this post was submitted on 22 Apr 2025
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I would but my DJ gear is over a decade old and none of it is compatible with Linux. It won't even run on a modern CPU without crashing Serato, so I use an old laptop with a 4th gen i5 running LTSC to power my turntables and mixer; it all runs smooth as butter on period-correct hardware.
Eventually I will get new gear and try to get it working in Linux, but I don't have thousands to drop right now on updated hardware, so I make do with what I have.
what's being a DJ like?
Have you tried something like Mixx and a MIDI controller of some sort? I really don't know all that much about the minutiae of DJing, but a friend used to DJ parties a lot with just his laptop and Mixx and that was like 20 years ago or somesuch.
Mixxx is alright but I prefer the robustness and simplicity of Serato. And my turntables technically are MIDI controllers. Fully digital and no needle or DVS interface needed. But spins and behaves just like real vinyl. I don't like controllers with static jogwheels, which limits my selection when it comes to MIDI hardware. I've considered real turntables but they are out of my budget. And they can be finicky when using them with DJ software.
specialized hardware situations are the one where I don't tell people to try linux. it's the people who only do web browsing or very light office work that should switch ASAP
Ah, I can understand that. Interface can make or break it for sure. I just play my guitars straight into a tube amp 99% though I use a piece of software to convert the guitar signal into MIDI for playing synths the other 1% of the time, so DJ equipment and workflow are outside my area of expertise. Just recall my friend doing DJ stuff and no one ever questioned the setup and everyone seemed to have a good time :)
Why not encapsulate Windows 10 in a VM? You can run it indefinitely as long as you don't give it Internet.
Because I don't want to run hardware that needs to operate in realtime over a USB 2.0 connection through a VM. I have digital turntables with high-resolution platters. These are precision instruments that require the absolute lowest DPC latency obtainable; I need to eliminate as much overhead as I can, and have my equipment running as close to the bare metal as I can get from a modern OS.
What kind of music do ya play?
Open format, so literally anything and everything. I go entirely by audience reaction when deciding what to play. But mostly I like happy songs with a party vibe.
You sound like someone I would love to see play!
If you're interested, you can listen to some of my old shows from when I was a radio DJ. Haven't uploaded in awhile, though (fucking copyright).
https://mixcloud.com/psythik
Ooooo yes I would love that. Bookmarked for next time I work. I skipped around and as a lover of EDM, trance, HHC, Dn’B, and all stuff like that, I think what you okay is right up my alley.
Not sure if you're using a desktop or laptop (unclear if you're doing DJ stuff for mixing privately or gigging on the road), but hardware passthrough through something like SR-IOV would make latency a non-issue.
However, I get what you're saying. I was more thinking of the "I want to run this on a legacy operating system for as long as I can" aspect of things. Eliminating the concern of the hardware no longer supporting a more modern operating system was what I was trying to get at. Sorry if that didn't come through.
What would be the point? That's just staying on Windows, with extra steps and lower performance.
They mention their equipment is legacy and only supports Windows 10. An Airgapped VM of Windows 10 is a good option to continue supporting legacy hardware.
The VM protects somewhat from network attacks and spread. But, I do imagine most vulnerabilities of Win10 would still be exploitable, and you would be sacrificing some performance, yes.