CD Mixing and MP3 Files

**LuvLatins** · August 26th, 2005, 02:32 PM

I just purchased a BOZAK Mixer and I have alot of Vinyl Records but have never mixed using CD's.

Here is my question: How hard is it to learn how to mix CDs. Also if you take an MP3 Recorded at like 320 and make a CD out of it, if you then mix it using one of these CD mixing devices how does it sound in a professional setting. Would be gret if you could take an MP3 of good quality and mix it on a professional sound system and have it sound good. Many classics are now in MP3 format but are next to impossible to find on Vinyl.

Can anyone share these experiences.

**LuvLatins** · August 26th, 2005, 02:33 PM

Thanks Everyone for your input on this subject

**Noman** · August 27th, 2005, 05:48 AM

Mp3 at 320 if uncompressed and put on CD should sound close to the original even in a professional system. 192 depends on the music, but it's not good enough for me.
The problem is that sometimes the "originals" that you find on CD or mp3 are not of such good quality (taken from bad masters or vinyl). The best solution then is to find a good vinyl copy and let someone with good knowledge and equipment transfer it to CD (or do it yourself).

**stevieboy32808** · August 31st, 2005, 05:49 PM

There's no such thing as an uncompressed mp3. All mp3's are compressed. The uncompressed version of an mp3 is a wav audio file. An mp3 encoded at 320 kbps is superb audio quality but you have a bigger file. At that compression you will not lose any sound. Crystal clear.

The Pioneer CDJ-MKII are to CDs as Technics 1200's is to vinyl. Those Pioneer cd players can take quite a beating and is considered the standard. Many top dj's use that. If you put it in vinyl mode, you can scratch using cds! As far as professionalism goes you bet nobody will bother you about that :D

**Noman** · September 1st, 2005, 01:00 AM

Of course. with "if uncompressed" I mean "uncompressed into a wav audio file."

**LuvLatins** · September 5th, 2005, 01:10 PM

So if you take an MP3 or Wave file and convert it to standard CD format and place it on a blank CD, using Pioneer CDJ-MKII you can mix it on professional sound system and it sould sound close to vinyl. The resaon I ask is that it is sometimes easy to get a classic MP3 file and the vinyl original might cost $300 dollars. By buring the MP3 to CD and using a Pioneer CDJ-MKII you could mix it and save the $300 dollars for other music purchases

Thanks JB

**LuvLatins** · September 5th, 2005, 01:11 PM

How hard is it to learn to use Pioneer CDJ-MKII devices - OUCH im a vinyl man :)

**LuvLatins** · September 5th, 2005, 01:14 PM

Here is an example:

MANCINI,HENRY AFRICAN SYMPHONY (RARE ONE-SIDED PROMO) 12":SINGLE US VG++/VG++ (Nonstandard rating) Rare one-sided promo in excellent condition. original copy of Henry Mancini 12"-African Symphony 4.35-RCA(us 1975). RCA MFTS $71.30 BUY Info...

$71.30 - Ouch !

**stevieboy32808** · September 7th, 2005, 07:51 PM

Wow! That Henri Mancini song is a beautiful song. Have you ever listened to the Saint Tropez version of that song. It's called "La Symphonie Africaine" since they are a French group. Personally Saint Tropez's version is way better than Mancini's.

As you already know most dance music recorded in the 70's and early 80's uses live instruments (drums, bongos, bells, etc)
meaning beatmatching will never be perfect on any media you are using whether it'd be on vinyl or cd.

In addition, the audio on the Mancini tune will sound exactly as you record it. Most pc software recorders record directly to the wav format so there is no need to convert to mp3 because as you know your cd burning software will convert the wav to the cd format. Unless you plan to keep the audio on your pc too, then I recommend an encoding of 192 kbps or above. Anyways below is a link showing the Pioneers at work (mostly scratching) and lighter models: Judge for yourself! 8)

http://www.pioneerprodj.com/cm/produ...ching_Demo.wmv

For more information see:

www.pioneerprodj.com

But don't limit your options to the Pioneer just because it's the standard. For example, Technics 1200's is the standard for vinyl but Vestax beats them when it comes to torque which comes in handy for cueing.There are also other brands to look out for when it comes to cd turntables.

**LuvLatins** · September 7th, 2005, 08:39 PM

Great update. I just bought a Bozak Mixer cant wait for it to get here. I have about 2,000 Vinyl records. Used to go to the Saint in New York see http://www.mylandofmakebelieve.com/members/photos/ the site is no longer maintained so many of the links no longer work but check it out. Best Club ever. Now here is my problem I do have two Technics MK1200II turntables. I never mixed with one of those CD Pioneer devices. Wonder if its hard. (I wanna touch the record) Heheehe. Anyway, getting some of the 200 300 dollar classics in MP3 or WAVE format is much easier these days then finding a good condition Vinyl. So I had this Idea how about recording them on a CD and using one of these CD turntable devices. My fear however is that some of the systems in clubs that I mix on have 10,000 to 20,000 watts and I dont want to blow the tweeters and the crossover device my playing one of these "home made" CD's but it was just a thought. Let me check out your links and lets see if its doable.

Thanks

**LuvLatins** · September 7th, 2005, 08:44 PM

I dont SCRATCH. But I like that you can touch this like a record. What unit do you like

**LuvLatins** · September 7th, 2005, 08:52 PM

But don't limit your options to the Pioneer just because it's the standard. For example, Technics 1200's is the standard for vinyl but Vestax beats them when it comes to torque which comes in handy for cueing.There are also other brands to look out for when it comes to cd turntables.

You mean Vestax CD devices correct ? I could never give up my Technics

**stevieboy32808** · September 7th, 2005, 09:18 PM

Originally Written by jbandes

My fear however is that some of the systems in clubs that I mix on have 10,000 to 20,000 watts and I dont want to blow the tweeters and the crossover device my playing one of these "home made" CD's but it was just a thought.You mean Vestax CD devices correct ? I could never give up my Technics
Thanks

I meant Vestax vinyl turntables, not cd's, but Technics have been around for so long and really reliable that people don't care for the extra torque that Vestax provides.

Blowing the speakers up is a matter you have to decide. Never put the volume up all the way to the 'red area'. This will cause distortion or more formerly 'clipping'. In fact this does not effect the cd player at all since the sound is coming out of the cd player to the mixer and from the mixer to the amp and finally the club speakers. If you blast it, that's totally on you. If you want you could normalize the wav file before burning it if that's what you mean. Here's a world reknown dj using a cdj with no problems:
http://www.pixorave.com/images/0705/...070805_070.jpg

**LuvLatins** · September 7th, 2005, 09:34 PM

Your GREAT. I am buying some tweeters JBL 2402 first. Then a GSA crossover device. After that I am gettting just one of these CD-05 Units. Loved their website, FINALLY a unit that acts like Vinyl. I need to TOUCH IT. The early ones did not have that top plater thing. I think I might actually get the hang of that

Go To
www.jbandes.com/samples

I have a few ones there. I have them all identified now and own them but some are kewl. I like early morning sleeze music. What style are you into. Hehehehehe Love that song on your website. This was played on Fire Island in about 76 and we got it off an old tape (god so many are dead now :() What Style are you into

You know I do have one question. Even though I love my Technics I never disabled the quartz lock. I did take thos heavy silly plastic plater things off and replace with felt covers.

My freinds said, you have to disapble the Quartz lock, but the tables were brand new and I did not want to mess with them I have noticed however that if I mix in the 0 Zero dead center range the songs do not stay in sync very long and as you probably figured out using a Bozak (Rotary Dial) mixer I do S-L-O-W very L-O-N-G gradual mixes so keeping them in sync is IMPERATIVE. I solved the problem by not ever mixing at dead 0. I beleive the qoartz lock only engages at dead zero. Any thoughts.

To put a smile on your face listen to the JSTO track on the link I just gave you.

And thanks again.

**stevieboy32808** · September 7th, 2005, 10:06 PM

Originally Written by jbandes

Hehehehehe Love that song on your website. This was played on Fire Island in about 76 and we got it off an old tape (god so many are dead now :() What Style are you into?
You know I do have one question. Even though I love my Technics I never disabled the quartz lock. I did take thos heavy silly plastic plater things off and replace with felt covers.
And thanks again.

Regarding your first comment, the song on my website is the full length version of "African Symphony" by Henry Mancini. I will delete the link in a half an hour.

The following will disappoint you. I'm a teenager who loves disco, rnb (old school), house, techno, and trance music. Most of my information is based on insight and research. The only mixing I have ever done is in my room. I'm a silly bedroom dj who mixes mp3s via the pc for fun. My knowledge about the Technics hardware or any other turntable is limited. I can't answer your question. I do know that the best needles are Ortofons. Back in the day it was all about the Shure and Stanton cartridges. Oh and remember the felt cover is also called a slipmat.

My style of music, as mentioned, varies. But on the disco front I love a lot of hard thumping anthems such as "Hills of Katmandu" by Tantra, "From here to Eternity" by Giorgio Moroder, and a lot of Alec R Costandinos work. Of course I collect the Studio 54 classics and tons of other music. Well my friend, it was nice talking to you and if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask. As for me, I'll be finishing up my homework now.

**LuvLatins** · September 7th, 2005, 10:20 PM

Not a surprise at all. Lets see where to start.

Well Alec (Romero & Juliet) CLASSIC love it. Form Hear to Eternity (Right on) GOOD taste. I started as a bedroom DJ, that is how we all start. In fact, I do some of my best mixing at home.

I Did have SURE and dumped them about two years ago for --- Yes Ortofons :)

If you like mixing MP3 files you MUST get http://www.mixmeister.com/

I have tried everything and they all SUCK. This one Mix Meister Pro version 4 (I hope they still have version 4 avialable) I never upgraded no need. IT IS AMAZING. The ability to mix with it is FANTASTIC. Dead on mixes one after another, it even looks in the directory you choose and begins calulating the BPM per minute of each MP3. Then you grag them to a mixing window and you can adjust the length of mix. 4 measures 16 measures 60 measures it is FANTASTIC.

Well nice chatting take care for now. My email is jvbandes@comcast.net drop me a line some time

James

**grooover** · November 2nd, 2005, 07:30 AM

try mp3 mixing straight from you hard disc mp3 whatever. I use Tractor Dj Mp3 mixer. It has beat matching /pitch control filters etc .you can make seamless loops. you can record your mixes. You will need two soundcards to be able to monitor properly but thats no great problem. All from your pc. You can also now by a hardware mixer which you can use via midi so you still have the hands on approach.

**TheLordOfFlatbush** · December 25th, 2005, 12:37 PM

Originally Written by jbandes

How hard is it to learn to use Pioneer CDJ-MKII devices - OUCH im a vinyl man :)

JBandes:

I'm a Vinyl Man, just like you bro...

Here's a thought!

I'd the CDJ-1000 from Pioneer original version before the 800 and the MKII versions. I only used them for editing, original mixes until I decided to complete a Mix Show by CD only. I transferred my versions of songs that I was going to use for a Mix Show, re-edited each song and mix it off the CD.

I'm in love with the CD process!

I still purchase and receive Vinyl from services and use them as reference for mixes.

Using turntables is the blueprint but finalizing it on the CDJ-1000 is a beautiful thing!

Hard Work Pays Off in the end!

Practice makes perfect, so try it out!!!!!!