Advice for an old vinyl DJ contemplating the move to digital

[smiTTTen]

This is all superb advice. I was playing on 1210s back in 94 and only got back into this gig a year or so ago. DVS is definitely the way to go. I would hold off on the all digital controllers for a little while. There are WAY too many people like us, who jump back in after a long absence, buy up a bunch of controllers and find out what they REALLY love are the good old 1s and 2s. The dicers are nice option as they add a little extra flair without changing the focus. As Jes mentioned, I would drop maximum cash on a new mixer and whichever DVS system you feel is right for you. I have the S4, 1200mk5s and a Vestax Pad-One. The s4 is an awesome piece of kit but ultimately I would like to move to a AH DB2or4 plus the obligatory Innofader upgrade To that I might add the new Native Instruments F1. The Denon DNX 1600 is also something I would also check out. Good luck and welcome to the family! (of weirdos)

[Xonetacular]

Yeah definitely keep your techs and grab a new mixer which is really up to you.

As for serato/traktor- I've owned both and currently am a traktor user but for a pure timecode vinyl setup I liked SSL more than traktor scratch. Serato just feels more natural with timecode vinyl and I did seem to enjoy that setup more than when I'm using timecode now. No beatgrids and phase meters to worry about with serato it is just less hassle.

Traktor is great if you are into midi controller setups and lots of FX but I don't use any of that really anymore anyway.

I would grab a midi controller if nothing more than for looping and loading tracks and maybe a few cue points.

[Kaek]

+1 vote for TSP + external mixer + X1

[JesC]

Its no Traktor Vs Serato argument, I own both. But prefer SSL. 1st, Free updates for SSL, tho I usually get every update for Traktor for free cause Im a Tratkor Scratch legacy user. But the library for serato is better, and works with Itch & Intro. No Serial # or service center update bs. SSL is a small program size wise, so a update or downgrade is fairly easy. Also doesnt need a high spec computer, just abotu any intel core solo 2.0 will hang. Again both are great, but SSL get me back to Djing and not killing time mapping 1 knob to do 10 things. turntables & a mixer was all i needed. I wished I would've just purchased a Rane 57 back in 2006.

Again i would say try both DVS options before sticking with one.