Brand new DJ, gear recommendations please?

[PsycoCarrot]

Hi.

Been thinking on starting up a DJ hobby with my new-found interest in EDM. Interested in going the midi-controller route, but looking for some advice. I will be using the equipment for home use only. I should also mention that bundled DJ-software doesn't matter, as I'll be using Mixxx on a resource-light Linux distribution.

Budget: My budget unfortunately consists of 200$ worth of Best Buy giftcards, and is unlikely to become higher than this. I suppose I could "buy" a loadable visa giftcard at BestBuy (usually requries a $5 activation fee), and use it elsewhere to pick up a different controller.


Best option I can see would be the Numark IDJ3, for $199.99. I don't really care about the iPOD dock stuff, but I'm really looking for something with a built-in soundcard.

Another option would be the Hercules MK4, but I noticed that it doesn't have touch-sensitive jog-wheels (are these useful?). Additionally, the pitch-control knobs have a "click" to them, which reviews have said gives a less precise control over pitch.



Does anyone here have any experience or suggestions regarding either of these 2 controllers?


Thanks.

[Conall]

Instead of the IDJ3 you'd be better getting a mixtrack or mixtrack pro, they are pretty similar to the IDJ3 but without the ipod dock. The mixtrack pro is more expensive but has an integrated soundcard, which you should also be looking at getting. The soundcard allows you to use headphones to listen to tracks before you bring them into the main mix. Iv not personally used either controllers but they get good reviews for an entry level bit of kit. Cant say much about the hercules gear, dont really rate them.

[djbassaddict]

Hercules dj4set was my first controller, it's reliable and only 225 at samedaymusic. It has 4 deck mode too so when you get tired of simplistic mixing you can work your way up or use the c/d as sample decks. EDIT: it's even cheaper on ebay you could probably get one with your cards.

[deevey]

Hercules Mk4 is complete dogpoo the only hercules controllers to get are a RMX or 4MX.

The RMX is a really REALLY solidly built controller and should come in under $200.

Also should mention with the RMX you can actually use timecode vinyl in or cd via the phono/line inputs from Mixxx.

The Mixtrak pro is pretty decent as well, just doesn't feel as solid and you lose some inputs..but gain the touch sensitive platters.

[guiltyblade]

you can probably find a rmx used fairly easily under 200.

[DJSp1n]

MIXTRACK PRO, BEHRINGER BCD3000, HERCULES RMX. Those are the top for beginners. MY RECCOMENDATION, buy the Behringer BCD3000, use it for a couple of months, so this could save you a buck, and wait for the new Behringer Modular controllers to come out, only in a couple of months, they look pretty good and have had some great reviews.

[dripstep]

Why tell him to buy a controller only to upgrade in a few months? He is on a budget, and blowing it and then re-buying is a stupid idea.......
But, the BCD 3000 is a good controller, no touch sensitive jogs, but you won't need them for learning. Save up a bit, this isn't a cheap hobby, or put your gift cards up on craigslist so that you aren't confined to bestbuy only.

[PsycoCarrot]

I think I'm interested in a touch-sensitive jogwheel. Played around with a Stanton SCS.4DJ at BestBuy yesterday, the touch-sensitive jogs are more similar to vinyl in that you can touch them to stop the track (makes cueing for the mix easier? don't have to mess with the play/pause button as much).

I'm doing my research on the MixtrackPRO and still considering the IDJ3, however it appears that the IDJ3 doesn't have dedicated buttons for Effects. Although, some existing buttons can be remapped to accomodate, I'm sure.

I'm leaning towards the MixtrackPRO, but the only ones I can find are online, at around 190$+shipping.

I will be sure to take a look at the BCD3000, and the Hercules RMX/4set.

Any other experience or advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

[zestoi]

if it was me i'd probably wait a few months and look at the behringer "cmd studio 4a". it looks pretty sweet for the functionality and price point

i'd definitely go for a controller with touch sensitive jogs, whether u wanted to map them to controlling the decks or for effects, having them touch sensitive is very useful. main reason i bought my icon idj was for the touch sensitive jogs - that's very cheap but i wouldn't buy it if it was my only controller.

can't go too wrong with a mixtrack pro.

this is the link i keep pasting to people asking the same kind of question as you as it sums up most/all of the best controllers from 2011 http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2011/12...rs-guide-2012/

[PsycoCarrot]

Ok, so I've decided to turn my BestBuy cards into a pre-loaded Visa debit and buy something online with it.

The 2 controllers I am really looking at are the Mixtrack Pro and the Hercules DJ4Set.

The two controllers are pretty much evenly matched in terms of price (MixtrackPro 192, DJ4SET 197) and desired functionality (touch-sensitive jogs, EQ controls, built-in soundcard). I like how the DJ4SET has 4 decks, allowing for expansion of skills after 2-deck mixing has been mastered.


I have a few questions for anyone with experience with either of these controllers:

1) Do the FX buttons on these controllers provide appropriate access to commonly-used effects? Does either controller offer up more options/easier access?

2) It appears that the Mixtrack Pro has got better FX controls (1 FX selector, and 2 control knobs [1 for frequency, 1 for time/rate?]) than the Hercules DJ4SET (seems like it just has FX on/off toggle). Would the more precise FX control on the Mixtrack Pro be necessary? Do you think it would be worth trading for the 4 decks of the DJ4SET?

3) Having 2 physical decks and 2 "imaginary" decks on the DJ4SET seems like it would be awkward to switch between deck sets. If you cue up a third song on Deck C, then switch back over to Deck A/B, the parameters you just set for Deck C would carry over to Deck A, would it not? Is it difficult to get past these limitations, and what methods do you use to adapt?



Any other input or experience on these controllers would be nice. I appreciate all the feedback I've gotten so far, and I thank you all for taking the time to answer my questions.