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The Very Best Microphones for Internet Radio

Posté le juillet 31, 2014 Par Derek Bullard Publié dans all posts, Gadgets and Hardware, Starting a radio station

The Very Best Microphones for Internet Radio

The microphone has the biggest effect on the quality of your recordings. You want to invest a good chunk of your budget in a microphone that delivers a quality sound. Your listeners will appreciate the professional sound of your radio broadcast. Please do not even think about taking out your USB Headset Microphone and begin recording your live show. These headsets are usually intended for online gaming or chatting. There is nothing worse than listening to someone talking and hearing an irritating humming or buzzing sound in the background. We will consider a few microphone models that should meet your budget requirements.

Blue Microphone Snowball USB Microphone

It can be a very difficult task to set up a professional microphone. To do so requires a mixer, pro audio XLR cables and external sound cards. If you do not feel comfortable with this type of complicated set up, a USB microphone may be the solution.

Blue Microphones offer a consumer-level plug-and-play USB microphone for around $60. You will appreciate the convenience of a no fuss plug-in and direct integration with a desktop computer or laptop.
With its dual capsule design and unique three-pattern switch (cardioid, cardioid with -10dB and omni), the Snowball is ideal for internet radio, interviews and podcasting. You will appreciate the unique design of the Snowball. It is shaped like a ball measuring 4 inches in diameter. It rests on a sturdy tripod, which has an adjustable height of 5 to 6.5 inches.

Overall this microphone lives up to its claim of being easy to use and a good sounding microphone. Remember this microphone is a great upgrade from your desktop mic, headset or integrated laptop mic. It is not a studio quality microphone. It does not feature important elements like audio compression and EQ. We will eventually touch on some of this advanced equipment later on.

Blue Yeti Microphone

The Yeti microphone is made by the same company that brought to you the Snowball. This is the second mic of the two USB Microphones that we will recommend for your radio station.

The Yeti features Blue’s unique tri-capsule array which allows for versatile positioning and provides four selectable polar patterns. It also functions as an audio output as well as an input, meaning you can plug your headphones into it to hear yourself with zero-latency while you record.If you’re doing voiceovers, you can set its pickup pattern to cardioid. If you’re recording vocals or singing, set it to stereo. Doing an interview? Set it to bidirectional, or if you’re in a group interview or conference call, set it to omnidirectional.

You will need to spend around $100 for the Blue Yeti. If you want to invest about $100 more you can get the Pro model which features a USB & XLR input. If you decide to invest later on in pre-amps and professional mixers, then this could be a very good option for you.

Blue Microphones has set out to change people’s opinion of USB microphones. If your budget is limited and you want to have a clear sounding microphone, then why not try the Snowball, Yeti or Yeti Pro.

Behringer C-1 Studio Condenser Microphone

If you decide to go with an XLR microphone, German designed Behringer probably offers the best value for your money. Priced at around $80, the C-1 is an affordable, high-quality way to put this essential studio tool to work for you. Thanks to its cardioid (heart-shaped) pattern, the C-1 microphone picks up your source signal while rejecting off-axis sounds that can ruin an otherwise perfect recording. Included in the package is a rugged, die-cast metal chassis, gold-plated XLR connector, a swivel stand mount, and foam-padded carrying case. It seems that for the price you really can’t go wrong with the Behringer C-1.

Audio-Technica AT2035

The AT2035 is a large-diaphragm condenser with a very good reputation in the quality department.Designed for critical home/project/professional studio applications and live performance, this side-address cardioid studio condenser delivers exceptional detail and low noise. Equipped with a switchable 80 Hz high-pass filter and 10 dB pad, the AT2035 handles high sound pressure levels with ease. Along with its rugged construction and high-performance specifications, the AT2035 provides an exceptional level of consistency from model to model. It comes equipped with a protective pouch and a custom shock mount. You will need to purchase an XLR cable and an external mixer or sound card with XLR jacks. The ease of use, reliability and audio quality make and price ($180) make this microphone a good choice for your internet radio station

Rode NTK

I thought I would throw in a microphone in the $500 range even though it is not necessary to invest so much money when you initially start your radio station. But, let us just say, you have a big budget and you want to buy a microphone that some of the pros use. The Rode NTK is a premium valve condenser microphone featuring a large capsule gold-plate membrane with hand-selected and graded twin triode tubes for wide dynamic range, ultralow noise, and fantastic presence and warmth. Although I have no experience with this microphone, many voice over artists appear very satisfied with the final voice quality.

In Conclusion

Now you have some suggestions you can consider for your project. Remember that your choice of microphone depends on the money you have to invest; the general rule is that the more you spend the better the microphone will sound. Of course there are exceptions like if you can find closeout deals, specials or even a good quality used microphone at an unbeatable price.

Another factor that comes into play when selecting a microphone is how exactly you sound when using them. Do not take for granted that because you pay more money for a microphone that you will automatically sound awesome. If you have the chance, try the microphone and see how it fits with your voice.

Remember, as time will pass, your experience and knowledge will grow. You will speak to others and get their opinion on different types of equipment based on their personal experience. When you finally become a radio station guru, your next purchase will be an even more intelligent one. It will probably reflect more your current reality, depending on what path your career in radio has taken you.

If you decide to do your own research on microphones, you will come across two different type of microphones, condenser and dynamic. Here is a great article by Joe Shambro that explains the difference between the two types. http://homerecording.about.com/od/microphones101/a/mic_types.htm

Hopefully you now have a better understanding about microphones and this information helps you make a good choice. Next we will talk about some of the accessories need for your microphone.

Black Friday Specials

Posté le novembre 29, 2013 Par Derek Bullard Publié dans all posts

SHOUTcast Black Friday

Francais offers you a fantastic SHOUTcast black friday. We want you to save money on your server. Taking advantage of SHOUTcast black friday is one good way to save money. Every radio station needs an Android mobile application and we at Francais make that possible. Our applications will meet your needs and they are affordable. All you have to do is use the promo code we provide and you will start saving.

RECEIVE CUSTOM MOBILE APPLICATION FREE WHEN YOU SIGN UP OR RENEW A PACKAGE for 24.99$ OR MORE PER MONTH FOR 1 YEAR
PROMO CODE is freeapp

Custom Mobile Application $175 use PROMO CODE blackfridaymobile

This is one SHOUTcast black friday special you do not want to miss! Using the promo code below you will get a website wide discount.

20 % OFF EVERYTHING ON THE WEBSITE use PROMO CODE 20%

If you do not know what Black Friday is; click here for more information.

Tell me you have a mobile application for your radio station

Posté le novembre 29, 2013 Par Derek Bullard Publié dans all posts

More and more people are listening to radio on their smartphones with an android mobile application . The technologies in these devices are advancing daily. Cell phone carriers are improving data capabilities and pricing is becoming more and more affordable. In today’s day and age, people are always on the go, whether they are jogging, travelling or relaxing they now have the possibility of turning their smartphones into a small radio.

Wake up Radio Station owners

Sadly many radio station operators have ignored this growing trend and have not thought about investing in a mobile streaming application for the current popular platforms like Apple iOS (IPhone) or Android. It was only a short time ago that developing an application was extremely complex because of multiple platforms on the market like Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Java phones, Nokia and other phone operating systems. A station operator had to select the platform that he considered most popular for his listeners, and then spend tons of cash on development, only to see new technology come out. In consequence, it rendered their expensive custom application completely useless.

Android or Apple iOS

According to an article in Business Insider http://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-android-2013-8 Google’s Android is powering 80% of devices worldwide. Apple dropped a year ago from about 16% to now powering 13% of the smartphones worldwide. This is not a debate about which operating system is better than the other! That can be saved for another time. The point we are making here, is that we now know on which platform we need to concentrate our energy and development.

Android backed by Google

Android is an operating system based on the Linux kernel,and designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. Initially developed by Android, Inc., which Google backed financially and later bought in 2005. The operating system Android is open source, which allows for open and easy development in contrast to Apple iOS, which is based more on proprietary software. The applications of your choice and developed for Android can be uploaded and distributed to the easy to use and powerful Google Store. On the other hand, applications developed for Apple iOS can be uploaded and then downloaded off the App store ITunes.

Features for your application

No radio station owner will say NO to additional listeners as well as to new tools to build listener loyalty. You now understand the importance of having at least a mobile application for Android. Where do you start?

First, you must build an application for your radio station only. There are plenty of mobile internet radio directories applications like Tune In out there, but you will just get lost in the thousands of radio stations listed. You need an application that is built specifically for your station and with your logo.

Secondly, you want to add all of your social media information. This includes your Twitter feed, Facebook page and YouTube video and contact pages. Having this information available just a click away on their mobile devices is great for your listener’s social media and interaction experience with your radio station.
Thirdly, ensure that your application will provide you with very important statistics – how many downloads, user location, time spent listening, etc. Some applications will even allow you to integrate your Google Analytics account. These statistics are crucial to proper marketing planning.

Believe it or not you can even make money with an application. There are two popular ways to do so once you have uploaded and made it available on Google Play. First, you can decide to provide it for free or sell it to your users. Secondly, you can earn advertising revenue by including ads in your app.

If you decide to go forward with a revenue generating application; you must weigh the pros and cons. It may not be a very popular thing to charge for a radio application when your goal is to gain new listeners unless you have a unique application with special features. That does not mean a radio station could not get creative by maybe offering an on air contest to those that download the application and pay 99 cents. The possibilities are endless and those that have the best ideas will have the most success. Bottom line is, do not expect that you can throw an application on Google Play store and that people will rush to pay to download it.

Remember to use proper etiquette, if you charge for your application it should be ad free. However, you could offer your application for free and insert ads. Test out the different ad platforms that exist and make sure they are not too intrusive for the user, after all they are just trying to listen to your radio station. Your users have the opportunity to review the application. On Google Play Store users can leave 1 to 5 stars and leave a comment. Read these comments and take them seriously, because it is important feedback you will receive about the application.

Smartphones and tablets are red-hot and found everywhere today. Over 1.3 million Android devices are activated every day. Do not miss out on getting your radio heard to this ever-expanding audience. Francais is now offering Android custom applications built for your radio station. Click here to order or contact us and we will build an app with all the cool features talked about in this article.

Written by Derek Bullard CEO of Francais

Promoting your internet radio station to make money

Posté le avril 14, 2013 Par Derek Bullard Publié dans all posts, Starting a radio station

PART ONE

Promoting your radio station to make money. There is no doubt that every single person I meet, interested in starting an online radio station, is a die-hard enthusiast of the Radio Broadcasting World. From the current and old timer pro jockeys to the amateur or gamer deejays they all can be considered genuine radio and music lovers. However, every entertainer appreciates an audience and every entrepreneur enjoys some type of financial reward. The common question all of these exceptional people have simmering on their minds; How can I promote my online radio station so that it makes some money?

As significant as this may be, it is important, before thinking about money to take one step back and concentrate on actually promoting the radio station to gain new listeners. Attract new listeners and you will eventually attract those advertiser dollars. Unfortunately there is no miracle answer to the question. Please don’t let people fool you into buying videos, eBooks or memberships that claim to have the secret methods to making money with an online radio station. There is however, proven guidelines and techniques that will help you promote your radio and increase your audience. Before you start to promote the radio you have to understand that running a station is exactly like running a business. Are you ready to invest your time and possible some money to make it a successful venture? If your life does not allow you at the moment to invest a lot of time or any cash, is your expectation of success at a reasonable level? Let’s begin with some key elements and concepts you need to consider once you have decided to embark on your successful musical journey.

Business Plan

This is the first key element to consider. Sadly it is a step that is often skipped. Many station owners claim that it is perfectly outlined in their head. This is a very bad idea because when you have everything written down on paper you can easily refer back and modify it at any given moment. It also becomes an important tool to share with your potential partners and investors. Find a free template online and simply fill in the details. Make sure you include an introduction to your radio and outline your business and marketing strategies. Be sure to present your plan in an exciting and unique way so that it stands out from among the masses of stations out there. Therefore, your business plan becomes your guide to assure you that you are on track to reach your objectives.

Target Audience

Now you need to consider who will be your target audience. Once you make up your mind about this you need to find out where they are hanging out online. A lot of people starting radios online are usually part of an online community. They participate actively in forums or social networks (Twitter, Facebook, You tube etc.).

Station Genre and Music

Now it is time to decide on the genre of music for the station. The station will please a potential niche audience if you are playing music they want to hear. Avoid mixing up genres and focus on being one genre such as Dance, Indie, Country, Pop, Talk, etc. If you decide to play different types of music be sure to keep an updated schedule that is available on your website so that the listeners know what to expect. Good radio automation software allows you to build daily playlists. Add live or pre-recorded shows to your schedule. Keep the music fresh and exciting. Make sure your files have proper metadata tags so that the listeners can easily see the title and creator of what is playing.

Staff

Running a station with the everyday tasks involved, can be a tough job, every bit of help counts. Most of the time, station owners are not in a position to hire employees. Try to attract volunteers to help you out. Deejays, managers, webmasters and article writers all can be a valuable addition to the team you build. But do not be quick to hire just anyone. As much as a volunteer can help you, they can literally quickly destroy the station you built. Deejays that have poor internet connections will cause you to lose listeners. Staff members that enjoy gossip and drama can also be poisonous for your team. Be sure to interview each person before giving the controls and be swift to act when a problem arises.

Website and its Traffic

Most listeners will turn up first on your website. If your website is outdated, of low or mediocre quality your potential listeners will turn away faster than they clicked. Many station owners refuse to acknowledge this and are missing out on a huge following. Keep the site fresh, clean and full of content. Always make sure that you have multiple players to tune into. Make sure they are clearly marked for your visitors. You need to observe and monitor the traffic you are receiving. This will help you with your marketing strategies.

Social Media

Social media is so popular today that it cannot be ignored by radio stations. Some of the most recognized social media sites include Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Twitter etc. Conduct some research to see which ones will work the best for you. When you post comments or status updates be sure to be creative instead of intrusive or annoying.

Internet Radio Station Directories

There are online radio directories that allow you to submit your radio station information. Carefully read the instructions, some will ask you for a banner exchange or to register to the site. Don’t expect a high amount of listeners coming from these sites since you are listed amongst thousands of other radio stations. The best thing about these Internet Station Directories is that you are creating links that will help the page rank of your website, therefore, giving you better positioning on Google. Click here for an updated list of some station directories that are working well.

Elite Radio Station Directories

There are a few limited radio directories that have so much traffic they actually do bring some listeners. They are described here as the Elite Radio Station Directories. They are a little difficult to submit to and they can be selective. However if you follow the instructions closely without skipping any steps you should be successful. The first and most popular one is ITunes. The second one is Windows media Guide and the third one is TuneIn. TuneIn may not bring you as much traffic as ITunes but it is great for mobile, tablet and media device platforms. Even car manufacturers starting to offer internet radio are utilizing the TuneIn radio database in their devices. Look for my guide on how to submit your station to those directories. Howto add your station to ITunes article is here (More Coming soon!)

Press-Releases Do a search on Google for ‘Free press releases’ sharpen those writing skills and submit your news articles. The articles will be spread out across internet and picked up by various websites including Google. This helps immensely for your Search Engine Optimization.

Link Exchange Make sure you have some graphic design work for your radio station such as a banner. Don’t be shy to contact various website owners via email and ask to exchange banners and links.

Newsletters It is very important to remain connected with your listeners. Make it a point to capture the email addresses of your listeners. The best way to do this is through a subscribe button or join up section on your website. Keep your members up-to-date with station news and music related content they signed up for.

Create Listener Loyalty Again it is up to you to be creative and unique in finding ways to retain the loyalty of your listeners. Simply interacting with your listeners via online chat and social media can help a lot to create a bond with your fans. Encourage them to send comments and suggestions. Consider holding online competitions or contests. Give small prizes that will keep them appreciative and coming back for more. You can do a search Google and sign up for services that offer rewards and points for return visits to your site.

Offline Promotion Remember promotion is not just done online. You can reach a huge audience in your community. Print out some flyers, brochures and business cards. You can deejay at local events and parties and advertise your station with a printed banner. If you have some extra cash place an ad in your local news publications. Try and partner with other businesses to play your radio in exchange for Ad placement. Keep your eyes open for local events like fairs or expositions; setup a booth, radio and speakers and spread the word. You will notice that most of the suggestions outlined in this article cost nearly nothing at all. The best marketing doesn’t have to cost a penny. Paying click sites like Google and Facebook ads were specifically left out of the article because they can wait until you have gained more experience and start making some revenue. They can be very complex to understand and you need to properly comprehend how they work if you want to have successful ad campaigns. If you don’t use them right you will see yourself throw a lot of money away. So make your plan and follow through daily on the methods we gave you. You just need to be determined, hardworking and focused. Be creative and listen to your fans. Have a look around the internet and see how other radio stations are doing it. Each day take a moment and step back to listen to your radio station and ask yourself: Would I listen, enjoy and stay tuned to this radio station? I wish you the best success on your musical radio journey. Derek Bullard, CEO of Francais Contact me info (at) Francais.info Skype: dibblebee

DJ intros: what every DJ needs!

Posté le juillet 31, 2012 Par Derek Bullard Publié dans all posts, Design and Promotion, DJ

DJ Intros

It is Friday night 9PM… You arrive at the club or party. You are the DJ hired and wired for the night! In your head you begin to plan out the upcoming show. You go through your playlist and scan some of your music. You are EXCELLENT at what you do! Every week, you showcase your talent and quite possibly, you were highly recommended by a friend to DJ at a party, wedding or special gathering! But, you still want to do more to plan out the most memorable evening or radio show that you possibly can.

How will you do that? Maybe it is that special remix that you found on the internet or in a deejay pool. It could also be that you just have that knack to feel the crowd by playing exactly the right songs to keep them busy on the dance floor. Now for one moment just think about it, what could possibly get the crowd more hyped up than a well done professional DJ intro?! Imagine how your audience will be impressed with the professionalism of your show. There is no question that your audience and listener base will grow and that you will be referred to more people who will need your DJ services at their next gathering or party.

But now how do you go about building a branded DJ intro? Well as you probably already know you need to begin by choosing your DJ name. This name needs to be mentioned in your intro of about 15 to 60 seconds a number of times. Next you need to choose a theme for your intro. This would include defining the genre of music that you play and the type of DJ that you are, so that you are able to warm up your audience and give them exactly what they expect! Once you have done this, it is time to choose a couple of songs or sounds that can be mixed in to your intro. Now we want to choose some fancy or funny liners that identify you as a DJ and the type of show that you do. For example; DJ SUN is emitting blasts of energy and rays to warm up your night OR DJ Bunny…keeping the crowd hopping like rabbits! Ok you do get the point right? Now put all those ingredients in a bowl mix it up with your favorite mixing software give it a touch of producer talent and you have the final result: Your very own personalized and branded DJ Intro.

You might say I can’t do that, I just don’t have the skill or the proper software to come up with something that would sound professional and even if I have a pro to do it; it will cost hundreds of dollars!

Well this may be true but if you feel this way why not hire my audio production services today, as a DJ and producer I have created hundreds of DJ intros for deejays around the world and have helped many radio stations with radio imaging. The result was stunning as both the DJ’s and audience were truly impressed and yes whilst an intro is worth hundreds and maybe even thousands of dollars, I have kept my services entirely affordable starting at only 7.99$ Have a listen to some of my work and glance at what is offered on our website.

I truly hope that you contact me today and that we have an opportunity to work together shortly

Derek Bullard

CEO – Francais
Email: info@Francais.info
Skype: Dibblebee

Developing a DJ or music show logo.

Posté le juillet 30, 2012 Par Derek Bullard Publié dans all posts, Design and Promotion

More and more DJ’s are making a career out of their hobby. It is one the fastest growing roles in the music industry. With so many up-and-coming DJ’s it can be challenging to find and maintain a loyal customer base. Having a DJ logo or music show logo can make a difference making your service recognizable, easier to promote and be one step ahead of the competition. Plus having your logo on merchandise like T-shirts, caps and other accessories does not only help with promotion in a popular and lucrative way, it will also generate extra revenue. Marketing your services with a logo will show professionalism. When you take yourself serious and show passion and dedication to your music, so will others.

When I design a logo I keep in mind that it should be versatile. It has to work across a variety of mediums and applications; websites, E-mail signatures, in small or big print; from letter heads to posters and banners. The design has to be simple; containing an unexpected or unique feature without being overdrawn. It should be memorable. It must demand attention, but not be offensive to the eye. It has to match the performer’s personal style, yet respect that styles adjust and develop like music does; it has to be timeless. Both the DJ, his or her clients and the fans should be proud to represent and or wear the logo. Plus the combination of shape, font, color, and / or images must be appropriate. A pink balloon font will obviously not work on a hard rock DJ named KILLERBEE.

Together with my client I start with deciding whether the logo should be a word mark or a symbol. A word mark is when the logo is text based. A symbol based logo is usually an iconic graphic mark followed by simple text. For DJ’s I usually tend to go for a symbol based logo as they tend to be a bit more eye catching. When designing a symbol I try to create something that either literally represents the name, or what it stands for or does. Then I choose a font. For a text based logo I usually choose a more decorative font. For symbol based logo’s I do not want to draw the attention from the symbol and think the text should be more understated. Obviously the text should at all times be readable. Finally I create a color palette that supports the text, symbol and of course the overall brand. It is important that the logo will work printed on dark and light colors. That’s it in a nutshell.

At Francais we go beyond setting you up with the technical aspects of online radio. It is our goal to provide excellent service and all the tools and help you could possibly need in order to make your music passion a success, weather you are a hobbyist or developing your own business in radio. Marketing and promotion design is one of those aspects we excel in. Contact us for a free consultation and we give you a custom quote, obligation free.

Debby Peetam

a.k.a TheBee (CEO bythebee.net)
Creative Director Francais & XLTRAX Radio Music Network (xltrax.com)
Graphic & Web Designer – Artisan
Email: info@bythebee.net
Skype: debby.xltrax

Blue Icicle; A simple solution for Computer Recording!

Posté le juillet 30, 2012 Par Derek Bullard Publié dans all posts, Gadgets and Hardware

Blue Icicle; A simple solution for Computer Recording!

In today’s day and age more and more people are looking to setup their very own virtual office, meaning they can be anywhere in the world and still get their work done. This concept has always been very appealing to me! www.Francais.info has been the type of project where I can do just that and still be connected to the office and my clients, thanks to many fine tools that are available and most of all affordable. The Blue Icicle has been one of those tools. This slim, flexible and light device with phantom power allows me to plug my Condenser Microphone. To use the Blue Icicle, plug your xlr cable into one end and then the other end into your mic, afterwards you need to run a USB cable from the Blue Icicle to your computer. Thanks to an integrated gain knob you can control the sound levels. The setup to the computer was a breeze, in my case it was all plug and play without even requiring any device drivers. Best of all, this nifty device has a very attractive retail price running around 50$ CA and available right here.

Blue Icicle’s features in a nutshell:

• USB Microphone preamplifier and audio interface in one

• USB plug-and-play simplicity for Mac and PC

• Supplies 48V Phantom Power for condenser microphones

• No special drivers required

• Fully balanced low noise analog front end

• Analog gain control

• Phantom Power Active Light

• 16-bit/44.1kHz resolution

• Power Consumption: 200mA (from USB bus)

• System Requirements Macintosh: Mac OSX; USB 1.0 or 2.0; 64MB RAM (minimum)

• System Requirements Windows: XP Home Edition, XP Professional, Vista; USB 1.0 or 2.0; 64MB RAM (minimum)

A clever solution for all radio professionals:

Thanks to this very clever product you will never miss another voice over opportunity because you can easily bring it with you anywhere you go! When the occasion arises to do an audition, just setup your mobile studio and work your magic! The same applies for radio station presenters who are on vacation, on the road or doing live events, thanks to the Blue Icicle you only need to plug in your favorite XLR microphone, fire up your laptop and load favorite your recording or broadcasting software! As long as you have internet access you will be live and on the air in just a matter of minutes. Have fun with your radio project’s everyone and remember to contact me if I can be of any assistance!

Derek Bullard

CEO – Francais
Email: info@Francais.info
Skype: Dibblebee

Buying a DJ laptop – what to consider!

Posté le juillet 30, 2012 Par Derek Bullard Publié dans all posts, Gadgets and Hardware

Obviously when shopping for the ideal digital setup a DJ’s main concern is finding the best controller, but we believe that a DJ laptop pretty much dominates the second place on this shopping list. It is a crucial part of most digital DJ’s work environment. Although many of us tend to purchase a laptop that, with a processor speed of light will land us straight into memory heaven plus has a hard drive the size of a microwave, but there is more to be considered.

To be honest, I believe that almost any modern laptop bought from a trustworthy retailer will give you a reasonable DJ experience, which is unless the techie in you desires to morph your laptop into a fully featured, smokin’ hot customized audio producing animal with a music encyclopaedia along with broadcasting and recording studio. Most new laptops on the market today can easily handle the basic demands of DJ software.

Having that said, like Graphic Design, Accounting and blogging, the trade of DJ-ing comes with its own unique requirements. DJ’s often find themselves in intense circumstances, several types of equipment to carry from A to B, equipment that often all needs to be hooked on to that same laptop, limited flexibility in space which leaves us more to consider when buying a laptop.
Size and weight of a laptop

On its own a laptop isn’t that heavy, but carry it around together with a power pack, a DJ controller, headphones and cables while crossing the parking lot, manoeuvring through doorways and narrow hallways, up and down staircases and of course wrestling your way through all your sexy groupies, you might find yourself exhausted and sweating before the show starts. Not even mentioning travelling by bus, train or plane and all its weight limitations.
Screen size of a laptop

Laptops are designed to be sat right in front of, not stood back from and glanced at from an angle. If on top of that your screen is too small you will be challenged to do nearly the impossible and will miss out on the important information you rely on your laptop to give you. Ideally I would suggest a 15″screen, knowing not everybody would agree with me on this. Yes a 13″screen is more compact and lighter, but especially for DJs that wear glasses I think many would feel more comfortable DJing with a 15″screen. I use my work laptop mainly for graphic & web design and prefer a wide work area on screen, but I tell you; with its 17″ it is a beast to carry around.
Screen resolution of a laptop

Screen size is important, but actual screen resolution is imperative and frequently disregarded. Most 13″ laptops have a resolution of 1280 x 800, which is acceptable for audio software Serato, fine for mixing software Virtual DJ, however terrible for Traktor, which makes poor use of screen surface. Some 15″will remain at 1280 x 800, however a 15″screen with a resolution of 1440 x 900 will give you more room to play with and although information displayed on screen will “get smaller”, keep in mind that you always have the option to display a big screen at a lower resolution if and when you desire to.
Screen brightness of a laptop

OK I might be overdoing it with my tips, however I think it’s pretty well known that sunlight is NOT a laptop’s best friend, so if you happen to be a daytime DJ or one of those lucky bastards that mix on the beach or at the pool in the blistering sun, you might want to line up some laptops in the store and turn their brightness on full to check which one performs best. Don’t forget; some DJ software, like Serato ITCH and DJAY offer daytime settings which must be a welcoming feature during your next pool party!
Build quality of a laptop

Speaking about pool parties, beach raves or BBQ beats, it is likely that you will DJ at various places where your laptop might take a few knocks, maybe be dropped, shaken and scratched a bit. Be smart and invest in some reliable quality that lasts and makes you feel secure to actually use it as you intended.
Number of USB ports

Some PC’s only have two USB sockets. Make sure you keep your setup in mind when shopping for a laptop. It is not uncommon, for example, for a DJ to hook up an external sound card, a pad controller, and a DJ controller to their laptop, which requires 3 USBs. You can purchase a USB hub of course, but take it from me; if you have the choice you probably prefer to minimize your equipment and wires and simplify your setup where possible.
Solid State or normal Hard Drive?

The hard drive of your laptop will fail! Scary, isn’t it? It is not a question of “if” it is a simple question of “when”, unless you have a modern Solid State Hard Drive (SSD): These have no moving parts and are therefore incredibly reliable. However they are expensive and not available in high capacities. If you can afford one big enough for your needs, it might be worth considering, however like always I cannot stress it enough; MAKE BACK-UPS of your important files, frequently!
Battery life of a laptop

Being able to prepare your show on a plane, in the train, any time anywhere without being depended on an electrical socket can make the difference in the success of your show, especially as life get`s chaotic, particularly for DJ’s, you want to be flexible. Besides that it is FUN to be able to whip out your laptop anywhere and start playing on the fly! But even more important in the unfortunate circumstance you forget your power cord, which let’s face it; isn’t that unimaginable, it doesn’t have to mean the end of the world when you have sufficient battery life.
Choosing what suits you best

What laptop is right for you depends on which of the above factors you choose to prioritize. It goes without saying that an ultra-lightweight laptop will not have a 17” screen. You will not find a laptop that fulfils all your DJ needs 100% and the month after you purchase that excellent laptop a newer version hits the market. Overall recommended minimum tech specifications for a DJ laptop are 2GB RAM; Intel processor, Core 2 or higher plus a hard drive with a few GB free space on it. That should cover most of your basic DJ needs. Hopefully this article helps you making a decision you feel good with.

Contact us anytime when you need help setting up your DJ system. This is what we do, what we are passionate about and excellent at!

Debby Peetam

Creative Director – Francais
CEO – ByTheBee.net
Email: debby@xltrax.com
Skype: debby.xltrax.com

The history of DJing

Posté le avril 25, 2012 Par Derek Bullard Publié dans all posts, DJ

The history of DJing
It all starts with « vinyl »

The phono autograph was invented in 1857 in France. Although it was able to record sound, there was no possibility to playback. It took twenty more years before Charles Cros from France invented a phonograph, but unlike Thomas Alva Edison, Cros never actually build one. In the United States, Edison invented the phonograph cylinder that was able to play back recorded sound. The first commercial gramophone records were produced by Emile Berliner and sold to the public in 1892. Fourteen years later, in 1906, it was Reginald Fessenden who transmitted the first audio radio broadcast playing William Handel’s “Largo” from Xerxes.
The pioneer Disc Jockeys

In 1909, at age 16, Ray Newby, of Stockton, California, became world’s first disc jockey and started playing records on a small spark transmitter under the authority of radio pioneer Charles « Doc » Herrold.

« We used popular records at that time, mainly Caruso records, because they were very good and loud; we needed a boost… we started on an experimental basis and then, because this is novel, we stayed on schedule continually without leaving the air at any time from that time on except for a very short time during World War I, when the government required us to remove the antenna… Most of our programming was records, I’ll admit, but of course we gave out news as we could obtain it… »—Ray Newby, I’ve Got a Secret (1965)

In the early years of radio broadcasting, content typically included comedy, drama, news, music, and sports reporting, “live” as well as pre-recorded, but the term disc jockey was not used yet. The on-air announcers and programmers would later be known as disc jockeys. In 1927, Christopher Stone became the first radio announcer and programmer in the United Kingdom, on the BBC radio station.

The term disc jockey was first used in 1935 by American radio commentator Walter Winchell to describe Martin Block; the first radio announcer that became famous for his show « Make Believe Ballroom » where Block would pretend he was broadcasting from a ballroom by playing the nation’s top dance bands. The term “disc jockey”, derived from “disc”, referring to the disc records and “jockey” which is a machine operator, caught on and appeared in print in « Variety » in 1941.
The rise of the DJ

In 1943, Jimmy Savile organized the world’s first DJ dance party by playing jazz records in the upstairs function room of the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds in Otley, England. He also claims to have become the first DJ to use twin turntables for continuous play.

Gradually radio disc jockeys became famous separate from the radio station. In the days before station-controlled playlists, the DJ often followed their personal tastes in music selection and played a big role in exposing rock and roll artists to large, national audiences. DJ Bill Randle of WERE 1300AM was one of the first to introduce Elvis Presley to radio audiences.

In the 1950s, American radio DJs started appearing live at « sock hops » and « platter parties ». They would usually play hit singles on 45-rpm records while talking between songs. Occasionally, a live drummer was hired to play beats between songs to keep the dance floor alive.
Developping DJ skills

Between 1969 and 1975, with more specialized equipment on the market, special techniques like beat matching (creation of seamless transitions between records with matching beats) slip-cuing, (holding and releasing a record to create a sudden transition), scratching and mixing back and forth between two identical records to extend the rhythmic instrumental segment, or break. Turntablism was started.

In 1977 the Disco Bible was introduced by disc jockey Tom L. Lewis. Later renamed to Disco Beats it published hit disco songs listed by BPM (beats per minute), as well as by either artist or song title. This way beginning DJs could easily learn how to create seamless transitions between songs.

MTV was launched in 1981 and originally broadcasted mainly popular rock music videos. This initiated the term « video jockey », or VJ, to describe the young and gorgeous looking announcers of videos.
DJs are taking over the world

Starting in the mid-1980s, the wedding and banquet business started to be taken over by DJ companies thanks to their skills and knowledge of audience participation, MC charisma, and « crowd-pleasing » repertory selection.

During the early 1990s, the rave scene changed dance music, the image of DJs, and the nature of promoting. Famous DJs started touring around the world and were able to branch out into other music-related activities.

The gramophone record started to lose popularity due to the Compact Disc. In 1992, MPEG designed the MPEG-1 standard to produce reasonable sound at low bit rates. The MPEG-1 Layer-3, popularly known as MP3, later revolutionized the digital music domain.
The birth of Internet Radio and digital DJ revolution

In 1993 it was Carl Malamud who developed the first internet « radio station », Internet Talk Radio. By relaying audio over the internet, it was possible to access internet radio stations from anywhere in the world, making it popular for both amateur and professional disc jockeys. During the late 1990s, various DJ and VJ software programs were developed, allowing anyone with a PC to DJ or VJ using their own music or video files.

The first MP3 digital audio player (the Eiger Labs MPMan F10) was released in 1998. Final Scratch came out with the first digital DJ system enabling DJs to control MP3 files through special time-coded vinyl records or CDs. Although it took a while before « die hard Vinyl DJs » would warm up to this innovation it was the first step in the new Digital DJ revolution.

In 1999, Shawn Fanning released Napster, the first of the extremely popular file sharing systems. During this period, the AVLA (Audio Video Licensing Agency) of Canada announced an MP3 DJ license, administered by the Canadian Recording Industry Association, which would give DJs the right to perform in public using music stored on a hard drive, rather than bringing their entire CD collection to work.

2000 came with a bang! The role of the DJ is developping faster than ever before and now in 2012 taking a prominent place in the music and entertainment industry. If you are or aspire to become a DJ and need help with your set up, from software, to streaming to marketing and networking, please contact us.

Credits: Read the complete history on Wikipedia.