DJ XpoZur - Setup History

[DJXpoZur]

Hello, my name is Peter a.k.a. DJ XpoZur. I have been a member on DJTT for a few years now but I have never posted any photos of my setup. Here is a “brief as I can make it” history.

My first real DJ rig I still own and use, but I have added many other setups to my collection.

Here is a photo of my first mobile rig. It is comprised of an Ecler EVO4, Rane SL3 and (2) Pioneer CDJ-400’s running SSL.


SETUP-001

At the time, I thought that rig was so heavy and hard to setup, I dreamt of something smaller, lighter and right about then, the NI:S4 came out. I didn’t get one right away, but when the announcement for Traktor Pro 2 came out and a free upgrade was promised I picked one up. I eventually put some chroma-caps on and I still have this little beast of a controller I use on occasion.


SETUP-002

A couple of months went by and Numark came out with the NS6, it looked like a dream portable Serato system, but I hated Itch too much and gave the controller to my son who now DJ’s his own gigs. (this was long before Serato DJ) I have no photos of my NS6 setup but we all know what they look like

As I learned more and used different kinds of gear, I thought... What I really want is a Rane mixer and some turntables... However, I am not a scratch DJ, nor will I ever be, but I am a high-tech kinda guy, so I looked into Denon 3700’s and lucky for me I didn’t rush out like I normally do and purchase them, because it wasn’t very long after that the 3900s were announced and I decided to wait and purchase these. To me they are everything I wanted in a turntable and more. While I was waiting for Denon to ship them, Rane decided to start shipping the Sixty-Two mixer and I picked up a Z-Trip model. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Here is a photo of my Sixty-Two with my CDJ-400s waiting for the Denon 3900’s


SETUP-003

Here is a photo of the Sixty-Two with the 3900’s


SETUP-004A


SETUP-004B

Well, when I got this setup altogether I thought this would be my dream setup, but alas it was not really. Again, I am not a scratch DJ and the change from HID mode to vinyl DVS is pretty drastic and though I consider it a good learning experience and I still love to practice on this setup, I wanted HID, so I bought Pioneer CDJ-850’s which to my surprise all the modern Pioneer CDJs are not very good HID in Serato (the 400s still are perfect). So I decided to keep the 3900s with my Sixty-Two and left the 850s to sit...

Another year or so past and I was also offered a chance to do a few deep/tech house gigs which I love, but the gigs are very rare for the town I live in. The setups that I had were not perfect for this type gig, I knew what I wanted and it was going to be expensive, but I bought it anyway. This new setup consisted of an Allen & Heath DB4 and K2. I also got an NI:X1 and (2) F1 controllers. I already had an NI:Maschine which I did some simple production work with along with an APC40 and Ableton. I love this setup. I love the DB4 even though it took me 3 mixers to get a fully functional one from direct from the US distributor.

Here are some photos of the DB4 setup.

SETUP-005

Since I started using Traktor more with this setup, I also decided to sell my Pioneer 850s and get some CDJ2000s which have Traktor HID support which I love.


SETUP-006A


SETUP-006B

Also as a side little setup, I picked up a Pioneer DDJ-SX the day it was released. I just really wanted to try the new Serato DJ which I love in fact this is my favorite portable setup. I do a weekly show at two different places in my town on Wednesdays and Friday nights and this is almost always what I bring to them. Both shows are open format request shows and I feel most comfortable with Serato for these type of shows.

In addition to the DJ hardware I have (2) Bose L1 Model I’s with (2) B2s each, (2) EV Live X 18” Subs with Mackie SRM450 tops, (2) QSC Ksubs with K12 tops and a variety of lights and a truss arch which I purchased just a couple of weeks ago in preparation to DJ my daughters Senior Prom and it is not setup in my home. Here are some photos of my basement with the arch and lights up QSC speakers and a lot of other junk all around.

Here is a photo of the Prom Setup with DDJ-SX


SETUP-007A


SETUP-007B

Here is my new normal light and sound setup in my basement.


SETUP-008A


SETUP-008B

My next dream setup is pictured below. I have tried to find one but I can not, even on Ebay, if you have one for sale PM me, I will buy it. (Seriously and if it’s new in box in mint condition I will pay pretty good money for it).


SETUP-009

Thank you for taking the time to look at and possibly read my history. Most of the photos in my home are in my basement which is where I practice and DJ parties, some are in my "bedroom studio". It is a lived in house, so there is stuff all over the place, but hopefully you get the idea.

DJ XpoZur

[DjGil]

Awesome setup mate! How are you currently using your k2 with your cdj's just for traktors effects or what?

[DJXpoZur]

I created a custom map for the K2 using latching layers for the bottom portion.

The top encoders are for loops, the first two horizontal rows of knobs and buttons control effects 1&2, the 3rd filter with on/off. The sliders are pitch for each deck.

Layer 1 for bottom is play,cue,effects 1&2 on/off (shift play loads a track, shift cue will go to the beginning of the track)
Layer 2 gives (4) hot cues for each deck
Layer 3 controls sync, keylock, flux, and loading and unloading a deck).

The left knob on the button controls the folder view side of traktor and the right controls the file view side.

I set it up so that I can do pretty much anything during a live set. (as long as my tracks are gridded properly) no real need for the CDJs and I don't use the X1 really ever either. I do have another mixer a Denon x1600 which I will sometimes keep in my bedroom setup with the X1 for practicing in Traktor.

X

[HighTopFade]

Very nice mobile setup.

[SwedeDreams]

I think you should post a thread in the 'buy sell' section looking for a "Hello Kitty DJ Mixing Centre"

Might get a good offer.

[Big Panda]

Nice setup. How would you compare the Rane to the DB4?

[MrAybar]

Really nice!!!!!!!!!!!

[julamy0109]

Very nice. This is a great evolution. Made me jealous a bit! (and everyone knows that doesn't happen often lol)

I agree with you about the CDJ-400s. They are great CDJs.

[DJXpoZur]

@Big Panda,

Comparing my Rane Sixty-Two to my A&H DB4 I would give build quality to Rane. First the faders, what can you say? They are perfect. I don't think anyone could ever say anything bad about them. Second, I bought my DB4 new. The first two units they sent me were defective and the third had/(has) one tricky button - effects on/off on the fourth channel. This is after my dealer made arrangements with American Music and Sound to pretest the third unit to ensure it was leaving their warehouse working.

That said, the effects on the DB4 are just fantastic. I would say that traditionally I used effects pretty sparingly but the effects on the DB4 are so smooth and subtle that I can use them more often without destroying original feel of the track. Very powerful.

They are both well thought out and engineered mixers and for me both have their own purposes and both at the top of their fields.

X

[dripstep]

Theres a puddle underneath my chin thanks to that gear porn.