MpDJ Architecture

MpDJ is basically a MPD client that controls two MPD instances - one for each sound card. Both instances must point to the same music folder. In addition to that, MpDJ must also be configured to point to the same music folder so that it can read additional tags like BPM directly from the id3 tags in the files.

I recommend that you use the external USB sound card as the one connected to the PA system because on-montherboard sound cards sometimes skip when graphics change.

Requirements

• You use Ubuntu, although I'm sure you can install this on other operating systems if you know what you are doing. Instructions assume you are comfortable with running commands in a terminal.
• You must be able to run two instances of the Music Player Daemon (mpd). See OS Compatibility
• Your collection is mp3s
• You store your tags in id3 format
• Two sound cards. If DJ'ing from a laptop, one extra usb sound card is all people need.

Setup

If you're going to DJ for the first time, you should know that it will take some time to get your setup right so that listeners/dancers have an enjoyable experience.

• Get a second sound card
• Decide on folders that will store your music.
• Install MPD
• Configure MPD for public address system
• Configure MPD for headphones
• Test both using a MPD client
• Install and Configure MpDJ.
• Normalize you music.
• Clock your music.
• Tag your music
• Get to DJ'ing