Cueing options for vinyl other than headphones

[heartandsoulktf]

Hi all, just wondering if there are any options here other than headphones, I am a little deaf only a tad, and sometimes when out playing vinyl I find it hard to make out when a record has hit the cueing point through the headphones, so was wondering if anyone had come across any apps that could be used, enabling me to plug my headphones jack into my phone spin the record and visually see when the music begins. Cheers 

[Soulsides]

I'm a member of a Hip Hop DJ forum and some of the members on there use all kinds of weird and wonderful devices.Sorry,I don't have an answer for you straightaway but I will ask on there and post back here if I can find anything suitable for your particular needs.. 

[Girdwoodinc]

You can usually see it “spike” on the mixer when the track kicks in, that’s if the mixer you’re using shows levels for the channels 

[heartandsoulktf]

1 hour ago, Soulsides said:

I'm a member of a Hip Hop DJ forum and some of the members on there use all kinds of weird and wonderful devices.Sorry,I don't have an answer for you straightaway but I will ask on there and post back here if I can find anything suitable for your particular needs.. 

Cheers

[heartandsoulktf]

52 minutes ago, Ahoy Sailor said:

You can usually see it “spike” on the mixer when the track kicks in, that’s if the mixer you’re using shows levels for the channels 

Will that work, thought it only registered the track that was playing, umm !! 

[Girdwoodinc]

Should register all channels if it’s a decent mixer ;) 

[Soulsides]

A couple of the guys I've spoken with have suggested this DVS Serato set up which I don't know much about personally I'm afraid as I've always been strictly old school when it comes to mixing on turntables but maybe its something you could possibly look into.

Again,I'm not sure on prices and things like mixer compatibility to support this type of set up but here's a link if you want to see for yourself.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful,I'm actually surprised there isn't some type of app out there that would help you with this as there seems to be apps for just about everything else these days !  

https://serato.com/dj/expand-your-setup/dvs

[Chalky]

Most decent mixers will have the monitor levels from which you should pick up the sound visially as it kicks in

Edited December 21, 2017 by chalky

[Daved]

I never bother when playing 45s. Just press play and fade it over 2 or 3 seconds later.

Edited December 21, 2017 by daved

[Soulsides]

11 hours ago, chalky said:

Most decent mixers will have the monitor levels from which you should pick up the sound visially as it kicks in

Yeah,you can set the LED EQ's on the mixer to CUE mode to see where the first bit of noise is but you cant do much other than that

I was speaking with ex DMC World Champion DJ Jon 1st- earlier this morning and he suggested that the Denon Serato Box would be perfect for your needs so maybe that's another option for you to take a look at..

Edited December 21, 2017 by Soulsides

[Hooker1951]

I've never ever cued a record in while doing a DJ set I've always relied on running one in by fading one out you play more records and non stop music the problem with doing it this way is you've got to keep your nerve on the change over its not for the faint hearted but it always worked for me most of the time anyway L oL, Everybody as their own style hope you find a solution I'm sure you will get some good advice from the Jocks on here

King Regards

ML

 

[John Hart]

Hi Andrew Smith, 

Hearing Loss at under 50? too many decibels! Serious options ; the Denon range of dJ controllers are Brill and range from ninety Nine $ to 1,299 $ ,realy only necessary for high end mixing A.L.a Fat boy Slim, not Northern ,watching the audio lights kick in is an option ,but basic mixers do not seperate channel source. good used mixers say Numark Dm 3050 are allover the place at $50 as people contsantly upgrade ,but do check Specifications match your visual needs { owner manuals for most mixers ,can still be googled.  Finally the D.J. equipment I usedat the Casino in the 70s was  made [SAI of standish } and alongside the 2 Garrard SP 25 mk3 decks was alarge bright red sound activated light ,illuminating for cueing ,also the infamous phone handset . I have often pondered that a simple Sound activated LED could be cheaply installed for monetarily challenged, DJs!

[Soulsides]

58 minutes ago, John Hart said:

 only necessary for high end mixing A.L.a Fat boy Slim

Isn't that something of an oxymoron ?..

I personally wouldn't call what Fatboy Slim does as high end mixing, far from it in fact,all he does at his gigs is spin house music tracks and pump his fist in the air while wearing a succession of really bad Hawaiian shirts in my opinion. 

It's no wonder that Zoe wants a divorce.

I could train a pet monkey( if I actually had one) to do what old Norm does..give him a month and the monkey would probably do a better job hehe.

Edited December 21, 2017 by Soulsides

[John Hart]

Hi Soul Sides ,when youve  finished training up Bubbles the Chimpanzee ;Train One For Me ,Fatboy  Slim is worth Twenty Four Million Quid ,LOL Happy Holiday.John.

[Soulsides]

Yeah he's worth 24 million quid alright but money doesn't buy you happiness im afraid because Norm has no wife and to make matters worse a monkey im in the process of training is after his job.!... 

Happy Holidays to you also btw John !

[Mark S]

Use the Force young Jedi ;)

[Becket]

Get yourself a Coloured single LED, sleeve the leads and connect to tip & ring of Standard jack plug.
Use in headphones socket on mixer and adjust headphone volume to suit, so that it illuminates once hitting audio on 45 run-in.

T.

[Girdwoodinc]

Just do what the northern DJs do and talk at the start and end of every record 

[Mellorful]

5 hours ago, Hooker1951 said:

I've never ever cued a record in while doing a DJ set I've always relied on running one in by fading one out you play more records and non stop music the problem with doing it this way is you've got to keep your nerve on the change over its not for the faint hearted but it always worked for me most of the time anyway L oL, Everybody as their own style hope you find a solution I'm sure you will get some good advice from the Jocks on here

King Regards

ML

 

Seen you work it Mick and sounds good, no chit chat nonsense needed unless you are spinning something very obscure, just dancing and you get an extra couple of tunes in the set. 

[heartandsoulktf]

On 20/12/2017 at 21:40, Ahoy Sailor said:

You can usually see it “spike” on the mixer when the track kicks in, that’s if the mixer you’re using shows levels for the channels 

Will that work, thought it only registered the track that was playing, umm !! 

[heartandsoulktf]

Cheers folks 

[Modularman]

5 minutes ago, heartandsoulktf said:

Will that work, thought it only registered the track that was playing, umm !! 

Most decent mixers will have a split cue that visually shows the sound level on each channel. Not sure what headphones you have but my sennheiser headphones would wake the dead if cranked up full!

[Girdwoodinc]

7 hours ago, heartandsoulktf said:

Will that work, thought it only registered the track that was playing, umm !! 

Post a picture of your mixer, I’ve got a two channel mixer where you see the out put of the track playing on the L and R led output but also a third output in the middle for the track you’re cueing 

[Becket]

On 12/21/2017 at 08:54, daved said:

I never bother when playing 45s. Just press play and fade it over 2 or 3 seconds later.

Personally, I like to hear "mic" work during a DJ set.
Not saying it needs to be between every 45, but it adds "that human touch !"
Non-stop music from start to finish makes it sound like a "laptop , memory stick , mp3 player" set.
Liven it up a bit with your own "stamp" on it.

Only my humble opinion here - not slating anyone.

T.

Edited December 23, 2017 by Becket

[Hooker1951]

21 minutes ago, Becket said:

Personally, I like to hear "mic" work during a DJ set.
Not saying it needs to be between every 45, but it adds "that human touch !"
Non-stop music from start to finish makes it sound like a "laptop , memory stick , mp3 player" set.
Liven it up a bit with your own "stamp" on it.

Only my humble opinion here - not slating anyone.

T.

I always put my own stamp on every set I've ever played without the verbals it's not the jokes it's the way you tell them it only becomes lap. Top memory stick when it's pre planned I always played live for that particular audience that venue that night  after I've played a spot the records are all over the place due to last second decisions to try to suit the crowd the music speaks volumes you can talk to the DJ when he,s finished his set, like you say everybody to their own I was brought up in the music world of starting the ride and it doesn't stop till you decide especially if people are loving it 1 hour of forgetting your worries and getting lost in music, your a live act or should be talking brings people back to earth too soon just my humble opinion .as regards verbals I used to mc at all the big raves that complimented the music you can't make soul music any better by talking that way the musics the star and not the DJ just my humble opinion LoL

ML

[TheBoogieBean]

On 20/12/2017 at 22:34, heartandsoulktf said:

Will that work, thought it only registered the track that was playing, umm !! 

If it doesn't, you may be able to leave both channel gains turned up, and use the xfader instead of channel gains for fading.

Edited December 26, 2017 by TheBoogieBean

[Tlscapital]

I never use headphones nor mike BTW. I don't have to hear my records as I hope to know them as I love them. When I play out, it is as "selecter" and not "mixer" or whatever. If my mix transitions are not so precise, I am not too bothered honestly.

When I do DJ out, I only use the visual of the stylus into the groove. Then as explained here above I check the volume gauge, selected the headphone channel of the mixing table on the desired turntable, to know precisely where the tune kicks in.

Winding a half a revolution backward, I am finally ready to push the "start" button after fade-out of the finishing previous record. I know, but I feel the fade out is also most of the time the most soulful moment of the record and it allows people to clap hands if ever...

Edited December 26, 2017 by tlscapital

[Ian Stacey]

On 12/23/2017 at 09:53, Becket said:

Personally, I like to hear "mic" work during a DJ set.
Not saying it needs to be between every 45, but it adds "that human touch !"
Non-stop music from start to finish makes it sound like a "laptop , memory stick , mp3 player" set.
Liven it up a bit with your own "stamp" on it.

Only my humble opinion here - not slating anyone.

T.

Im much the same .you have to pick up the mic say a few words we have a lot of first timers at our allnighter if they dont pick up the mic then DJING is not for them !.they must have the desire to be character  up there it makes it more intresting & gets rid of those collectors with big bucks who have not the bottle to chat IMHO

Edited December 26, 2017 by IAN STACEY
punctuaction/spelling

[Len]

No mike work can work well / lots of mike work can also work well.

Personally I  use the mike. The more mike work, the less records I get to play - Everyone's happy  

Len 

[Tlscapital]

6 minutes ago, LEN said:

No mike work can work well / lots of mike work can also work well.

Personally I  use the mike. The more mike work, the less records I get to play - Everyone's happy  

Len 

Taking to OP to a little slide-off... Indeed I can appreciate some mike also as I can absolutely deal with none. I go to listen to the DJ set and await a musically enjoyable journey. No DJ chat is mandatory for me... I don't use a mike as I have compassion for my kind and likes LOL !

[Mellorful]

1 hour ago, IAN STACEY said:

Im much the same .you have to pick up the mic say a few words we have a lot of first timers at our allnighter if they dont pick up the mic then DJING is not for them !.they must have the desire to be character  up there it makes it more intresting & gets rid of those collectors with big bucks who have not the bottle to chat IMHO

Far too much mic work for most tunes at live events and when there are cameras on the decks no reason what so ever because you can see the record.

Consider the DJ comments "Here is Lada Edmunds - Larue; the Decca 1966 release, 1966 was a brilliant year for old classic soul." 

You know the tune well and heard it 1000 times previous, why would you be bothered with the verbal introduction, the musical introduction tells its own story, you just need to get onto the dance floor.

Just my opinion of the need for mIc work, only when you are spinning a rare or underplayed tunes at live events because we all know what the Tomangos, Lou Pride, Al Williams etc sound like. The radio is different because some of the audience might need a reminder.

 

[TheBoogieBean]

1 hour ago, IAN STACEY said:

Im much the same .you have to pick up the mic say a few words we have a lot of first timers at our allnighter if they dont pick up the mic then DJING is not for them !.they must have the desire to be character  up there it makes it more intresting & gets rid of those collectors with big bucks who have not the bottle to chat IMHO

I have to disagree. I always feel like a mic only feeds a DJ's ego. One time too many I've see half cut jock's spending 30 seconds talking about something no one cares about. Just play the bloody record.
I understand that it had it's place in years gone by, but it just seems dated or it is to me anyway.

[Raym]

If you are not going to cue in then at least make sure the stylus is 'locked' in the run in groove to save playing the mat - I always give the turntable a quarter to half turn with the stylus on the record so I know when I press the button the tone arm is not going to slip of into the turntable mat.

Also, put a paper sleeve under any British solid centre releases so the record dosnt slip. 

My top 2 tips - for what it's worth.

 

Edited December 26, 2017 by Raym

[Len]

26 minutes ago, mellorful said:

Far too much mic work for most tunes at live events and when there are cameras on the decks no reason what so ever because you can see the record.

Consider the DJ comments "Here is Lada Edmunds - Larue; the Decca 1966 release, 1966 was a brilliant year for old classic soul." 

You know the tune well and heard it 1000 times previous, why would you be bothered with the verbal introduction, the musical introduction tells its own story, you just need to get onto the dance floor.

Just my opinion of the need for mIc work, only when you are spinning a rare or underplayed tunes at live events because we all know what the Tomangos, Lou Pride, Al Williams etc sound like. The radio is different because some of the audience might need a reminder.

 

Yes good point (s) It is useful for something to be introduced / or named after it's played, if it's a tune not widely known.

No mike work doesn't mean just plonking on one tune after the other with no thought. Sometimes a room doesn't embrace lot's of mike work, whereas other times, the ol' chit chat can help the atmos.

Len 

[Ian Stacey]

15 minutes ago, mellorful said:

Far too much mic work for most tunes at live events and when there are cameras on the decks no reason what so ever because you can see the record.

Consider the DJ comments "Here is Lada Edmunds - Larue; the Decca 1966 release, 1966 was a brilliant year for old classic soul." 

You know the tune well and heard it 1000 times previous, why would you be bothered with the verbal introduction, the musical introduction tells its own story, you just need to get onto the dance floor.

Just my opinion of the need for mIc work, only when you are spinning a rare or underplayed tunes at live events because we all know what the Tomangos, Lou Pride, Al Williams etc sound like. The radio is different because some of the audience might need a reminder.

 

Never played at a venue with cameras on the decks or with a large sceen  playing at stoke or keele is a whole differecnt ball game i like to hear  what a dj has to say  or i just think goodness another dj paid his way to play to get here with either trhe tunes he has bought of the promotor  instead of being on the scene for years working & promoting   his style of plays . cameras i thik should not be needed .shoud be able to trust the people who are playing for you  i do not like the extra lifght brought into allnighter venues  it seems a bit commercial IMHHO

[Len]

26 minutes ago, TheBoogieBean said:

I have to disagree. I always feel like a mic only feeds a DJ's ego. One time too many I've see half cut jock's spending 30 seconds talking about something no one cares about. Just play the bloody record.
I understand that it had it's place in years gone by, but it just seems dated or it is to me anyway.

I can understand that. But to me, using the mike isn't 'out' dated. If a DJ is shouting maybe about what he paid for said tune or something, then that can come across a bit wrong, but if they're genuinely passionate about what they're saying, that will come across as a positive.

Len 

[Ian Stacey]

 really he went on for more than thirty secounds bloody crimmial how dare some one take up that much your time ,

[TheBoogieBean]

3 minutes ago, LEN said:

I can understand that. But to me, using the mike isn't 'out' dated. If a DJ is shouting maybe about what he paid for said tune or something, then that can come across a bit wrong, but if they're genuinely passionate about what they're saying, that will come across as a positive.

Len 

I understand what you're saying mate, but

15 seconds between every record in a half hour spot equates to another 45. 

Thwart your ego and play music! 

[TheBoogieBean]

3 minutes ago, IAN STACEY said:

 really he went on for more than thirty secounds bloody crimmial how dare some one take up that much your time ,

It's a long time to listen to a pissed bloke in a dark club mate. Believe me, I was there! 

[Girdwoodinc]

41 minutes ago, TheBoogieBean said:

I have to disagree. I always feel like a mic only feeds a DJ's ego. One time too many I've see half cut jock's spending 30 seconds talking about something no one cares about. Just play the bloody record.
I understand that it had it's place in years gone by, but it just seems dated or it is to me anyway.

Well said Dan 

[Ian Stacey]

5 minutes ago, TheBoogieBean said:

It's a long time to listen to a pissed bloke in a dark club mate. Believe me, I was there! 

 

 

6 minutes ago, TheBoogieBean said:

I understand what you're saying mate, but

15 seconds between every record in a half hour spot equates to another 45. 

Thwart your ego and play music! 

i feel do not  i chat excess far from it as a rule of thumb i may annouce a record every third or fourth which i feel is about right as we are not the local towns fair ride . if i think they maybe to young to know it as an old play or which venue (era ) that i feel is part iof the soul scene we are not a RAVE where the instrumental beat is the slave to the crowd we a little bit soulfull than that .we like a bit of the human touch to .As for THAWTING MY ego  pwhaaahahahaha  how posh 

[Len]

22 minutes ago, TheBoogieBean said:

I understand what you're saying mate, but

15 seconds between every record in a half hour spot equates to another 45. 

Thwart your ego and play music! 

I generally talk every 3 records, depending on what I'm playing (and on the people there) And I talk fast, so no one understands a word anyway 

Len 

[heartandsoulktf]

9 hours ago, Raym said:

If you are not going to cue in then at least make sure the stylus is 'locked' in the run in groove to save playing the mat - I always give the turntable a quarter to half turn with the stylus on the record so I know when I press the button the tone arm is not going to slip of into the turntable mat.

Also, put a paper sleeve under any British solid centre releases so the record dosnt slip. 

My top 2 tips - for what it's worth.

 

Haha, had both of these problems last week, bulb went in a lamp I was using in a small dark playing area and had a couple where the needle dropped of the record and had a couple of records slipping, both British but on the same turntable, were fine on the other turntable 

[Modularman]

11 hours ago, IAN STACEY said:

Im much the same .you have to pick up the mic say a few words we have a lot of first timers at our allnighter if they dont pick up the mic then DJING is not for them !.they must have the desire to be character  up there it makes it more intresting & gets rid of those collectors with big bucks who have not the bottle to chat IMHO

If they are playing good music then does it really matter? To say that if they don't use the Mic then they shouldn't be dj'ng is a bit harsh. Let the music do the talking, if someone is interested in a selection they can ask the dj about it. Personally i find chit chat between records boring, old hat & slows up the night/atmosphere. I don't doubt it had it's place once upon a time but not nowadays.

[Bbrich]

mike work done well (imo every few records and keep it brief)  can add to the atmosphere, done badly can detract from the atmosphere... 

[Mellorful]

seems to be agreement too much mic work is a bad thing, so a mic used sparingly or rarely is the preferred choice on here. 

 

[Soulsides]

Over enthusiastic fist pumping,bouncing around behind the decks like a deranged,gurning drug monkey and letting off high decibel air horns inbetween tracks is the new 'mic work'.

Surely everyone knows that by now.......Don't they ?..

 

Edited December 27, 2017 by Soulsides

[Hooker1951]

Never heard a DJ yet that sounds better than Roy Hamilton Jackie Wilson, Tony Middlelton or another 1000 artists and I don't think I ever will don't want to cause offence but a lot of Dj,s hide behind the mic because they can't put the music together so they break it up slow things down . When I started out the music never stopped this talking between tunes crept in I don't know why , and a lot of new people on the music scene just accepted it but the old ways were forgotten thank the last DJ introduce yourself non stop music for an hour before last introduce next DJ say goodbye and hope everybody appreciates what you've done for them let the music talk not your mouth only my humble opinion by the way

keep on keeping on

Mick L

[Len]

On 12/27/2017 at 17:08, Hooker1951 said:

Never heard a DJ yet that sounds better than Roy Hamilton Jackie Wilson, Tony Middlelton or another 1000 artists and I don't think I ever will don't want to cause offence but a lot of Dj,s hide behind the mic because they can't put the music together so they break it up slow things down . When I started out the music never stopped this talking between tunes crept in I don't know why , and a lot of new people on the music scene just accepted it but the old ways were forgotten thank the last DJ introduce yourself non stop music for an hour before last introduce next DJ say goodbye and hope everybody appreciates what you've done for them let the music talk not your mouth only my humble opinion by the way

keep on keeping on

Mick L

Hi Mick,

I've seen you DJ on many occasions, and your style of no talking / mixing them in, works well - I've also seen DJs try to do the same, but for some reason (the 'magic') it ends up being background music. At that point, I wish they would 'break it' with a bit of chat, even if just to say what they're playing. If the floors going well, then fine, but if nothing's happening, a quick comment can do wonders. Again, depending on the people there (We all have different personalities) 

Your own style is the key I suppose. 

I think we've gone somewhat 'off-topic' 'heartandsoulktf' hey ho 

Len 

 

[Mr Fred]

On 20/12/2017 at 20:23, heartandsoulktf said:

Hi all, just wondering if there are any options here other than headphones, I am a little deaf only a tad, and sometimes when out playing vinyl I find it hard to make out when a record has hit the cueing point through the headphones, so was wondering if anyone had come across any apps that could be used, enabling me to plug my headphones jack into my phone spin the record and visually see when the music begins. Cheers 

Most vinyl decks have a row of l.e.d.lights  that illuminate gradually across the row of lights as you spin the record so you know bang on where the track starts.If not on the decks you can get mixers with the lights built in. In this way you don't even need headphones.if you have to use headphones they can be turned up to a high volume so this should be able to compensate for your slight deafness.I hope this helps all the best for 2018 regards Fred.

 

Edited January 2, 2018 by Mr Fred