A DJ iPod?

[painandgreed]

iPod Dj

Well, I've already seen DJs play mp3s and use much worse systems to do it. I've seen portable players, I've seen console game systems hooked up to sound systems because the normal systems were out, and I've seen plenty of laptops. If you have a song that everybody wants to here and it's only on mp3 format, that's what you play. In the middle of the night, few music snobs will be sitting around critiquing the sound quality over their fifth drink instead of dancing or hitting on people they're trying to take home. Chances are, unless you're in a gay club (they always have the best lighting and sound systems), the sound system probably isn't good enough to tell the quality difference in the middle of a busy night anyway.

Add into that the convience of not having to lug around boxes of records and CDs everywhere, and some Djs would jump at the chance. Of course, those Djs are probably already using laptops.

 

[Mudbug]

doubt it

there's just not enough market for them to make a different - or stand-alone "pro" model ipod, if this is the only pro feature available. It would have to include other features to make it worth the astronomical development and manufacturing costs associated with bringing any new product to an international-level market.

There's just not enough people making a living at DJing around the country to justify this being an identifiable market niché. (thank goodness!)

And to that effect, don't they already make a "pro" level ipod, and call it the ibook? or PowerBook for that matter?

 

[mim]

Re: would never happen

Originally posted by julzmon
sound quality does not come near to vinyl let alone CD.
You play that thing on a slammin sound system and it will sound like ****.

It will never happen!

Well, actually it's already happening;

http://www.traktor-dj.com

There are already a number of "pro" mp3 dj systems out there - some with specific hardware. The above one (Traktor) is software and already links pretty well to iTunes and uses the music straight from your iPod. I've seen a number of dj's use it - they always plug into club mixer - and some even have the software slaved to the cd decks for bpm adjustments. If the Pods could be set up to act as dial conntrols and audio out-puts they'd be an idea tool.

In a club. it would be very rare for you to notice the difference between a cd and mp3. Even if the club PA system had the dynamic responsiveness to make a difference, the room acoustics would make the point moot anyways.

I also know a number of bars that use their iPods as a jukebox. Looks cool and always draws coments. Sounds just fine thanks too.

So if it's really happening, I can't wait.

 

[mim]

Re: doubt it

Originally posted by Mudbug
there's just not enough market for them to make a different - or stand-alone "pro" model ipod, if this is the only pro feature available. It would have to include other features to make it worth the astronomical development and manufacturing costs associated with bringing any new product to an international-level market.

Errr - are you sure what you're saying? If the 'pods already have the functionality to a degree, then there's not that much to making the couple of extra widgets you need, and adding a bit more RAM.

Also maybe you shouldn't let people like this http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermate/ know that making low volume cool products is not feasible.

Originally posted by Mudbug
There's just not enough people making a living at DJing around the country to justify this being an identifiable market niché. (thank goodness!)

Well, again I think you'd be surprised by just how large this maket is. There are a huge number of DJ products and manufacturers. Seems like every second person I know these days is getting into mixing. And I'm sure a whole lot more people would too with a low cost portable option.

edit: As refinery said - this functionality will probably be provided by the dock - all it needs to work is some high level line outputs, and some way of linking the pods (that is if it doesn't use the laptop...).

 

[Kid Red]

Originally posted by sparks9
I don't believe it.

I know, NYPost is the MacOSRumors of print.

 

[ennerseed]

Dear Santa...

I really have been a good boy so far this year. Since Apple released the ITMS I haven't downloaded a single song I didn't pay for. If I continue to be reeeaaal good will you please make Apple release a Pro DJ iPod, and stick it in my stocking?

-always good
Teeny Timothy

 

[ennerseed]

Re: doubt it

Originally posted by Mudbug
there's just not enough market for them to make a different - or stand-alone "pro" model ipod

Yeah, I agree TOTALLY! and there is not enough people making digital music for Apple to buy Emagic.

*wink, wink, nudge, nudge*

 

[bennetsaysargh]

SUPERDOCK!

i think it won't be a new iPod, but a superdock. plug the iPod in, and it has a bunch of dj controll on it. the have a scratch wheel (wheels from 5GB models).
maybe a tiny OS upgrade to display more information on it, somehow a way to make it small, yet big enough to use.

 

[di0nysus]

Apple is blazing a new era in entertainment. Firewire will be the only cable!

As a DJ/producer, I'm totally for it. I use what ever medium I can play to make the performance sound better. CDs, records, effect processors, samplers, synths. There is no diffrence between mixing mp3s, AFF, WAV or AAC. All you do is adjust the pitch to line the beats up. People who think this won't happen because you won't look cool are fools. Right now, I'm planning a party in a cabin we'd have to hike 2km into. Do I really want to lug 70 pounds of records or a couple ipods. Think of the possibiblites...Apple has just doubled the size of the pods in one year. They'll be 60 gigs in a year. We'll be using aiff, and 300k mp3 compressions. It'll sounds fine. And for all your record purists. The music on wax was made digitally on a computer.

Peace

 

[Sincere]

of course this is posted today...

... the day I bought an iPod (which was DOA, and is awaiting to be mailed back to Apple)... The combination of this rumour and my DOA 30G is making me think twice... This could be possible, there have been other rumors about advanced iPods and that new dock... The new machine would have line in, I pray, which would be the best friend of those in creative fields, or even business...
Also, +/- 8 % would not cut it for many pro DJs, I use Stanton STR8-100 and it has up to +/-25. I can't see it being marketed solely for DJs, but rather to all in music (or if video is incorporated as rumoured, tv and film) fields. I hope it comes out, certainly, but remember that nearly no publication has more falsities and stretched truths than the Post... Though the Times these days is questionable too.

Hope I don't have to try and sell the 30G within a year to get one of these new ones, but the thought of a unit with pro audio professionals in mind is very exciting... Also remember that Apple owns Emagic, that could factor into this as well...

--Sincere

 

[mim]

Re: of course this is posted today...

Originally posted by Sincere
.. Also remember that Apple owns Emagic, that could factor into this as well...

Well well well well well!

I actually didn't know that. Starts to make quite a bit of sense to get pro-level functionallity onto the iPod. With that huge damn connector on the base of the new ones there should be no limit to what kind of goodies that a breakout box/super dock could bring.

 

[alxths]

All of you suggesting that this sort of ipod would be a bad idea because DJ's would never use it at their gigs; I partially agree with you. Hardly any DJs out there would actually use an ipod to spin their tracks(yeah im down wit da DJ lingo), but these features could come in handy if their testing out playlists on the go. But more significantly I thikn, is the fact that this sort of ipod would not be marketed towards DJs at all, but people who think they could be a DJ, want to be a DJ, or are just suckers for paying extra for some seemingly neat, yet useless product features...

...I'd probably get it if they made it possible to do some scratching with the scroll wheel

 

[Wry Cooter]

Originally posted by deepkid

I suppose Apple or some third party could introduce some sort of super dock that allow more control over the mix.

Google on Final Scratch, Native Instruments, and "Ask The DJ". The tech is already here... I just don't think it needs to be built into the iPod.

The New York Times must have hired Jayson Blair back. Even before the Blair case became news, I noticed too much NYT news using the future tense for my comfort.

It's News after it happens, or while it happens, not BEFORE it happens.

 

[illumin8]

Re: Honestly, Kyle..

Originally posted by Windowlicker
Seriously, this is not cool, it's not cool.

I really don't think DJs are gonna use mp3s/aac cds are okay since there are proper cd dj systems (such as the pioneer thingy), but I myself couldn't think of a dj that played the tunes from an ipod (or two).

still, it would be kinda spectacular
still, it's not cool, kyle, it's not cool mmkay?

You don't know what you're talking about. I'm a Trance DJ and I play with both MP3 and vinyl. Have you ever heard of a product called Final Scratch? Now you can get a Mac OS X compatible version. Seriously though. Playing both formats allows me to get songs that vinyl only DJs can only dream of (out of print stuff), and Final Scratch gives me the same level of control that I get with vinyl.

I love it when someone pretends they're an expert on something they obviously know nothing about.

 

[Mudbug]

Re: Re: Honestly, Kyle..

Originally posted by illumin8
I love it when someone pretends they're an expert on something they obviously know nothing about.

Ok - I'm claiming to know nothing about this.

a few questions as they come to me:
You make money doing this? Full time? People pay you to play music? At parties, I assume? Do you host the party, or does someone else throw it, and hire you? Or do you work at a nightclub/disco? If at a nightclub, why would you be the one to provide the equipment, unless you own the place.

I mean no disrespect, I guess I'm just getting old. I use my music to listen to, and I'm pretty good at multitrack editing for commercial advertising production, but I just don't get this. Are you like Moby or someone? Please help.

And please don't flame me - I really just don't get it.

 

[h'biki]

Originally posted by alxths
All of you suggesting that this sort of ipod would be a bad idea because DJ's would never use it at their gigs; I partially agree with you. Hardly any DJs out there would actually use an ipod to spin their tracks(yeah im down wit da DJ lingo), but these features could come in handy if their testing out playlists on the go. But more significantly I thikn, is the fact that this sort of ipod would not be marketed towards DJs at all, but people who think they could be a DJ, want to be a DJ, or are just suckers for paying extra for some seemingly neat, yet useless product features...

...I'd probably get it if they made it possible to do some scratching with the scroll wheel

There are DJs who do use the iPod to play tracks. RES had a brief article on a bunch of dudes doing it (Jan issue).

There are four different types of DJs (roughly):

1. There are DJs like Kid Koala and DJ Tokoloshie who use the decks as an instrument. They're unlikely to use a DJ'ed iPod cause its not like you can flutter scratch with an iPod.

2.Then there are DJs like DJ Vadim and Rip-One who beat mix tracks and throw in some tricks now and then. They, again, are unlikely to use an iPod DJ system. But hey, they're unlikely to even use a CD mixing system. Vinyl is life to these guys. Not just for sound, but for the culture and the tactile sense. (And anyone who doesn't see vinyl as a culture hasn't met any crate diggers).

3. Then there are your regular club DJs. These guys have moved from mixing on vinyl to mixing on CD cause its cheap, you can keep up with the latest popular tracks easy (you don't have to go digging for white labels), and you just have to beat mix. Most of these guys burn MP3s to CDRs. I know this cause I'm friends with a few. If the iPOd (and iTunes) supported pitch shifting and there was a third party interface (like Final Scratch, but possibly just a USB/DOCK slider), these guys would lap it up. The interface would have to be worked on, but it could potentially be very popular. Being able to carry the equivilent of a few crates of LPs/CDs in your pocket would appeal - although it lacks the cool of the slouched record bag and the headphones look.... the wheel also makes sense as a pitch shifting interface. I've been waiting for Apple to do something like this. It makes a lot of sense and doesn't require that much engineering on their part.

4. DJs who just crash-mix tracks (like DJ Muro) - these guys are mostly funk DJs cause beatmixing funk is ****en hard.

Market #3 is massive and it makes sense for Apple to go after it.

Also, a lot of electronic music producers would dig have an iPod to mix from. MOst of em just burn CDs (dubplates are too expensive) and mix on Pioneer decks. Being able to play straight from an AIFF would be awesome. Hell some of em just mix audio files directly from their laptop cause it makes it LOOK like their performing (i've done that personally in front of a few crowds). Live electronica is a myth

h'biki.

(who is currently listening to a DJ Vadim mix type off his iPod! Bah. Gotta transfer the rest of my mix tapes to Mp3s)

 

[Kwyjibo]

Re: Honestly, Kyle..

Originally posted by Windowlicker
Seriously, this is not cool, it's not cool.

I really don't think DJs are gonna use mp3s/aac cds are okay since there are proper cd dj systems (such as the pioneer thingy), but I myself couldn't think of a dj that played the tunes from an ipod (or two).

I work in a banquet hall and i'm there until the end of the party. I usually hang out with the DJ for a little and honestly, i've seen some Djs with like a mixer speakers and an laptop running musicmatch and they were as popular as the ones spinning CDS or whatever else. I think its an awesome idea i would love something like that if the price was right.

 

[mim]

Re: Re: Re: Honestly, Kyle..

Originally posted by Mudbug
Ok - I'm claiming to know nothing about this.

a few questions as they come to me:
You make money doing this? Full time? People pay you to play music? At parties, I assume? Do you host the party, or does someone else throw it, and hire you? Or do you work at a nightclub/disco? If at a nightclub, why would you be the one to provide the equipment, unless you own the place.

I mean no disrespect, I guess I'm just getting old. I use my music to listen to, and I'm pretty good at multitrack editing for commercial advertising production, but I just don't get this. Are you like Moby or someone? Please help.

And please don't flame me - I really just don't get it.

Ok - I'm not a pro-dj, but I know a couple and I've owned some decks and a PA and held my own raves....enough of the disclaimer.

I've seen a couple of DJ's at clubs in London use Final Scratch. It seems to provided the best of both worlds - vinyl and mp3. It basically consists of a special record pressed with accurate time code clicks. These clicks are picked up by a box that tells the computer what speed the record is running, and where the needle is on the record. It is impresssivly responsive. These guys make money from DJing, but also have dayjobs. Most of their spare cash goes into finding new tracks - those elusive white labels....

Moby is like the Tom Cruise of DJing - appeals to some masses but is hardly on the cutting edge. As far as I know he doesn't even DJ anyway. Most DJ's get invited by clubs to do a "residency" ie, play on a certain night each week. Most DJ's have a certain style they play, which is why people will go to one club on Wednesday, and a different one on Friday. Most DJ's have their own decks, but so do most clubs and bars. DJ's usually just bring their music, unless they need special gear (3rd turntable, mixer, laptop, etc)

Anyway - back to topic. In my experience, there are a load of people who would not be seen dead using anything but vinyl - it's very cool to be real snobby like that. But the majority of guys and gals who travel around Europe doing gigs would only be too happy to see something like this. As said above (kinda) it's not too hard to mix digital and vinyl tracks together either, with the right gear.

I think that with a recording input, almost every DJ would try and get hold of a 'pod to record their sets - very easy and convienient for them.

And BTW - it's cool to pretend that vinyl gives a great quality sound, but in reality it's really only on a par with mp3's.

 

[maradong]

Originally posted by sparks9
I don't believe it.

same for me.
what is the purpose of such an ipod ? the amount of people who will buy something like that is REALLY little. I can t beleive apple is investing ressouces in something like that.

 

[pfranzen]

DJs making money guy...

Hey man. These days the top DJs are like Rock stars. They get flown around the world to do gigs. I live in England and work with some of them. In the summer in Europe people go to Ibiza to party. Its like a pilgrimage of sorts and the DJs there are like Gods to the kids.

I think people underestimate the kinda money a great DJ can make...people like Boy George are DJs now etc...

P

 

[pfranzen]

Hey Maradong...

I have more friends that have 1200's in their basements doing mixing for fun than I have friends with Macs...That should tell you something about the home Mixing market...

P

 

[freddiecable]

Re: Re: would never happen

There are already a number of "pro" mp3 dj systems out there - some with specific hardware. The above one (Traktor) is software and already links pretty well to iTunes and uses the music straight from your iPod. I've seen a number of dj's use it - they always plug into club mixer - and some even have the software slaved to the cd decks for bpm adjustments. If the Pods could be set up to act as dial conntrols and audio out-puts they'd be an idea tool.

In a club. it would be very rare for you to notice the difference between a cd and mp3. Even if the club PA system had the dynamic responsiveness to make a difference, the room acoustics would make the point moot anyways.

I also know a number of bars that use their iPods as a jukebox. Looks cool and always draws coments. Sounds just fine thanks too.

So if it's really happening, I can't wait. [/B]

I couldn't agree more! I use Traktor on my iBook 800 and it's awesome! Imaging syncing iPod with some kind of Traktor device and the party will never stop

 

[cdburrows]

i wasn't at the iPod launch but didn't Apple have a DJ setup at each store... where they were able to mix (etc) two iPods side by side....

Maybe this is were the rumour has developed from?

 

[visor]

Originally posted by deepkid


I have both the original 5GB scroll wheel and the new 10GB 3rd generation touch wheel pod and the scroll felt more natural to handle to me.

Yes, there are slight problems with the touchwheel. It works ok when I have very short clipped fngernails and scroll having the thing sticking in the dock.
OK, makes me care for my nails more often, thats good - but what about women?

Just a thought.

 

[SlowX]

Re: hm somethings fishy...

Originally posted by pfranzen
a 'professional' ipod would have to be nothing like the current ipod. there is no way youd get a DJ mixing up two pods (as they are today) to a mixer and DJing. Theyd get laughed out of the venue.

actually, should it be able to go up to 11?