychological trauma level! it's like losing a slap bet, you never know when you'll get hit! I hate that! I have followed computer optimization to the letter, I calibrate my platters everytime I start up, my library is clean of corrupt files.. everything cook and curry, but it still happens! I downloaded the latest ITCH 2.1 and guess what? I have been forced to use beat grids, I hate beat grids, I'm not going to waste what little time I have gridding my music, I play a whole diverse variety of music, it's all I can do just to make sure I have the music that everyone wants to hear without worrying about the damned beat grids! I posted to ask if there's a way to disable them and there's been no response.. My style revolves around auto loops and these beat grids issue is driving me nuts, so I'm back to ITCH 2.0 oh well that's not even the worst, want to know the kicker?
I saved up like mad and bought a used pair of Numark TT1650 turntables, I got ripped off but meh, there are no turntables in the shops here so you get what you can, and saved some more and on 29 Dec 2011 I achieved my dream and bought the Rane TTM57SL new from the official dealer here in Kenya. I only use it in my room to practice with the turntables, never taken it for a gig ever. And on Thur night I go and switch on and nothing.. no reaction nothing! 12 days and a 1450 dollar machine just dies! Without ever being used for a professional gig even once! I have to make it clear that the Rane/Serato support is fantastic and they have been nothing but helpful always. But that still doesn't take away from the fact that a machine that is considered the pinnacle of performance in it's class just dies in 12 days! It still has that new smell dammit! Ok I have sent it to Nairobi to the dealer for repair and I'm waiting for word from them on what the issue is and so on, what irks me is that I will pay for the shipping back and forth, I don't have my mixer (that I paid a premium for) to practice on for God knows how long and it's messed up my daily schedule, I keep wondering now if it will break all the time now after I get it back, my confidence in high end Serato products is just shattered.
Funnily enough I bought a Vestax Typhoon to use with DJ INTRO about 2 months back and it has never let me down yet, not once, no dropouts, I run it off an older laptop with a first gen dual core processor and it kicks ass every time, it has been more reliable than ITCH and SCRATCHLIVE for me, amazingly, all the cheap and used products that I have bought have never let me down even once over the years but the high end premium products have let me down consistently over a very short period of time.
It's so disappointing for me especially since I've always held Rane/Serato in such high regard and sacrificed so much so that I could own their products and it's like a kick in the nuts when they keep failing me.
I'm not a superstar DJ, I'm just trying to better my situation through music and it really kills me that these products that are tools to help me change my life for the better are actually making it worse.
Sad.
djcerla 1:03 PM - 15 January, 2012
This is due to the fact that hi-end controllers have higher resolution and need more resources than cheap stuff à la Hercules. A faster laptop will likely fix your dropouts (I have no dropouts on a MBP i7).
Djnedksm 7:59 PM - 15 January, 2012
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This is due to the fact that hi-end controllers have higher resolution and need more resources than cheap stuff à la Hercules. A faster laptop will likely fix your dropouts (I have no dropouts on a MBP i7).

True, but a MBP with those specs is quite out of my reach right now, I just wish there was a way around the dropouts without having to buy a new laptop.
Djnedksm 8:00 PM - 15 January, 2012
P.S. Big fan of your NS6 video!
empty 8:51 PM - 15 January, 2012
Like anything technology wise, if you want the latest thing then be prepaired to pay out for it man.

I run itch and a vci300 and never have drop outs but then my system is an i7 2600k running at 4.7ghz with 8 gig of ram running at 2133mhz and also using a p67 asus maximus iv extreme.

As posted the higher resolution gives much better timing and over all controll but at a price i.e you need a powerfull laptop/pc to run it. But once bought you can run itch and loads and i mean loads of programs at the same time with no single glitch !

No shortcut round it at all man just hard cash im afriad.
Djnedksm 8:54 PM - 15 January, 2012
Yep! Its true! I guess I'll just have to start saving!
empty 9:00 PM - 15 January, 2012
Yeah man i know how it feels :) I built my pc myself with only the best of insides but if i were to use a laptop it would have to be a mac as most pc laptops have terrible internal latency which can cause drop outs as well.
Djnedksm 9:03 PM - 15 January, 2012
Crazy how there's such a world of difference in the performance between the two.. You just educated me there, I had no idea about the internal latency, I hope to get a lot of gigs this yer so I can fund the mac hahaha, cheers!
Papa Midnight 9:52 PM - 15 January, 2012
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I downloaded the latest ITCH 2.1 and guess what? I have been forced to use beat grids, I hate beat grids, I'm not going to waste what little time I have gridding my music, I play a whole diverse variety of music, it's all I can do just to make sure I have the music that everyone wants to hear without worrying about the damned beat grids! I posted to ask if there's a way to disable them and there's been no response.

Setup -> Playback -> Uncheck Enable Beatgrid.
Also switch to Simple Sync.

Ironic, though, that you have problems with an Intel Core Duo. On a clean install with Windows XP SP3 and ITCH 2.0.1 on an old Lenovo Thinkpad with a Core Duo at 2.0GHz and 2.5GB of RAM (And I mean Core Duo, not Core 2, and not Core i) with a Numark NS7 running at 1ms and 45RPM platters had not one single drop out (granted I turned off Wi-Fi). This was a machine I used only for practicing. I never took it to gigs. For my gigs, I use an ASUS G50Vm-X1 (feel free to google the model for the specs. Outside of a newer processor, the machine is the same) running Mac OS X Lion. Yup, a Hackintosh. No drop outs.

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Funnily enough I bought a Vestax Typhoon to use with DJ INTRO about 2 months back and it has never let me down yet, not once, no dropouts, I run it off an older laptop with a first gen dual core processor and it kicks ass every time, it has been more reliable than ITCH and SCRATCHLIVE for me, amazingly, all the cheap and used products that I have bought have never let me down even once over the years but the high end premium products have let me down consistently over a very short period of time.


You can run a Vestax Typhoon on a Pentium IV. Try that with your NS6 or NS7 and I guarantee you it won't even connect (even on a PIV with HT above 3.0GHz. Trust me, I tried it just for ghits and siggles).

I looked up the computer model you own on (As listed under your Serato Profile) and I believe I can trace all problems down to hardware that does not meet minimal system requirements. A Core i3 Processor at 2.13GHz (there is a model with a 2.26GHz Processor, but that is still under the minimal requirements) on a 64-bit OS is not going to power a Numark NS6. You might have no problem under Windows XP 32-bit or under a 32-bit edition of Windows Vista or 7, but the simple fact of the matter is that you don't meet the minimal requirements (the Mobile Core i3 does not feature the same feature spec as the Core i5 and i7 or it's Desktop counterpart. Essentially, it is effectively the same as a Core 2 Duo with a few processor extensions and an integrated on-chip gpu). Meanwhile, you're taking something that requires, under Windows 7 64-bit, no less than a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, and expecting to it to run on an equivalent processor with an even slower clock speed.

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I run itch and a vci300 and never have drop outs but then my system is an i7 2600k running at 4.7ghz with 8 gig of ram running at 2133mhz and also using a p67 asus maximus iv extreme.


For the system requirements of a VCI-300 (Literally, a 1st generation PIV could run that thing without a problem), that system is overkill and - except under the most extreme conditions - should never experience a drop out.

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This is due to the fact that hi-end controllers have higher resolution and need more resources than cheap stuff à la Hercules. A faster laptop will likely fix your dropouts (I have no dropouts on a MBP i7).

True, but a MBP with those specs is quite out of my reach right now, I just wish there was a way around the dropouts without having to buy a new laptop.


I'm recommending drop down to a 32-bit OS. Back-up your data and drop to 32-bit. You'll lose some available RAM but it will have to be an acceptable trade-off.
Djnedksm 10:13 PM - 15 January, 2012
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Setup -> Playback -> Uncheck Enable Beatgrid.
Also switch to Simple Sync.

I tried that but as soon as I connect my NS6 it automatically re-enables beatgrids and smart sync with no option to turn it off while the hardware is connected? Unless I'm missing something?

I looked up the computer model you own on (As listed under your Serato Profile) and I believe I can trace all problems down to hardware that does not meet minimal system requirements. A Core i3 Processor at 2.13GHz (there is a model with a 2.26GHz Processor, but that is still under the minimal requirements) on a 64-bit OS is not going to power a Numark NS6. You might have no problem under Windows XP 32-bit or under a 32-bit edition of Windows Vista or 7, but the simple fact of the matter is that you don't meet the minimal requirements (the Mobile Core i3 does not feature the same feature spec as the Core i5 and i7 or it's Desktop counterpart. Essentially, it is effectively the same as a Core 2 Duo with a few processor extensions and an integrated on-chip gpu). Meanwhile, you're taking something that requires, under Windows 7 64-bit, no less than a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, and expecting to it to run on an equivalent processor with an even slower clock speed.

I didn't know that, thanks a lot for clarifying the differences

I'm recommending drop down to a 32-bit OS. Back-up your data and drop to 32-bit. You'll lose some available RAM but it will have to be an acceptable trade-off.


Yup that sounds like the way to go.. do you think a core2duo MBP or the core2duo white Macbooks can run ITCH 2.1 well? They would be cheaper to buy used over here.
Papa Midnight 10:23 PM - 15 January, 2012
As long as it's 2.53GHz or higher, go for it. Otherwise, you'll have to hit the flag to start in 32-bit mode every time.
Djnedksm 10:26 PM - 15 January, 2012
Thanks a lot for the advice, appreciate it much, cheers!
Serato, Support
Martin C 10:55 PM - 15 January, 2012
Nice work Papa Midnight :)
Djnedksm 10:57 PM - 15 January, 2012
+100^^
dj lashes 2:03 AM - 16 January, 2012
Bro i feel and understand u 1 million % i had the same problem as u as far as the drop-outs i even started talking alot of BS to some of the good guys here on he forum which i am sorry about, in the end all and i mean ALL my drop out problems stopped when i got my MBP cost me a arm and leg but now i dj i never think about itch letting me down.
Djnedksm 8:40 AM - 16 January, 2012
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Bro i feel and understand u 1 million % i had the same problem as u as far as the drop-outs i even started talking alot of BS to some of the good guys here on he forum which i am sorry about, in the end all and i mean ALL my drop out problems stopped when i got my MBP cost me a arm and leg but now i dj i never think about itch letting me down.


Thanks bro for sharing that, it's crazy how frustrating it gets! I'm convinced that MBP is the way to go now, which MBP do you have and which controller do you use? Peace
djbagz 2:12 PM - 16 January, 2012
mann dont listen to these mac book pro heads
I have a hp envy works perfect with the new version of serato itch


people with mbp also are having issues with drop outs yadah yadah
phatbob 2:29 PM - 16 January, 2012
Point is though, djbagz, is that the OP needs a more powerful machine than he has now to run an NS6.

Because the MacBook Pro is a clearly delineated, highly specced line of machines, it's easy to recommend them.

No doubt there are loads of Windows machines which will do the job. But to recommend them all would take a lot of listing.
Ragman 2:37 PM - 16 January, 2012
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mann dont listen to these mac book pro heads
I have a hp envy works perfect with the new version of serato itch


people with mbp also are having issues with drop outs yadah yadah

You're right on both accounts, there is no computer that is 100% fool proof, but I'm willing to bet you that the percentages of success favor an MBP.
Papa Midnight 5:16 PM - 16 January, 2012
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Quote:
mann dont listen to these mac book pro heads
I have a hp envy works perfect with the new version of serato itch


people with mbp also are having issues with drop outs yadah yadah

You're right on both accounts, there is no computer that is 100% fool proof, but I'm willing to bet you that the percentages of success favor an MBP.

I'll see your bet and raise you with this wager: If people spent as much on their notebooks and bought decent ones instead of over the counter low-budget notebooks as they would spend on even a used MacBook Pro (goes for what... $899, $999, $1099?), there would be a lot less reported drop outs. I mean, for that price, I could pick up a few decently spec'd Lenovo Thinkpads (www.newegg.com) or some damn decent ASUS machines (www.newegg.com). Instead, people pick up things like www.bestbuy.com, www.bestbuy.com, or www.bestbuy.com and then come screaming when they get poor performance, yet clearly just bought a machine that doesn't meet minimal specifications. Sorry if that sounds callous but I'm starting to see it becoming a trend among reports of problems. Meanwhile, the lowest price new MacBook Pro (store.apple.com) starts at $1099 and features an i5 @ 2.4GHz which more than meets the minimal requirements for Serato ITCH. I don't understand why people buy cheap machines running Windows, but won't invest the same amount as they would on a MacBook Pro when half the forum comes saying "Get a mac". I'm fully convinced they would save money, time, and headache if they'd just invest the money from jump in a decent PC.
djcerla 5:21 PM - 16 January, 2012
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If people spent as much on their notebooks and bought decent ones instead of over the counter low-budget notebooks as they would spend on even a used MacBook Pro (goes for what... $899, $999, $1099?), there would be a lot less reported drop outs.


so, how do you explain the frequent problems on expensive Sony VAIO notebooks?
Djnedksm 7:20 PM - 16 January, 2012
Quote:
mann dont listen to these mac book pro heads
I have a hp envy works perfect with the new version of serato itch


people with mbp also are having issues with drop outs yadah yadah


Hahaha it's getting very confusing now! I think a PC that costs as much as a Mac will do the job just as well, but if I'm going to spend that much I would go with a Mac only because I have a couple PC laptops already with which I can do my editing and so on coz I prefer using the PC softwares for that stuff.

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Point is though, djbagz, is that the OP needs a more powerful machine than he has now to run an NS6.

Because the MacBook Pro is a clearly delineated, highly specced line of machines, it's easy to recommend them.

No doubt there are loads of Windows machines which will do the job. But to recommend them all would take a lot of listing.


Well said, I just wish PC makers would stop putting so much crapware in the machines that hog resources.


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Quote:
mann dont listen to these mac book pro heads
I have a hp envy works perfect with the new version of serato itch


people with mbp also are having issues with drop outs yadah yadah

You're right on both accounts, there is no computer that is 100% fool proof, but I'm willing to bet you that the percentages of success favor an MBP.


The majority of people who reply certainly favor MBP's


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Quote:
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mann dont listen to these mac book pro heads
I have a hp envy works perfect with the new version of serato itch


people with mbp also are having issues with drop outs yadah yadah

You're right on both accounts, there is no computer that is 100% fool proof, but I'm willing to bet you that the percentages of success favor an MBP.

I'll see your bet and raise you with this wager: If people spent as much on their notebooks and bought decent ones instead of over the counter low-budget notebooks as they would spend on even a used MacBook Pro (goes for what... $899, $999, $1099?), there would be a lot less reported drop outs. I mean, for that price, I could pick up a few decently spec'd Lenovo Thinkpads (www.newegg.com) or some damn decent ASUS machines (www.newegg.com). Instead, people pick up things like www.bestbuy.com, www.bestbuy.com, or www.bestbuy.com and then come screaming when they get poor performance, yet clearly just bought a machine that doesn't meet minimal specifications. Sorry if that sounds callous but I'm starting to see it becoming a trend among reports of problems. Meanwhile, the lowest price new MacBook Pro (store.apple.com) starts at $1099 and features an i5 @ 2.4GHz which more than meets the minimal requirements for Serato ITCH. I don't understand why people buy cheap machines running Windows, but won't invest the same amount as they would on a MacBook Pro when half the forum comes saying "Get a mac". I'm fully convinced they would save money, time, and headache if they'd just invest the money from jump in a decent PC.


True, in my case the issue was that I had my PC before I got the NS6 and I think I will go for a new machine now armed with the correct information.

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If people spent as much on their notebooks and bought decent ones instead of over the counter low-budget notebooks as they would spend on even a used MacBook Pro (goes for what... $899, $999, $1099?), there would be a lot less reported drop outs.


so, how do you explain the frequent problems on expensive Sony VAIO notebooks?


To be fair, the three people who I know with Sony Vaio's (not DJ's) have various issues with them, ranging from just dying inexplicably to screen discoloration.. maybe they just aren't very good?

Ok, so I spoke with the dealer today regarding the ttm57 and he told me that a power surge had shorted out a circuit board in it and it will cost me roughly the equivalent of US$ 312 to get it fixed, so I'm going to send the money tomorrow and hope for the best! The Rane tech I have been talking to via email (Rafael Moya) suoer helpful guy btw, has told me that it's preferable to send it back to the factory for repair since it's a factory only repair item and I should ideally get a replacement from the dealer or get help to send it back but my dealer told me no dice on the replacement and sending it to the states from here would take ages and cost a lot more than what it's going to cost me now so I'll just go for the simpler option and hope for the best.
Papa Midnight 10:08 PM - 16 January, 2012
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If people spent as much on their notebooks and bought decent ones instead of over the counter low-budget notebooks as they would spend on even a used MacBook Pro (goes for what... $899, $999, $1099?), there would be a lot less reported drop outs.


so, how do you explain the frequent problems on expensive Sony VAIO notebooks?

I said a lot less, I didn't say "none" :P
Also, in my experience, Sony VAIO Notebooks are poorly built using cheaper parts which tend to result in under-performing machines all around. I have yet to see one with a half-decent USB bus. It's actually funny that you mention those. I have an old Sony Vaio notebook. Expensive thing too, by the looks of it. No internal optical drive, just a pure business notebook. The thing performs horrendously. It was given to me as a project to fix. I got it working as best as it's going to work but... well... it's a terrible machine.
dj lashes 11:12 PM - 16 January, 2012
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Bro i feel and understand u 1 million % i had the same problem as u as far as the drop-outs i even started talking alot of BS to some of the good guys here on he forum which i am sorry about, in the end all and i mean ALL my drop out problems stopped when i got my MBP cost me a arm and leg but now i dj i never think about itch letting me down.


Thanks bro for sharing that, it's crazy how frustrating it gets! I'm convinced that MBP is the way to go now, which MBP do you have and which controller do you use? Peace


i use a vci-300 mk1 and a few days ago got me ns6 and my MBP runs them fine
Hard Drive: 320GB
System Version: Mac OS X 10.6.4
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro6,2
Processor Name: Intel Core i5
Processor Speed: 2.4 Ghz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 2
L2 Cache ( per Core ) 256 kb
L3 Cache: 3MB
Memory: 4GB
Processor Interconnect speed: 4.8 GT/s
Boot ROM Version: MBP61.0057.B0C
SMC Version ( System ) 1.58f16
dj lashes 11:17 PM - 16 January, 2012
Quote:
mann dont listen to these mac book pro heads
I have a hp envy works perfect with the new version of serato itch


people with mbp also are having issues with drop outs yadah yadah

why should he not listen to a answer to his problem am not a "MBP HEAD" ive been using windows forever i just a few weeks ago got a MBP and sorry to say i had so much issue running itch with my sony vaio which i above min specs, i just use my sony for everything else but not itch.
djbagz 12:53 AM - 17 January, 2012
lmfao...i was waiting for the mpb crew to come out and start breakdancing...haha

If a mbp,or windows or wattever works for you all good..i was just being a smart ass lol..

Im going to be getting a mbp this year anyways only cause my wife always users my hp envy 15 laptop for study and i hate it......she thinks there is no Microsoft office on mac books..hehe


/i think that if u want a good running laptop then buy one only for music and djing thats it...this way it keeps it running clutter free...

good day lads
rmr1r 7:39 AM - 17 January, 2012
Lol. Ignorant hypocritical DJBagz strikes again with asinine comments. Talking crap on MacBook Pros to admitting he's getting one. This coming from a guy that didn't know the difference from samples vs. effects and threw Serato under the bus for it.
Djnedksm 8:55 AM - 17 January, 2012
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Bro i feel and understand u 1 million % i had the same problem as u as far as the drop-outs i even started talking alot of BS to some of the good guys here on he forum which i am sorry about, in the end all and i mean ALL my drop out problems stopped when i got my MBP cost me a arm and leg but now i dj i never think about itch letting me down.


Thanks bro for sharing that, it's crazy how frustrating it gets! I'm convinced that MBP is the way to go now, which MBP do you have and which controller do you use? Peace


i use a vci-300 mk1 and a few days ago got me ns6 and my MBP runs them fine
Hard Drive: 320GB
System Version: Mac OS X 10.6.4
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro6,2
Processor Name: Intel Core i5
Processor Speed: 2.4 Ghz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 2
L2 Cache ( per Core ) 256 kb
L3 Cache: 3MB
Memory: 4GB
Processor Interconnect speed: 4.8 GT/s
Boot ROM Version: MBP61.0057.B0C
SMC Version ( System ) 1.58f16


That sounds like a sweet machine, I could be wrong but I think I read somewhere that ITCH was designed on a Mac so it runs better? But I could be completely wrong! I do know that all the big name DJ's here have MBP's and only one has ever complained about a crash while running VSL so I guess they are an option that kind of just works out the box as opposed to tweaking a PC.. That being said, I have been using a PC all my life and would rather keep using one because all my other softwares run on Windows and I'm just more comfortable messing with them.. My decision now is to save and get a MBP for Deejaying only and keep using my PC for my other stuff.

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mann dont listen to these mac book pro heads
I have a hp envy works perfect with the new version of serato itch


people with mbp also are having issues with drop outs yadah yadah

why should he not listen to a answer to his problem am not a "MBP HEAD" ive been using windows forever i just a few weeks ago got a MBP and sorry to say i had so much issue running itch with my sony vaio which i above min specs, i just use my sony for everything else but not itch.


Lots of people here too complain about Sony Vaio's.


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lmfao...i was waiting for the mpb crew to come out and start breakdancing...haha

If a mbp,or windows or wattever works for you all good..i was just being a smart ass lol..

Im going to be getting a mbp this year anyways only cause my wife always users my hp envy 15 laptop for study and i hate it......she thinks there is no Microsoft office on mac books..hehe


/i think that if u want a good running laptop then buy one only for music and djing thats it...this way it keeps it running clutter free...

good day lads


Yeah looks like MBP's are a sure bet

I just transferred the money to my dealer and bought a voltage guard to protect my equipment, hoping the mixer works fine after repairs
pdidy 10:05 AM - 17 January, 2012
@Djnedksm ,glad to see you made the right choice. FYI, Macs are designed to run windows out the box (no hacking required) so you have the best of both worlds on 1 machine if you choose. I to am a heavy windows user at work an everyday use so all of my macs have windows installed on a dual boot system for convenience. But when it comes to serato, I am strictly Mac.
djcerla 10:15 AM - 17 January, 2012
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@Djnedksm ,glad to see you made the right choice. FYI, Macs are designed to run windows out the box (no hacking required) so you have the best of both worlds on 1 machine if you choose. I to am a heavy windows user at work an everyday use so all of my macs have windows installed on a dual boot system for convenience. But when it comes to serato, I am strictly Mac.


... whereas PC users can't run wonderful software titles like Logic Pro natively. What a turnaround from the '90s!
Ragman 12:39 PM - 17 January, 2012
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[...] I to am a heavy windows user at work an everyday use so all of my macs have windows installed on a dual boot system for convenience. But when it comes to serato, I am strictly Mac.

You just described me. :-)
djbagz 1:22 PM - 17 January, 2012
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Ignorant hypocritical DJBagz strikes again with asinine comments. Talking crap on MacBook Pros to admitting he's getting one. This coming from a guy that didn't know the difference from samples vs. effects and threw Serato under the bus for it.
mayn i was green back then lol its 2012 an we getting video in a few months god is good,,,

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I to am a heavy windows user at work an everyday use so all of my macs have windows installed on a dual boot system for convenience. But when it comes to serato, I am strictly Mac.
i like that...im gonna do the same...
Papa Midnight 3:55 PM - 17 January, 2012
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@Djnedksm ,glad to see you made the right choice. FYI, Macs are designed to run windows out the box (no hacking required) so you have the best of both worlds on 1 machine if you choose. I to am a heavy windows user at work an everyday use so all of my macs have windows installed on a dual boot system for convenience. But when it comes to serato, I am strictly Mac.


... whereas PC users can't run wonderful software titles like Logic Pro natively. What a turnaround from the '90s!

My Hackintosh and my VMWare installs would disagree :P
djcerla 4:07 PM - 17 January, 2012
*natively
Charile Wilson 9:03 PM - 17 January, 2012
Why did you DJ from a PS1? dual CD players had been out a decade by then and would of been as cheap as chips especially for an aftermarket unit such as Numark.
Djnedksm 9:19 PM - 17 January, 2012
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Why did you DJ from a PS1? dual CD players had been out a decade by then and would of been as cheap as chips especially for an aftermarket unit such as Numark.

That's all I had and it wasn't even mine, this isn't the west, this is Africa.. The Numark CDN 88 still costs the equivalent of 550$ now, it used to be twice that less than 3 years ago, and if that's cheap as chips to you than you're a very lucky fellow. Besides, even if they were available and cheap, I still couldn't have afforded them back then.
phatbob 9:44 PM - 17 January, 2012
Actually PS1s were highly rated by audiophiles, bizarrely.

They had an excellent DAC in them if I remember right...
Charile Wilson 10:07 PM - 17 January, 2012
Africa, right oh didn't realise you were from there.

They should include the name of the country people come from under people user names as they do on the Virtual DJ forum.

Anyway I suppose the price is high because there isn't much demand in Africa for DJ's and therefor isn't much equipment.

Honestly dual CD players like that go for $50 on ebay in the UK
maviccf 6:15 AM - 18 January, 2012
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As long as it's 2.53GHz or higher, go for it. Otherwise, you'll have to hit the flag to start in 32-bit mode every time.

A suggestion from my end, I had a white macbook 2duo core 2.2 mhz, 4gig ram 2007 edition. I used it for 16 months, 3 nights a week every weekend and never had issues with it, What you are looking for is stability on the O/S running itch.
So, this is just a humble opinion, I hope the reference helps you to decide.
By the way, I am old school as you are and I support your opinion praising old technology never letting us down.
Cheers Man
Papa Midnight 6:51 AM - 18 January, 2012
Won't ever see me talk down the original PlayStation... that thing had excellent audio playback capabilities. It's a shame they were lost in the PlayStation 2.
pdidy 7:40 AM - 18 January, 2012
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@Djnedksm ,glad to see you made the right choice. FYI, Macs are designed to run windows out the box (no hacking required) so you have the best of both worlds on 1 machine if you choose. I to am a heavy windows user at work an everyday use so all of my macs have windows installed on a dual boot system for convenience. But when it comes to serato, I am strictly Mac.


... whereas PC users can't run wonderful software titles like Logic Pro natively. What a turnaround from the '90s!

My Hackintosh and my VMWare installs would disagree :P

Ironically, you missed the "(no hacking required)" disclaimer which was obviously directed at you.....lol
pdidy 7:46 AM - 18 January, 2012
@ Papa Midnight ......just curious, Is price the only thing stopping you from getting a "real" Mac ?
Papa Midnight 8:05 AM - 18 January, 2012
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@Djnedksm ,glad to see you made the right choice. FYI, Macs are designed to run windows out the box (no hacking required) so you have the best of both worlds on 1 machine if you choose. I to am a heavy windows user at work an everyday use so all of my macs have windows installed on a dual boot system for convenience. But when it comes to serato, I am strictly Mac.


... whereas PC users can't run wonderful software titles like Logic Pro natively. What a turnaround from the '90s!

My Hackintosh and my VMWare installs would disagree :P

Ironically, you missed the "(no hacking required)" disclaimer which was obviously directed at you.....lol

Indeed I did. Glazed right over it, lol.
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@ Papa Midnight ......just curious, Is price the only thing stopping you from getting a "real" Mac ?

Not really, no. I don't like Apple, not only as a company, but I don't like Mac as a product. It has been a distaste I have held since the clusterfrak that was Mac OS 7 and continued on since then.
Djnedksm 8:34 AM - 18 January, 2012
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Actually PS1s were highly rated by audiophiles, bizarrely.

They had an excellent DAC in them if I remember right...



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Won't ever see me talk down the original PlayStation... that thing had excellent audio playback capabilities. It's a shame they were lost in the PlayStation 2.


Sound was definitely wicked with them! Although mixing from a Tascam variable speed cassette deck into a PS1 and back out was an art form I'm glad to see the back of hahaha

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As long as it's 2.53GHz or higher, go for it. Otherwise, you'll have to hit the flag to start in 32-bit mode every time.

A suggestion from my end, I had a white macbook 2duo core 2.2 mhz, 4gig ram 2007 edition. I used it for 16 months, 3 nights a week every weekend and never had issues with it, What you are looking for is stability on the O/S running itch.
So, this is just a humble opinion, I hope the reference helps you to decide.
By the way, I am old school as you are and I support your opinion praising old technology never letting us down.
Cheers Man


Respect! Yeah those white Macs were something, I know a DJ here who has used one for a couple years and never had a problem with whichever software he uses, I wouldn't mind getting one of those actually :)

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Africa, right oh didn't realise you were from there.

They should include the name of the country people come from under people user names as they do on the Virtual DJ forum.

Anyway I suppose the price is high because there isn't much demand in Africa for DJ's and therefor isn't much equipment.

Honestly dual CD players like that go for $50 on ebay in the UK


You need to come and visit Africa once, this is the birthplace of music and dancing, the reason prices are so high is because demand is so high and it's more expensive trying to import equipment oneself..
pdidy 9:01 AM - 18 January, 2012
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@ Papa Midnight ......just curious, Is price the only thing stopping you from getting a "real" Mac ?

Not really, no. I don't like Apple, not only as a company, but I don't like Mac as a product. It has been a distaste I have held since the clusterfrak that was Mac OS 7 and continued on since then.
ok, makes since now.
Djnedksm 9:12 AM - 18 January, 2012
Good news! I received my 57 this morning, and have been playing on it for about 20 mins, its working ok and even my settings have been retained, the dealer sent me the old circuit board too.. It's been a costly lesson but I'm glad it's back and working again, I missed it terribly!
dj lashes 3:54 PM - 19 January, 2012
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Anyway I suppose the price is high because there isn't much demand in Africa for DJ's and therefor isn't much equipment.

You need to come and visit Africa once, this is the birthplace of music and dancing, the reason prices are so high is because demand is so high and it's more expensive trying to import equipment oneself..


was just about to say the same thing the demand here is massive but the big company's dont invest so much here which i can understand i run 2 night clubs here i make good money but always having to bride someone to make sure u have light, water, even the police to make sure there let people come to the party, it does have its good side if u have money u can make things happen super fast ect...
Djnedksm 12:58 PM - 23 January, 2012
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Anyway I suppose the price is high because there isn't much demand in Africa for DJ's and therefor isn't much equipment.

You need to come and visit Africa once, this is the birthplace of music and dancing, the reason prices are so high is because demand is so high and it's more expensive trying to import equipment oneself..


was just about to say the same thing the demand here is massive but the big company's dont invest so much here which i can understand i run 2 night clubs here i make good money but always having to bride someone to make sure u have light, water, even the police to make sure there let people come to the party, it does have its good side if u have money u can make things happen super fast ect...


Sounds like how things run over here hahaha! No bribe no service!
Djnedksm 12:58 PM - 23 January, 2012
Here's my opinion on what happened with me and I appreciate that a lot of people will disagree with me but it is what I feel happened;
In my opinion, I got a faulty mixer and I'll explain why I feel like that, now some time has passed and I can go over the events with more clarity there are a couple of things that influence my saying so.. Please note that this is my view and if you disagree that's fine but don't get abusive thank you.
When I got the mixer it worked fine but I felt since the first day that the crossfader cut in sounded weird, kinda like a 2 step cut.. it sounded like it would cut the sample twice on one movement.. I didn't worry about it much for 2 reasons, one, I have never owned a Rane mixer before so I thought it was normal for them and two, I am just learning to be a Scratch DJ so my knowledge on how cuts should sound is very limited.
Ever since I got it back from repair it has never had that issue again, the cuts are normal now, no more "double cut".
The other thing that makes me feel like it was already faulty when I got it is that I have several other machines running off of the same power source and extension cords as the Rane TTM57, here are a few (always on) 2 Numark TT1650 turntables, Acer 5740 laptop, Acer Aspire 1 netbook, Samsung NC110 netbook, Refrigerator, Blackberry charger, Nokia charger, Fan, Numark NS6, Piano, Camera battery charger etc..
All of these are still working as normal and were unaffected, only the TTM57 died during the blackouts although I had turned the switch off on the extension cord before the blackouts started and I tried it the day after.
It's done and repaired now and I have bought Voltage stabilisers and paid for the repair but I just have this nagging feeling that I got shafted but that's just my take on it now and I could be completely wrong but hey! that's how I feel about the entire situation.
Ragman 3:35 PM - 23 January, 2012
No manufacturer is 100% perfect with making equipment. We all are at a risk of buying something that came off the assembly line a lemon. It happens to the best of companies (and believe me Rane is one of the best). Your main problem is your location. Had you been in a location where Rane could have serviced you efficiently and quick, this wouldn't have been a major issue for you. I do feel your pain though. ;-)
Djnedksm 3:35 PM - 31 January, 2012
Hi, I've changed my Windows OS now to Windows Ultimate 32bit, I just reformatted and installed it a fresh, I have just loaded my Serato softwares on it i.e. ScratchLive, ITCH, DJ Intro and Virtual DJ, VLC player, CD burning software, and Avast antivirus.. I have disabled WiFi and all network connections and done the optimization for windows pc's, now my laptop is over minimum specs for ITCH so I hope I don't get dropouts again.. Will keep you updated after my gigs this weekend, peace.
Ragman 6:34 PM - 31 January, 2012
G/L
dj lashes 12:21 AM - 1 February, 2012
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Hi, I've changed my Windows OS now to Windows Ultimate 32bit, I just reformatted and installed it a fresh, I have just loaded my Serato softwares on it i.e. ScratchLive, ITCH, DJ Intro and Virtual DJ, VLC player, CD burning software, and Avast antivirus.. I have disabled WiFi and all network connections and done the optimization for windows pc's, now my laptop is over minimum specs for ITCH so I hope I don't get dropouts again.. Will keep you updated after my gigs this weekend, peace.

like i said am now on a mac so i really got all in order but looking at your last post its making me think why should we have to remix our laptops in the hope to run serato when you meet the min specs really should put the min spec higher or some think ,......
pdidy 11:52 PM - 1 February, 2012
min specs dont mean sh#t on a windows pc, its just a crap shoot. Do you feel lucky ?
Djnedksm 10:00 AM - 5 February, 2012
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Hi, I've changed my Windows OS now to Windows Ultimate 32bit, I just reformatted and installed it a fresh, I have just loaded my Serato softwares on it i.e. ScratchLive, ITCH, DJ Intro and Virtual DJ, VLC player, CD burning software, and Avast antivirus.. I have disabled WiFi and all network connections and done the optimization for windows pc's, now my laptop is over minimum specs for ITCH so I hope I don't get dropouts again.. Will keep you updated after my gigs this weekend, peace.

like i said am now on a mac so i really got all in order but looking at your last post its making me think why should we have to remix our laptops in the hope to run serato when you meet the min specs really should put the min spec higher or some think ,......



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min specs dont mean sh#t on a windows pc, its just a crap shoot. Do you feel lucky ?


I had decided to get a mac first but after reading the NYT article on their factories in China I cannot in good conscience buy any Apple product, I know everybody else probably does the same and so on but it's just a personal decision and I'm not looking to start a debate, it's just how I feel and what helps me sleep better at night.. dj lashes you are absolutely right about having to chop and change and remix (lol) something that really ought to just work correctly without doing all that.. pdidy you are very right too and no am not feeling lucky hahaha..
anyway, here's the report, Friday night everything went well for about half an hour and then I had a dropout, the good news is that it was shorter than before, maybe a second or so but it was a very palpable dropout nonetheless.. after that everything went smooth, Saturday night I didn't have any dropouts at all.. I haven't loaded the sample player and I was only using the braker effect and auto loops, and two decks. My laptop has the following specs: Acer Aspire 5740 Intel Core I3 dual core 2.13GHZ processor, 4GB RAM (3GB usable) Windows 7 32bit. I don't understand why I'm still getting dropouts because I'm way above min specs now and there's nothing on the laptop, I have disabled WIFI, LAN and Bluetooth.
Djnedksm 10:00 AM - 5 February, 2012
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Hi, I've changed my Windows OS now to Windows Ultimate 32bit, I just reformatted and installed it a fresh, I have just loaded my Serato softwares on it i.e. ScratchLive, ITCH, DJ Intro and Virtual DJ, VLC player, CD burning software, and Avast antivirus.. I have disabled WiFi and all network connections and done the optimization for windows pc's, now my laptop is over minimum specs for ITCH so I hope I don't get dropouts again.. Will keep you updated after my gigs this weekend, peace.

like i said am now on a mac so i really got all in order but looking at your last post its making me think why should we have to remix our laptops in the hope to run serato when you meet the min specs really should put the min spec higher or some think ,......



Quote:
min specs dont mean sh#t on a windows pc, its just a crap shoot. Do you feel lucky ?


I had decided to get a mac first but after reading the NYT article on their factories in China I cannot in good conscience buy any Apple product, I know everybody else probably does the same and so on but it's just a personal decision and I'm not looking to start a debate, it's just how I feel and what helps me sleep better at night.. dj lashes you are absolutely right about having to chop and change and remix (lol) something that really ought to just work correctly without doing all that.. pdidy you are very right too and no am not feeling lucky hahaha..
anyway, here's the report, Friday night everything went well for about half an hour and then I had a dropout, the good news is that it was shorter than before, maybe a second or so but it was a very palpable dropout nonetheless.. after that everything went smooth, Saturday night I didn't have any dropouts at all.. I haven't loaded the sample player and I was only using the braker effect and auto loops, and two decks. My laptop has the following specs: Acer Aspire 5740 Intel Core I3 dual core 2.13GHZ processor, 4GB RAM (3GB usable) Windows 7 32bit. I don't understand why I'm still getting dropouts because I'm way above min specs now and there's nothing on the laptop, I have disabled WIFI, LAN and Bluetooth.
phatbob 1:40 PM - 5 February, 2012
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I had decided to get a mac first but after reading the NYT article on their factories in China I cannot in good conscience buy any Apple product, I know everybody else probably does the same and so on


If that is your reason to not buy Apple you are, frankly, a fool.

Every factory that Apple use in China is also used by the Windows PC industry. Foxconn are probably the biggest supplier to the whole industry.

It could actually be argued that, whilst they could do better, Apple are one of very few companies to even enter the discussion around worker conditions.

Certainly they are more engaged with the issue than any of the identikit Windows laptop makers like Acer, Asus, or even Dell.

There is no such thing as a laptop computer that isn't built on the exploitation of other human beings. Either don't be a digital DJ, or make a donation to a human rights charity. Don't boycott quality product like Apple because you read an article and failed to understand the context.
phatbob 1:44 PM - 5 February, 2012
Just thought I'd do my research...

Acer are indeed one of the major customers of Foxconn.

I'd suggest you bin that Acer.

If you must use a laptop produced by child labor, at least buy a MacBook Pro and then it might work right.
Papa Midnight 5:06 PM - 5 February, 2012
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If that is your reason to not buy Apple you are, frankly, a fool.

Let's not start this again...
phatbob 6:09 PM - 5 February, 2012
There are lots of reasons to not buy Apple!

But 'ethics' is not a good one.
Djnedksm 7:44 PM - 5 February, 2012
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I had decided to get a mac first but after reading the NYT article on their factories in China I cannot in good conscience buy any Apple product, I know everybody else probably does the same and so on


If that is your reason to not buy Apple you are, frankly, a fool.

Every factory that Apple use in China is also used by the Windows PC industry. Foxconn are probably the biggest supplier to the whole industry.

It could actually be argued that, whilst they could do better, Apple are one of very few companies to even enter the discussion around worker conditions.

Certainly they are more engaged with the issue than any of the identikit Windows laptop makers like Acer, Asus, or even Dell.

There is no such thing as a laptop computer that isn't built on the exploitation of other human beings. Either don't be a digital DJ, or make a donation to a human rights charity. Don't boycott quality product like Apple because you read an article and failed to understand the context.


You sir, are the fool. Firstly for debasing my opinion with pedestrian invective and secondly for failing to read what I wrote very clearly about not wanting to engage in debate over this issue as it is what I feel personally about the topic.. Finally, I have the freedom of understanding what I want from what I read, you are not in any position to deride my views on any subject. Ethics and good conscience are important to me, if they aren't to you that's fine and as for your argument of pointing out the speck in others eyes and not seeing the log in yours, I just have this to say; this is not basketball and attack is not the best form of defense.
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I had decided to get a mac first but after reading the NYT article on their factories in China I cannot in good conscience buy any Apple product, I know everybody else probably does the same and so on but it's just a personal decision and I'm not looking to start a debate,

Read before you write!!
phatbob 7:49 PM - 5 February, 2012
I did read it. But I can't let such a naive and ill-informed opinion pass without comment.

You posted it to a public forum. Expect to be challenged.
Paco71 7:49 PM - 5 February, 2012
I respect your choice, but... Where acer laptops are made ?

Just sayin'
signs 8:06 PM - 5 February, 2012
Check this out:
blog.dubspot.com
Papa Midnight 8:10 PM - 5 February, 2012
Shots fired.
djcerla 12:04 AM - 6 February, 2012
Actually, Apple just posted an exhaustive report on suppliers responsability, something that hardly any other company does.

The NYT article has been factually confuted by not only Apple itself, but also by no-profit institutions that are monitoring worker's conditions in China.

It also came suspiciously timed just days after Obama's speech about taking back "iPhone" work in the USA. Don't forget the guy has elections ahead ;)
Deckgeneral 9:01 PM - 19 February, 2012
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I've been deejaying a long time, I learnt on cassette decks and turntables.. those were the days DJ's carried a pen in their pocket so we could cue the cassette's at high speed (fast back then) I've used domestic cd walkmans for gigs, hifi turntables, playstation one's to play cd's and so on.. eventually I graduated to pro cd players, my first was the Numark cdn 18 that lasted me 5 years before I sold it, in that time I bought a Numark cdn 88 and a Numark cdn 25 (both of which still work perfectly) infact I used the cdn 88 on friday night to play some function specific cd's.. My first mixer was a 2 channel dj citronic mixer that I bought from my teacher and it has lasted 8 years with me and he used it for 5 years before I bought it, it still works although the faders are quite stiff but they work fine, I have a russian mixer that's name I can't pronounce and it's well over 20 years old, giant PA club install type and even though I haven't touched it in 5 years it still works stiff faders and all, I have a 19inch Monacor mixer that I bought used in 2005 and its well over 15 years old and I still use it at gigs and it works fine (I replaced the line faders) my original turntables, one Hitachi and one Soundlab both still work fine and I bought them used in 2004, Lord knows how old they are, they did active duty at a club for better than 10 years before I bought them. I went digital, bought a hercules dj console rmx (supposedly cheap quality) in 200, still works perfectly despite being my primary tool for about 2 years, I'm not even talking about sound equipment here because it would be too much, I used the hercules on friday night too, my behringer mixer also bought used in 2009 has worked for atleast 5 years no drama at all, also used on friday night, I bought my NS6 end of Aug 2011 and I love it, use it at my weekend residency and it hasn't broken yet even though the platter on the right deck has already gotten wobbly (from practicing tears I guess) but you know what's broken at least a dozen times? The damn software! it is so frustrating for me to have to constantly worry about sound dropouts every time I play, I have dealt with hundreds of different situations as a mobile dj but this is on a whole new psychological trauma level! it's like losing a slap bet, you never know when you'll get hit! I hate that! I have followed computer optimization to the letter, I calibrate my platters everytime I start up, my library is clean of corrupt files.. everything cook and curry, but it still happens! I downloaded the latest ITCH 2.1 and guess what? I have been forced to use beat grids, I hate beat grids, I'm not going to waste what little time I have gridding my music, I play a whole diverse variety of music, it's all I can do just to make sure I have the music that everyone wants to hear without worrying about the damned beat grids! I posted to ask if there's a way to disable them and there's been no response.. My style revolves around auto loops and these beat grids issue is driving me nuts, so I'm back to ITCH 2.0 oh well that's not even the worst, want to know the kicker?
I saved up like mad and bought a used pair of Numark TT1650 turntables, I got ripped off but meh, there are no turntables in the shops here so you get what you can, and saved some more and on 29 Dec 2011 I achieved my dream and bought the Rane TTM57SL new from the official dealer here in Kenya. I only use it in my room to practice with the turntables, never taken it for a gig ever. And on Thur night I go and switch on and nothing.. no reaction nothing! 12 days and a 1450 dollar machine just dies! Without ever being used for a professional gig even once! I have to make it clear that the Rane/Serato support is fantastic and they have been nothing but helpful always. But that still doesn't take away from the fact that a machine that is considered the pinnacle of performance in it's class just dies in 12 days! It still has that new smell dammit! Ok I have sent it to Nairobi to the dealer for repair and I'm waiting for word from them on what the issue is and so on, what irks me is that I will pay for the shipping back and forth, I don't have my mixer (that I paid a premium for) to practice on for God knows how long and it's messed up my daily schedule, I keep wondering now if it will break all the time now after I get it back, my confidence in high end Serato products is just shattered.
Funnily enough I bought a Vestax Typhoon to use with DJ INTRO about 2 months back and it has never let me down yet, not once, no dropouts, I run it off an older laptop with a first gen dual core processor and it kicks ass every time, it has been more reliable than ITCH and SCRATCHLIVE for me, amazingly, all the cheap and used products that I have bought have never let me down even once over the years but the high end premium products have let me down consistently over a very short period of time.
It's so disappointing for me especially since I've always held Rane/Serato in such high regard and sacrificed so much so that I could own their products and it's like a kick in the nuts when they keep failing me.
I'm not a superstar DJ, I'm just trying to better my situation through music and it really kills me that these products that are tools to help me change my life for the better are actually making it worse.
Sad.


Go Back to Cassette Decks Mate, if you prefer them, the world will then be your Oyster.... But Quit moaning on here