DJ tips part 2, ALDs, washburn guitars
DJ equipment, assistive listening devices, washburn D10S acoustic guitar
| Volume 2: Issue 3 |
March 2005 |
Dear Friends,
 Happy Springtime At Last!!!
If you are doing a little Spring Cleaning, be sure to make room for some great new products we are offering at AudioLink Services!
This month's newsletter includes articles, information and links pertaining to:
 DJ-Man's Helpful Hints for Aspiring DJs - Part II
Just for the record, AudioMan and I are not brothers.
And I did not bribe the boss to get the lead article!
Now, on to beat mixing: in a previous issue I discussed the basics of DJing and promised I would return with some more advanced hints on the magic of beat mixing, but in case you forgot (or you have not yet read the last issue), a brief re-cap of the basics of beat mixing:
Beat mixing is using the pitch adjustment on your turntable to match the tempo or Beats Per Minute (BPM) of the next track with the one you are currently playing. You do this by listening to the next track through the headphones and comparing the tempo to the track currently thumping the dance floor.
The best way to learn beat mixing from the beginning is to try to get two identical records. Obviously, two identical records can't be out of synch if you set the pitch control to the same setting on both tables. If you don't have two of the same sides, next best is picking two discs that are both nearly the same tempos and have clear rhythmical sounds. This means a big bad bass kick at the start of a bar and a clear snare hit or high hat sounds marking the other beats in the bar. Pick tracks that go right into beats and not into soft strings or other ambient sounds.
Now we're ready to do your first mix:
Start by setting one record to play and "cue" the next record up. Make sure the cross-fader is over to the side that has the playing track so that no sound comes out of the speakers from the cue channel. Cue the new track by putting the needle at the start of the record and let it play out past the static. Stop at the first sound of music. The cue channel should be coming out of your headphones.
The turntable platter should be rotating underneath the record while your finger holds the record stopped in position. If you do this right, you've cued the sound to the first beat of the first bar of the track. You should hold this beat so that the sound in the groove (in the vinyl) is underneath the needle. When you move your hand the beat sounds slowly through your headphones.
The tricky part now is to start this beat at the same time as first beat of the bar of the currently playing track.
The beats should now overlap as both tracks play at the same time. Dropping a cue track in time with the track playing out is not easy. And for some people, like AudioMan, might be impossible!
But for the rest of us, with enough practice, you can get the hang of it. Hey, if it was too easy no one would need a DJ!
Overlapping the beats (having two tracks "in time") allows two tracks to play simultaneously without sounding too cluttered.
Now that you have the two records started, there is one more skill you have to master.
Remember, tracks that have different tempos will drift out of time. Take your time - stop, look, listen - did you hear the kick of the bass or the snap of a snare in your headphone first? Was it slightly behind? When you are adjusting the pitch to match tempos use your left hand to speed up or slow down the cue record and keep your right hand on the pitch adjustment slider for the turntable in play.
If the cue track is getting behind, speed it up by giving the record a push in the middle - remember our discussion last time about a direct-driven table? This is what that direct-drive is for.
If the cue track is getting ahead, gently slow the platter down by touching the side.
Remember to adjust the overall tempo using the turntable's pitch adjustment after you make these changes. This means that the two tempos should get closer and closer together. When two tracks are closely matched they will stay in synch long enough for you to cross-fade the record in play. AudioMan says I can talk more about cross-fading later - if you can't wait - check out our cross-faders in the store.
One final word on beat mixing:
The secret to beat mixing is to train your ear to recognize the slight difference in BPMs between the track playing out and the cue track in your headphone. My best advice is to pick a beat to compare - say the first beat in a bar - for both tracks and listen for this beat only. Try to hear if the beat in one track is hitting before the beat in the other track.
Now all you need to do is buy the turntables and the records and start practicing.
Next time we get together, I'd like to take you to the next step in DJing, cross-fading and equalizing with your mixer.
That's all for now, 'til next time, good spinning.
Over to you AudioMan.
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 ALDs are Life Enhancing Products
ALDs is the abbreviation currently in vogue for assistive listening devices - products which are truly "life enhancing." If you are a past visitor to our website, you already know that Audiolinks has a significant number of ADA compliant products available to the hearing impaired. Now, we are expanding our offerings in the somewhat more specialized area of alerting devices & alarms.
More and more, these specialized ALDs are being recognized as important contributors to a superior quality of life for a growing portion of our population. Coincidentally, two of our readers recently sent in questions about this very topic. So I thought it might be time to address the issue in a little more detail.
In general, ALDs are any type of device that can help you interact with your environment more effectively. ALDs can be used with or without hearing aids to overcome the negative effects of distance, background noise, and poor acoustics. So even though you may already have a hearing aid, assistive listening devices can offer a better chance of hearing effectively in many routine circumstances.
There are three basic types of assistive listening systems: portable systems (which allow you to move freely both inside and outside), stationary systems (with table top or fixed transmitters) and personal systems (for the home and the workplace).
The new ALDs that we have vetted for sale are primarily in this last category - personal systems for the home and the workplace. Let me highlight three of them.
The telephone amplifying devices work with your existing phone system by attaching to the handset or the input jack (RJ11). My personal favorite is the Mega-Phone by Global Assistive Devices. I do take issue with their name for the product because I am at heart an audio purist and megaphone means something very specifc to me (see my previous article on megaphones in my discussion of PA Systems). In any case this device fits right on the earpiece of the handset and allows most phones to still fit in their cradles. My other favorite in this category is the ART Headset Amplifier which is best suited for a multi-phone office environment.
The amplified telephones include both wired and cordless models. Cordless models work on different frequencies to match the local console (this is to reduce interference on multiple cordless phones in the same general location). Also available are amplified answering machines, paging systems and related paraphernalia. If you don't see exactly what you want on our website please email us for details and pricing.
The third category, alarms, including wake-up alarms, is just what the name implies. I can personally testify to the need for a vigorous wake-up system. When you are on-the-road (Hey DJ-Man can relate!) and you need to get-up at 3 A.M. to do your set-up everyone needs an ALDs. Personal favorite? The vibrating alarm wristwatch wins hands-down (no pun intended). It flashes and vibrates at the pre-set time. No more relying on soft little beeping wrist watches. Of course, nothing quite compares to a super LOUD alarm clock - and what a great price.
Last but not least - again something that you just don't think of until it is suggested - are the alarms for the front door or fire alarms that need to rely on something other than sound. Current product offerings include doorbell alarms with flashing lights, knock-at-the door vibration sensitive alerting systems, fire alarms and smoke detectors that use bright flashing lights, baby-cry devices or room-to-room sound alerting systems.
Click Here to see the list.
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 Introducing Washburn Guitars
AudioLink Services is proud to announce the addition of Washburn Guitars to our line of Musical Instruments. For more than one hundred years, Washburn has been building great guitars, mandolins, basses and banjos. The Washburn tradition of craftsmanship and innovation is the standard for acoustic guitar excellence. And for those of you in the know, their electric guitars are truly world class.
Since its inception in Chicago in 1883, the name Washburn has become synonymous with the world's finest stringed instruments.
They were the first guitar manufacturer to use artist endorsements; they were the originator of the large-bodied acoustic guitar; they perfected solid body electric guitars; and they are the pioneer in electric-acoustic guitar design.
Washburn is an innovator and a trend setter, and we are pleased that they have demonstrated their confidence in AudioLinks.com by allowing us to carry their full instrument line.
Click Here for Washburn's top selling D10S Dreadnought Solid Top Acoustic Guitar.
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 Do you have pro-audio questions? AudioMan's got answers!
Thomas A. writes:
I own a Nady wireless system that came with a head mount microphone. I would like to obtain a better one for my system. Please advise.
Well, Thomas, it depends on what you mean by better. Better quality or better features? If you are dissatisfied with the audio quality of the microphone, there are several variables, aside from outright defects, which you must consider in order to get the sound you want - such as omni vs. unidirectional or UHF vs. VHF.
Then there's the question of functionality. Are you using it for singing? Some mics are better suited for speaking only. It all comes down to personal preference. For example, if you are uncomfortable with wearing the mic as a headband, then perhaps a lavaliere or lapel microphone is right for you.
Here's a link to compatible microphones for you to consider.
If you still aren't sure, read this article about some issues you may want to consider when purchasing a replacement.
Hope this helps!
Dawn S. writes:
I work for an A/V company and we are looking for an 'assisted listening system' which allows us to take an audio feed from our PA mixer and send it to a transmitter and receivers for the listeners. Do you have something like this?
Hi Dawn,
There are several systems which fit your requirements including among them a number of Assistive Listening Devices, or ALDs, many of which are ADA Compliant.
(These ALDs conform to the regulations enacted by Congress under the American Disability Act)
Most prevalent among the manufacturers we recommend are Williams Sound and Listen Technologies.
There are three basic types of systems: portable systems (also known as tour or travel guide), stationary systems (also known as table top or fixed) and personal systems (for home, office and public use).
Your particular situation calls for stationary equipment with a fixed transmitter (the receivers are portable). This is so you can interface with your current audio system, as fully portable transmitters do not typically include audio inputs or outputs.
Depending on your budget and whether you prefer digital features rather than analog, there are many options available. Just to get you started, here are links to the basic systems: The Williams Sound Personal PA and The Listen Technologies Starter System.
Or, you can click here for an article I've prepared which addresses the pros and cons of each type.
If you are still not sure, you can always call us at 1-800-516-6955 for a more in-depth, FREE consultation and we'll try to narrow the focus for you.
I hope this is helpful!
Mary Anne P. had this inquiry:
I am in search of a telephone which allows me to amplify the sound and has a speaker device in addition to the handset. The Williams Sound TEL O30 is very close to the phone I am looking for, but does not have the speaker device. Do you know of another model that has what I am looking for?
Hi Mary Anne,
Your inquiry arrived on the very day that we loaded a new product on the site that is exactly what you need! If the amplification of the PhoneMax is not sufficient, you can boost it with Global Assistive Devices' Mega-Phone.
The mega-phone fits onto any standard telephone handset, has a volume adjustment knob, and works on batteries.
Hope this helps!
Keep those calls, cards and letters coming. Maybe we'll feature your question in an upcoming issue!
For more information about other audio topics Click Here to see Equipment Reviews, the Newsletter Archive and related Articles
AudioMan
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Just put in this discount code: Liberty 3/05 when prompted in the shopping cart and $50.00 will be automatically discounted from the price.
This offer expires March 31, 2005
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You already know that AudioLinks.com is the premiere
source for audio equipment discounts, but are you aware of the other
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& Transcription as
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Well, that's about it for this edition. In future issues we plan to offer reports and updates on different types of audio equipment, links to useful sites and to answer questions posed by you and other readers. We hope you will find this newsletter useful and we welcome your feedback.
Looking for something that's not on our web site? Contact Us and we'll respond as quickly as possible, or, visit AudioLink's product pages and see for yourself why we are known as: "The Home of Sound Solutions"
Until then,
That's sound advice...
Regards,
AudioMan
SiteManager@audiolinks.com
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