Why do some DJs need a LAPTOP with CDJs? | CDJs Explained

Under every post regarding HID mode, there will be comments that follow on how people feel it's unnecessary to use a laptop with Pioneer DJ CDJs. Let's talk about it!
Product links from mentioned gear in the pinned comment below!
Hot Cues:
0:00 They say this when HID mode is mentioned
1:16 Aren't CDJs "designed" to be laptop-free?
3:11 Real reason CDJs are in clubs
3:53 Why a DJ might need a laptop with CDJs
4:52 Playlist inception: a crate within a crate
5:16 Only two DJ software have this
5:52 Welcome to the gate
6:56 The collection
8:51 A way to build bridges
9:27 Should I buy a set?
10:17 The truth about CDJs
10:38 It's your craft, do you!
DISCLOSURE:
The product links below are from my affiliate partner, zZounds. I earn a small commission if you click on the link and purchase an item. You have no obligation to do so however it does help me fund content like this video which I hope brings valuable information to you!

[@priyonjoni]

Gear mentioned in this video: Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000 pro DJ media player www.zzounds.com/a--3970758/item--PIOCDJ3000 Pioneer DJ CDJ-2000NXS2 pro DJ media player www.zzounds.com/a--3970758/item--PNRCDJ2000NXS2 Recommended CDJ-style DJ controllers: Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000 pro rekordbox DJ controller www.zzounds.com/a--3970758/item--PIODDJ1000 Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000SRT pro Serato DJ controller www.zzounds.com/a--3970758/item--PIODDJ1000SRT Recommended CDJ-style all-in-one system: Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ all-in-one system www.zzounds.com/a--3970758/item--PIOXDJXZ DJ Software HID compatible with CDJ-3000 and CDJ-2000NXS2: rekordbox www.rekordbox.com Serato DJ Pro www.serato.com/ djay Pro AI www.algoriddim.com Traktor Pro 3 www.nativeinstruments.com/ Virtual DJ www.virtualdj.com/ Direct Music Service www.directmusicservice.com 30% off first month, use promo code PJMONTHLY 10% off first year, use promo code PJYEARLY Custom artwork LED backlit acoustic panels from PsyAcousics psyacoustics.com for questions, contact [e-mail]

[@househeadspeakz]

I was that one who frowned when DJs used a laptop for their sets. This was when I was a blogger only. Now that I am a DJ, I understand why a DJ will use a laptop for their sets. When me and my partner play, we bring our Flash drives, 2 laptops, and my DDJ 800 controller. You can't be too prepared for a gig. You are also correct about one thing! It's the music you play that keeps the ppl on the dancefloor. Who cares what system you use to do it. If I was able to change my thought process, why some DJs can not do the same. I know the reason. Their feelings and their egos. The other thing is fear. They are afraid some cat like me who uses a laptop with CDJs or controller will blow the doors off them and take their spot. If that is the case, they would never good from the beginning. I say this to DJs, wherever you use to play the music that makes people happy, use it! That's what matters! Peace!!!!

[@lstbys666]

Says the person with a toy controller

[@djvedits]

Very informative! I am a mobile/Techno DJ and you understand the struggle, great job!

[@reni3]

love this video and light it shares--also digging your new background upgrades man!!

[@RefugeetheDJ]

Good video and glad you brought it up. Same goes with some DJs and the sync button or “I only use real vinyl”. Its there as an option but you don’t have to use it and there’s no need to hate on others that do, just do your own thing.

[@amygdalos96]

great video and well explained! I'm one of the hybrid ableton DJs but I feel it is a completely different topic. I usually bring a ton of midi controllers and a modular synth with me. Nobody asks why you need a laptop as soon as you put down the cable spaghetti that is a eurorack :D

[@djnaydee]

Some of the other reasons to use a laptop instead of Stand Alone: Auto Loop Sampler Beat Jump Creative FX

[@priyonjoni]

Auto-Loop (with different beat lengths) and Beat Jump are both on CDJs. In fact they are even on the more affordable XDJ-1000 and XDJ-1000MK2.

[@djnaydee]

@@priyonjoni yes that's true, except its only the stay in place auto loop. I often use the slip auto loop to chop the song up but it continues in its current position when i release it

[@terrencepowersofficial]

At sompoint in my DJing career it was actually fowned upon and i wasn't considered to be a DJ unless i spun CD's,flash drives etc. But another reason why i don't carry around a computer to shows is because of the people who love to put their hands on my laptop to look for song requests. I have had literally 3 girls comes up to my booth one night, stop me almost in the middle of a set just see they could scroll thru my laptop to look at what i had on my computer. It's to no suprise that the general public doesn't have any chill what so ever for the people trying to entertain others while they are out having a good time. After this i stopped using my lapotp for shows and promised myself that if i ever bother to DJ again with a laptop it's within a reasonable space and or it's meant for when i'm with friends streaming other than that i can't consider it. Great video!

[@MICHAELZU.S.A]

You are 100% right some people take a DJ as a clown to amuse them, sorta like Shine my shoes PAULY idea. You gonna play what I tell ya or else ! Also if not one but 2 bouncers in the DJ booth sometimes needed, not letting into booth is a must, but I get it drunk hot women allowed in 😆 Then they wanna play with the knob to scroll down for songs, except they think they at Starbucks using laptops 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️😁🎧🎤🔊🙌🏻🤚🏻

[@luccasdubai]

Great content as always

[@RonLaws]

As an actual DJ who's moved from A to B between equipment, the laptop is your mobile crate and the easiest and quickest way to step up to the booth, plug in and go without fuss and interruption. You can prepare your crates ahead of time on a laptop, you can't prepare your crates ahead of time on the club's gear, so having everything you need on a device you own and can make changes to directly on and off the stage without having to unplug, sync changes, plug back in etc. is a boon - Hell you can even download new tracks from various available sources like the one int he sponsor *WHILE DJING* if you can't handle this idea and want to continue to be a hardware snob, get off the damn stage boomer.

[@DJJordanLee]

Thank you for this! I get the same comments while even using turntables 🙃

[@WILEY67]

Excellent as always, thank you for the knowledge. 🤎💯

[@priyonjoni]

Glad to share knowledge! Thank you.

[@MultiEnoch123]

Being an Edm dj is different from being a Hip-Hop or Dancehall Dj especially a Dancehall Dj. Edm Djs don't shoot music you guys take your time and blend music every 1:30-3:00 mins and can take your time to find the song you need and 99% of the songs have the same format and build up. In Dancehall music and Hip-Hop also other genres the music structures can vary a lot and on top of that being a Dancehall Dj we have to shoot music every 15-30 secs so we're making split second decisions and we never have time to think about the song we gonna play next you just have to know what song to continue w/ and also we have to talk on the mic at the same time to introduce the upcoming song and interact with the crowd. It's a lot of pressure in these events and you can be doing this for 5-6 hours striaght and you're never allowed to repeat songs you already played that night unless its a big hit. Just think about it and tell me if this is all possible with just Flash Drives and if you can even survive an event like this.

[@priyonjoni]

Different tools for different jobs. Each type of DJ applies the creativity differently.

[@kevinelliott8972]

Thanks for Educating 🙏 great video 👌

[@JeremiahHartmanPhotography]

As a house dj that comes from vinyl... I see the point of using a laptop vs flash drive. Especially when it comes to Recordbox...other softwares offer more or different features that a DJ would want to use vs "recordboxing" their files....but I also see the point of flash drive, you definitely can't DJ a pool party in Vegas with a Laptop..that thing will overheat in 2 minutes. It really doesnt matter...as long as you're actually DJing and not just playing prerecorded sets all the time (i understand prerecorded for major festivals to sync with lighting and pyro. Im referring to the influx of fake "influencer" DJ's)...Use whatever tools aide you in honing your craft.

[@thatpandathing9142]

About to probably trigger this whole comment section with my opinion but to me features that were staples of even the most basic of early dj controllers were suddenly a massive deal when they were put onto CDJs, for the short period of time i had access to CDJs i always felt like i took to controllers so much better, basic stuff like looping, hot cues, scrubbing through tracks, and prepping sets just felt so easy. i'll happily say though Rekordbox over the years has evolved so god dam well i just think it took its time to make sense to even most USB users

[@1period]

Good breakdown

[@DJTechnoboom]

nice video, good job thanks

[@DeejayWilly]

well said well said straight to the point

[@djraytheonearuba6480]

Good review

[@carlcouture1023]

You have no idea how many times someone at a club has requested something wildly different from what I expected the crowd to want. Like I'll be playing top 40s and someone will ask for house and then the next person wants hip hop from 91. And then the next wants Meg. If I was bringing my whole library on a flash drive, I'd have to shell out for those 512GB sticks and spend an entire day exporting. Not to mention how obnoxious navigating the whole library is on a CDJ. Particularly the older models that clubs have.

[@hgg219]

Ever heard of an SSD?

[@fernandoproman]

You can use multiple USB

[@blackistheword7]

And streaming services if you get thr mixstream pro

[@angusgibbins4954]

I've played off a 1TB HDD before. As long as the DJ booth is sturdy it's not a problem.

[@erickprince9885]

Say NO!!!!

[@michaelchang6317]

You are 100% right 💯👍

[@RyanUybengkee]

i had to come back to this vid and listen carefully and yeah.. i would agree and this video is on point. STAND alone is very effective for a limited 1 hour festival where NO ONE will approach you and make requests. A set list is already on a flash drive, where 1000 songs are not needed. HOWEVER, on an open format needed event like a wedding, a CLUB, or a wide range age demographic , which requires DJs to play from 2 to 6 hours non stop, A stand Alone will cripple your set. Even if you have all the songs on a 4TB SSD, and even if you memorize all the songs that you know that you think can help you play better, THe load time and extraction of the files take forever. like FOREVER. every second counts on open format playing, esp these days when tikTok songs are requested, FAST playing is needed. I played in a wedding last night, and i tried using stand alone, and it crippled my morale: one request after the other every 4 minutes someone would walk up to me and ask such and such, different genres, different BPMs, and to an extend, not even on my downloads yet because they were still a month old release. i was frustrated last night. Comparing it to a controller that i can manipulate my playlist flexibly , type on, quickly download, and play on demand, having a stand alone set was frustrating to say the least.

[@djpedromixhouston]

computer + controler its the best option for me,

[@tyasspage]

I think if your playing the right music to hype up the party, who cares of your using flash drive or laptop

[@latrellmcadams8463]

This! i don't see why this a big deal just dj!

[@iainstewart2102]

excellent ! ultimately it's all about the music

[@sidekick8740]

Sure I get all your well explained points Pri and thanks again for this and all your great videos. I would like to make the point though to fellow DJs that many dancefloor crowds feel disconnected with performers that seem to spend most of their sets staring into the laptop screen. I have heard that some venues in London prefer DJs not to use laptops for this reason. We all know some DJs that never seem to look up at the crowd (even a few using just CDJs!), so I think it's important to keep checking the dancefloor is responding well to the track selections, mixes and performance.

[@priyonjoni]

Thanks for sharing! I’ve seen this one appear on tech riders of artists dictating this same directive on openers. I always thought it had to do with avoiding any technical issues. Especially if a user is using DVS instead of HID.

[@MgmdjsCoZa0718901289]

No introverted DJ's allowed...eye contact or we don't pay you 🙈

[@priyonjoni]

Lol it’s funny because majority of DJs and music artists are introverts. Including ones who make it to the festival stage. The Avicii documentary was a great example and maybe lesson on mental health of an artist in socially demanding environments.

[@dieterboullart4124]

No offence, but what is the difference between staring at a CDJ screen and staring at a laptop screen?

[@priyonjoni]

@@dieterboullart4124 great question!

[@amilcarrodriguez953]

Totally Agree 💪💪💪💪

[@kudamah]

Great vid... appreciated

[@priyonjoni]

No problem!

[@corywilliams458]

"Look at this Chump"...lol...Great video....gotta have my laptop/USB

[@anthonydickson2786]

THE VOICE EFFECTS TOOK ME OUT 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rjmn1]

Nice Pj👍

[@BenCaesar]

Would be great to see an update to this video, especially with new serato stem separation and cloud updates. Maybe there are more benefits to using a laptop now

[@NunyaBusinessEither]

I for one use a laptop. Why? It's my preference. I'm comfortable using a laptop at all my gigs. Why do other DJ's refuse to use a laptop? Because it's THEIR preference. Bottom line, it doesn't matter what type of DJ you are or what genre you spin. If you use a laptop to DJ, it's YOUR preference. If you DON'T use a laptop to DJ, it's YOUR preference. It's not a debate of real or fake DJ. Besides, why should it matter what another DJ uses that you don't? Is what they're doing or not doing affecting your sets or gigs? Just DJ your events and stop worrying about the next DJ!!!

[@andiedwards368]

Fantastic info & video. Btw... haven't read all the comments. But how do you activate the gate mode for Rekordbox...I use a DDJ 400.

[@bigdaz7272]

A workaround for Nested Playlists in Rekordbox what i do is for example if i create a Hip-Hop folder then add 6 Playlist inside that that folder with Anthems, 90s, 00s,10s, Latest and ALL. I then drag the contents of those 5 nested Playlsts into the nested ALL playlist, works well though i wish it would kinda do this by default like in Serato. Its so dumb their is still no option to set Gated Hotcues on CDJ's, unless you have a laptop connected

[@priyonjoni]

Wow, that’s a great go-around! When I use Rekord Buddy, it sometimes creates a separate playlist for my “all” when I transfer from Serato to RB. But only does that if the Serato main crate contains the songs, and not just the sub crates. Very difficult to tell what is what. Do you mind if I share this go around? I’ll be happy to credit you for it.

[@bigdaz7272]

@@priyonjoni Hey man be my guest and share away thats what we here for to hopefully help each other out, lost count of the great tips, tricks and insights i got from your good self :)

[@stuartgordon2117]

Hey Pri, Nice Video. I always used CDJs with a USB drive and either Rekordbox or Serato with Controllers but for me HID is the best. I have all my tunes and playlists and never had any issues with either software I use since I started using it this way. I don’t really agree with comments about DJs staring at a screen. Some DJs are not as lively as others and without a laptop they would just stare at the CDJ…. Just my opinion.

[@priyonjoni]

That’s a great point

[@jungle1smass1ve]

Search is faster/better on a laptop, some features like Serato Video are not controlled within CDJs/controllers. The question that I would ask, why people still use CDs?

[@LarryZinc]

I play open format. The laptop is a must.

[@reddepo]

7:00 that’s why you use Denon media players with WiFi so you don’t have to worry about that.

[@clipz1]

i got soo much gear djm900 srt the sp1 and i even got the s11 yet to open it and somtimes with the other two items mentioned i wonder if i should have even got the s11 ... the cdj3000s was somthing i was looking at but i do have the cdj1000mk3 and with the sp1 i feel i can use the timecode cd and not be missing out on much .. i could be wrong to be honest but due to the recent issues with chips there is no pioneer gear available so im having to improv .. overall as you mentioned the cdjs are in its own world .. kudos to your channel

[@MICHAELZU.S.A]

Hey Pri Yon what mind boggles mi is the direction they going with this🤷‍♂️ I get it if a DJ is on his ☎️ then that can be disconnected from crowd, but now this NO LAPTOP ONLY FLASH DRIVE and ONLY putting up hands, or clapping or finger twinkle whole night or else is getting out of control. We are there mainly to play the instrument, CDJs, controller etc, as a musician would period. Crowds job is to MF dance instead of selfie record whole set and look at the DJ as a Cult leader 😂 I miss the back in the days when Dj was in a DJ booth and no one even seen him 😃😁 plus Security would not allow it..

[@paz4this]

I use a laptop for 2 reasons, I play for 5 hours at my gigs plus I can't play my music videos without it. Wish my CDJ3000s would support mp4 videos. One thing I don't like having to use the laptop is I can't see all the features on the CDJ's like the keyboard search and that little light that's on top of the CDJ's lol it won't turn on. If I use it in pro link I still can't play my videos but get all the features the CDJ's have. I'm a video DJ. Lastly I do get asked a lot why do I use a laptop when I have the 3000s blah lol

[@mateorincon3448]

When only mixing house or electronic music in general, you can get away with cdjs in standalone pretty easily. Unfortunately when it comes to doing open format gigs, cdjs in standalone mode come really short in practicality and quickness. In the club where I work at, I have to deal with all different types of genres. They also have a pair of cdjs 2000, first generation, and I can’t imagine going through one night using them in standalone.

[@maaa005]

A reason I see myself using my laptop sometimes is to add videos/visuals to my sets. Depending on the venu I am working at, I can add amazing visuals and music-synced-videos to my sets and it adds value ad originality to my service. I try to always use a flash drive since it’s so much easier to set up and dismount.

[@Oui810]

What program do you use for your visuals ?

[@maaa005]

@@Oui810 Rekordbox but I haven’t used it for such use in a while. When I use a laptop it mostly for lighting, also via Rekordbox

[@DirtyJokesFan]

As a Brit I found the snobby voice skit with the nod to aristocratic speech hilarious. Bravo!👊🏾

[@djxcel23]

Depending on the length of time I’m spinning for, i choose if I’m either gonna being a thumb drive or a laptop.

[@priyonjoni]

Thanks for sharing!

[@GaryStephenJones]

A laptop is basically a big record box. It has your full collection. It has access to streaming services also. Only the other week my DDJ SX3 went AWOL mid gig. Sound was awful I think the main board is on its way out but no availability in the UK for the 1000 srt till next year. So I played one song using the laptop streaming a song from you tube whilst I shut down the software and reloaded it. Everything went perfect after that and the customers knew no different. Just one bar staff asked me if my speaker was ok lmao. Hurry up Pioneer we need new controllers asap

[@MarcS4R]

i briefly tried an XDJ700 standalone setup. i could not get Alphanumeric key to work, this is something i use on my Rekordbox Laptop setup all the time. I guess i can get a better workflow using my Laptop.

[@Nogui_Aramburo]

With the laptop I can use 4 channel mixing with the XP1

[@powershift_]

wait, hot cues dont stop on club gear? i always use them to quickly get to the buildup, outro or whatever😬 what other way would you use?

[@chent]

I only use a laptop to record my set. Just worked my cues. I just run 2 MPCs, but they load to slow.

[@maxfritz2622]

I use cdjs in hid with Traktor playing Techno and House. Best Solution for me

[@maghtsam]

At this time, some djs use .flac an ALAC files , Old Pionner equipment doesnt read such files. only new ones.

[@scriptguru4669]

My reply is "name me another creative industry that said 'computers, nah don't need them' "

[@angusgibbins4954]

I personally can't stand playing off a laptop. Much prefer organising my music into playlists in Rekordbox and export to USB. I think part of it comes from when we went from vinyl to CDs, DJing was the one thing in an increasingly digital world that still had an element of analogue to it. And overtime that became increasingly digital too.

[@Stephanyymedinaa]

Can you use Tidal in Serato HID Mode with CDJ 3000?

[@storyandsoundscape8859]

@7:30 Bingo!

[@ZacharySound]

This brings up a very interesting question for me. If there is already a solution for this please fill me in. I often play with this one DJ who uses Traktor and a controller. I use CDJ 900NXS and a Xone:92. We want to mix back to back and the only way to do this was for him to run his controllers master out into one of the input channels on the Xone:92. We did this it worked well for the most part but we ran into sound level issues on his channel. Apparently it is possible for him to connect his laptop to my CDJ's in HID mode with Traktor but wouldn't that not allow us to mix back to back (Me using USB sticks connected to the CDJ) with tracks on his laptop? If not then then is where Pioneer should work on bridging the gap so that people can plug in any software to a CDJ and eliminate the issue with one DJ that uses the raw USB stick on vs the Tractor, Serato user with tracks stored on a laptop. If there was a way to do this? Then the Traktor DJ I play list could ditch his controller we could share the CDJ/Mixer keeping it simple.

[@sundoge]

Well, actually its quite easy, traktor has 3 modes of playing music, one its regular player, second its remix deck, last one its line in, if its 2 cdjs and a mixer, you choose for the cdj you will use line in, that way you can use a usb from the cdj you are using, and then the other cdj you put it in HID mode, that way your pal can use traktor with that cdj, now the last step its in traktor put the mixer mode as "external", that makes it so that you can use your xone no problem with the set up as is, the only problem its that maybe he likes traktor effects that your xone mixer doesnt have, for him to be able to use those effects would need a extra controller like a traktor kontrol x1, and with that controller both of you can use traktor effects, well, theres a lot of ways to setup that xone with traktor, but this is the general idea

[@armandm.2166]

To be fair, I use one usb and have enough crates for the whole night. I did gigs before for 5 hours or more with one usb.

[@SebastianBlix]

Truth, it’s not the early 00s anymore. One USB that can easily carry DAYS of continuous playback costs less than 40 bucks. If one so wanted, it would be completely feasible to carry the whole music collection around on a drive.

[@djrymak]

Have you got the discount codes for DMS? I’m about to sign up and couldn’t see them there anywhere 🙂

[@priyonjoni]

I repinned it!

[@EchaAnggara]

as a hiphop open format DJ i use an external ssd for my music for 1 reason only.....laptops are heavy and big and im a lazy bastard

[@djpedromixhouston]

where are the profesional controllers to use with a laptop, why are replaced with stand alone only,

[@reddepo]

2:31 yeah, but that was 2009.

[@georgeogrady9205]

Can switch off on system q

[@DJB_AUS]

Because i usually play open format, I prefer to have all my music, all my playlists and the 17inch screen + full sized keyboard is so much better that the 7inch screen and twiddling that knob....

[@priyonjoni]

9 inch touch screens now

[@OldschoolDJ_Gerd]

If you take just enough music with you for a 1 or 2hr set a USB key is enough. If you need more than that, a laptop is just easier to search you large database. I take +/- 25000 titles with me.

[@georgeogrady9205]

Ture mixer usb

[@CheckDisOutpeeps]

A flash drive is technically a computer lol

[@imPladdy]

hol up is this 330 from the new Squid Game game show?

[@djazkaban]

i dont lilke laptop flash disk better than laptop

[@DjNikGnashers]

LOL @ your impression of a House DJ :-))))))) In my experience, House DJ's just take 4 minutes to do what a real DJ can do in seconds, at the same time pretending to twist and turn every knob on the mixer but not actually moving them. In between these fake knob movements, you have to remember to close your eyes at key moments and hold one arm high in the air, then pump your fist to really entertain the crowd .... ..... YAWN !

[@priyonjoni]

It’s not my impression of a house DJ. It’s my impression of DJs who put more value on their gear than their skill. And all genres of music have someone like that. I’m a house head and no one ever says I pretend to twist knobs.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@priyonjoni You are so much more than a House DJ. I love your channel, and value your content. A House DJ can't scratch like you can. You are a complete DJ.

[@Dvrkstvr]

Each DJ / Live performance / Artist has their own style(s) of operation. Personally, I use 4 USBs, each has different genres, Dubstep/Bass Music, DnB, House/Techno, and the final is Club Remixes. This eliminates me having to bring a laptop with me. Playing for Numerous hours in a open format environment, I'm still bringing USBs only. Just feels like the laptop takes away from my interactive experience with my crowds

[@klkl8525]

let those cdj-only djs utilise stems without a laptop.. aaa wait

[@rasengan771]

Only noob djs, and dude who onky play house music dont understand why laptops are basically necessary as of today

[@Lexalot_]

is this seriously a video? it’s legit a matter of preference lol nothing more to it all 😭😭😭

[@davidtrolly7051]

Are you gay man?

[@priyonjoni]

Only on Tuesdays

[@MixMasterHak]

HID Mode