Up your light show! How to use SoundSwitch for DJs // Review

▶ Check out my gear on Kit: kit.co/djmojoe
I explain how you can improve your DJ performance by controlling your light show using SoundSwitch. I go over the following questions:
What does SoundSwitch do?
How do you set up your gear to use SoundSwitch?
What are some ways you can use SoundSwitch at your events?
What midi controller do you recommend for SoundSwitch?
Do you need to program a light show for each song?
EQUIPMENT LIST:
Mini LED Moving Heads - amzn.to/2GUSHUu
SoundSwitch - amzn.to/2jvyz0R
Wireless DMX Dongles - amzn.to/2ImJYLn
Uplights Ape Labs Maxi - amzn.to/2CrWmYz
USB Hub - amzn.to/2FxnGVK
RESOURCE:
www.soundswitch...
I've been using SoundSwitch for the past few months and have been loving it. I noticed how having a light show really enhances the experience for your client and their guests. I'm not a lighting expert so having an easy to use tool to control my lighting saves me time and headache. I currently use the autoloops feature for my music and override it with my midi controller for any build-ups, drops, and mood changes. However, I can always still decide to pre-program each song to have its own light show, but I choose not to right now. I still have many things to learn such as chasing, adding more lighting fixtures, and DMX address (If someone knows more about this, let's talk!)
I hope this video has helped you consider SoundSwitch or another light show interface that will help take your DJ performance to the next level and possibly, take home more money.
If you have any questions or share any thoughts, please leave them below!
Add me on Social Media:
Instagram: @dj_mojoe
Snapchat: djmojoe
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[@thedjbriansmith]

Hey man thanks for putting out some great SoundSwitch content! Love to see how other people are using it!

[@djmojoeofficial]

Thank you! I’m still learning!

[@thedjbriansmith]

Let me know if you need anything!

[@pmon9255]

Good video! Can you do another video updating us on your use of sound switch. Or if not, what your using instead. Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@djmojoeofficial]

hey! Yes, i'm still using SoundSwitch. I have other videos on SoundSwitch, not recent, but have them. Try typing my DJ name and SoundSwitch in search and you'll find other ones. Is there anything specific that you want me to talk about it?

[@EnormeSounds]

What do you typically use for dance floor lights and how many lights do you use? Do the lights that you use wash the dance floor area?

[@djmojoeofficial]

I use 2 LED mini moving heads that attach to my speaker poles. Then I use uplights around the room. So we have a dance floor effect and an ambiance effect

[@JoseHeredia]

Great video DJ MoeJoe. I'm glad DJ Barr introduced me to you. Love the shirt.

[@djmojoeofficial]

Hi Jose! Great meeting you. And thank you! Hope to see you next time at the next DJ expo

[@pmon9255]

Great effort. Thanks for making this. I did learn some stuff, but friend to friend maybe consider just showing more of how the lights work and less talky talky. Just my opinion as a troll bro, you keep rocking your show and doing your thing! Thanks again.

[@djmojoeofficial]

Thanks! Sure thing man! I’ll make more videos about this

[@romydomdom]

Earned yourself a subscriber bro!

[@PIAMUSA]

Thnx for sharing such a great talent my friend....

[@djmojoeofficial]

Thank you! :)

[@danquay9504]

Great video tutorial..I’m just learning about sound switch & I have the program running with VDJ software which I auto script few tracks and it works.. learning how to DMX the mini spots I have, I feel pretty more confident now that it’s working once I put the DMX adress in.. Next will learning about the auto loops, my question is I use DMX cable to usb dongle.. How do get a dongle box like yours? So I set up my other lights wirelessly

[@djmojoeofficial]

The SoundSwitch box is something that I got a long time ago. You don't need the box to have wireless DMX for the lights (I believe). You just need to connect the transmitter dongle to the SoundSwitch cable that they give you and the receiver dongles to the lights

[@mannyfonseca2590]

What up DJ MoJoe!!! Love your videos! Thank you for them. Do you have a video explaining how to map the Akai APC Mini controller with sound switch? Thank you in advance!!!

[@djmojoeofficial]

Hi Manny! Thanks for watching. No I don’t but I may make one!

[@djmojoeofficial]

But you can map it anyway you like that makes the most sense to you

[@djAXCESSmusic]

This was really well done. Thanks.

[@djmojoeofficial]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@BayAreaEventDesigns]

Great review thank you for sharing

[@djmojoeofficial]

thank you! and you're welcome!! Hope it's helpful

[@DynMarkMusic]

When you but the hardware does it give you a free software?

[@djmojoeofficial]

I think they have a subscription model now to use SoundSwitch

[@djgene5621]

Nice video. I use very similar gear,myself. But I haven't tried dmx software yet. I didn't see the software do anything that would warrant spending $500. Especially since you have a really nice dmx controller. I use a simple Chauvet DMX-40. It allows me to make chases, create scenes, and control the fade time and movement speed. With the tapsynce button, you can set the lighting speed to the tempo of the music. I would like a software program to create a 3D image of my venue and allow me to use touch screen to control the lights and use a spectrum to mix colors. I use the same type of moving heads. I have mine set to 8 dmx channels because my controller has 8 channel faders. The movers have better control on 16 channel, like rainbow effect. I'd like software that frees me from the confines of the controller. I've heard of free lighting software and usb/dmx dongles for $15(eBay) but haven't tried them. Thanks for sharing the useful content. Keep it up!

[@djmojoeofficial]

Good to hear! I’m sure there are more advanced softwares out there that fit what you’re looking for. Maybe just wait till something like that is easier to use. And the dongles help so much! I recommend them. Cheers man

[@PGiulian]

Great Job! very nice

[@djmojoeofficial]

Thank you! Are you looking into getting it?

[@raggaroaringsound]

How about colors if a client asks for specific colors and you have preprogrammed shows? Can you set uplighting separately?

[@djmojoeofficial]

You can create a bank in SoundSwitch dedicated to the colors that your client wants. You have 4 banks so hopefully 1 bank of 8 Scenes will be enough. Do this ahead of time. Another option, is to manually override the color you have using your midi controller. However, the button for the color needs to be held down for the duration you want the effect. It’s not a toggle. Also, there are 10 standard colors built into the software which you can assign to midi. Yes, you can set up uplights separately which is what I do using my Ape Labs Maxi. I don’t connect them to my SoundSwitch. If you have other uplights, you can assign them to a different DMX address to be separate too. Hope this helps

[@djayceemobileentertainment5017]

You have to have a controller? Does it matter model of lights? I have Chauvet, ADJ, and one other I forgot the name of.

[@djmojoeofficial]

I think you need some kind of midi involved to make it work such as the APC mini. Makes a huge difference and make it easier. I think you can even map your existing DJ controller but don’t think it’s a smart idea. You can use whichever model of lights. If it’s off brand, you can send in the DMX picture from the manual to SoundSwitch and they’ll add the fixture to the database. Hope this helps

[@djayceemobileentertainment5017]

DJ MoJoe sounds like a expensive pain. Will just leave mine in sound mode. I have a power switch to my lights (3 switches). That’s the cheapest way to go.

[@djmojoeofficial]

yes, all good. Your way is the easiest 👌

[@PATRICKCASTILLO]

Great video! -Can I combine with ADJ Airstream DMX Bridge instead of the Akai? I need to be wireless.

[@djmojoeofficial]

Thanks! I’m unsure. As long as it’s a midi controller to control the lights

[@tjgourdy]

hey Dj MoeJoe great video, how are the inexpensive china moving heads holding up,i hear good and bad about them, thanks

[@djmojoeofficial]

amzn.to/2GUSHUu They're affordable enough. If they break, it's not hard to get another one

[@kevinbrown4119]

Nice Video. Tell me more about the wireless dongles you're using. Also, is it mandatory to use a controller for the lights? Thanks.

[@djmojoeofficial]

Thank you! Yes, I'll make a video about them soon! :D

[@danieljacobs5854]

Also, how many wireless receivers can you use? Is there a limit? What if I have 50 lights?

[@e11world]

I love your videos man. Great stuff. I'm thinking of getting this but wondering if it will work (or have tons of issues) with not so popular lights on Amazon as I want to test things with cheaper light options for now until I'm comfortable enough to use bigger more expensive gear. Any feedback is much appreciated!

[@djmojoeofficial]

Hi Eddie, yes they will work! That's what I'm using right now, too haha. As long as the manufacturer gives you a manual with the DMX, you can share that with SoundSwitch, and they'll add that lighting fixture to the lighting list in SoundSwitch. Hope this helps! On another note, there's a SoundSwitch User Community Group on Facebook, join if you can. Also, let me know how else I can help or if you want me to make any other videos in the future. Thanks!

[@e11world]

@@djmojoeofficial I took your word and joined thanks for that and for the quick reply. I'm starting to do lighting and buying fixtures now. Soundswitch seems like the best option but what are your thoughts on ShowXpress and MYDMX3.0 vs this? Also, do you think a 30W moving head would be enough for a medium sized event (Max 200 people withedium dance floor)?

[@djmojoeofficial]

Hi Eddie, congrats! Unfortunately I can’t say much about the other softwares. I like SoundSwitch because they go to the beat grid of a song, i dont think others do that. And I’m not a lighting expert but I think yours will be ok. I currently use a Chauvet 255irc. for medium sized venues

[@e11world]

@@djmojoeofficial awesome man. That's a nice fixture. Can't wait to start playing around with these and soundswitch!

[@donaldchilnerjr175]

Can spin 95 percent vinyl. I have a sl3 serato. Can the thru make my vinyl control soundswitch? Or autoloop? Work for that

[@djmojoeofficial]

Ah are you still using Scratch Live? I think SoundSwitch works with Serato DJ Pro because it uses the best grid of the song to time it. Scratch Live doesn’t have beat grids I believe

[@DIAZAL23]

Great my brother!!

[@djmojoeofficial]

Alberto Diaz Vasquez thank you!!

[@siargaowakepark9055]

Hi Dj MoJoe, this video is very helpful. just wondering how many lights you can attach? can you just link them together in one line, and it's still possible to program them separately in soundwitch ?

[@djmojoeofficial]

Hi, sorry for the late reply! Thanks for watching. I think you can attach many as long as you set the right DMX address. In my case, I just set both of my moving heads to the same DMX address so they both do the same thing. And yes, you can program them separately. Look up the SoundSwitch user group on Facebook. There are plenty of SoundSwitch users there who may be able to help you. Cheers!

[@lakesideparadise8493]

thank you for the help, much appreciated!

[@djmojoeofficial]

You’re welcome!

[@djflummox3892]

Name of the song playing in the background of the entire video?

[@djmojoeofficial]

sorry man, I can't seem to find the song file again. I got it from www.epidemicsound.com

[@mcdjmakimakins8332]

I have difficulty mapping Soundswitch with APC Mini. Hope you can help me out. Thanks!

[@djmojoeofficial]

Sure! Let's set something up. Message me on Instagram: @dj_mojoe

[@mcdjmakimakins8332]

DJ MoJoe appreciate it but don’t have Instagram.

[@mcdjmakimakins8332]

DJ MoJoe will do. Setting up now

[@mcdjmakimakins8332]

DJ MoJoe sent msg @ fb messenger

[@spamfilter8236]

hey dj mojoe! really nice video. could you please answer this question for me: is it possible to set pan/tilt limitations for the movingheads? i use my mhs on a truss tower and i want them to move on the dancefloor. not on the ceiling or elsewhere. if it is possible, i think i would buy it! thank you in advance! greets

[@djmojoeofficial]

Hi, I think it depends on the Moving Head. Some of them have a program called “totem/tower” mode which will just focus on the dance floor. If you’re using SoundSwitch, you can create position markers in your autoloops so you can have them focus on the dancefloor that way as well. Hope that works!

[@djmojoeofficial]

Note, the totem/tower mode feature is one way to do it if you don’t have SoundSwitch. If you do have SoundSwitch, you can place Position Markers in the software to adjust where you want the Moving Heads to point

[@spamfilter8236]

i know that totem function but my heads do not have it. at the moment i use an other dmx control program, but i'm tempted to buy soundswitch. it looks really cool and easy. thank you

[@djmojoeofficial]

Yea it’s super easy. You don’t need the totem function if you’re using SS. You can program them once and let them be. Let me know how SS works out for you if you get them!

[@spamfilter8236]

i will :)

[@dominickmiller3576]

This is dope! You ever have any issues using the same laptop for the light software as the same time as serato like freezing and or the akai midi interfering with serato? I'm trying to decide on if I should use a separate laptop for my lights.

[@djmojoeofficial]

I've only encountered 1 problem when the SoundSwitch software crashed my Serato DJ along with it. However, this was back in October 2017 when SoundSwitch had its early versions. Now it's more stable. I'm feeling confident how it's running now and I use 1 laptop for both SoundSwitch and Serato DJ (Now Serato DJ Pro)

[@djrmaniespiritu1187]

what is the difference between soundswitch and ADJ Airstream?

[@djmojoeofficial]

Soundswitch, you can create automated light shows that go to the beat grid of each song and/or you can customize each song to have their own custom light show. This only works when you have a song playing in Serato. You need a song playing in order for your light show to work. ADJ Airstream (from my knowledge), you have more control of your lights even if a song isn't playing in Serato. You don't need a song to play if you want to do something with your lights. Hope this helps!

[@djgene5621]

Ooo.. That does make a difference. I'd love to be able to create lightshows for all the best songs! But I need to be able to use the lights without music for weddings, to spotlight the speeches & stuff. 😟

[@djmojoeofficial]

There is a way Gene, SoundSwitch has this new update called Static Looks. So it runs independently from the music. It’s great!

[@flhines18]

Will Soundswitch with otjer DJ software?

[@djmojoeofficial]

As far as I know, it's just Serato DJ & Virtual DJ. Which do you use?

[@passportdrip]

what kind of moving heads are you using ADJ?

[@djmojoeofficial]

No, they’re LED moving heads from China. If I was to get ADJ ones, it would be the Pocket Z4. I prefer more wash effects than beams

[@SONIDOMEYIS]

Could you send me links or how can I get the moving heads ?

[@djmojoeofficial]

Go to Aliexpress.com type in “led mini Moving Head wash flight case” item will be listed as “2Pcs/lots 7x12W RGBW 4in1 Quad Wash Moving Head Light” for $210

[@passportdrip]

how did you attach them to your speaker poles?

[@djmojoeofficial]

ADJ O Clamps

[@danieljacobs5854]

How would sound switch work when someone requests a song at a wedding?

[@djmojoeofficial]

What do you mean? Are you asking how will the light show using SoundSwitch be affected? Are you playing a song through Serato DJ or iPod? If a song that isn’t scripted using SoundSwitch, SoundSwitch will run the lightshow using the autoloops that you’ve created

[@danieljacobs5854]

Because you pre load your song list before the "wedding" and when uncle joe comes up to the dj booth to request a song that you weren't planning on playing, my question was answered when you said it does auto loops.

[@djmojoeofficial]

ok, great! Also, there's a SoundSwitch Group on Facebook. Check it out and join. It's a SoundSwitch community group helping each other out with it. Hope this helps! Let me know if there's a future video you would like me to make. Cheers.

[@koolkiwikat]

Why not use lightrider? much better value and ease of use

[@djmojoeofficial]

I'm not too familiar with lightrider so I can't say much. I may make more videos about SoundSwitch to explore its capabilities.

[@sandsmarc]

appreciate the effort however please please please get a tripod. It is ridiculous for you to be holding your camera in selfie mode to do a professional instructional video. Distractingly annoying. Love you, really do, but get a tripod.

[@djmojoeofficial]

I appreciate your feedback! Yes, I'll definitely use a tripod next time. Thanks!