VirtualDek 2.0 - Online User Guide

VirtualDek 2.0 Screenshots and Explanations (designed for 1024x768 screen resolution, optimum)

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Click to access the OPTIONS Menu. Options include Settings, Sampler, Auto-DJ, BPM AutoScan, Sync USB Headset, Windows Mixer and Restart Audio. Please see MENU HELP SECTION for more information on each individual item.

Click to access the HELP Menu. Options include User Guide, Download Latest Demo, VirtualDek Website, Report Bugs, Submit Suggestions, Contact Us and About. Please see MENU HELP SECTION for more information on each individual item.

This is the Master Out VU Display for the LEFT Channel. Green indicates a safe level, Yellow indicates safe but approaching possible Distortion and Red indicates that Distortion is very likely. If Red lights up often, you may need to lower the Master Out level (46) to bring the levels down to Green or Yellow. You may prefer to simply use your own hearing to discern if there is any Distortion present.

This is the Master Out VU Display for the RIGHT Channel. See above (4) for explanation of the different VU Levels.

Click to visit the Main PCM Software Website. You can download more available software titles and keep up with the latest gossip, news and developments.

Displays the Artist, Title and Duration Information of the Currently Loaded Song for Deck A

Displays the Artist, Title and Duration Information of the Currently Loaded Song for Deck B

This is the Beat Display for Deck A and Shows the Beats as Spikes pointing Downwards. The Beat Display will help you to BeatMatch songs easily. The Display works particularly well with Dance music (Trance, Techno etc...) that has a continuous beat. To get the songs in time for mixing with each other, simply line the Spikes up with each other. You can Drag the spikes into line using your Mouse or use the '<' or '>' Keys to Pitch Up/Down.

This is the Beat Display for Deck B and Shows the Beats as Spikes pointing Upwards. Explanation available above (9).

This is the Pitch Control for Deck A. Use this to fine tune the deck. When the SYNC function (33) is enabled, the Pitches for both decks are automatically adjusted so that they BeatMatch and are at the same Tempo (BPM), however, you can still adjust the pitches to raise or lower the Tempo (BPM) or Pitch etc...

This is the Pitch Control for Deck B. Explanation available above (11).

This is the Deck A Play Button and when clicked will Start or Stop the Deck. The Play status of the Deck can be seen obviously by the Deck spinning but for clarification, a Green LED indicator is fitted to the deck (30/31) and will light when the Deck is Playing. Use this when you want to Cue a Deck to the part of the song you wish to begin Mixing at. This could be the start of the Beats etc ... This control behaves like a Pause button for Cueing purposes.

This is the Deck B Play Button and when clicked will Start or Stop the Deck. Explanation available above (13).

This is the Deck A Beat Indicator and will light when a Beat in the currently playing Song has been Detected. Use this as a visual aid when matching beats.

This is the Deck B Beat Indicator. Explanation available above (15).

This is the Deck A WaveDisplay and shows a graphical representation of the currently loaded Song. A cursor shows you the Current Play Position. You can Drag and Select a Portion of this WaveDisplay by using your Mouse. You can Left-Click anywhere in the WaveDisplay to set the Playback position. You can Edit the Selections Start and End positions by moving the Mouse Cursor near to the ends and Dragging them to a new position. Use the WaveDisplay to Cue and also to be able to see what part of the song is playing and what may be coming such as a Break or the start of a section of Beats etc... Usually quieter parts of a song such as the breakdowns will appear as smaller or shorter lines and louder sections such as the Beats or Choruses will appear as larger or longer lines.

This is the Deck B WaveDisplay. Explanation available above (17).

This is the Deck A Vinyl and can be treated identical to the real thing. Use your Mouse to drag the Vinyl forwards or backwards just as you would a Real Deck! Try spinning it round and letting go and you will see that it even has intertia just like a real Deck! You can Spin records backwards and forwards, cue songs by spinning backwards or forwards and even Scratch! You Grab the Vinyl by moving the Mouse cursor over it and keeping the Left Mouse button held down. Now move the Mouse with the Left button held down and rotate the Vinyl just as you would if you used your hand on a real Turntable! When scratching or cueing, it is recommended that you Grab the Vinyl more towards the outer edge to give a more precise movement.

This is the Deck B Vinyl. Explanation available above (19).

This is the Deck A - Playback Arm and acts just like the real thing moving across the Vinyl as the Song progresses. You can pick the Arm up using the Mouse and Drag/Drop it over the Vinyl to achieve Playback at the desired position just like you would on the Real thing!

This is the Deck B - Playback Arm. Explanation available above (21).

Click on this control to Reset the Pitch back to Normal on Deck A. The songs original BPM/Tempo will be restored.

Click on this control to Reset the Pitch back to Normal on Deck B. The songs original BPM/Tempo will be restored.

This displays the current Tempo or BPM of the Song currently loaded in Deck A. You can change this by adjusting the Deck's Pitch slider control up or down (11). This setting may be adjusted automatically if SYNC (33) is enabled.

This displays the current Tempo or BPM of the Song currently loaded in Deck B. Explanation available above (25).

This Flashing Red Colored Keyboard Icon shows which Deck is currently accepting Keyboard Input. In the Screenshot it shows that Deck B is currently receiving Keyboard Input. Keyboard Input triggers the various functions available in VirtualDek 2.0 - For example: Key '1' to Loop Region 1. There are many ways of changing the Flashing Red Keyboard onto the Deck that you wish and one way is to use the Mouse Hover Select function found in the Settings Control Panel. Another is to press key 'M' on your keyboard to toggle the input between Deck A and Deck B. By default, the Flashing Red Keyboard will automatically be selected onto the Deck which you have just loaded a Song onto so that it will accept Keyboard signals for Cueing etc... The Deck that has the Keyboard Input is the Deck that is also being monitored through the USB Headset (if you are using one).

This is the Deck A Monitor Selector and Indicator. Clicking on this Button will Cause all Keyboard Input to be directed to Deck A for cueing or other purposes etc... Also it will send the signal from this Deck to the USB Headphones for monitoring (Assuming you are using a USB Headset)

This is the Deck B Monitor Selector and Indicator. Explanation available above (28).

This is the Deck A Play Indicator and will illuminate if Deck A is actively Playing.

This is the Deck B Play Indicator and will illuminate if Deck B is actively Playing.

This is the Beat Lock button and will attempt to lock the Beats into Sync with each other. Even though the Two Decks may be playing at the same BPM or Tempo, the Beats may no actually be aligned correctly therefore using this feature causes VirtualDek 2.0 to try to align the beats ( or spikes in the BeatDisplay [9 & 10] ).

Clicking on the SYNC button will toggle the SYNC feature On or Off. When SYNC is On it will instruct VirtualDek 2.0 to attempt to BeatMatch the two Decks so that their BPM or Tempo's are identical. It is thorougly recommended to use SYNC when mixing Dance music (Techno, Trance, House, Ambient, Industrial, Rave, Hardcore and Club styles etc...). Using SYNC will make life much easier when trying to mix songs together in time as it does the hard work Pitching the songs in for you automatically leaving you to concentrate on other tasks like Cross-Fading or applying effects/scratching etc...

This is the Filter for Deck A. The Filter DSP emulates a 4 Pole Voltage Controlled Filter stage (VCF) and is designed to add that proffesional touch to your mixes. Try using the Filter in Low-Pass mode (Default) and adjusting its Cutoff frequency down by dragging the Knob anticlockwise. Notice it keeps the bass and the beat but cuts of the higher frequencies. You have probably heard this Effect on other songs but now you can dub this effect in at your own leisure! Also try the other Modes such as Band-Pass and High-Pass! Filters can be real fun to spice up your performance.

This control boosts the Mid range frequencies. Sounds that usually occur in this range are vocal.

This control boosts the Treble or High range frequencies. Sounds that usually occur in this range are Hi hats and Cymbals.

This is the Filter for Deck B. Explanation available above (34).

The VirtualDek 2.0 Phaser effect for Deck A. This control activates and controls the Rate at which the Phaser effect rotates. The Phaser effect has always been a popular DJ trick where two identical records were Phased together to produce a stunning effect and comes ready built in to VirtualDek 2.0.

Click here to Toggle (ON/OFF) the Aux Channel. A luminated Red Light will show that the Aux-In Channel is Enabled. One example of using this control is to turn the Microphone On or Off quickly as opposed to using the Fader. Sometimes Microphones need to be disabled if they are not being used (spoken into) as they can pick up feedback from the loudspeakers, especially at live events where the PA systems are in excess of 5 -10k (kiloWatts)

This control boosts the Bass or Low range frequencies. Sounds that usually occur in this range are Bass Drum Kicks, Sub Bass and Bass sounds.

This is the VirtualDek 2.0 Voice Over feature. Not found in any other software like ours! Click on this control to turn On or Off (Toggle) the Voice Over feature. This feature automatically 'ducks' the volume level of the music when you speak giving your performance that professional sound and allowing your voice to be heard clearly through the background music.

The VirtualDek 2.0 Phaser effect for Deck B. Explanation available above (38).

This is the Deck A Output Level Slider. Use your Mouse to drag this control up or down to control the Output Volume for Deck A. It is advised to have this slider set to about 3/4 from maximum, so that you can give a boost to the volume level of some songs that may be quieter. To use autofade on this control, simply move the Mouse Cursor over it and press 'I' for Fade-In or 'O' for Fade-Out. To cancel the autofade, simply grab the control with the Mouse.

This is the Monitor Output Level Slider. Use your Mouse to drag this control up or down to control the Output Volume for the Monitor Channel. The Monitor Channel is by default, the one used by your USB Headset. If you are using one.

This is the Aux-In Input Level Slider. Use your Mouse to drag this control up or down to control the Aux-In Input Volume Level. The Aux-In channel is routed to your Windows Mixer and will process the signal that you have selected from the Windows Mixer Recording Panel, for example - your Microphone.

This is the Master Output Level Slider. Use your Mouse to drag this control up or down to control the Master Output Volume.

This is the Deck B Output Level Slider. Use your Mouse to drag this control up or down to control the Output Volume for Deck B. It is advised to have this slider set to about 3/4 from maximum, so that you can give a boost to the volume level of some songs that may be quieter. To use autofade on this control, simply move the Mouse Cursor over it and press 'I' for Fade-In or 'O' for Fade-Out. To cancel the autofade, simply grab the control with the Mouse.

This is the Cross Fader (or X Fader). This controls the balance of the Volume Levels of Deck A and Deck B. When dragged to the left, only Deck A is heard. When dragged to the right, only Deck B is heard. When moved to the middle, both Deck A and Deck B are both heard together. Use the Cross Fader to Mix and Blend your songs together. You can use the Keyboard to control various functions of the Cross Fader. Press the Left Arrow Key for Full-Left or Deck A, press the Right Arrow Key for Full-Right or Deck B and press the Down Arrow or Up Arrow Keys for Middle-Mix. Press 'X' to Auto-Crossfade. To cancel Auto-Crossfade, simply grab the Crossfader with the Mouse.

Shows the current Recording status and flashes when you are actively recording.

Show the various properties of the Playlist items including #Number, Title, Artist, Duration and Beats Per Minute (BPM) or Tempo.

This section is the Playlist List and displays a list of available Playlists that you have made including the DEMO playlist when you first install VirtualDek 2.0. You can Delete Playlists by selecting them (use CTRL to MultiSelect) and then press DELETE on your Keyboard. Simply Double-Click on a Playlist to Load it ready for Playing or Editing. Right Click anywhere in this section to bring up the Playlist List Menu.

This section is the Playist and displays a List that you have contructed from Songs on your Hard Drives etc... To begin constructing a Playlist, simply click ADD (59) or Right Click and Select ADD from the Playlist Menu and select a Media File such as an MP3, WMA or WAV file from your Hard Drive/s. You can even Drag and Drop files from My Computer or Windows Explorer into the Playlist to add songs to the list. You can rearrange items by Dragging them around with the Mouse. To Play a Song on a Deck, simply Drag and Drop it onto the Deck from the Playlist and if you have AutoPlay enabled in the Settings Control Panel, it will start playing automatically or just click on Play (13 & 14). Items that are added to the Playlist are also added to the Media Pool Database for easy access at a later date. Playlist item properties can be viewed and/or modified by Double-Clicking on the item or Right Click and Select Properties from the Menu. You can modify BPM/Tempo, Artist, Title etc... Items that are gathered by the Media Search Utility are added to the Playlist, also items from the Media Pool. To view the full descriptions of Playlist functions and useage, see the Section Guide to the Main Panel Menu's and look at the Playlist Menu.

This section is the Recordings List and displays a list of Current Recordings that you have made. There are none to start with when you first set VirtualDek 2.0 up. You can create Recordings or your Mixes by pressing the Record button (54). Once a recording is finished, it will show up in this list. Items can be Deleted, Renamed, Exported, Maximized and Burned onto CD/DVD from this section. You can Delete Recordings by selecting them (use CTRL to MultiSelect) and then press DELETE on your Keyboard. You can play a Recording that you have made by Double-Clicking on it. It will open and play in your Windows Default Media Player. Right Click anywhere in this section to bring up the Recordings Menu.

Click here to create a New Recording. You will be asked to type a New Name for your Recording. Once you have entered a New Name, it will prompt you to click OK to begin Recording. The Record sign (Red Circle) will change to a Stop Sign (Blue Square). When you want to Stop recording, simply click on this control again (now a Blue Square) and click on CANCEL. If you do NOT want to stop recording you can click on CONTINUE here.

Click here to Play the currently selected Recording. The Recording will be played using the Default Windows Media Player. You must make sure that only ONE item is selected in the Recordings List before it will play.

Click here to Delete the currently selected items in the Recordings List. Confirmation is required. Alternatively you can press the DELETE key on your Keyboard.

Click here to Export the currently selected item in the Recordings List. A new Window will appear called the Export Audio Panel. See The Export Audio Panel

Click here to Play the currently selected item in the Playlist. The Title will be played using the Default Windows Media Player. You must make sure that only ONE item is selected in the Playlist before it will play.

Click here to ADD Songs from your Hard Drive/s to the Playlist. A Browser window will appear enabling you to navigate to Folders on your Hard Drive/s and select Songs in MP3, WMA and WAV formats.

Click here to Delete the currently selected items in the Playlist. Confirmation is required. Alternatively you can press the DELETE key on your Keyboard.

Click here to 'Launch' the currently loaded Playlist. To 'Launch' a Playlist means to start playing the list from the first song. The first song is loaded onto Deck A. An example of using this feature is to begin a Recording, then enable AutoDJ from main menu or press 'A' and then Launch a Playlist to create a Full AutoDJ Mixdown.

Click here to Open the Media Pool Database Panel. The Media Pool keeps a record of all the songs you load into VirtualDek making it easier to construct future playlists using your favorite songs. See Section The Media Pool Panel

Click here to Save your Playlist. If your Playlist was constructed from New then you will be asked to enter a New Name for your Playlist. Your saved Playlist will appear in the Playlist List (51).

Click here to Delete the currently selected items in the Playlist List. Confirmation is required. Alternatively you can press the DELETE key on your Keyboard.

Click here to Load the currently selected Playlist. The Loaded Playlist will appear in section 52. Once a Playlist is loaded, you can start playing songs on the Decks etc...

Basically the same as 61 above except that it saves you having to Load the Playlist first.

This shows the status of the Timestretch feature for Deck A. It shows whether the effect is enabled (ON or OFF) and what the value of the Timestretch is. A value of 1.00 is no timestretch. A value of 0.5 will stretch the Song to x2 length etc... Use this effect to astound the audience when mixing your songs! Use Key ':' or Colon to toggle the effect ON/OFF. Use Key ' or Hyphen (or @) and Key # or Hash (or ~) to change the Timestretch value up or down.

This shows the status of the Timestretch feature for Deck B. Explanation available above (67).

Displays the current Sync Offset in Milliseconds of the USB Headset. Maintaining this is required to keep the USB Headset in time with the Master output from the Speakers. Keeping the USB Headset in SYNC with the Speakers is essential if you use your Headset to Mix Dance type music in perfect time. You can change the SYNC value by either using the USB Headset Sync Control Panel from the Main Panel Menu or by simply pressing Keys '+' or '-' (Plus, Minus) on the Number Pad of your Keyboard. We recommend using the Beat Display to get your timing perfect by lining up the Spikes and not to rely whole-heartedly on the Sound from the USB Headset.

This shows you how much Hard Disk Space remains on the Drive which VirtualDek 2.0 is installed.

This shows you how much Memory or RAM that VirtualDek 2.0 is currently using. This is memory occupied by the Loaded Songs on Deck A and Deck B and also any Samples that are loaded into the Sampler.