OtsAV allows the routing of audio from Deck A and Deck B to two independent audio outputs. In simple terms, Deck A can be set to use one set of stereo pairs, connected to Channel 1 on your external mixer, and Deck B can be set to a different set of stereo pairs, connected to Channel 2 on your external mixer.
The term "Old School" refers to the way in which a DJ configures his audio equipment to use one external mixer channel per deck. Using conventional hardware (turntables, CD players, mixing console), DJs usually have to ride the volume sliders on their mixer to achieve consistent volume levels throughout a gig.
OtsAV's Dynamics Processor normally takes care of any volume changes in an elegant manner, however some DJs prefer to have full control over the mix. This is where Old School Mode gives the DJ ultimate control! You can now connect your equipment in the same way you would have done using conventional DJ hardware in the past.
Note: Old School Mode can only be used with a single soundcard (either a card with multiple stereo pairs or a card with one set of stereo pairs where you use left channel Deck A, right channel Deck B). AIR and CUE channels must bet set to use the SAME soundcard.
To enable Old School Mode, open the Output Configuration dialog box and click on the 'Old School' mode checkbox.
Old School mode can be used with ASIO, WDM, or Compat driver settings. As this mode functions using the SAME soundcard for both decks, there are different ways you can setup your soundcard.
ASIO soundcards:
- Select output pair [1/2] as the AIR output device.
- Select output pair [3/4] from the ASIO Cue drop-down box.
Note: Any ASIO pairs can be assigned as AIR or CUE, however the same audio pair cannot be used for both AIR and CUE channels.
WDM or Compat soundcards:
- Select the WDM or Compat driver for the soundcard you wish to use.
- If your soundcard has only one stereo pair of outputs (e.g. one headphone
socket) and you want to split the left and right channels, follow the
steps here.
- If your soundcard has 4 channel support (e.g. front and rear outputs),
follow the steps here.
Tip: When using Old School mode, your external mixer is used to control the volume levels of each deck. Make sure your mixer levels are not set too loud or too soft when OtsAV is left unattended.
If you are playing background music for a period of time (e.g. cocktail hour), and don't need to manually adjust the volume levels, it's best to turn Old School mode off, as the Dynamics Processor will provide better quality output using this method. This is as simple as checking that your external mixer's Deck A slider is at a suitable level, and disabling Old School mode. You can enable Old School mode again when you need to take control.
Note: Save As Wave
and Shoutcast broadcasting is effected when in Old School mode. As volume
levels are adjusted externally, and mixing is done externally, it's not
possible for OtsAV to capture the final output. Instead, you should connect
a cable from the main output of your external mixer, and connect it to
the line-in on your soundcard.
To save your mix to hard drive, an audio editing application can be used
to record your line-in signal.
Shoutcast would need to be setup to use the signal from your line-in connection.
Old School mode disables audio adjustments on the OtsAV Mixer. The AIR/CUE buttons, along with the Crossfader, will not effect the audio being sent to your external mixer channels. The AIR/CUE buttons and Crossfader can be used to manipulate the Video output when in Old School mode.
Disengaging the AIR button will disable video output of the associated deck. If video is playing on the opposite deck, it will now be visible.
The crossfader can be used to quickly transition between video output of both decks. If one deck doesn't have video playing, the Slideshow will be shown (if enabled). The numeric keypad can also be used to make rapid crossfade movements with a quick key press, effectively allowing quick video output control. (Once enabled, and NumLock is on, Press 7 for Deck A, 9 for Deck B, and 8 to centre the crossfader for auto-transitions).