How Do DJs Use Laptops?
Music Storage and Organization
Before the age of laptops, DJs would cart CDs and vinyls around to gigs. Now all their music and software can be carried in a convenient laptop. This gives DJs more time to focus on mixing rather than opening CD cases or sliding vinyls in covers, eliminating the risk of scratching or damaging the music. It also lets them see their playlists in front of them with running times. It's used as a form of organization as well as convenience.
Radio Station Computers
Most DJ software is run off of a computer for remote gigs. Modern radio stations also run playlists, track commercials and schedule breaks using computers. For radio DJs, using a laptop or computer is a must. Radio stations must keep track of all the music they play for legal reasons. This used to be done by keeping a handwritten log. Now it's all done via computer, and is electronically sent for copyright and royalty purposes. Advertisers buy specific air time, and using a laptop the radio station can usually guarantee that product spot will run at the specified time. They plug the commercial into the time slot around the music and the computer does all the work.
Freelance DJ Laptops
The setup is a little different if you're a remote or club DJ, but not by much. The most commonly used DJ software program is called Serato Scratch Live. It is a system that will house all your music, show you play-times and levels, and allow you to make crates (separate playlist files), in addition to having many other useful features. It's basically a very advanced iTunes program. Once you have your music loaded and the Serato program up and running, you can bring your laptop to any event that has a mixer. The mixer will allow you to plug into speakers and control levels and fades, and will allow you to mix songs. Laptops let the DJ focus on a great atmosphere, and gives him the freedom to play most requests as the Internet is available for downloading a song he might not have. Another perk of a laptop is editing software. A DJ can make an intro for himself, create long mixes of songs or add personal touches to the event at which he is playing.
