Traktor S4 vs Denon DN-MC6000

[Kaek]

From what I can tell there isn't that much the MC6000 can't do vs the S4

Things like timecode control is not insurmountable... you just buy TSP add a seperate audio interface and route the audio through. The S4 software features is going to be a non-issue once the new Traktor Pro comes out as well.

They both have FX layout, transport and loop control sections. The main thing missing I think is that the S4 had the foresight to include sample controls, which the MC6000 obviously could not have developed for.

I think the biggest pluses for the MC6000 is that its a true mixer, it has loads more connectivity options which I felt was severely lacking on the S4.
It would be great if DJTechtools could do a shoot out comparison.

[RobDeLarge]

It would be great if DJTechtools could do a shoot out comparison.

I totally agree, feels like these two are the best things out there, BUT since DJTT sells the TS4, they wont do that.

Thanks for your post man

[CionniAsDj]

I question for someone who use the s4, is really the sound quality not that good?
I was thinking to sell the 100se arcade and go for the s4.

[BennyJ]

^^U best have a mac cuz right now the sound card is giving problems with pc's

[RobDeLarge]

Thought PC was a myth now a days?

[b3nz0n8]

I found the DDM4000 for 430 dollars brand new. Good price?

NAMM may bring some pretty cool stuff to the table, but I've thrown together a pretty solid offering that brings a smile to my face.



The short order that will make you wish you could grow extra appendages:

Behringer DDM4000 ($325) + APC20 ($136) or APC40 ($249-$299).
Throw in any version of traktor and a set of midi cables / USB-MIDI adapter ($35 Guitar Center) and you're good.


Excellent Choice: $496 +tax & Cables (DDM4000 - APC20 - MIDI/USB adapter) + Traktor LE (Free)


Even Better: $629/$659 + ($Roll Your Own + tax & Cables)

= DDM4000 - APC40 - MIDI/USB adapter ($Roll Your Own Traktor/TSP/TSP2)


Guitar Center will price match $325 for the Behringer DDM4000 (search online retailers). I bought 2 of them. Seriously, if your thinking about the future, the Behringer DDM4000 will keep you in the loop for some time to come. (As a MIDI-Controller or External Mixer with a hell of alot of options) They may not hold up as well in mobile applications, but for home/careful use...you're more than ahead of the curve with the DDM4000.

You also have many options for controllers (that is if you don't use your DDM4000 as a controller, which you can map it too).

The price match for the APC20 right now at Guitar Center is $136 + tax.

I bought two APC40's at $249 each, new in the box. These were price matched with an online retailer at $269. One weekend, within my 30 days of purchase, I noticed they had them marked in the store for $249. The initial price match with an online retailer $269, resulted in a second price match within the 30 day policy to the low price of $249. Score! Twice!

Google your gear, go to the shopping tab at the top and then sort by lowest price. If you have more than one average online retailer competing....you have a good chance of getting the price match at guitar center. Print what you find to price match with and keep the url. I've had prices change online in the time it took me to get to the store. The printout saved me as they would not honor the price without that printed verification (to give to their manager). It works, I've done it twice.


Guitar Center Coupons + Price Match?

Don't expect to stack coupons on your price match, in this realm. I've tried every which way to Sunday to get coupons stacked on the massive amounts of gear I've bought recently.

The only deal I was able to stack was from the $100 off $500 year end sale Guitar Center threw in at the last minute of 2010. (Thanks Coldfuzion, I wanted to respond with a thank you).



So I've brought my old gear up to speed and learning new tricks. It's an exciting time and the Controllerist Community is amazingly vibrant and full of life. Good times ahead.


Decisions:

If I were to make a choice on gear today, and I have, I skipped the current CDJ's and dove straight into the controller interface and associated software.


My opinion on trending and the pace in which the industry is moving...

I estimate after two more years there will be a complete transition in the medium and format (i.e. CD's/Vinyl/etc). I base this firmly within the rate of adoption of Controllerism by the Industry and Community. Within two years, I believe the mainstream conversion will be complete. Controllerism FTW!!

There is simply too many creative ways to manipulate your sound and the resulting waveforms are unrivaled. What's to come? Packed venues and the rapid growth of Epic Controllerist Communities that are steeped in creativity, millions deep.

I can't wait to see what raging and creative fires Controllerism will bring. Seriously, I'm stoked.

Formats die, but the beats are forever.

The following is my time machine. Breaking me out of my carbonate and fast forwarding me well into the future.

Behringer DDM4000 (x2) (retiring my old mixers and digging into midi-mixers)

APC40 (x2) Buttons are sexy, knobs are....well....ask my girlfriend.

Traktor Scratch Pro (the 1200's on crack) with Audio 8 DJ (x2) Redundancy is never a bad thing. Failover is my friend.

Behringer DEQ2496 (x2) This will clean up that which shakes the house and thunders the next county.

Behringer EP4000 Amps (x2) For the 12's & 15's (rumble and shake)

Arkive (x6 + spare stylus) I'm an Oak with Vinyl roots. Must digitize.





The old staples that will never leave me - I'll post pics when the studio is complete:

Technics 1200s - Chrome Decks

Vestax PDX-D3

Ortofon Concorde DJ S Cartridges

Sold -Pioneer DJM-800, along with the original CDJ's years ago

[SteveRowin]

Here are two reasons I choose the Denon and I am very happy with it!!!

1. I picked the MC6000 over the S4 because the MC6000 is an actual analog mixer and if my computer fails I can immediately jump to alternative sources, CDJs, Turntables or Ipods if I want. On the S4 it's dead in the water without a functioning computer. A rebooting computer in the middle of a packed dance floor is the worst thing that can happen to you, especially if you're getting paid good money to be there.

2. I picked the MC6000 over the S4 because a large number of people experience audio drop outs and crackling on the S4 unless they spend days extensively modifying settings and disabling wifi. I tested the S4 running Traktor Pro 2 on my computer and it could not handle it at all, simply not useable. As a matter of fact my friend who loaned the S4 to me had a 2 year old laptop that could not handle the S4 sound card so he bought a NEW LAPTOP and even the fastest laptop he could get STILL has audio issues. My understanding is the NI audio drivers not being compatible with other drivers on the system. As I looked at what I'd needed to upgrade to something reliable I was thinking I'd need to buy a mac book pro for $1,300 to run the S4 without audio issues and greater reliability. I was wrong!!! And good thing because buying an expensive laptop isn't really in the budget. When I hooked up the Denon MC6000 and installed the Denon ASIO drivers I was blown away. The controller was working on my 6 year old PC laptop with perfect audio and midi control!!! I was not impressed with NI's audio card products based on my own experience and lots of others on the forums, especially considering my old Numark controller's sound card worked great with no audio issues. It's important to understand that my laptop is fully functioning with WIFI running and NO ISSUES! This is key at private parties because I can download requested songs I don't have. The Denon product was true plug and play, took less than 10 minutes to be mixing on Traktor.

You can see my full list of reasons on my blog @ http://steverowin.blogspot.com/2012/...-denon-dn.html

I am getting one of these I THINK since they seem to be the best controllers out there on the market, I was into taking the step to CDJ's but I seriously feel like that is just a step back in technology.

I am really struggling and thinking about weather or not to be a CDJ or to use a controller.

Please leave ANY kind of opinion in this matter, TS4 CDJ's or the Denon DN-MC6000. Maybe you know one that is even better.

I am very used to the Traktor Pro software so I am kinda leaning towards TS4. I have to say that the Denon DN-MC6000 looks more professional. I really don't want to lose out on gigs if I have a controller, so therefore I am also into maybe just becoming a CDJ, it feels more professional, but really it's a lot easier with controllers. If only those friggin "sync buttons" could be removed I think we'd all get along better and controllers wouldn't be considered as cheating.
I really want to get something new and more professional than the controller I have right now.
And all I think about is which one to go with (or CDJ's)


I found this controller test, http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2010/11...rs-guide-2011/and it pretty much confirms that the TS4 and the Denon are considered to be the "Big Shots" of controllers.

[DENON]

There is a S4 vs MC6000 comparison here:

http://www.denondjforums.com/forum/i...rb_v=viewtopic

[djproben]

^^^ ouch, that chart really lays it out. I haven't felt the need to upgrade my VCI but if I ever did, I would lean toward the Denon for sure. The clincher for me is the fact that it works as a regular mixer too. Icing on the cake is the input matrix applied to a separate output; very nice if you find yourself in a situation where you want different sounds in different rooms - the main room you're playing in and you throw an ipod on to pipe different music into a chillout room or whatever.

[attila]

Honestly, even though the Denon has xyz features and a stronger body, I'd still get the s4 in a heartbeat. I messed around with the Denon yesterday for a little while and it's just so damn cramped, like they just took every inch of real estate and stuck a button there. NI's gear is cleaner, more intuitive and just all-around more functional for my purposes. Now if only NI would start making their gear out of metal...

I mean, look at these things side by side, the mc looks like a panel off a space ship.