Ready to Purchase Vfx Controller & PC

by **bostonDJ** on 03 Mar 2013, 19:21

Hello all hope everyone is well,

I guess I can't post in the Vfx tech forums until I purchase something from Mixvibes, which I am about to. I need a little up-front help before I purchase. From everything I've been researching & reading for over the past 3 weeks now this is what I am going to buy. My question for Vfx Control /Cross DJ techs is: Do you think this initial set-up will work?

Based on my initial $$budget here we go:

1)Vfx Controller & Vfx software
2)Eventually upgrading to CrossDJ & Video Plug-in (v2.3?)

3)ASUS A55A-TH52 Laptop - Core i5, 2.5GHz, 6GB DDR3 Ram expandable to 8GB, 750GB hard drive, Win 7 or 8 64-bit, 15.6" display, memory speed 1600MHz, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1VGA port & 1 HDMI port

I think this will work if I go with Win 7 because I don't see any support yet for Mixvibe software running on Windows 8 machines...

Will the Intel graphics card be sufficient or will I have to install a Nvidia type card in it??

One of my goals is to play music videos on mobile DJ events on screen while playing good quality music.

The Vfx Control will NOT be my only source for the audio side of things. I presently have 2 other laptops that drive great quality .mp3's so....I have flexibility in the grand scheme of things.

Any helpful responses to the above Vfx/PC specs would be appreciated. Thanks....

by **Jim B** on 03 Mar 2013, 20:15

bostonDJ wrote:1)Vfx Controller & Vfx software

The Vfx Controller is a very good MIDI controller but the built in soundcard let's it down. I've had one, and I found the soundcard wasn't loud enough and didn't really have any b@ll@cks.

Also something you should be aware of is that the Vfx software has been discontinued meaning no further updates will be released.

bostonDJ wrote:2)Eventually upgrading to CrossDJ & Video Plug-in (v2.3?)

If you do buy the Vfx Control then when you decide to upgrade to Cross you won't need to buy the Video Plugin as the Vfx software serial will work with the video plugin.

Just a thought, how about just going for the U-Mix Control Pro 2, this includes a free copy of CrossDJ and just buy the Video Plugin. It might work out cheaper for you.

bostonDJ wrote:Will the Intel graphics card be sufficient or will I have to install a Nvidia type card in it??

No, you will need to install a separate graphics card such as a N'vidia card for mixing video. The intel graphics just won't be powerful enough.

Hope lets helps you a bit

by **KevMaverick** on 04 Mar 2013, 03:15

To be completely honest, I'd try to find a laptop that doesn't rely on Intel graphics...

There are some out there that have similar specifications, but with the added bonus of Nvidia or Radeon graphics, either as the main controller , or as a secondary. If you're going to be using video, I'd suggest going for something that has both.

Quite a few new laptops can detect what you're doing, and as soon as it sees that you're playing video, it will switch to the better video system, giving better performance, and a reduced impact on the system resources.

by **bostonDJ** on 04 Mar 2013, 04:10

Thanks JimB & KevMaverick for your great input.
JimB, I am still partial to buying the Vfx Control....just seems like it does a good job with video according to UTube videos I have seen. Is the sound card much better sounding on the Pro2 than the Vfx Control? I presume you would run the video (buttons) from the Cross DJ software, correct?

KevMaverick, if I buy the required PC do I just buy a good Radeon or N'vidia video card from a computer store IF the computer doesn't come with a dual video card? Any suggestions for a good one or is it dependent on my computer specs?

Thank guys in advance. I'm trying to not make too many mistakes up-front before buying. I would rather be spending time making good mixes & video as I'm sure you would too. Thanks again.

by **Jim B** on 04 Mar 2013, 10:57

bostonDJ wrote:Is the sound card much better sounding on the Pro2 than the Vfx Control?

Yes, it's much better

by **KevMaverick** on 04 Mar 2013, 14:08

If you're buying a laptop, you need to make sure that it has the Radeon or Nvidia card, as you cannot add a separate card. The graphics cards on a laptop are built-in and cannot be changed.

Something with the specifications that the Asus had would be good, but with the better graphics of course. I've never used Windows 8, but I am running Windows 7 64 bit and it works great! :biggrin:

by **bostonDJ** on 04 Mar 2013, 15:26

Thanks guys for your input. I've got a better handle on things...

Jim B, if I am using a powered mixer I can 'beef up' the sound of the Vfx Control before going to speakers. Do you think this will be sufficient OR is the Pro2 just a better quality/louder sounding sound card and better overall controller? The mixvibes product section says the Vfx is their most advanced controller so I was going by that.

Thanks

by **bostonDJ** on 06 Mar 2013, 02:53

Hello again,
I am going to purchase my laptop by Thursday. It does come with a Radeon 1GB expandable to 2GB. I did get confirmation on that today...took 2 days on the phone with HP techs, viewing manuals, etc...
The video card is (discrete) which means there is a dedicated port inside to swap them out. Integrated cards are soldered right to the motherboard. Anyway, my last question about the laptop specs is:
Do you think 1GB of VRAM (video) enough to run the Vfx Control with video and eventually CrossDJ with video plugin?? I can expand the PC to 2GB of VRAM.

I think from all I've read & researched and listening to all of you in the forums, I think it should work fine. Any last thoughts...thanks again and I am really looking forward to working with Mixvibes.

by **KevMaverick** on 06 Mar 2013, 03:28

That sounds absolutely fine. The 'discrete' graphics card will activate when it's needed, and will ask for your options, but that will only happen once. It is very intelligent and configures once only. After that, it will be automatic and you won't even notice it.