Reducing the ‘checking your emails’ look when DJ’ing
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:
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).
Also, if the screen is mounted flush with the flightcase, then the mirror becomes a sort of protector… would definitely cut-down on rogue beers/drinks/fluids(!) being spilt on your expensive gear!
Moldover puts his laptop to the side, facing sideways - i dig that idea personally implement it whereever i can. thats not to say this isnt a good idea if you have a flight case though !
No one should have any networking devices enabled at all when your djing, wireless, ethernet or bluetooth. If you do your asking for audio dropouts most of the time.
I always keep my lappy toppy to the side far away, completely out of view of anyone not in the booth if possible. It usually is not possible. I consider an extra-long USB cable crucial equipment in my rig.
But I would gladly use a reflective Traktor HUD if ever given the chance.
I’ve addressed the “DJ using Facebook” issue by mapping my controller in a way that allows me to keep my hands completely off the computer touchpad/keyboard and on the mixer, controller, and drink glass.
The new Denon and NI auxiliary controllers are brilliant for this as well. I’d love to have either.
I think this is a good idea, but I’m a little worried about the precision. There’s also that crucial issue Stephen brought up.
I’m with the several posters who suggested putting the laptop to the side (i.e top of one of the turnables, rotated towards the center) + enough controllers that you don’t need to click around very often.
However - I would add a second, low profile lcd screen on the other side set to “clone” (we all splurged extra for the laptops with good discrete graphics adapters right?) so you can work on two sides like you would when checking out what’s happening with that vinyl/cd.
Of course, the extra display is more expensive and needs to be the same resolution as your laptop’s, but that could work..
Also:
“Aww, but I was like totally syncing two laptops with OSC while autotweeting my tracks through a tethered cellphone”
Oh come on that is a little extreme, I’ve never had a drop out and never bother disabling anything. Please give me a technical explanation on why having network adapters enabled effect audio because I call that being paranoid.
