How can I set the cue points in music tracks with Mobile DJ Mix?

Mobile DJ Mix software includes an AutoCue function in the analysis of the sound track to :
- define a Cue In point (Cue In = the moment where the song playback starts in a DJ mix, which is the moment where the software detects a regular beat)
- define a Cue Out point (Cue In = the moment where the song playback ends in a DJ mix, which is the last point where the software detects a regular beat)

The analyzes of the Cue In / Cue Out point is in general
- relevant for music with a fixed beat and for dance / techno / country / rock music,
- irrelevant for music with changing rhythms, as for example classic music, pop songs starting with vocal solos, slow electronic music and in general music whose rhythms are far from techno/dance...

The solution for the music tracks with bad cue points is for the user to define one's own Cue In / Cue Out points:
1) load the music file
2) browse in Mobile DJ Mix software (with the slider over the waveform) at the point of the waveform where the user wants to place the Cue In point
3) Click on the "In" button of Mobile DJ Mix software on the deck where the song is loaded (left and right of Automix button on the software screen), to define the point which will be the Cue In point,
4) Click on the button with a triangle down on Mobile DJ Mix software to set the Cue In point,
5) browse in Mobile DJ Mix software (with the slider over the waveform) at the point of the waveform where the user wants to place the Cue Out point (the end of the music playback)
6) Click on the "Out" button on the deck of Mobile DJ Mix software where the song is loaded (left and right of Automix button on the software), to define the Cue point will be a Cue Out point
7) Click on the button with a triangle down on Mobile DJ Mix software to set the Cue Out point
8) Once the Cue In and the Cue Out points have been saved for the music track, save the Playlist with the button "Save".
If the user doesn't save the playlist after changing the cue points, the new cue points won't be saved.

Mobile DJ MP3 in Top Ten superstar DJ gadgets

Techdigest has listed Mobile DJ MP3 in its top 10 superstar DJ gagdets.
http://techdigest.tv/2007/05/top_ten_superst.html

Mobile DJ MP3 in The Guardian

The Guardian describes Mobile DJ MP3.
http://technology.guardian.co.uk/weekly/story/0,,2080802,00.html

Mobile DJ MP3 reviewed in video by ShinyShiny.tv

ShinyShiny.TV has put on YouTube a video review on Mobile DJ MP3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eHKMyixk0Q

Mobile DJ MP3 on Techdigest

Techdigest has released a short review on Mobile DJ MP3.
http://techdigest.tv/2007/04/hercules_mobile.html

Mobile DJ MP3 in Engadget

Engadget describes Mobile DJ MP3.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/23/hercules-mobile-dj-mp3-mixes-it-up-sans-wires/

DJ Console MK2: move to Vista

To use DJ Console MK2 to Vista 32-bit, you must not only use new drivers (package 2.CMK2.2007,  on ftp://ftp.hercules.com/pub/webupdate/DJMk2/2007_CMK2_2.exe with:
- DJ Console MK2 firmware 13.7
- DJ Console MK2 control panel 1.4.3.2) 
but you must also upgrade VirtualDJ 3 DJC Edition to VirtualDJ 3.4.1 DJC Edition (free upgrade, on VirtualDJ website).

New Kid on the Block: Mobile DJ MP3

Hercules has released a new computer DJ controller, Mobile DJ MP3.
Mobile DJ MP3 is a handheld, wireless dual-deck DJ controller to mix from any place in a party.
You don't need to remain in front of the computer to mix as an embedded display lets you browse in the music library to select the music track you want to load on each deck. This DJ gear is white, communicates in radio frequencies with a USB dongle, so you plug the audio output of your laptop in your speakers or your hifi amplifier, you run the software Hercules Mobile DJ Mix, you load your music tracks in the software so that it analyzes all, and you can animate the party from anywhere, the sofa while talking with your friends, the bar, the kitchen, any place where you can hear your music.

Hasta la Vista: 32-bit Vista drivers for DJ Console MK2 now

Hercules has released a new driver package for DJ Console MK2 and the old DJ Console MK1.
This package 2.CMK2.2007 makes it possible to mix with DJ Console and DJ Console MK2 in Vista-32 bit in addition to Windows XP.
The package 2.CMK2.2007 includes both a driver update and a firmware update for each console version.
http://ts.hercules.com/eng/index.php?pg=view_files&gid=2&fid=28&pid=177&cid=1

Traktor 3 LE users: upgrade to Traktor 3 full version for US$119

Native Instruments has announced on the Musik Messe that owners of Traktor 3 LE can upgrade the license of Traktor 3 LE to the full-featured TRAKTOR 3 at a special price of $ 119 / EUR 99, enabling a multitude of additional creative features including four playback decks, advanced looping and cueing functions, Native Mix Recording, additional EQs, filters and effects, and more.

This upgrade offer is proposed to all customers of DJ Console MK2 Traktor Edition (also called DJ Console MK2 Mac).

For a comparison between Traktor 3 LE and Traktor 3, click here.

How to mix audio files with DRM protection?

You cannot mix directly DRM protect files, since DJ software cannot load iTunes DRM protected files, so the solution consists in;
- burning the DRM music files you buy on a CD audio on the computer on which you purchased the files (it means you need a CD burner on the computer where you buy music files with DRM, for example in iTunes),
- and afterwards either mixing the CD audio in your DJ software if your DJ software plays CDs, or extracting first the CD-audio tracks into MP3 files to mix them in your DJ software.

DJ Control MP3: Move to Vista

Hercules has released a new driver package for DJ Control MP3, 1.CMP3.2007, which supports Vista 32-bit in addition to Windows XP.

What is the difference between DJ Console MK2 PC and Mac?

There is no hardware difference, both DJ Console MK2 are the same.
The difference is only the DJ software:

• DJ Console MK2 PC comes with Virtual DJ 3 DJC Edition,
  
• DJ Console MK2 Mac comes with Traktor 3 LE.

If you have a DJ Console MK2 PC and want to use it in Mac OS 10.4, you just need to have a Mac DJ Software and to download DJ Console MK2 Mac drivers.

DJ Console MK2 on MusicTech

DJ Console MK2 was reviewed by MusicTech Magazine of November 2006.

DJ Console MK2 released for Mac

One year after the release of DJ Console MK2 for PC, Hercules releases its DJ Console MK2 Mac Edition, with Native Instruments Traktor 3 LE software.
Compared to the previous DJ Console Mac, base on DJ Console MK1, DJ Console MK2 Mac Edition has not only a new cosmetic, but also new audio features as 2 stereo audio inputs, so that in addition to mixing your MP3 files on your computer, you connect vinyl turntables or CD players to DJ Console MK2 audio inputs.
DJ Console MK2 for Mac offers hybrid mixing in merging analogue and digital audio in the same mix, since you can:
- set the gain on analogue inputs sound in Traktor 3 LE to set a similar level for external sources and MP3 files,
- set the volume on analogue inputs with DJ Console MK2 volume fader,
- equalize analogue inputs via with DJ Console MK2 EQ buttons
- mix analogue inputs with MP3 files on DJ Console MK2 crossfader.

DJ Console MK2 Mac Edition is compatible with Mac OS 10.4 on both G4/G5 and also Mac Intel based Mac computers.

How can I preview my music with DJ Control MP3?

DJ Control MP3 is a DJ mix controller without audio, so you need a 4-channel or 5.1-channel sound card to preview your music.

In VirtualDJ DJC Edition PC
- you get the mix on output 1/2 (front left/front right),
- you get the preview on output 5/6 (surround left/surround right),
then you preview a deck when you push down the monitor button of the relevant deck on DJ Control MP3 (the button with a headphone logo) AND YOU KEEP THE PREVIEW BUTTON PUSHED DOWN, since the preview stops as soon as you release the preview buttons.

If you don’t hear any sound in the output 5/6:
1) Make sure you have enabled the output 5-6: click on Start > Settings > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio devices > Volume : Speaker Settings : Advanced Settings > 5.1 Surround Speakers. If your setting for speakers is stereo, you cannot get a sound in the output 5-6.
2) Make sure your headphones have a low impedance (32 ohms or less) since standard sound output on 5-6 has a line level, a level not strong enough to playback sound on high impedance headphones, so you can use 200 or 600 ohms headphones only with headphones preamplifier.

How can I suppress the background sound of the preview in the mix output and vice-versa?

You should not hear the sound of the preview in your mix or vice versa, so if you hear it, a 3D virtualisation effect is positioning the sound in your multi-channel sound card. You must disable the 3D positioning in your sound card control panel.

Is DJ Control MP3 compatible with Mac OS?

Yes, DJ Control MP3 is compatible with Mac OS 10.3 and 10.4 if you download the drivers on Hercules website.
But there is no DJ software compatible with Mac OS in DJ Control MP3 box, so you need to have your own DJ software for Mac OS as Traktor or MegaSeg.

Which headphones can fit with DJ Console MK2?

Headphones recommended for DJing have:
- a low impedance, from 16 to 64 Ohms, to keep the sound punchy especially on bass (high impedance headphones tend to be less punchy),
- with a high sensitivity (100 dB or more),
- isolating ear cups attenuating the ambient noise,
- comfortable soft ear cushions (you must bear the headphones for hours),
- a long cable (10 feet),
- a stereo jack 1/4" plug, or a jack 1/8" plug with a 1/4" adapter,
- preferably foldable earphones, to allows double or single ear monitoring.

Never use in-ear earphones: they are not appropriate for DJing, too difficult to remove, not protective enough from the ambient noise, and not comfortable enough.

You can use other headphones with DJ Console MK2, as hi-fi headphones over 100 ohms, but with headphones the higher the impedance the lower the volume in the headphones, so while high impedance headphones can be OK for bedroom DJing, their volume may be too low to cover the sound and screams of the audience in a party. 

DJ Control MP3 in "24"

In "24", Season 5, Episode 22, DJ Control MP3 makes a short appearance.








OK, there is no DJ mix in this episode, simply the playback of an MP3 file.

How can I repair my DJ Console MK1 to get a better response on the Play and Cue buttons?

DJ Console MK1 Play and Cue buttons response decrease with the time because the contact dots on the printed circuit board activated by the buttons become rusty when the console is not stored in a dry atmosphere.
You can improve the response by cleaning the contact areas of the printed circuit board:

1. Remove the caps of the equalization and volume buttons,
   
2. Disassemble DJ Console MK1 in removing the screws placed on the ground side below the red feet,
   
3. Unscrew the printed circuit board to remove the top case,
   
4. Remove the 2 keypads with the Play and Cue buttons, clean with non abrasive solvent (typically white spirit) the black contact dots on rear of this keypads: don’t brush heavily, these carbon contacts must remain black to make a contact on the printed circuit board. You just have to remove possible rust from these black dots.
   
5. Also clean with white spirit the contact areas of the printed circuit board.
   
6. Reassemble everything.
   

In the future, store your DJ Console MK1 in a dry atmosphere to avoid rust (if you must store it in a cellar or a garage, place it in a closed plastic bag).

This Play and Cue buttons issue doesn’t occur on DJ Console MK2 and DJ Control MP3 since:

• there are 4 contact dots below each Play and Cue dots on DJ Console MK2 and DJ Control MP3, versus 2 contact dots on DJ Console MK1,
  
• DJ Console MK2 and DJ Control MP3 printed circuit boards have received a protection against rust.
  

DJ Control MP3 reviewed in The Gadget Show on Five

The Gadget Show on Five on TV invited Pete Tong to test DJ products and the famous DJ enjoyed  DJ Control MP3.
http://gadgetshow.five.tv/jsp/5gsmain.jsp?lnk=401&featureid=134&pageid=280&show=s4e10&section=Features

DJ Control MP3 reviewed on GadgetCentre

Gadgetcentre has released a review on DJ Control MP3.
http://www.gadgetcentre.com/news/article/mps/UAN/289/v/1/sp/

DJ Control MP3 in The Guardian

The Guardian makes a short description of DJ Control MP3.

DJ Console MK2 on DJ Mag

DJ Mag has released a review on DJ Console MK2
http://www.djmag.com/img/pic.php?id=578&table=picture&field=image&field_type=type

DJ Console MK2 in DanceVibes.be

DanceVibes.be has reviewed DJ Console MK2.

DJ Control MP3 reviewed on CNET

Cnet has posted a review on DJ Control MP3.
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/digitalmusic/0,39029432,39195934,00.htm

Mac OS X drivers released for DJ Control MP3

http://ts.hercules.com/eng/index.php?pg=view_files&gid=2&fid=28&pid=179&cid=1

DJ Control MP3 drivers for Mac make it possible to use DJ Control MP3 as a MIDI controller in Mac OS 10.3 (Panther) and Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger).

DJ Control MP3 includes no software bundle for Mac, so it is not a complete solution to mix on Mac, but Mac owners who already have Mac DJ software with a MIDI learning mode as Traktor 2.5 or 3.0 full version can now control this software.
Traktor 2.5 DJ Console Edition Mac is not supported by DJ Control MP3.

New drivers for DJ Console 1 in drivers package 1.CMK2.2006

http://ts.hercules.com/eng/index.php?pg=view_files&gid=2&fid=28&pid=143&cid=1

This driver package unifies drivers for DJ Console 1 and DJ Console MK2.
The new drivers for DJ Console 1 keep DJ Console 1 control panel, but change the ASIO engine for better stability.
These drivers are for Windows XP only.

New Control Panel for DJ Console MK2 in drivers package 1.CMK2.2006

http://ts.hercules.com/eng/index.php?pg=view_files&gid=2&fid=28&pid=177&cid=1

Hercules has released a new control panel for DJ Console MK2, to simplify the settings of DJ Console MK2.
All panels let the DJ
- Set the balance and the volume on output ½ and ¾
- Select the audio sources as being the computer or external audio sources
- Lock the audio source selection
- Choose the recording source on input 1 / 2 between line in and microphone in

Main Panel


The main panel lets the DJ:
- Set a talk-over attenuation (-3dB, -6dB or -9dB)
- See whether the microphone input is on air
- See the headphones mode
- Select the audio Mode as WDM or ASIO

ASIO Panel

In case the DJ selects ASIO as Audio Mode, the additional options are:
- sampling rate (44100Hz or 48000Hz)
- sampling step (16-bit or 24-bit)
- buffer size (steps stored in cache memory: at 44100Hz, 441 as buffer size means 441/44100 = 0.01s, a 10 ms buffer)
If the sampling step is 24-bit, the input channel 3/4 is not available.

Advanced Panel

The advanced panel proposes additional options for advanced users:
- use an external mixer
- lock the cross fader (if you plug DJ Console MK2 in a mixer, you use the mixer cross fader)
- change the cross fader curve
- activate the mushroom in mouse mode
These options are for other software than VirtualDJ (VDJ integrates directly such options).

About Panel

The “About” panel lets you read the drivers and firmware version.