iPhone 2.0 DJing

It's all about the equipment

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Mr Awesomer
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#16 Post by Mr Awesomer » Wed Sep 03, 2008 1:23 pm

DJ Click Play wrote:The Simplify app is an interesting twist as well. Play songs from iTunes over the internet *through* your iPhone. Works even on 3G as well as WiFi.
Hmm, kinda like Remote only in reverse. I'll be sure to check that one out.
Reuben Brown
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straycat
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#17 Post by straycat » Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:50 am

DJ Click Play wrote:The Simplify app is an interesting twist as well. Play songs from iTunes over the internet *through* your iPhone. Works even on 3G as well as WiFi.
Just installed that today, and it's very impressive indeed. Amazing little application.

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#18 Post by straycat » Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:19 am

straycat wrote:
dogpossum wrote:There's a DJ here in Sydney who uses his iphone for DJing during class - he uses it as a remote for his (mac) laptop I think... (I'm not really sure exactly how it works...). It's pretty cool stuff. He also uses it on its own for music in classes.
There's a freebie 'Remote' application which one can download and use to control iTunes on your laptop from the phone. I have it, but have yet to play with it - I'll probably give it a go next Monday.
OK - after an abortive attempt last week, I finally used this for teaching last night. It really is awesome. Couple of thoughts though...

1) Need to put it into aircraft mode, then turn wifi back on. Or use an iPod Touch.
2) Need to go into the settings for Remote and turn on 'Stay Connected' - otherwise it has to go through a half-minute or so of connection rigmarole from time to time - and it kills the energy of a class to keep them waiting for music.
3) Exit the program when done. I didn't, and in the hour and a half between the end of the class and the end of the evening, it drained the battery completely.
4) Charge the phone fully before the evening starts. For obvious reasons...

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#19 Post by Surreal » Mon Sep 29, 2008 9:23 pm

Out of curiosity, what kind of mp3 players do you guys use (just for leisure, not necessarily dj'ing). I recently picked up a Sansa Clip based on reviews from here. I like the size and form, good interface (albeit not as slick or fast as an ipod), nice sound quality, but the battery doesn't seem to last the advertised 15 hours (I think I might get around 10). For my price range (<$100) I'm happy with it.

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#20 Post by JesseMiner » Mon Sep 29, 2008 10:36 pm

Surreal wrote:Out of curiosity, what kind of mp3 players do you guys use (just for leisure, not necessarily dj'ing).
I am not an Apple guy when it comes to computers, but I can't imagine using anything other than an iPod for a portable mp3 player. The interface is so easy to use, and I love the aesthetic. I am on my 3rd iPod (been slowly been upgrading over the years) and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

Jesse

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#21 Post by lipi » Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:45 pm

Surreal wrote:Out of curiosity, what kind of mp3 players do you guys use (just for leisure, not necessarily dj'ing).
i'm with jesse: the ipod's interface is wonderfully designed. i use a first generation nano for commuting as well as the back-up for my laptop when i dj. i used to use an original first generation ipod, the 5 gb white one, for the same purposes and switched to the nano because it was physically smaller.

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#22 Post by GemZombie » Tue Sep 30, 2008 4:18 pm

I did like my iPod when I had one (it died, and sadly wasn't easy to repair)... but I hate iTunes. The very fact that i have to use iTunes to use my iPod is a huge downer for me.

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#23 Post by Surreal » Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:49 pm

You don't need itunes to use an ipod... most music/library software should be compatible with ipods nowadays. When I had an ipod (before it was stolen, grr...), I had no problems syncing it up with jriver.

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Cyrano de Maniac
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#24 Post by Cyrano de Maniac » Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:49 pm

Well, kind of a moot point since the thing has been out of production for years, but the first MP3 player I owned was a Rio Karma, and to me it's still the best I've used as far as the usability is concerned.

As good as the iPod is, I often find it frustrating to use, particularly when it comes to playlist management and flexibility with regard to shuffle mode. Perhaps I just haven't figured out how to use the iPod to its full potential, but the Karma just seemed to navigate better and do a better job as a 'self sufficient' device (i.e. not needing an application on a computer to effectively handle song/playlist management duties).

Sadly mine developed a serious battery problem (cell outgassing) which caused the battery to expand, destroying itself and the hard drive. This was a common affliction of the device. I've since repaired it with a smaller battery and a new larger hard drive, but it's just not quite the same. During the past few months I had it in operation it was held together quite literally with a shoestring. May it rest in peace.

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#25 Post by russell » Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:51 pm

Last contest I DJed (Cowtown) I setup my contest music on my laptop then managed the music from the floor via my iPhone. It was fun.
Which application were you using?
I assume that there was a lcoal WiFi network you were using?
Is there any remote control application that lets you use the phone 3G network? (both Remote and Simplify need a local WiFi network)

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Mr Awesomer
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#26 Post by Mr Awesomer » Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:04 pm

russell wrote:
Last contest I DJed (Cowtown) I setup my contest music on my laptop then managed the music from the floor via my iPhone. It was fun.
Which application were you using?
I assume that there was a lcoal WiFi network you were using?
Is there any remote control application that lets you use the phone 3G network? (both Remote and Simplify need a local WiFi network)
Not sure if you're on a Mac, but with a Mac it's pretty easy to create a computer to computer network using just your laptop. Click on your Airport icon, select Create a Network, name the network, select a channel to use, and I recommend requiring a password. Once you're done that, point your iPhone to the network you just created and you should be all set (though I did require some extra fiddling, but I think it's just because I was drunk and did things in the wrong order.)
Reuben Brown
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#27 Post by russell » Wed Oct 08, 2008 9:14 pm

Thanks, yes, I am on a Mac.
I will try it out. :D

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#28 Post by russell » Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:52 am

Got this working tonight :D
Lots of fun. Will have to try it out next week teaching.

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#29 Post by LindyChef » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:00 am

I just got an Airport Express to try out DJing from the bar at one of my local venues using iTunes and Remote. I'm psyched.

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Mr Awesomer
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#30 Post by Mr Awesomer » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:32 am

LindyChef wrote:I just got an Airport Express to try out DJing from the bar at one of my local venues using iTunes and Remote. I'm psyched.

While that would extend your range, an Airport Express isn't even needed (unless your computer doesn't have wifi built in.) I was able to be anywhere in the Cinema Ballroom (pretty big place) and Remote always stayed connected.

(edit... I'm assuming from other posts you're on an XP box... so yeah, an Airport Express should make things easier.)
Reuben Brown
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