Atomix Productions Virtual DJ Home Edition - 3.4 - 2006 User Guide
Contents
1. vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 pps 1 a p r E A N N W T P MI ili MM MABSP 2 4 User Guide E AN ONMIID PRODUCTIONS HOME INTERACTIVE vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 12 18 Page 2 User Guide lis imttodu SUL ONT Rivi NIIIN ERT ITTE USE EIE HET E TED LE ETA IST HITS TN 3 P UU el CTY Ca a R NE 102 4 Sie p kd po maija ko 110 BL nil ni MART NNN 6 4 TVG BP OWS EPE hIS ai 8 files Laiviera ji 8 FavortelkolmERSISS ms m s anna rr OOT SEOS ean IO Database he anna nn IO SUJJESTI ODE sena aarteen a TOTISET OSUI E OSSIN SI OSION ON IO Play stl HT aa ll MENU ton te III o a tt haa ll 5 Basi iGo tol Gee e a e eee geanmserazzenansereonannnnenasipan ena see tint ll REMUE eA tele pce cco he I ll Manua EIEN lel E EO Ds an oh aii SUUN le m 13 N IIN Kn mamman mano vamman n nino am cee neg PIIN 151 13 o OO L E N e 13 ziGCUES AN A E T E TA So Gant heal sis ovsceonesconscovrneuenvecsesseees SAACAN 14 Bai A STE TtT E E E e vann TE I5 E Samples E ei season i IS ee Sai pl Tron onana in net I6 PIUS el NE DES See a aaen ras E aeee 022 Mifipeiisnsonnsoneeo N I6 Recording oampleS e me asa aaae O anA I6 a ei ES Oi eE eee EE E Eere aea A o n vaan 17 Z ihe GEES aa Tanaan ARR 17 B Broadcasting AREcordihasmamossausais auors A aae aa a 18 n 2 fo ats j Bint le A AA Scere aana T IS nternet Broadcast ere a ee a ee Co aaiae 20 DE VIA E Ot E E eer PE RPT D me pve2. VirtualDJ including loops scratch time coded vinyls etc and the video will follow all your movements m VirtualDJ has a technology SubFrameRate which allows a video scratcher unequalled accuracy and fluid movements 10 If you have DVD video clips you can use the utility provided Rip DVD to copy the tracks from DVD to your hard disk in high quality VOB format When you play a video file a video window will open in VirtualDJ If your video card has a TV output or a second output screen connected you can specify in the video options to use this output in full screen instead of the windowed output only available in the Pro version a If your full screen output does not appear check that this output is 14 recognized in Windows and that Windows is dual monitor mode not clone For more information see vour video card instruction manua If vou plav audio files between vour video files vou can ask VirtualDJ to displav on the video screen fixed images that vou specifv Visual plug in compatible sonic visual animation which will display synthesized images in sync with the music You will be able to find of such plug in on our website virtualdj com or www site sonic com JP 21 D vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 12 18 Page 22 Transition effects When you mix from one turntable to another you can use different plug in to transition from one video clip to the other By default 4 trans
3. of music However in rare cases which the CBG is not correctly positioned on the beats of the song In this case you can easily carry out a manual correction Manual BPM Correction Click on button BPM to modify the BPM manually Adjust BPM Values x Edit Grid Edit Bpm Edit AutoMix Anchor 1 Set Beat Ki gt Anchor 2 Set Beat id gt Anchors distance 0 beats lt J gt Manual Beat Tap Cancel ses There are several methods to correct the BPM and the CBG Edit Grid Edit Bpm Edit AutoMix Simplest consists in fixing the disc to be corrected with a track whose BPM is already known then to click on copy from other deck Alternatively you can use the method of the anchors Adjust BPM Yalues E Edit Grid Edit Bpm Edit AutoMix Click on beat tap button during along with the track playing in order to approximate the bpm Anchor 1 Set Beat id gt 7 Anchor 2 Set Beat id gt Anchors distance m rr Then pause the track advance the track to the downbeat first beat and click on First anchor Then advance to the upbeat second beat ia and click on Second anchor Check that the number of beats ewl displayed corresponds well to the number of beats between the two anchors Go then further in the music and repeat the operation second anchor if you notice that the beats a
4. of the comment On left a list of directories You will find there some directories are special which we will talk about later as well as the folder desktop from which you will be able to explore all tracks across all scanned hard drives and local networks 4 While clicking on a directory while holding down the CTRL key you can add di to the list the contents of several directories use the option Show All in L the context menu available bv a right click on the directorv to automaticallv add the contents of all the sub directories S J 4 N To carry out same search in a different directory select the new directory g by holding down the SHIFT key you will keep the same search filter N A vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 12 18 Page 10 Favorite folders In order to simplify the tree structure you can define the default directories which you often use or quite simply the root directories containers your music like hits of 2005 Local DataBase To do this select a directory and to click on the aj Boy E Bureau icon favorites folder with a checkmark mm playlists we Music The directory selected will be added to the end Fiera of the list on the same level as the file desktop 8 To remove a favorite directorv from the list of the files select it and click again on the icon favorites Database Above the desktop folder a special directory named is Database or L
5. on the button effects on the lower window Chan 1 JN aorF A TK Filter V2 P vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 12 18 Page 18 VirtualDJ will then list in the list of left all the effects which are installed on your machine N All the compatible effect files are located in the directory Program FilesVirtualDJ Effects Vi The compatible effect files are written specifically for VirtualDJ or AtomixMP3 also effects compatible with VST standard NE Z To use one of the effects drag and drop it with the left button of your mouse from the list towards one of the 6 slots of effects The 3 slots on the left will apply to the left deck and the3 slots of right hand side are used for the right deck To activate an effect click on the center image of the slot The border around the slots makes it possible it to select a slot to regulate the parameters of the effect for example without activating it To deactivate the effect click the center of the image again Lastly the right hand side window is the zone where each effect displays its controls making it possible to regulate its various parameters This zone largely varies from one effect to another refer to the documentation of the effect for more specific information f There are hundreds of effects available in addition to those installed bv default within VirtualDJ You will be able to find many more on our website www
6. several configurations for external mixers and peripherals Use of Headphones VirtualDJ includes the ability to pre to listen to a track with the headphones without having to send it to the main output VirtualDJ has the following three sound configurations vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 12 18 Page 24 If you have a soundcard 4 1 or more having at least one output for the front speakers and another output for the rear speakers you can select from the configurations to connect your main speakers to the front output and your headphones to the rear output You will be able to then use the selector knobs to select the track which you will want to hear with the headphones e If your soundcard does not have two stereo outputs another solution consists of using a second soundcard for example an external USB sound card in addition to your computers internal soundcard and connecting the speakers one soundcard and the headphones on the other e The last solution consists if working mono the concept of stereo does not apply with nightclubs most are equipped into mono You separate your stereo output and to connect your speakers on left channel and your head phones on the right channel You can is to use a stereo splitter attention not to be confused with a stereo multiplier in other words a 1 8 stereo plug in to two rca phono plugs II OPTIONS VirtualDJ was designed to be very simple to use from the beginning and conseque
7. to communicate to evervone J tal n Caution To be able to listen to your mix the software of your listeners must be able to communicate with your computer via the Web Radio ser ver K That implies to authorize the VirtualDJ program to be reached via Internet network Perhaps it s necessarv for vou to configure vour computer and or the software firewall protecting vour connection Internet so as to autho rize entering and outgoing connections of the VirtualDJ software For more information vou refer to the instruction manual of vour cue o Broadcasting via a server If you work on existing Web Radio or quite simply if your own Web Radio became too large to be housed on your own computer you can broadcast on dedicated a Web Radio server VirtualDJ is compatible with the servers Ice Cast format ogg and Shout Cast for mat mp3 Enter the IP of your Web Radio server your login and password and VirtualDJ will automatically broadcast your mix on this server 9 Video In addition to mixing traditional audio VirtualDJ makes it possible to mix music video Indeed VirtualDJ enables you to use instead of audio files mp3 wma m4a video files avi mpg wmv vob seamlessly Select a video file in the browser Video files are distinguished by small a V blue on their icon and load it to either player the same way audio files are loaded You will be able to use all the functionalities of
8. virtualdj com You can also use any compatible effect VST which you will be able to find on Internet he If vou want to develop vour own effects an SDK Software Development Kit is also available on our website www virtualdj com it allows anvone having basic knowledge in programming C or Visual BASIC to create their effects easily 8 Broadcasting Recording VirtualDJ also enables you to record or broadcast your mix Click on the record button on the lower window ku RECORD FILE CID D BURNCD sa ji VN n N sine START RECORDING O eroapcast There are three types of recording e Recording to a file hard disk e Recording to CD ROM audio e Broadcasting on the internet d You can select the type of recoding by clicking on the corresponding image in the left part of the window In the options can specify Record file config e Record your mix directly master Record from Master C Master MIC e Record vour mix and another audio source such C the IN as a microphone ILE Auto Start File e Record only from the line in of your soundcard HII VT example using the record out of your mixer into the FZ Prompt if overwrite line in on your soundcard J Split in multiple files p Format The other adjustments of the options window d e pe n d O n th e ty p e of se ected reco rd n g l Encoder C Program FilestWirtualDJijame enc d Bitrate 192 Kbs gt VirtualD
9. well between two pieces as a signal to change partner or visit the bar This is also known as rotating your dance floor This makes many club owners happy Traditionally the DJ mixes a track in two phases Initially they will modify the speed of the disc in order to equal the speed of the current track This stage is necessary to prevent the songs from clashing but instead give synchronized beats The speed of music is measured in BPM Beats per Minute this measures the number of beats over one minute in time A song with 160 BPM is very fast whereas a song with 60 BPM is very slow The traditional DJ uses the pitch adjustment on the turntables which is used to accelerate or slow down the number of revolutions of the disc and thus to modify its AW e BPM In VirtualDJ the BPM is calculated automatically as soon as you load a track to either player and the pitch is adjusted automatically Then once BPM s are the same it is necessary to sync or line up the beats so the two tracks sound as one Traditionally the DJ will put their headphone on only one ear listening with their free ear to the mix which the public hears and with the other ear the music which they want to introduce also known as cueing They will then accelerate or slow down the disc by putting hand on the record and or pitch controls in order to synchronize the beats In VirtualDJ the rhythm window indicates the position of the beats of each song allow
10. E aa ae T ee el milkansition UG GS a E TTT E A R ee OPtMIZAtIO least a TT rn can RrE nn eS er a acon ena Poon ener oreo ea ee eae eaan ee EE lie ke AG i ara G REAARA ee 23 IO Connections and Use of External Peripheral s ssssssssssssessssessssesssseesssessssessssessssessseessaeesseesess 23 UH ey ke E A f 23 ODON SA I a A A DA Pt E E E T ML 24 Soli Coil 4 Arkea a eee 24 EAS s n 4 A Yh tt o at H E JETIT 24 a FEEN nnas A TJ 25 o S 1 26 IK EUD OSKOL SO ELCUTS Lm mannsenanvans ena ita e6 EX LE STOA E AT A EEr e6 SAA la l a AE A IIN SE THAN ote eee a LE 26 Introduction Hello and welcome to Virtual DJ VirtualDJ is software written by DJ s for DJ s It s used by Pro Dj s Club Dj s and Bedroom DJ S worldwide Rest assured there is something for everyone in virtualdj Whether in the bedroom or the club you can count on Virtual DJ to be your application of choice Best of all the software can grow with you VirtualDJ conceived to be simple to use from the beginning However a few days of use you will discover the hidden functions and possibilities Don t be fooled simplicity of the interface you will quickly realize the potential of customization and personalization of this software is impressive Lastly VirtualDJ benefits from a devoted and knowledgeable community who will be delighted to share their knowledge and experiences with you Please take a moment to visit our website w
11. J enables you to record your mix session in or audio files Recording in File Mode Inside the recording options you will be able to select if you wish to record in WAV format not compressed or in MP3 format Caution depending your version of VirtualDJ The MP3 encoder may not be ae installed by default If it is the case you can download the LAME encoder available free on Internet then to specify in VirtualDJ the way or it can find the file lame enc DLL You can also specify VirtualDJ if you wish to record your session in only one large audio file or if you prefer it to file separated by track If you choose to separate the tracks you will be able is to use the button cut to change track manually or use the function auto cut which will change track automa tically to each time you pass the cross fader from one side to the other Recoding Bin amp Cue VirtualDJ also enables you to burn your own mixed CD which you will be able to then listen on any CD player or car stereo When you select this option VirtualDJ will record your session in files CUE and BIN These files ready to burn with all information necessary to your burner including the name of the tracks for the readers of audio CD compatible with standard CDTEXT me vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 12 18 Page 20 Open your cd buring software provided with your burner and open the CUE BIN file you just recorded Your b
12. asily as if each play list were a separate directory You will also find there is special play list named working In order to fill the play list in progress working list build a new play list by dragging tracks into the panel on right hand side who will open automatically when you hover over with the mouse You can use the button lock lock amp in bottom of the panel to block TA its movement You can also lock it then to reduce its size to zero if you do not wish that it open automaticallv Once desired track slipped into the play list window lt to transfer these tracks towards the play list in progress or working list You will be able to then browse freely between the directory working and the other directories Menu context listen Edit comment Edit Bpm By right clicking on a directory or a track you will reach many Rename other options allowing you to copy to move to re elect to erase men your files or to modify the comments Re to analyze titles to add ee to remove from the database and also to rip a CD into MP3 aida Add to search DB etc ann Remove From search DB Analyse gt 5 Basics Controls Each player or deck has basic controls to play and modify the music The nature and the position of these controls depend on the skin used but generally in addition to traditional Play Pauses and the Pitch following controls are found Rhuthm Window Above the pla
13. ce immediately during another track announcing the following title VirtualDJ offers to you a great help for all these effects of remix allowing your scratches to set out right on beat creating your loops for you automatically and seamlessly or playing of the automatically synchronized samples and sound effects Once again VirtualDJ will help you with all the technical part of these effects letting to you to devote yourself to the artistic side of your mixes VirtualDJ also offers a whole arsenal of new effects to you inaccessible to the traditional DJ Virtual DJ will give you the edge over your DJ competition and allow you to truly express and explore your creativity PPT vdjmanueluk gxd 16 05 2006 12 18 Page 8 4 The browser Files In mode music the central window displays a list of music files These are the compatible files i e whose extension is associated to decoder in VirtualDJ to see Options Extensions the extensions are listed in the config menu For each file the title of the song and its author is listed its duration it s BPM and a possible comment You can modify the size of each column individually or to entirely hide it A click on a column makes it possible to sort according to this column The name of the author and the title are automatically filled if your file is named according to conventions author title ext or author title ext or if the file has information ID3 o
14. e turntable Skin Choose which interface you like best You will find several unique skins available on our website www virtualdj com You easily create your own interface skin using a simple paint program More information is on our website Keyboard Shortcuts This list enables you to modify or add the short cuts keyboard You can also add to it short cuts for midi controllers If you wish to create complicated actions macro it s easier for you to create seve ral short cuts for the same key with successive actions VirtualDJ will carry out all the actions associated with this key in the order where they appear Extensions You can specify for each extension of file how VirtualDJ will decode it You can associate unknown extensions with external decoders such as Windows Media Player Video Decoder or the OuickTime decoder You can also choose to add or ignore certain types of file by adding or removing its extension from this menu Video You will be able to control all the parameters concerning mixing video clips See the Video section of this manual for more information Legal Informations p ATOMIX PRODUCTIONS http www atomixproductions com contact atomixproductions com Virtual DJ Copyright Copyright 1997 2005 Atomix Productions Tous Droits R serv s Num ro IDDN FR 001 040012 01 R C 2000 000 31400 Trademarks The Logo is a registered trademark of Atomic Productions VirtualDJ i
15. el on the CUES Panel only 5 cues are posted but an infinite are availa ble via the shortcuts keyboard or other skins 037 0 0 e E m 1 Nh x A ERSS o You can also name your CUE points In the Cues panel i 00 14 10 1 Ma right click in the center and type the name of the cue 0510 0 Once a CUE point is placed it will also appear on the loa O 700 o ding bar below the turntable o NK where a right click enables you to erase it or rename it JINGLE JINGLE JINGLE JINGLE 9 10 O 11 12 2 TaT Lastly when you arrive near the CUE you will see his exact position in the rhythm 100 a 600 ode D cmo aem am siren saxo put your push pump it up this this this Empty Empty Empty Empty Empty Empty hands up JP 14 vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 12 18 Page 16 Types of sample VirtualDJ works with two types of samples linear one shot samples and circular looping samples The linear samples are samples which have a beginning and an end and which does not have an intrinsic rhythm Typically they are sound effects and other effects noise of siren applause The circular samples are them samples which have an intrinsic rhythm and which can be repeated forever Typically they are loops taking again the melody or the gimmick of a title Playing Samples To play a sample click on its name or its volume if the sampler is NLE configured in the auto p
16. g able mix musical video clips the video engine of VirtualDJ also makes it possible to plav karaoke files J VirtualDJ compatible with the files is karaoke as well with format DVD CDG as well MP3 G WAV G WMA G OGG G etc as well as zip files When you use CDG files VirtualDJ posts in the explorer of files two files for each song e The first having an icon with K blue is the video karaoke file If you drag and drop on a turntable VirtualDJ automatically will load the audio track on the turntable and the words on the video e The second having a normal icon is the audio file only You can use it in your mix audio when you wish to use the music without words This file will not cause the loading of the texts on the video Lastly you can also bind files CDG with their audio counterpart directly in a file ZIP lt gt in which case only the file karaoke video will appear in the explorer of VirtualDJ In order to avoid indexing all the files zip present on your computer VirtualDJ does not consider by default the zip files karaoke If you use it will L be necessarv vou to add in the options extension the extension ZIP and to associate it the decoder of karaoke IO Connections and Use of External Peripherals VirtualDJ can be used just as it is however the majority of the professional users will not be satisfied mixing with Just a keyboard and mouse Fortunately VirtualDJ is compatible with
17. ing you to easily see whether the songs are well matched or synced The Beat Lock button allows the music to remain in sync automatically even if the track is shifted This is a technically difficult task for a traditional DJ VirtualDJ takes the load of the new DJ thus avoiding long months of practice and set building allowing you to focus your attention on the artistic part in your mix The fact is Letting the computer mix the tracks for you does not remove anything from your talent as a DJ quite the opposite If a DJ spends 5 seconds or 2 minutes to mix a track in their headphones it will not make any difference to the audience This is not the difference between a good and a bad DJ Lastly the third task for DJs most talented is modifying the music with various effects or by mixing various tracks or samples in order to create an impression of remix and to give a more personal and artistic key to their mixes The effects traditionally used are the scratch loops and samples The scratch consists of creating an entire new sound by playing a small portion of a disc of before behind number of revolutions modulating the tonality of the sound The loops consist of isolating a passage from a title and playing it in loop in such a way that the end of the loop starts again fluidly on its beginning thus prolonging the duration of a passage The samples consist of playing a gimmick it s or phrases of a music which identifies the pie
18. itions are installed cut insipid zoom and cubic but many others are available on our website www virtualdj com The video can use a separate cross fader located in the central window under the Video button in the default skin or you can in the options link the video cross fader to the audio cross fader in order to use only the traditional audio cross fader Also in order to enrich your mix video you can apply video effects Some effects are installed by defect but many others are available on Internet site www virtualdj com or http freeframe sourceforge net Video 21 Attention certain effects use all the potential of the modern video cards and are likely not to be compatible with all the video cards Refer to the documentation of each effect You can also easily create your own effects if you have some knowledge in programming A SDK is available on our website www virtualdj com The realizable field of the applications with the video effects is very vast improvement of the image tunnel effects web cam posting of SMS etc etc Optimization The mix video remains much heavier in resources than mixing audio also certain optimizations will be perhaps necessary for full frame rate video especially if you want to use files DVD in high definition Several parameters determine the speed to which VirtualDJ decompresses and displays its video Mainly they are the quantity of memory present on your video card the speed of y
19. ivity If your computer is not powerful enough and you hear jumps in the music when you use VirtualDJ you can try to reduce this value increasing the programs latency Read ID3 Tags Ask VirtualDJ to recover information of title and comment in the tags of files MP3 and iTunes and to store them in its internal base Attention this option can increase considerably the time of browsing directories Write ID3 Tags Ask VirtualDJ to safeguard a copy of the information stored in the internal database directly in the tags files of your MP3 s You will be able thus to use these files mp3 on another computer and automatically to find your cues comments etc Scrolling Allows reversing the direction of the scrolling curves rhythm window Disc Allows selecting the spinning rate of the virtual turntables default 331 3 turns Pitch Range Allows reducing the range of pitch in order to increase the precision and to reduce the maximum and minimal values that the slider will be able to take Fame Bpm Engine Chooses between the two algorithms available for the analysis of the BPM The first algorithm Techno house bases itself on the detection of the beats in the music and is particularly effective on music with the marked beat whereas the second any music bases itself on the melody and will be more effective on music like the rock n roll or the salsa The second algorithm requires more resources machi ne than the first Auto B
20. lay very practical for use of keyboards or midi controllers such as the UC33 If it acts of a linear sample the sound of the sample will be played in addition to the players If it acts of a circular looping sample the speed of the sample will be modified in order to sync with the active deck and the sample will start with the position nearest making it possible to synchronize the rhythm of the sample with the active deck mistaken in the principal selection of the active deck If two decks play the same volume without counting the external mixing and are desynchronized the sampler will be fixed on the active deck Attention Use of an external mixer VirtualDJ can sometimes be siren Recording Samples It s easy to record samples To record a linear sample one shot click the button to begin the recording and once again to stop it The sample will be recorded from the active deck turnta green including any modifications such as pitch tempo and equalization will be recorded Va The deck does not need to be played to record a sample You may precisely position beginning of your sample then click on the JINGLE ae button then advance the player to the end of the desired sample and click on JINGLE again Vou cannot record scratching since oniv starting position and the ending position are taken into account not the movements carried out in between SS To record a circular looping sample load a
21. mputer The skip button located in the panel remix enables you to move in the song with the minimum of audible Prem cuca Tee oes BBS nee Tolle This will enable you for example to shorten a long track Finally the button length enables you to reduce or increa by bringing you closer his end by skipping beats not fast se the duration of the loop Attention you will then loose forwarding part of your loop that VirtualDJ had calculated automati Cally fb Another interesting effect of skips makes it possible to carrv out pass pass automaticallv bv using oniv one turntable dB Vou can also decide to create vour loop manuallv Right click on the rota ry button shift to place the entrance point and on the rotary button Make a short cut for pass pass beat juggling or configure a skip on a different num length for the exit point ber of beat in temporary mode The Function x skip 9 is exclusive to VirtualDJ Cues A CUE is a marker that is placed on a song in order to be able to return easily or just in order to name and visualize a passage 6 Samples lt gt i VirtualDJ enables you to place an infinite number of cue points per song VirtualDJ has a powerful sampler open it by clicking the Sample button these will be automaticallv safeguarded and memorized for each song pr JIE Drag a song on this deck to load it To set a CUE points use the central pan
22. nd the CBG shift Normally two or three anchors should be enough to obtain a CBG which is accurate on the beats of the beginning until the end of the track Beat match The button beat match allows two tracks to play in sync With the first click VirtualDJ will adjust the pitch if that were not already done automatically with the loading of the song in order to equalize BPMs then fluidly will catch up with the music of other player as long as you keep the button press attention keep the button pressed until the tracks sync a simple click will cause only to modify the pitch To carry out synchronization VirtualDJ will accelerate or slow down the player over one duration ranging between zero and a beat Thus the correction is done fluidly Loops The button enables you automatically to loop the track in progress to a measure 4 beats You can modify the number of beats on which the loop is carried out e Using the center panel called Remix e Using the right mouse button EH is clicking on the left part of the button to decrease the size of the loop or on the right part to increase it JB vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 12 18 Page 14 b The number of beat of the loop is displayed in the panel Remix 9 Skips Vou can also modifv the number of beats loop while the loop is active That makes it possible to carry out interesting effects of remix and which are available today only to DJs using a co
23. ntly much of the advanced functionalities are not accessible directly However you will discover quickly that VirtualDJ hides many advanced possibilities in its options Sound Card You can select in the drop down list the image corresponding to your connection then to choose which soundcard you would like to use General Multi Users allows use parameters comments point s cues etc Different for each user Use windows user management to create your various users Security Prevent from accidentally loading a track on top of one already playing it will be necessary for you to stop a turntable before being able to load a new track Also prevent the accidental closing of VirtualDJ while music is still playing Auto Update Automatically check for new versions of Virtual DJ internet connec tion required Charts Authorize VirtualDJ to send anonymous statistics on your sessions compile a chart automatically songs the most played all over the world available on the www site virtualdj COM No personal information will be collected Tool tip Enable or disable the tool tip windows hover mouse over skin buttons PP 24 Max Load specify the duration maximum beyond which the track will not be loaded in memory and consequently of many functions of VirtualDJ will not be available any more This function amongst other things makes it possible to be able to play long tracks without overloading the memory of your computer React
24. ny questions you may have Happy mixing The work of a disc jockey can be divided into three tasks e Choose The music programming e Mixing the music e Modifying the music remix The first task consists in choosing the correct music which depends obviously on the type of evening and your style but generally a good practice is to avoid playing all the hits from the very start of the evening but keep some in reserve to generate new interest when your audience starts to become tired This is what makes the difference between a good and a bad DJ and that s where your talent and your experience will make the difference Read your crowd VirtualDJ helps you a little bit by giving you a fast and instant access to all your tit les playlists and a list of suggestions It s ultimately up to you to decide what makes your audience move The software cannot replace your talent The second task consists in mixing the tracks i e to put the new track that you want to play at the same rhythm as the preceding title DJs are accustomed to connecting their track in a fluid way by keeping a constant flow of music In order to give to the public the impression that music is seamless to avoid disruptions in dancing This applies only to a certain category of music where the rhythm is very pronoun ced such as house hip hop or rnb It is not necessary to mix pieces of rock roll where the public expects to hear a transition marked
25. ocal Database This directory lists all the music on your hard disk s and allows you to carry out a search on all files and across several disks if scanned or loaded before This is very practical when you want to play a particular track of which you know the name but you are unsure of the location or directory of the file In order to populate this list VirtualDJ will require you to scan your discs in the search of your musical files and will build a list which it will then keep in memory Attention This list is not updated automatically If you add new files or move files you will have to re scan quick scan your discs to keep this list up to date Suggestion Box Between Database and the Office another special repertory is named suggestion box This directory suggests in an intelligent way the tracks which would play well next VirtualDJ will learn the way you mix and the sequences of tracks you play Then compile a list of suggestions Attention considering the list of suggestions is based on your previous Virtual DJ sessions use your own judgment and avoid creating the same set session after ses sion The goal of this list is not to replace your musical choice but rather to remind you of tracks if you have a difficult time deciding what to play next PP 10 Play list Lastly is the directory named play list VirtualDJ automatically saves the histories of your preceding sessions allowing you to refer to them e
26. our graphics processor GPU the speed of your main frame CPU and incidentally the speed of your hard disk Also the type of file played influence largely A file mpegi is indeed faster to decompress than a file vob contrary to the generally accepted ideas a file DVD vob is not a not compressed file it is a file compressed in mpeg2 the standard of compression of the DVD In the same way a file in 320x240 is faster to decompress than a file in 720x576 By defect VirtualDJ decompresses only one of both videos loaded if the cross fader is such as only one will be visible It saves machine time thus and makes it possible the software to turn on weaker configurations However that may result in small jolts at the time of the transitions If your configuration is sufficiently powerful it is advised to notch the box decode while hidden to obtain more fluid transitions Lastly if you use a full screen output it is more effective to use a card having two outputs rather than to use two separate graphics boards In all the cases it is much more effective to use a mode of resolution with the same number of colors on your video exit as on your principal exit And finally it is not used for nothing to choose a resolution much higher than the resolution of your video files A resolution of 800x600 will be sufficient if you use files DVD highresolution if not choose a resolution of exit of 640x480 AW 22 Karaoke In addition to bein
27. pm Enable the auto beat matching engine in virtual dj Auto Gain With always OdB VirtualDJ will automatically modify the level of the tracks to compensate for the differences in volumes of the files mp3 to always obtain a level of OdB With always match the volumes of both decks will always be the same Disable removes all gain correction from the track Auto Pitch Reset Resets Pitch slider to 0 on track load Auto Eg Reset Automatically resets the three band EO on track load Auto Cue Advances track position to the first cue point if one exists or with the first beat of the song if no cue exists and if the option always is selected when loading a new track Force Fade During automatic mixing a simple fade is used tempo and cut auto mix is disabled Fade Length Specify the duration of the fade time during automatic mixing set to O to play tracks from start to finish vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 12 18 Page 26 Cross fader Selects the curve of the cross fader For more flexibility on the curves it is possible to use plug in which make it possible to draw the curve very precisely Limiter Automatic limiting device which prevents the sound level from passing OdB Time Stretch Activate the algorithm which makes it possible to modify the speed of the track without changing the pitch Disengage Beat Lock Automatically disengage Beat Lock at the time of the loading of a new track or with the change of activ
28. r iTunes and if the reading of the tags is activated in the options You can modify the way in which the title and the author are extracted from thefile by using a plug in parser see the section developers of the Web site The duration and the BPM are calculated automatically when you load a title to either turntable and are then memorized in the internal data base of the software One indicates that this title has a pronounced beat and that you will want pro bably mix with the tempo One indicates that the file is corrupted probably fol lowing a bad remote loading and that it may finish abruptly or they may be exces Sive noise in the track The icon in front of each file indicates This title is unknown and was never player or scanned in VirtualDJ O And thus has information neither of BPM nor duration This title is known Ab 8 The title was plaved during this session Indicates a video file Indicates a Karaoke File 273 At the top of the list of the files is the search which allows you to filter the files listed in the current directory by displaying only those including all or part of the text you enter Filtering Searching is instant and it is generally not necessary to type the text in its entirety some letters will be enough to reduce the list to the single title which you seek Filtering takes place at the same time on the file name on the name of the directory and on the text
29. s a registered trademark of Atomix Productions Reproduction of this manual in full or in part without express written permission from Atomix Productions Windows and DirectX are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation License and restrictions According to the EULA End User License Agreement accepted by every user upon Installation of Virtual DJ You May not make or distribute copies of Virtual DJ or electronically transfer Virtual DJ from one computer to another over a network You may not decompile reverse engineer disassemble or otherwise reduce Virtual DJ to less than human perceivable form You may not modify or create derivate works from Virtual DJ You may not sell to rent to transfer or sublicense the software You may not sell to rent to transfer or sublicense hardware on which the software is installed without written prior agreement of Atomix Productions A Special Thanks To Yannick Biet Damien Schmit Nicolas Leger Chris Anson Federico Hortega Gw na l Despr s Jason Tucher dj CEL Rune Gjerde and all the Support Team PPT vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 12 18 7 Page 28 Virtual DJ Serial Number www virtualdj com www focus h home com
30. track to the deck make a loop using the deck looping controls then click on once The loop is automatically recorded PP 16 If you click on without to have defined of loop on the turntable a 4 beat loop will beautomatically recorded Once your sample is recorded and if you want to save it for future K sessions you must then click on the option button and select the menu save In any case the default samples will be reloaded next VirtualDJ session Samples Options Load Options the small round button to the right of the sample Save number opens the menu context ee e Load Save makes it possible to save and reload the sam w BeatLock ples un B from disk with a special format vdj AutoFlay e Loop makes it possible to force a linear sample to play in loop or to force a looping sample to play only one time e Beat match makes it possible to force a linear sample to synchronize itself or prevent a looping sample from synchro nizing itself e Sync on makes it possible to not synchronize the sample on a beat but on a half beat eighth note or a quarter of beat halfeighth note e Auto Play makes it possible to start a sample automatically when the volume is adjusted 7 The Effects VirtualDJ uses a rack of effects which makes it possible to play up to three simultaneous effects per deck Hundreds of effects available on the website To reach the effects page click
31. urning software will then burn automatically audio CD with your mix For more information consult the documentation of your burning software Internet Broadcast VirtualDJ also enables you to broadcast your mix on Internet web casting There are two options VirtualDJ can broadcast existing radio server or create your own Web Radio on your computer o Broadcasting from Via Virtual DJ If you do not have a broadcast server VirtualDJ can broadcast Web Radio completely from your computer You will be able to specify in the options maximum listeners you want to allow Attention however not to increase this number beyond what the band gil width of your connection can allow Decreasing the quality of the audio signal Bit Rate makes it possible to accommodate a greater number of listeners When vou start broadcasting VirtualDJ will then indicate the address of vour Web Radio in the form http 123 45 67 89 VirtualDJ ogg Vou can communicate this address with vour friends and thev will be able to listen to vour mix live bv tvping this address in their favorite Internet audio plavers a N Caution If you use a floating connection Internet modem low access Po flow this address could change from session to session In this case regularly communicate your new address with your listeners L or use the services of a dvnamic DNS like No IP COM to obtain an address fixes related to vour computer which vou will be able
32. ww virtualdj com vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 12 18 Page 4 2 Quick Guide Het ce ee S 000000000 HL First click with the mouse on track DJ SEB MLMP Born To Disco and drag it by holding down the left mouse button towards the turntable of left The track will now begin to load Click on the play button The music will begin to play It s not necessary to let the track completely load before clicking play Now load the track Style MC All the hurt away The same way you loaded the left side only load this track on the righthand side Click on the play button The two tracks are now audible but the rates rhythms are not sync however Click on the beat lock button right click with mouse on the right hand side turn table and leave inserted it until the peaks of the curves are synced and that the rhythms of the two tracks are synchronized You can now move the cross fader to the left or the right the transition will be very smooth and plea sing to the ear Congratulations you have just completed your first mix with VirtualDJ Of course VirtualDJ allows much more than that Ab 5 vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 12 18 Page 6 3 Introduction to DJing If you never mixed before we advise you to read the section Introduction to DJing If not you can read remainder of this handbook to discover the functionalities while referring to the handbook for a
33. yers a window posts curves corresponding to the two rates rhythms of the music These curves are represented in a waveform Allowing you to see your music pp i vdjmanueluk qxd 16 05 2006 12 18 Page 12 L MTTP 1 l HE eerie JOINT CTT LOP pore Bh ik Mun j t miyn maa KAHIT T The peaks in the curve represent beats In order to synchronize the music these peaks thus should be overlapping and together as one The present is represented by the feature in the middle of the screen All on the left was already played while what is on the right represents the next seconds of the track You can zoom in or zoom out the display using the scroll wheel of the 7 10 mouse Vou can also pass from a verv tight zoom useful for fixing the beats well at a much zoomed in sight visualizing the rhvthmic sections and breaks Below the curves there are small squares Named CBG Computed Beat Grid that represent the position of measures The large squares represent the beginning of a measure 4 4 time This CBG is particularly useful for example to mix a disc at the time of an intro where the beat is not vet present The CBG is calculated automaticallv when a track is loaded for the first time in VirtualDJ VirtualDJ uses powerful algorithms to calculate the BPM and the CBG of a music vou can choose between fast but effective algorithm on music techno or house and an algorithm a little slower but effective on anv tvpe
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