Making a leap from DJ Controller to CDJ players

[LoopCat]

You don't need a DJM mixer to know how to use one. Get a cheaper 2 channel mixer and two cdj 850's and you will be golden.

[d4rren]

Its funny how technology has advanced with traktor and Serato but yet, its the cdj units that are still king. Given the new spurt in people wanting to become djs and with dance music being a recent phenomenon in USA at the moment, i can see Pioneer sitting back and letting all the newbies of the scene buy into the cdj's before we may even see a new daddy pioneer. Just a random thought

[SlvrDragon50]

Lugging a USB around vs. lugging around a controller.

I'd take the USB.

The problem is most 2 channel mixers are lacking compared to the 4 channel mixers FX wise.

[Essko]

Check out pioneers XDJ-R1 Controller. You can use it as standalone (just with USB/CD'S) or hool it up to a laptop and use VDJ with it...but i just use mine as standalone with usb. It has rekord box capabilities too. The unit is similar to a pair of 850's and djm 850. But for a third of the price. The layout is the same as all the other pioneers stuff so its perfect for practising on at home to get you prepared for the club circuit. I highly reccomend it. Sure, you dont get as many effects as Traktor so in that respect it is not really an upgrade at all, but that if you want to be prepared for the Pionner infested clubs,invest in this.

Another similar option if you're looking for an All-In-One CD/USB/MIDI Controller could be the Numark Mixdeck series. Although it's not recordbox compatible, the Quad gives you the added benefit of being a 4-channel standalone mixer, so you can hook up a 3rd CDJ (maybe one that IS recordbox compatible) if you end up needing one. Plus, since it can be used to control Algoriddims Djay iOS app, you can use it to mix from Spotify as well, if that's your prerogative. Could be helpful in auditioning new songs.