Hosting Virtual DJ party with Zoom Conferencing App using DDJ-SB3

Thanks for the feedback!  My laptop driver asks when I plug something in, in this case it asks if it was a microphone or a line level input. 

I will look into the broadcasting options. I've not tried that yet. The idea was that I could host a virtual party and still be able to talk to and see our friends as opposed to me just hosting a virtual performance, like a Pro might. 

Looking forward to the updated info. Thanks again!

Ah, if you've got a switchable input, then that would be a possible option.

If you're keen to do Zoom, just mute all their mics so it doesn't prioritize them.

this may come late but if you didn't figure it out yet, try this.  (it works for me)

I'm in IT but I've also done a few Zoom after parties using virtual dj and the ddjsb3.  I don't plug my headset or mic into the controller.  controller connects to laptop and speakers but that's it.  Instead I use a usb headset with built-in mic. (plantronics) plugged into the usb port on my lenovo laptop. then launch zoom and virtual dj as you normally wood.  don't forget to share computer sound only in Zoom.  If you're going to MC then a cool app to run is voxal voice changer.  Gives you that DJ booth in the club sound effects when you speak as well as echo and other cool sounds. program your laptop keys to activate programmable sounds when you need them.  send out the zoom invite and you're ready to party!

hello david!

thank you!  can you please clarify how you get the sound from the sb3 into the laptop? i dont quite understand your setup.  i can see it working in my head with just a laptop with zoom and virtual dj and sharing the computer audio but i can seems to wrap my head around how you get your master out from the sb3 into the lenovo?

thank you.

Hey PIONEER how do I do this with my Nexus 2 set up?

sorry been super busy at work.. on Zoom conversation.. if you are going to use Zoom, for your after party, you will need to change your current setup.. ie SB3 to laptop usb only..  run the virtual dj app, it will sync up with your SB3 (assuming you have purchased the right license) all your controls would be happening on the SB3.

On your computer, your settings for audio and video should be for whatever is plugged into your computer.  I have a Plantronics headset with mic plugged into usb.  I have external Bose sound system with amplifier plugged into my laptop's head phone jack so I can hear and play the music in the house as well.  Your laptop will be the sound card so make sure it is also set up in Virtual DJ. 

Launch Zoom..  click on share screen but only checkmark "share computer sound" then click on the "Advanced" tap and select "computer audio sound only"  this will only share the sound coming out of your computer..  My mic, the one on the plantronics headset, will also serve as my MC mic..  I just lower the music volume on the SB3 to speak.  Lowering the music does not affect volume of mic.  That's the key with this setup. 

Finally, set up Zoom with a virtual background.. using snipping tool, google and copy a picture of the inside of some night club..  use that as your background.  For best effects, get a green screen.. or if not, just have your lighting in front of you and not behind you.

As an extra bonus, download and launch Voxal voice changer (free) to change mic sounds.  Plenty of options.. There's even an echo option, which I use a lot..  Once you have selected the voice changes, save them as key strokes.  so when you hit the number 1, you get an echo effect when you speak.. but remember to hit it again to turn it off otherwise you'll be echoing all night.  There are options available to make you sound like you're in a night club.  Save that one for most of your talking that night. 

I only use Virtual DJ to select songs, and load the automix when I want to take a break.  Otherwise it's SB3 all the way.  

Tons of stuff to write about but not enough time..  hope this helps... have fun.  

almost forgot.. you are not sharing your screen, you are sharing your audio via Zoom.  Then just turn on your camera in Zoom, with your virtual background of you sitting in a DJ booth at a local night club and voila.. you have an after party show!  

enjoy!

Short answer - don't. Zoom isn't meant for this purpose.

I think the OP had a smaller, internal group in mind for Zoom parties..  unless I'm wrong.

I do my company parties via Zoom but just for internal folks during this mandatory work from home time. We use Zoom for happy hours, trivia games, birthdays, and everything in between.  Our company already has Zoom and it works perfectly for up to 300 participants. We also use Microsoft Teams but Zoom is more user friendly and supports virtual backgrounds that help keep things interesting.  People get creative when it comes to virtual backgrounds. Everyone gets to participate, show their special drinks (I call it BYOD night, bring your down drinks) and they dance around in front of their cameras.  It's lots of fun.  As an MC you need to keep them active.  So have some games in mind.  Obviously, if you plan on doing something professional or formal, like a paying gig, for the world to see, then yes, I agree Zoom is not the right choice. There are professional platforms out there to do that on..  my bad if I misunderstood the OP's question.  

Again, thanks for all the feedback. Yes, I'm talking about a small group of 5-20 friends getting together for a virtual happy hour while enjoying some music. 

I just realized while reading all the comments that I wrote "Virtual DJ" in the title as if I was using the app Virtual DJ. I'm actually using Serato DJ Lite. I probably should have written "virtual dj" in the common sense, not the proper sense. I didn't even realize that Virtual DJ was an app until I just googled it. So, that begs another question...Should I be using the app Virtual DJ instead of Serato? Mine came with Serato so I assumed that is what I am supposed to use. 

I have a USB headset with a built-in mic so I can give that a try too. 

So in reading this post- does anyone have the DDJ SB3 working in Zoom? If so what exactly did you do to get it going? 

No offense but save the irrelevant information and help us all out. We just need to know if the DDJ SB3 is working in zoom, if so how?

Some have said it works with VirtualDJ. How? What are the exact steps taken to make that work? Backgrounds and all that is not needed. Did you change audio config in VirtualDJ? If so to what? 

Does anyone use Serato Pro? Does Serato work with Zoom? If so what settings were taken to set that up.

True, opinions that Zoom is not the best may be what it is, but its happening and that's what people are doing. So rather than talk about using other platforms such as Twitch etc..people using Zoom are considering their audience as well. 

So the question is if you are using Zoom with the DDJ SB3, what exact steps are you taking between the controller, your computer and Zoom to make it work correctly? 

dude, you have not been paying attention.  read my post on how to do Zoom, step by step.  It's all spelled out, including how the controller, speakers, mic is connected..  You do not use the controller input or outputs, you use your laptop.  I have a usb headset w/mic plugged into my laptop running Virtual DJ.  I then have speakers coming out of my laptop via the headphone jack, going to an amp and prof speakers.  The controller is used to control your music.. all functions work..  but use Virtual DJ to browse/select your music, automix, etc.  

Launch Zoom on your laptop..  on the settings you are using the headphone mic and the external speakers.  

in Zoom click "Share screen" but do not share screen, checkmark "computer sound"

then go to "advanced" and select "music or computer sound only" then hit share.  

Zoom participants will now be able to hear your music clearly.. you control the level with the controller..  when you speak on the mic, just lower the master so they can hear you..  When mixing, you will also be able to listen to either decks using your usb headset.  Make sure those devices are selected in the Virtual DJ audio settings.  The headset is ch 3/4..   the rest is listed in my comments...

now go play..

I've been doing weekly Zoom parties since we started working from home two months ago..  super clear..  one note, if the music is too loud for participants to talk to each other, just lower it on the vertical faders. I usually keep it within the 1-25% range.  For virtual backgrounds, you can use any image you may have downloaded.  I use an image of the inside of a DJ booth at a night club.  Gives it a nice touch.  Add a bunch of videos of people dancing and switch back and forth as needed to keep things interesting..  

Thanks for the details.. I guess this is where I'm lost.... You said the music is " super clear"...What I can't wrap my head around is how is the music clear when you  stated the following: 

"" I then have speakers coming out of my laptop via the headphone jack, going to an amp and prof speakers.""

If you're using a laptop with speakers coming out, how is the sound routed into the computer for all to hear clearly? To me the sound would be in and out if the music is coming from a speaker you have placed near your laptop for the mic to pick up? 

This is where I'm lost if you can explain? Do you have any other adapter or controller connected? So if I have " external speakers" using an audio cable coming out of my MacBook into speakers.. how does the Zoom room hear that clearly? 

Also, I can manage and mix etc.. hear my cue music in the headphones but you are using a USB headset to do this? 

You also state: 

" Launch Zoom on your laptop..  on the settings you are using the headphone mic and the external speakers".

If you use Zoom, perhaps I can join a zoom meeting and listen in and see exactly how it sounds. How can I contact you outside of this forum? The only social media I have is Twitter. I'm also on Discord as well. Would appreciate seeing the setup.

Thanks.

dude, you need to learn how to use Zoom.. if you are the host, you are selecting "share your computer music/audio" option in Zoom.  My speakers plugged into the laptop is just for me to hear and enjoy the music on my end. They hear the music internally through the sharing feature in Zoom.  It will be super clear.  That's what I've been told numerous times.  And I bounce from 128kbps to 320kbps quality.  They can't tell.

When you share you screen to show a document, do you turn your camera around so they can see your screen?  no right?  Sharing your sound is the same in Zoom.

Once again,  laptop plugs into SB3 via USB..  nothing else is plugged into the SB3, nothing..  grab a headphone jack that is regular headphone jack in one end, and RCA red/white speaker jacks on the other.  Or a two-headed headphone jack if your speakers accept it.  Plug that cable into your amp or directly to speakers.  I have mine plugged into a Bose system.  That is YOUR sound.  If you don't plug anything into your headphone jack it won't matter, your sound will come out of your laptop speakers.  They will still hear it the same way, and same quality regardless.

Now, plug your USB headset w/built in microphone (I use a plantronics one sided headset with boom mic) into the laptop.  Make sure those devices are setup in your Windows sound settings.  Test them. 

Finally, in the Virtual DJ settings, the options to choose are speaker + headpone, usb soundcard, and microphone.  outputs are master = your laptop built-in speakers, headphones = your plantronics, (ch 3/4 so you can switch back and forth between decks before mixing) For microphone = plantronics.   That's it.  Obviously make sure you have a license to use the SB3 home plus or Pro. 

Again, one more time, launch Zoom..  click on Share Screen select computer sound on lower left corner... then click on Advanced Tab -  select Music or Computer Sound Only. Then click Share.  

Other than browsing for songs and setting up automix, everything else is done on the SB3.  Yes, you can cue both decks whenever you want with the USB headset.  

Make sure your headphone, microphone, and speakers are set up the same way in Zoom audio settings. 

You are not controlling your mic or headset volume in SB3 because they are NOT plugged into the SB3.  You control them on your laptop if you need to.  That's just for volume only.  Once you set up the volume, leave it alone..  If you want to speak or MC during your show, just lower the music via the Master or Faders on the SB3..  The mic will not be affected..  got it?

Use a virtual background to make things interesting.. Copy/Paste anything from anywhere.  Get a $20 green screen from Amazon or green color fabric to make it clear or you will get a fuzzy image.  

Now go play... i'm done..  

Thank you again.. So basically your sound is coming from your computer.. take away the speaker for YOU.... and you're using your computer sound..

That's the issue I'm running into when you say " its clear". Im very familiar with zoom and how to share audio sound. The issue is that others have said that the sound goes " in and out". 

So that's why I'm curious how your sound is so " clear" using the same Zoom app.

My setup is exactly what you said.. I have my USB connected to my MacBook:

I open VDJ and select the settings. The only thing different where I see I can make a change is you're mixing/ cueing using the computer rather than connecting to you controller Thats what Ive been doing but can change and see if that helps in mixing. 

The other issue I've had with zoom is that others have said its not loud enough or goes in and out and I can't keep turning my gain up more because then I start red lining on my controller and the others have their volume turned up as well. So thats why Im' wondering why your sound is " so clear" and what you're doing different than I'm not already doing. 

I've been considering those audio controllers I've seen that connect to the USB if that will help as I don't need to stream live through FB or IG.. just more of wanting to be able to control the volume more if needed using my controller to turn up the master MORE but it seems thats not the case as the volume is controlled by the computer sound. 

I will experiment and see why Zoom goes in and out. Sounds like there may be something in zoom I need to check. 

Thank you again. 

I'm NOT using the computer/Virtual DJ for cueing or mixing..  If I was why bother with a controller?  Everything is done on the SB3, everything.  I am only browsing and selecting the songs via Virtual DJ app on my computer.  I then load the tracks via the load buttons on the controller decks and every action after that is done on the controller itself.  Mixing, cueing, faders, effects, samplers, everything..  

I lower the fader/master volume on the current track if I want to MC or just chat with others in Zoom.  I have a USB logitech webcam to show my face and virtual background in Zoom.  I don't like using the laptops' built-in camera because the quality sucks on virtual background images.    

The music is amazingly clear to everyone.  Never got a complaint and I've been doing this almost every weekend since our company started working remotely about two months ago. 

I have recorded some after party events in Zoom recording and everything has come out perfect.  It took me a while to get the right volume level for Zoom as many participants wanted to also chat with one another.  I now set the master volume level to around 25%.  This allows them to hear it loud and clear, but not too loud as to prevent them from talking to one another.  I do tend to raise the volume when playing a more popular, wanna dance song..  It gets them in the mood.  So I raise it a bit.

Next was finding the right background image to use as a Night Club backdrop. Found a few on the internet and used that.  

If you're not getting quality sound then either check your sound settings on the laptop audio settings or check the kbps rating on your song files.  If your music cuts in and out, it's probably your laptop's sound card.  Not sure what you have but it might not be able to handle it.  Not sure.  I have a Lenovo Thinkpad with Realtek HD audio.  Nothing fancy.

I also play both 128 and 320 and both sound amazingly clear.  

good luck!