Trying to get rid of the Sync button.

[mikerudinski]

So I've been Djing for five years and I've been using button based controllers so no jog wheels. I feel like I've been cheating all these years as a dj. I was planning to save up for the Pioneer CDJ350 system but I don't know if it's the right choice. What controllers/ cd players or any other devices would you guys recommend to learn to beat match manually?
Thanks.

[Steve Zorilow]

Anything with a pitch fader that fits your budget... as simple as this.

A pair of Denon SC2000 works a treat.

[djchriswoods.co.uk]

ditto...

the phase meter in traktor should help you learn too

[Steve Zorilow]

mmm... get rid of the screen would be the best... but it's me.

[SirReal]

mmm... get rid of the screen would be the best... but it's me.

+1 just take two tracks sync one to the other manually without ANY visual assistance. and keep em together for as long as possible. Don't even worry about mixing, just keep em in sync. Best way to learn beatmatching IMO. You gotta train your ears.

It's funny because I'm coming from the other direction, been beatmatching on vinyl and CD's for nearly 2 decades and now I have this sync button that allows me freedom to loop and cue jump,basically remix on the fly. Ultimately I'm very happy with my current setup as it allows me to mix "oldschool" or "controllerist" depending on my mood.

[padi_04]

turn off the phase meter and bpm/pitch% readings. time will train your ears not only to match bpms but know when the beat is phased (even the tiniest bit). you can turn snap and quant off for a closer "cdj" experience, will help your timing too

i'm kinda in the same boat as you since i'm going back to the basics a bit, just needed a proper pitch fader and keep myself busy on those not in the mood/not "live remixing crowds".

i don't consider it cheating, just wasted time if you are not doing something interesting with it.

[firebr4nd]

The sc2000 currently has a firmware bug with the pitch faders, just an fyi. If you want to really learn to beatmatch skip a controller for now and get that pair of 350s. The s4 is no help either even since the settings for changing the pitch bend sensitivity are bugged in traktor s4 and the pitch faders are small. However, maybe wait a bit and take a look at the ddj t1 because the jog wheels and pitch faders are also nice and big plus it's from pioneer so you know you're getting quality.

[Steve Zorilow]

I don't have any pitch fader bug with my sc2000, I must be lucky?

[firebr4nd]

I don't have any pitch fader bug with my sc2000, I must be lucky?

One of the sc2000 threads here has mentioned it and there's been talk of it on the denon forums as well. Supposedly they're releasing a firmware update later in the month to fix it though.

[Steve Zorilow]

mmm, interesting, I'll dig it. Thanks.