This is something that I've been thinking about quite a bit since I started DJ'ing with Traktor. One of the things I've noticed is that there's something far more compelling about watching a DJ who's using more traditional decks (vinyl/cd) than someone who's permanently glued to their laptop screen.
As I'm currently building a flightcased Traktor controller (with built in laptop/pc, soundcard, etc) I thought I'd try and tackle this problem. What I came up with is inspired by the teleprompters that politicians use to make speeches.
The way these work, for those who don't know, is a bit of glass that reflects a tv/display screen that's mounted at the bottom of the teleprompter stand. The audience can see through the teleprompter glass because it's a two-way mirror but the speechmaker can see a reflection of the display below the stand.
Now, the ones that politicians use are incredibly expensive, high quality glass. But you can get much cheaper two-way mirrors and honestly you don't need anything too amazing as long as you can see all the necessary stuff within Traktor/Ableton. Check this $99 one out:
http://www.telepromptermirrors.com/ebay/frame22.jpg
So, when playing a set, it would appear to the crowd that you're starring through a bit of slightly darkened glass. But actually you're looking at your DJ software!
Anyone who doesn't think this is a problem worth solving should ask themselves why tv presenters / politicians use them. Sure, you can read a speech from a sheet of paper, but it's a much stronger delivery when you give your audience eye contact (imho at least).
Thoughts?
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