Please help me find my new gear : 2+2 channels, traktor, deck control and tt

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05-20-2015, 07:11 AM
Truand2laBiffle

Please help me find my new gear : 2+2 channels, traktor, deck control and tt

Hello guys, hope you're all doing well

I'm a bedroom dj owning a second hand kontrol s2 mk1 and a kontrol f1. I use Traktor.
I am new at djing and some of my words may sound stupid or retarded, I apologize for that.

I would like to change my setup for the following reasons :
- I would like to be able to deal with any kind of dj style in order to practice various skills
(ie i'd like to start mixing with tts, learn scratching and manual beatmatching)
- I am a really materialist person and am not confortable with my current s2 witch show signs of usage and to be honest looks a bit like a toy.

My ideal setup would be :
- two normal deck with classic traktor controls (play, cue, sync :thumbup:ect...), jogwheels are not needed
- one remix deck control (my current f1 is perfect for that)
- one timecoded vinyl channel (i don't currently have a turntable nor vinyls and dvs seems to be the easy way to go for me now)
- filter and eq for the 4 channels
- modular and upgradable setup (i am not affraid of cables)

- later on, If everything is going well, I will remove one normal deck and replace it by a turntable
My budget, for now, would be around 1000e, up to 1200e if I am to sell my s2

Now my thoughts for the gear :
TT: I live in Brussels and Technics are really hard to find (mk2 price range goes from 450e to 550e) . Facts added: I would not even know how to judge a used turntable and I don't own a car which make it difficult to travel accross my beautiful country to try various ones.
My latest consideration was the RP 7000 which costs around 450e. Seems good. Unfortunately, I haven't seen many reviews here of this tt yet.
Kontrol Z2: Seems a good match for my needs but doesn't seem to go in the direction of a modular setup (with an external soundcard): I really like the idea of not loosing everything if the dsp burns.

Concerns and questions:

- Would you recomend this tt? I know it is not the best option and I promise you guys my next tt will be a technics (once I know more).
- are the controls on the Z2 enough for mixing the 4 channels ? Wouldn't a 4 channels be better for my needs? I admit I have trouble understanding the Z2 workflow. Will I need another controller for the 2 control decks?
- What is the matter with the Z2 price? I see articles from early 2014 where It was stated that the Z2 price droped to 600e. Now in europe the retail price is 770 euros!

I am open to ideas and thoughts and thank you all for your help.

Truand2laBiffle
05-20-2015, 07:55 AM
SlayForMoney

Since you don't want a mixer with internal sound interface, go for something like Reloop RMX-80, DJM-700 or similar.
But still, consider Denon X1600 because it is very affordable and you can use your external souncard just for gigs in that case.

Z2 looks like a mixer but it's workflow involves using it like a midi mixer for 2+2 ch control and as you said, the price is back on the high side (it was a temporary promo price I think).

For TT go with the mentioned RP 7000 or PLX-1000 if you're unsure about used Technics, both are decent TT for home use (I'd still prefer the RP 7000 because of PLX reviews)
05-20-2015, 09:54 AM
Truand2laBiffle

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlayForMoney

But still, consider Denon X1600 because it is very affordable and you can use your external souncard just for gigs in that case

1000e for a mixer is unfortunatelly out of my budget range. On the second hand market, there is one available, bought 6 monthes ago, under waranty, which never left the owner's room for 650e. The price will be exactly the same as a new z2 considering that i'll have to buy traktor pro scratch + timecode vinyls. Is It worth it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlayForMoney

Z2 looks like a mixer but it's workflow involves using it like a midi mixer for 2+2 ch control and as you said, the price is back on the high side (it was a temporary promo price I think).

My setup will really stay traktor dependant (it is the cheapest solution I guess) so isn't a midi control oriented mixer, with a native integration a better solution?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlayForMoney

For TT go with the mentioned RP 7000 or PLX-1000 if you're unsure about used Technics, both are decent TT for home use (I'd still prefer the RP 7000 because of PLX reviews)

ok cool

thanks for your answers mate
05-25-2015, 01:50 AM
SlayForMoney

Hey, sorry for the delayed response.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truand2laBiffle

1000e for a mixer is unfortunatelly out of my budget range. On the second hand market, there is one available, bought 6 monthes ago, under waranty, which never left the owner's room for 650e. The price will be exactly the same as a new z2 considering that i'll have to buy traktor pro scratch + timecode vinyls. Is It worth it?

The majority of denon mixers rarely left the owners room - and most of them are in flightcases to be honest - i think that's probably because denon owners are usually oldschool dj that used denon back in the day when flightcases were mandatory and build quality was no.1 feature on gear so they tend to take care of it.

As far as price - you'll have to decide. With denon you do get 2 full channels more (you mentioned the need for a separate channel for remix deck and timecode control), club standard FX on the mixer, send-return, split cue monitoring, better build quality.
Downside is: no USB hub on the mixer, no RGB lights on the midi buttons, less custom midi maps from users for midi buttons and encoders. Oh, and it's bigger.
Also, if you buy Z2 you'll get TSP2 licence but it will be linked to the Z2 serial - you'll probably have to sell it with the mixer, then you'll be back again in this position. You have a TP2 licence that came with your F1, right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truand2laBiffle

My setup will really stay traktor dependant (it is the cheapest solution I guess) so isn't a midi control oriented mixer, with a native integration a better solution?

No on the first part. It would be long to explain and there are certain positive aspects of internal mixing in Traktor (like ability to choose EQ cut range) but still, no. Calibration faults on faders and knobs, latency and other stuff... a lot of Z2 user have migrated to 4ch real mixers, there must be a reason for that. Maybe some of them from here will chime in once they see this ;)

Also, the real fun with traktor is customization, "plug'n'play/native integration" feature is a Serato selling point ;)
05-25-2015, 04:42 AM
Truand2laBiffle

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlayForMoney

Hey, sorry for the delayed response.

Don't be :p, you're a lot of help. I already bought the RP7000 and I will take my time for the mixer.
In the meantime I'll stack some records...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlayForMoney

The majority of denon mixers rarely left the owners room - and most of them are in flightcases to be honest - i think that's probably because denon owners are usually oldschool dj that used denon back in the day when flightcases were mandatory and build quality was no.1 feature on gear so they tend to take care of it.

Unfortunatelly, the denon offer is ended. And keeping lurking on these 2nd hand sites, I realised I shall not really count on this...
But the x1600 seems really nice so I'll def keep it in my mind when switching to a 4 channel mixer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlayForMoney

Also, if you buy Z2 you'll get TSP2 licence but it will be linked to the Z2 serial - you'll probably have to sell it with the mixer, then you'll be back again in this position. You have a TP2 licence that came with your F1, right?

No I don't, It came with this 50e e-voucher (which is already gone). As a matter, I would also use the opportunity of buying new gear to get more...legit. :o So yeah I want to get a brand new traktor pro scratch license.
And for that, the Z2 has it all for a reduced price.

Too bad there is no Z4...:thumbdown:

So to sum up, I think I'll go for the Z2 for now and will eventually switch to a 4 channel mixer when i'll feel the need or find a good 2nd hand offer...

I really sound like I am not listening to you...but really, thank you for your help.
05-25-2015, 08:59 AM
SlayForMoney

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truand2laBiffle

Don't be :p, you're a lot of help. I already bought the RP7000 and I will take my time for the mixer.
In the meantime I'll stack some records...

Unfortunatelly, the denon offer is ended. And keeping lurking on these 2nd hand sites, I realised I shall not really count on this...
But the x1600 seems really nice so I'll def keep it in my mind when switching to a 4 channel mixer.

No I don't, It came with this 50e e-voucher (which is already gone). As a matter, I would also use the opportunity of buying new gear to get more...legit. :o So yeah I want to get a brand new traktor pro scratch license.
And for that, the Z2 has it all for a reduced price.

Too bad there is no Z4...:thumbdown:

So to sum up, I think I'll go for the Z2 for now and will eventually switch to a 4 channel mixer when i'll feel the need or find a good 2nd hand offer...

I really sound like I am not listening to you...but really, thank you for your help.

Nah mate, no problem. Z2 will probably serve you well, just not as long as a proper 4ch mixer. Oh, and have you thought about getting S8? That also seem nice, just not modular...
05-25-2015, 10:09 AM
Truand2laBiffle

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlayForMoney

Nah mate, no problem. Z2 will probably serve you well, just not as long as a proper 4ch mixer. Oh, and have you thought about getting S8? That also seem nice, just not modular...

yeah I have considered that... but I don't need to get rid of the computer right now and the all in one controller with fancy LCD seems a bit to much for my needs. (by needs I mean $ :lol:)

Moreover I am confortable with the 4*4 pads of my kontrol f1.