MP3 Mixing

[Booldawg]

I've downloaded a free piece of MP3 mixing software called Mixxx. Been playing around with it and just getting to learn some of the features.

I notice there are proper MP3 mixing decks out there. Maybe something for if I get into it alot more.

Do these mixing decks work independently of a laptop or do they link in and just used as interfaces for the mixing software already on the laptop?

Also I notice there a headphones button on the Mixxx software. This should allow you to listen to either deck 1 or 2 through the headphones rather than whats being output to speakers (so you can cue up the next tune). I take it you need a certain kind of sound card to run this feature on? (my laptop only has a headphone socket that my external speakers use)

[rojash]

"I take it you need a certain kind of sound card to run this feature on? (my laptop only has a headphone socket that my external speakers use)"

Yes. Some soundcards allow you to send a different signal to the front and rear sockets. Also some external audio interfaces (USB or Firewire) have a similar facility. Most DJs use a laptop with an external audio interface.

As to your other question - you can get control surfaces which are hardware devices to interface with a computer (so that you get real faders instead of using the mouse) or mixing desks - which take either audio out from a couple of mp3 players, or have usb ports to take memory sticks. This type need to be connected to powered speakers or a power amp and passive speakers.

[Booldawg]

thanks rojash, well answered!

[Haggisdj]

My Xmas present to myself was a 15" MacBook Pro and Pioneer DDJ S1 decks. The decks control software called Serato Itch. The were not cheap but please believe me when I tell you that they are the bees knees!!! You can pick up dedicated software/mixer package fosr a couple of hundred pounds that will let you learn, and enjoy, mixing...