Switching from Macbook to Surface Pro 3

[DJSamsonite]

So here it is, the groove, slightly transformed…

I was asked to DJ a gig at the Microsoft Lounge. Cool, I’m with it. Good people, good vibes. “But there’s just 1 thing… no apple products.” Now you need to know a little something about me. I’ve been DJ-ing for 25 years. I know how to mix with 2 turntables and a microphone. However, since adopting the digital revolution of Serato, I utilize a lot of loops and effects in my sets. In fact, with the release of Serato DJ, I use flips and samples too. My 2 setups include a NS7 (soon to be traded in for a NS7II) and an Akai AMX with AFX and Serato remote on iPad. I used a pc laptop once before but found it problematic and made the jump to Mac about 4 years ago. I haven’t looked back. I currently rock a 2011 Macbook Pro with 16gb ram and a 1 tb internal HDD (about 45% used). I use itunes to manage my playlists (I learned that lesson after having my serato playlists disappear 1 day). I back up my itunes folder every month and I have 2 time machine backups (1 at home, and 1 at office). I’ve had my vinyl collection warp and scratch in travelling, as well as some stolen. So let’s not make this about vinyl vs. digital. It’s apple vs. pc. Actually it’s really just about Surface Pro 3.

So in order to do this No Apple Zone gig. Someone loaned me a Surface Pro 3 to use. They gave me an i7 1.7Ghz 8GB Ram, 256GB internal. It came with the optional keyboard but not the docking station. I strongly suggest the docking station. For 2 main reasons- 1, it gives you an easier way to prop up the SP3 and 2, the additional USB ports. It comes with 1 USB 3.0. This became a problem that I address later (#2).

First issue: Drivers and Software. I had to find the drivers (Numark and Akai) I’m pretty sure I went through this with my Macbook, but I just don’t remember. So the process of troubleshooting and trying to figure out why it wasn’t working had me on my heels early. I found the drivers I needed at:
http://www.numark.com/product_category/controllers click on your controller, and the downloads will be on the right side of screen.
http://www.akaipro.com/category/dj-controllers click on the AFX (and AMX) and then “Docs and Downloads”
Serato crashed a couple times trying to find an iTunes folder that didn’t exist (I was trying to just get serato up and test it). So I had to install itunes before connecting Serato. (be sure to click itunes box in serato’s folder management so it’ll read your library). It took some hours, bu issue solved!

Second issue: Crashed with USB 2.0 Hub. So once I had everything up and running, it would get overwhelmed by the amount of USB info running through my 2.0 hub. I went and bought a 3.0 powered hub (1 more thing to plug into power strip) and it did the trick. The main bummer with this is – my mobile rig doesn’t need power (laptop and ipad have battery and akai stuff is usb powered) so now if someone accidentally yanks the power cord, the hub dies and I lose all communication and audio. Just gotta make sure my power strips are yank proof. Issue worked around!

Third issue: External USB 3.0 drive. Since my library is so big, I had to get an external drive. And since it has USB 3.0, I might as well get a 3.0 drive. Not that expensive, but I felt like after all the USB issues I already had, I just HAD to get a 3.0 drive. Issue solved!

Fourth issue: 32 bit. Speaking of large library, seems a lot of people have experienced serato crashing when trying to load large libraries. From what my geek friends tell me – Serato is 32 bit (x86) software. And though it WILL run in 64 bit environment, it has a built in limit of 2gb of ram. So no matter how much ram I upgrade to, Serato will only use 2gb, making it prone to crashing. Especially when loading videos, writing meta tags, and recording. The solution I found was http://www.ntcore.com/4gb_patch.php. Apparently, it will quickly rewrite the .exe file to remove the flag that restricts the virtual memory usage. No spam, no viruses. A quick and easy fix and it totally worked!!! No more crashes. Issue solved!

Fifth issue: Light pen. Ok, I’m getting picky now but this pen is ridic! It has a little button on the side that if you accidentally click it, it opens an annoying note program. I’m sure I can disable this somehow but, I’m already tired of messing with it – I just wanna DJ. Not to mention it’s gonna get lost. I tied a lanyard to it and put it out of the way. Issue worked around!

Sixth issue: Screen too small. The advantage is that it’s small and portable, and this shouldn’t be a problem if you’re not staring at the screen for your whole set. I actually appreciate that it made me stop being Serato face, and I was able to interact with the crowd better. Issue worked around!

So all these issues were addressed in the short time I had to prep for the gig. The gig went well. I used the Numark NS7FX. The Surface Pro 3 sat in the laptop tray just perfectly. I was super nervous it would get knocked out. I will continue to play with it and give updates. But as of now, though I was talking MAAAAD *ish about it at first, once I figured out what I was doing, I really enjoyed it. I know ther's not a lot of PC DJ's out there, but I'd love to hear about your tips and tricks.

For future updates: No Android or windows version of Serato remote (total bummer). But will update after I try it with an iPad but since that won’t be an option at any of these Microsoft events, I’m not really sweating it.

[Stazbumpa]

This post was interesting, I've been mulling over a Windows tablet as a possible replacement for my (Win7) laptop. I don't touch Apple gear at all, never have and never will. I'm also a Traktor user so I don't know how that will square with the Surface 3.

[Scribbl3]

I've been considering making the switch to a Surface Pro 3 for DJing. I have a windows 8 dell venue that I use for my light show. The screen (10.6) is just too small to DJ with.

The driver issue you had is something that us Mac users just don't have to deal with much. A PC needs drivers most of the time, a mac doesn't. The only time I've had to deal with a "driver" issue on my mac, I had to actually dig in and change a 1 to a 0... all to get a DMX dongle to work.

Just curious, what all are you plugging into the USB to get it to crash?

[Nitrotix]

I have a high end MSI laptop. The MSI GS60 Ghost 3k Pro. It's loaded with hardware, making it alot better than the best MBP available. I don't mind Apple and Macbooks, but paying close to 3 grand for a laptop is out of my price range. I got mine for $2,300 However, Windows 8 is absolute SHIT when it comes to processing external devices and controllers and anything audio. I would get windows 7, but you have to pay for a downgrade to the Ultimate Edition. I have a torrented copy but I have to back up my iTunes library before resetting the OS. I have to go out and buy cables to use my Akai EIE Pro as an external soundcard for my APC40.
The Surface seems like a good choice. I would've gotten it if it had a better GPU and more RAM.

[DJSamsonite]

Here's a photo of the night:

Microsoft Lounge.jpg

I don't touch Apple gear at all, never have and never will. I'm also a Traktor user so I don't know how that will square with the Surface 3.

I've heard tractor works better with PC. I might have to play with it. I'm open to suggestions on how to make the move (someone start a new thread and link here).

Just curious, what all are you plugging into the USB to get it to crash?

The NS7FX uses 2 USB's plus the external drive. As I said, once I upgraded to the USB 3.0 hub, it all worked out. Maybe there was something wrong with the 2.0 hub I was using (though it worked fine on my Macbook).

[Psythik]

I know there's not a lot of PC DJ's out there

Maybe not when it comes to big-time DJs, but all my mobile DJ acquaintances use Windows. Most of us are too busy spending all our money on gear to afford a pricey Macbook!

[Stazbumpa]

Maybe not when it comes to big-time DJs, but all my mobile DJ acquaintances use Windows. Most of us are too busy spending all our money on gear to afford a pricey Macbook!

^ This guy speaks truth. I'm a club and bar DJ but I will bring my own decks and mixer as in my experience venues do not look after their installation properly and I've not trusted anything to work first time, all the time, since Technics SL's started disappearing from DJ booths. The day I'm earning thousands per gig might change my mind, but until then my Windows laptop works just fine.

@Samsonite: I've had nothing but good experiences with Traktor on Windows (I'm using Win7) but I don't know if it's better on PC than Serato. Glad you got the setup working in the end, the heads up on a USB 3 hub for USB 3 equipped laptop/tablet is obvious when you say it but enlightening nonetheless :-)

[DJAdeSands]

I've always maintained that a well set up, and well looked after lappy, kept for music/dj functions will work flawlessly. Win 8 ain't actually total crap, I rarely have issues with it

[DJSamsonite]

I've always maintained that a well set up, and well looked after lappy, kept for music/dj functions will work flawlessly. Win 8 ain't actually total crap, I rarely have issues with it

Hardly a raving review, but I see. I think any serious DJ should invest in equipment he can trust his rep to. Having said that, I'm getting closer to endorsing the Surface Pro 3 for professional DJ's. ESPECIALLY with that software hack, that allows serato to run more RAM. I'm gonna start playing with Tracktor eventually, but you know - old habits die hard.