Reloop Buddy DJ Controller: Setup, Features & Performance Guide

The Reloop Buddy DJ controller is a compact yet powerful tool designed for both aspiring and experienced DJs. This guide dives deep into the Reloop Buddy's layout, functionalities, and how you can leverage it to create amazing mixes. From understanding its performance sections and mixer to loading tracks and utilizing its jog wheels, this comprehensive guide provides all the essential information to get you started and mixing like a pro with the Reloop Buddy.

Performance Sections and Mixer

The Reloop Buddy is meticulously designed to offer a comprehensive DJing experience in a compact form factor.

The layout is logically divided into three key sections: the performance section for deck one, the performance section for deck two, and a central mixer section. This setup mirrors professional DJ setups, allowing you to transition smoothly between tracks and experiment with creative mixing techniques. Understanding the function of each section is critical to mastering the Reloop Buddy.

• Deck 1 & Deck 2 Performance Sections: These sections primarily focus on controlling individual tracks. They include features such as jog wheels, performance pads, loop controls, and track navigation, allowing for real-time manipulation of the audio.
• Mixer Section: The mixer section is the heart of the Reloop Buddy, providing the tools to Blend and transition between the two decks. It features Channel faders to adjust volume levels, EQ knobs to Shape the Sonic characteristics of each track, and a crossfader to seamlessly switch between the decks.

Loading Tracks: Smart Devices and Navigation Encoder

The Reloop Buddy offers flexibility in how you load your tracks, catering to different workflows.

When using a smart device, loading tracks is as simple as tapping the track load icon within the DJ software interface. This opens the library browser, allowing you to select tracks from various sources, including your device's local storage and compatible streaming services like Tidal, SoundCloud, Beatport, Beatsource and Spotify.

Alternatively, you can load tracks directly from the Reloop Buddy using the navigation encoder. Activating the navigation encoder automatically opens the library browser on your connected device. You can then scroll through your Music library and load tracks to either deck by pressing the corresponding load button. This tactile method is a great way to stay focused on the controller and your mix.

Let's demonstrate loading tracks using Algoriddim's djay Pro AI:

1. Via Smart Device: Within djay Pro AI, tap the track load icon on the desired deck to open the library browser. From there, navigate to your music library, which could include local files, Tidal, SoundCloud, Beatport, Beatsource and Spotify.
2. Using Navigation Encoder: Rotating the navigation encoder on the Reloop Buddy will open the music library browser in the djay Pro AI software, allowing you to browse and select a track directly from the controller. Once selected, press the load button (Load A or Load B) to load the track to your decks.

Channel Faders, EQ, and Filters: Sculpting Your Sound

The mixer section is where you truly shape your mix.

It's not just about playing two songs simultaneously; it's about weaving them together into a Cohesive audio experience. The Reloop Buddy equips you with the essential tools to achieve this:

• Channel Faders: These are your primary volume controls for each deck. Mastering the channel faders is key to creating smooth transitions. Bringing a track in gradually with the channel fader allows you to control the energy and build-up of your mix.
• 2-Band Equalizer: The 2-band EQ allows you to manipulate the high and low frequencies of each track. This is crucial for preventing sonic clashes between tracks, creating space for each track's key elements, and generating interesting sonic textures. For example, you might cut the bass frequencies on one track while bringing in another with the bass boosted to create a seamless transition.
• Filter: The filter provides another layer of sonic manipulation, allowing you to Sweep through the frequencies of a track. This can be used to create dramatic build-ups, isolate certain elements of the track, or create subtle shifts in mood and atmosphere.

Understanding Track Structure and Waveforms

Electronic music, much of what you'll be playing, is built upon repeating blocks. These blocks are typically organized into bars of four beats, and these bars are then grouped into phrases. This structure is visually represented in the audio waveform, giving you valuable cues for mixing.

By observing the waveform, you can identify key points in a track, such as intro and outro sections, breakdowns, build-ups, and drops.

Recognizing these sections allows you to plan your transitions more effectively, ensuring that your mixes are both smooth and dynamic.

DJay Pro AI displays the waveform, the name of the track, key and time remaining, the audio waveform of the loaded tracks are displayed at the top of the screen.

Knowing where the changes are in a track is going to improve your djing and allow you to understand how to mix more effectively.

Jog Wheel Techniques

The jog wheels on the Reloop Buddy are versatile tools that offer a range of control options.

They can be used to:

• Stop Playback: Placing your HAND on the jog wheel immediately halts the track. This is useful for creating breaks, setting cue points, or simply pausing the music.
• Scrub Through Tracks: Turning the jog wheel clockwise or counterclockwise allows you to quickly navigate through the track, either forward or backward. This is invaluable for finding specific sections of the song or correcting beat alignment.
• Nudge for Beatmatching: Slightly nudging the outer edge of the jog wheel provides fine-grained control over the track's tempo. Nudging clockwise speeds up the track momentarily, while nudging counterclockwise slows it down. This is essential for maintaining beat synchronization during mixing. *Scratching: You can scratch using the jog wheels but more on that in the scratching tutorial.

Cue Functions

The Reloop Buddy has a dedicated cue function. To cue a track effectively:

1. Pause the Track: First, pause the track at the desired cue point.
2. Fine-Tune the Cue Point: Use the jog wheel to manually position the track's playhead at the precise beat you want to use as your cue point. Zooming in on the waveform can allow for extremely precise adjustments.
3. Set the Cue Marker: Press the Cue button on the Reloop Buddy to set the cue point at the current playhead position.
4. Restarting the Track: You can restart the track by pressing the play button on the Reloop Buddy. To restart using the cue point, hit the Cue button again.

To tease a track, tap the cue button, then press play to start at the desired cue.

Jump to Positions

There are several ways to jump to different positions within a track:

• Tapping the Audio Waveform: Tap directly on the audio waveform on the device screen to jump to that position in the song.

  This offers visual precision, allowing you to target specific sections.

• Holding Shift and Turning Jog Wheel: This combination enables fast forward or Rewind functionality within the track. *Moving Needle Position: You can move the needle across the digital turntable to also change where you want the song to start.

Enable Waveform Panel for a Detailed View

Enabling the waveform panel gives a more detailed view of your song. This helps in identifiying certain parts of your tracks to get a better understanding of how and when you will want to mix them together. This panel will be helpful especially when starting out to get used to identifing song structure.

Affordable DJing

The Reloop Buddy typically falls in the affordable price range for beginner DJ controllers. Its cost effectiveness makes it an excellent option for those just starting out or who need a portable, travel-friendly DJ solution.

Compact and Powerful

The Reloop Buddy is packed with great features that are easy to use for beginners or the pros on the go:

• Compact 2-Deck DJ Controller for iOS, iPadOS, Android, Mac & PC
• Neural Mix Real-time Vocal & Instrumental Separation
• FX Paddles, Sound Filters, and 8 Performance Modes

From Bedroom to Party

The Reloop Buddy can be used in the following use cases:

• Beginner DJing: It is very user-friendly for people just starting out as a DJ. The layout is clean and simple to understand for those new to the craft.
• Mobile DJing: Compact and lightweight make it perfect to carry around to parties and different places. *Learning Djay Pro AI: As a smaller product, you can learn the ins and outs of Djay Pro AI at a low cost and see if you want to invest into bigger products later.