First Controller and Program Advice
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  1. #1

    Default First Controller and Program Advice

    Right off the bat, I'm going to apologize to the mods if this is in the wrong section, I seem to be quite poor when it comes to navigating forums when I want to post.

    So I'm looking into getting into controllerism. I have Technics turntables with a fairly adequate mixer, but I don't have the money to buy all of the hardware necessary for Serato Scratch or even Traktor Scratch. In addition, since I'm starting out, I don't have the fanbase to make lugging all of that hardware around worth it.

    So here are my questions:
    I'm looking for an inexpensive first controller that can last me for a while and allow me to see if this is really how I want to go about doing things. The only criteria I have for the controller is that it has knobs for effects and solid jog wheels. I've been looking at the Numark Mixtrack Pro, is that a good way to go?

    I also would like some advice on what program to use. I greatly admire Ean Golden, and as such I am more than confident that Traktor could meet any of my needs, but I don't know how the learning curve is on it. I've also heard good things about Serato, though I haven't heard much about whether it's well-suited for controllerism. Finally, I've heard good things about Virtual DJ, though I've also heard it's a bit /too/ simplistic. So any advice in that area would be great.

    Lastly, I love what I've seen done with the MIDI Fighter, but I don't have a ton of money in my budget. Besides, I only need something I can map to trigger hotcues, as the effect control should be taken care of with the controller itself.

    Oh, and one last thing- I want to be able to try out that new Sugarbytes program with my setup, so... I don't know what that would entail exactly.

    Sorry about all of the requests, but I'm pretty clueless about this.

    tl;dr- Looking for a good first controller/program setup. Advice?

  2. #2
    Tech Guru DJDoubleYou's Avatar
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    The hercules RMX?

  3. #3
    Tech Guru jprime's Avatar
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    used M-Audio Trigger Finger ($50), Soundcard (find a decent used one...probz $50 - $100), and I would go right into Traktor Pro ($229).

    could get there for under $400 I reckon. I think novation's Twitch should start at around $500....it has a soundcard built in, and runs off the ITCH software (google it).

  4. #4
    Tech Guru zimfella's Avatar
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    why not just go traktor scratch duo(£149.00)? surely as much if not far off from a decent controller with tpro2 upgrade. can always upgrade duo later once you got the hang of it and also get either nano pad/kontol/lpd8 for effect control? cheap as chips on ebay. just a thought.

    portability and starting fresh I would go for numark mixtrack pro.
    It's not the gear. It's how you use it.
    limitations are the source of creativity.
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  5. #5
    DJTT Administrator del Ritmo padi_04's Avatar
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    I would go with the duo+lpd route, upgrade to pro2+x1 once you are confortable with it

  6. #6
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    If your Techs are 1200s then I'm going to have to agree with Zimfella on all accounts...

    There's a used version of Duo on ebay US for $139 shipped right now. You'll get the Audio 4DJ which is still an above average soundcard, plus TCV and software. You can upgrade your mixer and software license as you go along.

    Don't forget to check the Buy and Sell forum daily for used Midifighters and other gear.

    but yeah, if you're dead set on a midi controller, the MTP is a decent choice for beginners.

  7. #7
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    numark mixtrack pro is excellent, and it comes with Traktor LE. So It's a great choice.
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  8. #8

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    I mean, more than anything I would love to stick with my vinyl and my Technics (yes they're 1200s). But as far as playing shows, it's just not practical at this stage. Also, I'm more of a bedroom DJ than anything at the moment, and I can't exactly bring the Technics up onto my bed whenever I feel like it.

    However, I might look into that Trigger Finger after I get the feel of the MTP. Does anyone know if I'd be able to map that to use the Sugarbytes program?

  9. #9
    Tech Guru zimfella's Avatar
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    not sure of Sugarbytes

    I had the trigger finger and eventually got rid of it, I coul not figure how to get it to work, the software called "enigma" to program it was truly an enigma to me.
    It's not the gear. It's how you use it.
    limitations are the source of creativity.
    If you don't practice you don't want it.

    http://soundcloud.com/zimfella

  10. #10
    Tech Guru zestoi's Avatar
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    looks like the sugarbytes apps are vst or stand alone. if using standalone you'd need to route audio to it somehow and if using them as vst's you can't use (afaik) traktor. torq supports vst plugins and the version 2 is looking pretty cool. i've only had a very quick play with the demo tho when i was deciding whether to upgrade to tp2 or not. i went with tp2
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