Starting out - gear advice

[Terreur]

Well to be perfectly honest, I started out trying Ableton Live at first but left that idea really fast Traktor just seems more basic. Plus it suits my needs better I think.

Also the APC doesn't look complicated really, more confusing to be honest. It's like remembering all the buttons. That's something on TOP of what I have to learn, the basics, things like beatmatching and stuff. But in all honesty, if the APC 40 is better for what I want, I don't mind checking it out first though looking at your post it seems the S4 is all I should need

[completej]

dont take my word on the s4, (or karlos, that fanboy :P ) but if youre going with traktor, its pretty ideal. i personally prefer the apc for the simple reason that it has (almost) enough buttons to bind every single command that traktor can do WITHOUT having to do SHIFT+ some other arbitrary buttons to fire off a specific action. with some of the apc40 tsis out there, you can nearly accomplish this.

i actually woke up from a nap today thinking it would be a good idea to have two apc40s so i can do just that, but was quickly talked out of that by the wife.

i jumped the gun on getting 2 cdj400s and a 2ch mixer and now (and its tough to say this without shedding a tear) feel i have limited myself. i regret the purchase. 4 months ago, i couldnt say that, as i was still learning the ropes, but now i see the error of my ways.

whatever you do, go 4chs, which the s4 can do. the apc is simply an additional item to play with, but can completely cover everything you want to do in traktor IF youre ok with just a laptop and an apc. really depends on how far you think youre going to take it.

once you start down this rabbit hole, however......

[fullenglishpint]

i actually woke up from a nap today thinking it would be a good idea to have two apc40s so i can do just that, but was quickly talked out of that by the wife.

You could always hook up an APC 20 next to it and have more than enough buttons for everything... Blame some big-mouth Brit when the wife complains!

[MaxOne]

S4, KRK, HD25's = great setup

+1

I mean if you got no other gear at all then just get the S4, powered monitors and those sennheiser headphones.

It really looks like the best solution and will be something you can grow into.

I love my VCI-100 but if I was buying from now, then S4 all the way.

[Terreur]

Cheers all, convinced and dedicated now. Ordered the S4 already and soon them KRK's aswell.

[Dustin V]

lol. stoner move. You are exactly right. No need for the Audio DJ.


I'm sure the built in sound card is absolutely perfect. NI makes great soundcards. Seeing as how I just suggested that, You may not want to take my advice. Due to the fact that apparently I'm an idiot. I guess I'm in the habit of telling people about the sound card because I usually suggest the VCIse.

Just to clarify : S4, KRK, HD25's = great setup

According to what I've read the S4 has a soundcard equalivent to the Audio4.

The S4 soundcard will be absolutely fine for your needs, it's 24-bit quality and has an output of 13Db which is ample for any DJ! It really is all you need, CDJs are still standard in clubs but are very close to becoming outdated as all major DJs come over to software based systems. Learning to use one can be done in a shop if it must and needn't be your number 1 priority.

X2 on that. I've already noticed that most Dj's are embracing the digital Dj world. Most are using the X1 and, I dont know how many times I've seen that the only time Dj's are using cdj's these days is either for timecode or hid.

im gonna throw out some love for the apc 40, knowing full well at this point you should just get the S4

you can use it with traktor in a manner similar to the mapped items on the S4, and youre ready for the ableton onslaught that will become your life.

Man that thing is sick! I did a guest set on Friday night at one club, and the resident was using one. I had my Traktor hooked up on 2 channels, and he was on 2 channels, and we did a killer mash up!