Some great tips on this video! Another one i can mention (and i think i actually saw it listed on the printed checklist!) is an "emergency first aid" USB thumb drive with the essentials on it. As much music for your set as you can fit, along with Mac/Win installers of whatever software you use, any drivers you might need to install, etc. That way if your laptop dies, or gets stolen or whatever. as long as you can borrow/rent one last minute, you *should* be able to squeak by. I keep a really small sturdy 128GB one on my keychain just in case. You could of course borrow a laptop and go download the needed software, but having everything in one folder ready to go is a time-saver. It beats having to cancel the gig!
+zerozero island I very appreciate your comment, for two reasons. The first is for the tip: it's a very great tip, very useful and pratical. It seems a solid emergency plan. The second reason is that you have spent some minutes for the "community" (or whatever), leaving this very useful comment. Respect! Should have more likes!!
Great tips. Thank you for sharing them. I am changing my setup with a need for an additional bag. I chose the Odyssey Digital Media Bag because it is like a messenger bag on steroids. One trick I have used for years is to pack spare underwear and t-shirts wherever I can. You always need spares and it helps cushion the gear.
Those are some great suggestions guys. In my experience I find myself either modifying or redoing my cables quite often. I actually buy bulk velcro and make my own velcro ties and use it instead. Instead of carrying external hard drives or USB drives, I found adapters that fit in my laptops that hold another hard drive. I put a 1TB hard drive in the adapter and I have one less thing to worry about packing. Ful's line of laptop bags are excellent for a lot less money. Cheers!
I use my old UDJ record bag. I've took the padded sides out of it and it works a treat. Saved on buying a controllerist bag. It has enough pockets for cables and so on. You can even get a mixer in with controller or laptop. Not much need to use it for vinyl so I put it to good use elsewhere :)
Great tips! What I struggle with is long cables like speaker cables and extensions. I've found ways to put barriers between them in my bags, but when they're not tangled into one another they end up tangled within themselves! I don't leave cables plugged in (except certain USB leads) but I leave all sorts of adapters in my sound cards - 1/8 to 14-inch adapter in my headphone sockets for example. I'd rather take one out and put it my pocket if I don't need it, than arrive somewhere without one.
I always use stickers in my cables to know where they have to go. Pretty much like the DJTT sticker that comes in the midi fighter cable, but I use different colors, for quick plugging. Other thing is that I have a list, that I carries on my cellphone, with the instructions of packing my bag, because I always have to pack it up quickly, so with that list I don't get lost. Cheers
As a mobile dj some the checklist is definitely important. But as far as that snake goes for usb it can get tricky if you upgrade to newer gear. Most importantly carry a headphone jack to rca, it will save your life!
I'm solving the issue of packing by having a separate live and studio setup, I build my tracks and sets using a push and live 9 then play it out with a Z2 and 2 APC20s layer out like decks, so to help with packing I'm building a custom flight case so I can minimise my cables and just grab the case and go
great video! small tip: always make sure that the 'bottom' side of your laptop faces your back, inside the backpack. not all bags have extra foam to contour to the shape of your back, i.e. when your back is rounded. just make sure you don't risk a pressure-induced crack of the glass or TFT!
Pencil Cases for cables!!! I have 4 in my DJ bag. all different colours, each colour holds a type of cable or set of cables. USB is Orange for me, Red is power adaptors, yellow is video stuff, ect.
I've used home made audio snakes in the past. I wouldn't recommend using tape to consolidate them. Invariably, one of those cables will short out and need to be replaced. What happens when you peel all of that tape off? It's sticky & messy. I recommend using wire ties or those velcro strips, placed every 6 inches along the snake. Also- I didn't see one person PROPERLY wrap their cables. After a while it becomes second nature and will save you money in replacing cables.
If DJTT wants to make a bag that really works for traveling Djs, they really need to make a rolling bag, like the one usually used for carry ons in flights. Extra padded and built for DJs. Traveling and walking for on and on just gets to be too much, a rolling bag would be phenomenal
I think people should hold off on bashing this video. Techtools always has interesting stuff that covers ALL aspects of DJ'ing for people at all levels, so just because this video isn't relevant to you, doesn't make it a useless video. Im taking away the USB snake from this one. A good tip taken from a 6 minute video. I've come away with something. Keep it up DJTT.
4. build a gig kit, Try and keep as much as you can inside your DJ bag when not spinning, preferably all necessary audio/usb cables should stay inside, get duplicates for your home setup, this way only your laptop and controller goes out of the bag 5. Build an adapterkit, a small case that contains all necessary adapters, tape it together and keep it in your gig bag for when you need it! 6. Instead of the paper checklist, get a plastic covered one where you can erase the checks. Save the nature.
Bring everything you're planning on bring to the club to the store when you buy your backpack. It'll mean you can get the smallest necessary bag for your set-up making the whole thing more compact. Worried about lugging all that gear? Don't! It's only difficult on the trip in. You can use the new bag to bring it all back!
Google 'reverse coil'. That will insure your cables stay in good shape - and that they don't get all twisted when you haul them out of the bag when you've only got 20 minutes to set up your whole laptop/controller deal.
I think it's really at TSA's discretion, they won't always know what the devices are. I've gone through security with a laptop and MPD and they asked me to run them through in individual baskets. Other times I've gone through and just unpacked my laptop and left the soundcard + cables in the bag. Easiest way to get through security? Pack light.
2:45 haha they didn't have that when I went to the store. I make music on a LPK25 and LPD8 individually. Basically its this thing split in half hahahaha
One other recommendation for controller dj's: bring back-ups of your music on CD's AND a USB thumbdrive or SD card. If you have a computer, hardware, or software problem, most venues and events will have CDJ's you can use. I've had several incidences where something was wrong and I could not play because I didn't bring my CD's with me. Not fun.
Dont know where you live. but where I live most of the hotels have Safes for your things. I've seen even 1 star hotels with safes. Anyway a lock on a backpack wont stop someone from stealing your goods. They can take the whole backpack. My fear is when flying. I lost my bags a couple of times. Good thing I always purchase insurance when I fly.
If there's one thing I've learned in 20+ years of DJing, it's that DJs make terrible audiophiles and sound engineers. Guys (and girls) throw mixers into the red, creating distortion beyond belief. Monitors are cranked up to 11 - thereby deafening the booth occupant/s and lessening their threshold for sound... Then there's the cable situation. DO NOT, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT wrap your cables up around your hands or arms. It really kills them quickly.
My thoughts: 1. NEVER pack your soundcard like Ean does, sorry, but that will eventually break the connections/cables 2. Get some electrical tape and roll each cable up as a "O" and tape it at the top or as a "8" and tape it in the middle, packing them in seperate cases is a good idea as well to go through security simply (take the cases out in a tray each) 3. Snakes is a good idea as well, except for the USB in case you cant place the controllers the way you want (it happens)
I do have a question regarding taking gear through airport security. I'm traveling to Montana to give a lecture, workshop, and concert and it is the first time I'm flying with my controller rig. I have a laptop, tablet, APC40, KP3, mini-KP, Kaossilator, and LPK25. What is the easiest way for me to get through security and not have to spend 30 minutes repacking my bag after TSA goes through it?
Wow.... you are funny.... I want that backpack because I DJ in town and i currently use 2 bags.. 2 bags on a bike is a really hard job.. if i had a bag that fits everything in.... itd be alot better. Do you have a go at people who want a new game after watching a advert on TV? i highly doubt it.
Actually, I would prefer without the rollers, but that's just me. My rolling suitcase gets knocked around so much, and having to pull it everywhere is a burden in cramped areas. And now that I think about it, if I'm travelling with my DJ gear, I don't want to have to pull 2 suitcases behind me.
If you need to learn to pack stuff in a backpack then you got other stuff that you should focus on first. Did you need to learn how to pack your school bag when you were given supplies?
Dude just because they sell that backpack it isn't the only part of the video. In fact ean never mentions the product name or encourages you to buy it; rather he explains why he likes it and uses it
ideally i have my home set up and an identical set-up for gigging. so when i leave my house for gigs i can simply pick up my bag and leave without having to unplug all my cables, sound card etc
Definitely, in an older video the V1 of the backpack can fit the Kontrol Z2 mixer with even more room for a bunch of Midi Fighters. Plenty of room inside.
Never thought about creating a cable snake with some tape. Handy tip. And that backpack looks really good as well.
I second this. Always have a backup plan packed in your bag and in your head.
Love that Inspector Norse is playing... 8 yrs ago!
+1
Some great tips on this video! Another one i can mention (and i think i actually saw it listed on the printed checklist!) is an "emergency first aid" USB thumb drive with the essentials on it. As much music for your set as you can fit, along with Mac/Win installers of whatever software you use, any drivers you might need to install, etc. That way if your laptop dies, or gets stolen or whatever. as long as you can borrow/rent one last minute, you *should* be able to squeak by. I keep a really small sturdy 128GB one on my keychain just in case. You could of course borrow a laptop and go download the needed software, but having everything in one folder ready to go is a time-saver. It beats having to cancel the gig!
+zerozero island I very appreciate your comment, for two reasons. The first is for the tip: it's a very great tip, very useful and pratical. It seems a solid emergency plan. The second reason is that you have spent some minutes for the "community" (or whatever), leaving this very useful comment. Respect! Should have more likes!!
Great tips. Thank you for sharing them. I am changing my setup with a need for an additional bag. I chose the Odyssey Digital Media Bag because it is like a messenger bag on steroids. One trick I have used for years is to pack spare underwear and t-shirts wherever I can. You always need spares and it helps cushion the gear.
Those are some great suggestions guys. In my experience I find myself either modifying or redoing my cables quite often. I actually buy bulk velcro and make my own velcro ties and use it instead. Instead of carrying external hard drives or USB drives, I found adapters that fit in my laptops that hold another hard drive. I put a 1TB hard drive in the adapter and I have one less thing to worry about packing. Ful's line of laptop bags are excellent for a lot less money. Cheers!
I've been performing all around the country this and last year, so this is an immense help! Thanks again!
Which all comes down to how awesome the new DJTT Backpack is. Good job. :P
I use my old UDJ record bag. I've took the padded sides out of it and it works a treat. Saved on buying a controllerist bag. It has enough pockets for cables and so on. You can even get a mixer in with controller or laptop. Not much need to use it for vinyl so I put it to good use elsewhere :)
Great tips!
What I struggle with is long cables like speaker cables and extensions. I've found ways to put barriers between them in my bags, but when they're not tangled into one another they end up tangled within themselves!
I don't leave cables plugged in (except certain USB leads) but I leave all sorts of adapters in my sound cards - 1/8 to 14-inch adapter in my headphone sockets for example. I'd rather take one out and put it my pocket if I don't need it, than arrive somewhere without one.
My gear: 1 Thumbdrive that holds every song I own.
Packing time and set up time: 15 seconds
Good luck with the vinyl.
LOVE The Snake Tip .... Thanks DJTT !!!
I always use stickers in my cables to know where they have to go. Pretty much like the DJTT sticker that comes in the midi fighter cable, but I use different colors, for quick plugging. Other thing is that I have a list, that I carries on my cellphone, with the instructions of packing my bag, because I always have to pack it up quickly, so with that list I don't get lost.
Cheers
As a mobile dj some the checklist is definitely important. But as far as that snake goes for usb it can get tricky if you upgrade to newer gear. Most importantly carry a headphone jack to rca, it will save your life!
I'm solving the issue of packing by having a separate live and studio setup, I build my tracks and sets using a push and live 9 then play it out with a Z2 and 2 APC20s layer out like decks, so to help with packing I'm building a custom flight case so I can minimise my cables and just grab the case and go
love the background music choice of Inspector Norse
great video! small tip: always make sure that the 'bottom' side of your laptop faces your back, inside the backpack. not all bags have extra foam to contour to the shape of your back, i.e. when your back is rounded. just make sure you don't risk a pressure-induced crack of the glass or TFT!
Pencil Cases for cables!!! I have 4 in my DJ bag. all different colours, each colour holds a type of cable or set of cables. USB is Orange for me, Red is power adaptors, yellow is video stuff, ect.
I've used home made audio snakes in the past. I wouldn't recommend using tape to consolidate them. Invariably, one of those cables will short out and need to be replaced. What happens when you peel all of that tape off? It's sticky & messy. I recommend using wire ties or those velcro strips, placed every 6 inches along the snake. Also- I didn't see one person PROPERLY wrap their cables. After a while it becomes second nature and will save you money in replacing cables.
All I would need is my laptop, x1 and f1 with A2 sound card and plug into the the clubs sound system and I'm good to go! Love the bags!
If DJTT wants to make a bag that really works for traveling Djs, they really need to make a rolling bag, like the one usually used for carry ons in flights. Extra padded and built for DJs.
Traveling and walking for on and on just gets to be too much, a rolling bag would be phenomenal
I wish they released the black one earlier.
I like the tip about the usb loom
I think people should hold off on bashing this video. Techtools always has interesting stuff that covers ALL aspects of DJ'ing for people at all levels, so just because this video isn't relevant to you, doesn't make it a useless video.
Im taking away the USB snake from this one. A good tip taken from a 6 minute video. I've come away with something.
Keep it up DJTT.
4. build a gig kit, Try and keep as much as you can inside your DJ bag when not spinning, preferably all necessary audio/usb cables should stay inside, get duplicates for your home setup, this way only your laptop and controller goes out of the bag
5. Build an adapterkit, a small case that contains all necessary adapters, tape it together and keep it in your gig bag for when you need it!
6. Instead of the paper checklist, get a plastic covered one where you can erase the checks. Save the nature.
Bring everything you're planning on bring to the club to the store when you buy your backpack. It'll mean you can get the smallest necessary bag for your set-up making the whole thing more compact. Worried about lugging all that gear? Don't! It's only difficult on the trip in. You can use the new bag to bring it all back!
Google 'reverse coil'. That will insure your cables stay in good shape - and that they don't get all twisted when you haul them out of the bag when you've only got 20 minutes to set up your whole laptop/controller deal.
LOVE THIS YES!!! That's how to do it! Thank you gentlemen!
Separate bag for all my wires and lots of Velcro straps to coil everything neatly.
My experience told me I prefer bags with wheels so I can avoid back fatigue :)!
Love you vids entertaining and informative
Great tips!!! Thanks a lot.
Great video, great suggestions!
I'm so tempted to buy one...
I think it's really at TSA's discretion, they won't always know what the devices are. I've gone through security with a laptop and MPD and they asked me to run them through in individual baskets. Other times I've gone through and just unpacked my laptop and left the soundcard + cables in the bag. Easiest way to get through security? Pack light.
2:45 haha they didn't have that when I went to the store. I make music on a LPK25 and LPD8 individually. Basically its this thing split in half hahahaha
One other recommendation for controller dj's: bring back-ups of your music on CD's AND a USB thumbdrive or SD card. If you have a computer, hardware, or software problem, most venues and events will have CDJ's you can use. I've had several incidences where something was wrong and I could not play because I didn't bring my CD's with me. Not fun.
Very helpfull the snake usb cables, but sometimes yo don't have the same space in a dj booth to set up the controllers like in home.
Hotel rooms for the travelling DJ of course. Have you not heard how many DJs lose their gear in hotel rooms?
okay this is actually pretty legit!
Nice video, pretty usefull stuff!
Dont know where you live. but where I live most of the hotels have Safes for your things. I've seen even 1 star hotels with safes. Anyway a lock on a backpack wont stop someone from stealing your goods. They can take the whole backpack. My fear is when flying. I lost my bags a couple of times. Good thing I always purchase insurance when I fly.
I just chuck everything in the satchel :)
cool backpack....would be cooler if that can fit a 4 channel mixer and 2 done k2's...XD
no but it fits in the S4 bag they make which is awesome.
Inspector Norse is the song!
Holy shit Inspector Norse on DJTT!!!!!
Sure it's Apr 1, and sure all this is obvious. However sometimes we all need a simple reminder.
I roll with a cd case and a pair of headphones. Rookies.
thats the rme fireface ucx we have in the djtt store, its so legit!!!
If there's one thing I've learned in 20+ years of DJing, it's that DJs make terrible audiophiles and sound engineers. Guys (and girls) throw mixers into the red, creating distortion beyond belief. Monitors are cranked up to 11 - thereby deafening the booth occupant/s and lessening their threshold for sound... Then there's the cable situation. DO NOT, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT wrap your cables up around your hands or arms. It really kills them quickly.
i'd love to see ean's sound card to mixer set up. what sound card?
Vinyl
my dj bag, 2 usb's, headphones... phone... cigarettes... and that's THE BEST DJ BAG!
My thoughts:
1. NEVER pack your soundcard like Ean does, sorry, but that will eventually break the connections/cables
2. Get some electrical tape and roll each cable up as a "O" and tape it at the top or as a "8" and tape it in the middle, packing them in seperate cases is a good idea as well to go through security simply (take the cases out in a tray each)
3. Snakes is a good idea as well, except for the USB in case you cant place the controllers the way you want (it happens)
Once you arrive at the venue you unpack your gear on the booth. why would you need a lock for ?
I do have a question regarding taking gear through airport security. I'm traveling to Montana to give a lecture, workshop, and concert and it is the first time I'm flying with my controller rig. I have a laptop, tablet, APC40, KP3, mini-KP, Kaossilator, and LPK25. What is the easiest way for me to get through security and not have to spend 30 minutes repacking my bag after TSA goes through it?
remember when ean golden looked like jesus
pepperidge farm remembers
lol
Wow.... you are funny.... I want that backpack because I DJ in town and i currently use 2 bags.. 2 bags on a bike is a really hard job.. if i had a bag that fits everything in.... itd be alot better. Do you have a go at people who want a new game after watching a advert on TV? i highly doubt it.
Actually, I would prefer without the rollers, but that's just me. My rolling suitcase gets knocked around so much, and having to pull it everywhere is a burden in cramped areas.
And now that I think about it, if I'm travelling with my DJ gear, I don't want to have to pull 2 suitcases behind me.
Yeah, cause you can sense the sarcasm in everything that they talk about.
My gear: 1 pair of headphones, 1 cd wallet, 10 vinyls, 2 pendrives.
Packing time and set up time: 30 seconds
Good Luck with the computers
thanks man! really appreciate it... =)
What backpacks are you using? o.o I need itt.
Great ideas !
good video! btw whats the background music?? can anyone tell me...
cheers
what backpack is that? i need one in my life!
flash drive in the 5th pocket.
If you need to learn to pack stuff in a backpack then you got other stuff that you should focus on first. Did you need to learn how to pack your school bag when you were given supplies?
The question is, will it blend?
I would... but i can't legally work until a few months from now :/
Dude just because they sell that backpack it isn't the only part of the video. In fact ean never mentions the product name or encourages you to buy it; rather he explains why he likes it and uses it
Track: Todd Terje - Inspector Norse
I was literally thinking the same thing
Todd Terje - Inspector Norse
Extra tip: learn how to roll up cables correctly! They will last a lot longer!
how about you make that one
would I be able to fit my S4 MKII , and a stack of vinyl in the main pocket of this bag ?
You guys should make a case for the midi fighter 3d
which is the ean' soundcard?
Amp needs to make snake cables :P
Mad Zach FTW
Does anyone know what bag he used for the keyboard? (I have the same one and I need a bag for it) :P
Mad Zach,Hello From Russia
COOL!
no?
Awesome sauce
ideally i have my home set up and an identical set-up for gigging. so when i leave my house for gigs i can simply pick up my bag and leave without having to unplug all my cables, sound card etc
why do you spend money in a excapt replica of your set?
YMIR MALMBERG because he obviously has a lot of mony haha
This actually sounds fascinating
Does anybody know if the Kontrol s4 will fit in the DJTT Controller Bag???
does the bag able to fit in vci 400?
I should make a video... Hope you found it helpful
yeah -- clubs don't like all the wires/cables or controllers. CDJs, and serato everywhere.
What sound card use Ean?
Does the s4 fit in the TT bag?
What are the proportions for the DJTT backpack? Will APC 40 fit? MK1.
Definitely, in an older video the V1 of the backpack can fit the Kontrol Z2 mixer with even more room for a bunch of Midi Fighters.
Plenty of room inside.
Inspector norse
Very useful :)
Will this fit a ddj sb 2,3 or rb? @djtechtools
how is the song called?
does the macbook pro 17in fit in this bag ?