Virtual DJ is a fabulous software for DJs and KJs at all levels. It allows you to make play lists, use video, and provides many other function--all from your laptop. Gone are the days of tons of bulky equipment. You can run your business more effectively by utilizing this software. However, there is a lot to learn before you start a show with this software.
Instructions
1. Pick your interface. When you first open your Virtual DJ Software, it will ask which skin you would like to use. The first is "DJ Basic," which is the simplest interface. Your next option is "Full." It has more bells and whistles along with more options. You can access the loop sampler and the effects from this skin. The third option is "Full Video." This has all the options of full, but there are boxes to show the active video and the video in each deck. The fourth option is "Internal Mixer." This option is probably the most professional looking of all the skins. It has all the options that the full skin, but it just looks nicer and it has a little more versatility. Once you pick the skin you want to use, it will take you into the software. You can change skins at any time b going into your configuration settings and clicking on the skins tab.
2. Adjust your audio settings. Go to the configuration settings by clicking on the "Config" tab at the top of the skin. This will bring up a window with different tabs. Click on the "Sound setup" tab. Go through the options and pick the correct configuration for your system. Make sure to test this before your first show. Just one miscalculated setting can mean that the volume settings are off, or even worse, only one speaker is getting signal.
3. Adjust your video settings. If you are doing karaoke, or if you have a video component to your show, you will need to input those settings. While still in the config menu go to the video tab. If the signal is going to another screen or to a TV you will need to activate those settings, otherwise the video will only play in a window on your desktop.
4. Set up your options. You have one last thing to do before you close out the config menu. Go to the "Options" tab, and make sure that the options listed meet your specifications. Do you want the gain to adjust each time song loads, or do you want to set the level for every song your play? Do you want to use the pitch corrector? Make sure all of the listed options are set properly and then click "OK."
5. Find your music. Go to the menu on the left hand side of your computer. If you want to search your whole computer, just click on "My computer." If you only what to search a particular drive (IE an external hard drive.), select it from that menu. Once you have selected your directory, type a song title into the bar in the browser. The song should appear in the box below the bar. If you have multiple versions of the song, they should all appear. If the song does not appear you may have to click on the actual drive and let the drive be searched by the software before it can be found. If you are still having issues, try clicking on the second dot after the song bar. A menu should drop down listing "Show Covers," "Show Music," "Show Karaoke," and "Show Video." Make sure there is a check mark by the format you want. Also, if you only want one format (just DJ music or just karaoke) only have that format checked.
6. Check out your effects. Virtual Dj has tons of great effects. You can access them through the effects tab on your skin. There is a keychanger, backspin, overloop and more. See what effects you need for your show. Using them is pretty straight forward, but you may need some practice to get your timing just right.
