DJ Laptop

DJ Laptop

Music live performance

To successfully host your digital music collection requires a reliable and efficient hardware platform. The first option is what system you prefer,be it MAC, PC or linux, all have their merits and disadvantages. MAC and PC systems are more widely supported with respect to the DJ software on the market. Windows operators must decide what version they want to run, such as XP, Vista or 7.

Personally I would advise people to disregard Vista as an operating system choice and stick with either XP or 7. New laptops will mostly come supplied with Windows 7. Price and brand generally reflect the basic components within a laptop. The first to consider is the processor; this should be at least a dual core and you should avoid the lower end of processors such as intel celerons and AMD semprons. I recommend at least an i5 duo core or an AMD opteron dual core system if you intend to be severe with DJ sofware and built in effects.

If your budget allows, go for a Mac Book Pro, there is an OS X compatible version of Virtual DJ software.

Incidentally be set in mind when optimising your music for compression. I keep the vast majority of my collection at 192kbps true stereo or above. If you really have an acute ear, lesser compression values than this will be ever so slightly audible. 128kbps sounds far to crunchy on hi hats and other higher frequency instruments.