Controllers with decent software? (semi experienced DJ)

[3Fifths]

Hey everyone, I'm currently working as a DJ for a company. I've been "training" under a very accomplished DJ for the last 3 months on 2 CDJs and a DJM with serrato scratch live. I love the software, its capability and the feel of the CDJs, however for practicing at home and just for my own pleasure when I can't always get in at work, I cannot afford such a setup. Because of this I'm looking at a controller with reasonable software for a mid-level DJ. I don't need auto sync and all that, I'm pretty capable and looking at getting into some more advanced stuff.

I would like to stick with serrato as thats what we use at work, however a controller like the Ergo only supports Serato intro. I can't really "home test" software without a controller, for example running it without hardware leaves me with 1 deck and crippled capability so I can't really see what software I like best. My other resort is switching to traktor for home use and picking up a S2.

Any ideas what sort of controller supports mid-level skilled DJ software? I don't need auto sync and all kinds of lights to tell me when beats are matched. Wouldnt mind using at least serato itch as Scratch Live is far out of the budget.

Thoughts?

[3Fifths]

Hey everyone, I'm currently working as a DJ for a company. I've been "training" under a very accomplished DJ for the last 3 months on 2 CDJs and a DJM with serrato scratch live. I love the software, its capability and the feel of the CDJs, however for practicing at home and just for my own pleasure when I can't always get in at work, I cannot afford such a setup. Because of this I'm looking at a controller with reasonable software for a mid-level DJ. I don't need auto sync and all that, I'm pretty capable and looking at getting into some more advanced stuff.

I would like to stick with serrato as thats what we use at work, however a controller like the Ergo only supports Serato intro. I can't really "home test" software without a controller, for example running it without hardware leaves me with 1 deck and crippled capability so I can't really see what software I like best. My other resort is switching to traktor for home use and picking up a S2.

Any ideas what sort of controller supports mid-level skilled DJ software? I don't need auto sync and all kinds of lights to tell me when beats are matched. Wouldnt mind using at least serato itch as Scratch Live is far out of the budget.

Thoughts?

30 views and no one has an opinion on mid-range software and capability? Or has this topic been done to death?

[dripstep]

Check out the twitch. Its setup for itch, but no jog wheels.

[synthet1c]

if you wan't to learn to beatmatch you need a large pitchfader and jogs... I think you should wait for the reloop terminal 2mix that should be released around the end of the month or the behringer all in one, but no word on release dates yet... both of these controllers will be cheap and have large 100mm pitchfaders and large jogwheels. the reloop is sold with serato intro and there will probably be an upgrade path to itch soon, it will also work in vdj pro if you choose to go that way. There is also no word on what the behringer will be released with but my money is on vdj.

If you wan't to spend more the ns6/4trak is probably the best option as it is solid and has large jogs and pitch faders.

If you wan't scratching a good option is the VCI-300mk2 (serato itch), you can easily beatmatch on it as it has an ingenious way of moving the pitch fader position around while maintaining a fine 6% pitch range, and it has all the essential controls for basic mixing.

[3Fifths]

if you wan't to learn to beatmatch you need a large pitchfader and jogs... I think you should wait for the reloop terminal 2mix that should be released around the end of the month or the behringer all in one, but no word on release dates yet... both of these controllers will be cheap and have large 100mm pitchfaders and large jogwheels. the reloop is sold with serato intro and there will probably be an upgrade path to itch soon, it will also work in vdj pro if you choose to go that way. There is also no word on what the behringer will be released with but my money is on vdj.

If you wan't to spend more the ns6/4trak is probably the best option as it is solid and has large jogs and pitch faders.

If you wan't scratching a good option is the VCI-300mk2 (serato itch), you can easily beatmatch on it as it has an ingenious way of moving the pitch fader position around while maintaining a fine 6% pitch range, and it has all the essential controls for basic mixing.

I can beatmatch fine, thats why I'm not after some kind of autosync gizmo. Stuff like the Ergo and Scratch intro seems designed for the BRAND NEW guy who needs lights to tell him that beats are matched. Which is why I'm after kind of a mid-level software. I'm passed all the basic stuff, I can EQ mix, gain control, beat match, loop etc etc. I was looking at the VCI 300 and it looks reasonably solid a 6% pitch mode is pretty much all I'll need unless I want to do table breaks. From what I've seen it looks like Traktor might be what I'm after, despite wanting to stay in serrato because it's what we use at work. Traktor looks like it offers more creativity options, sample decks, efficient looping and what not to perform (with the capability to manually beat match).

I'm not too big on scratching so thats not too much of my concern right now. Useful for a few hip hop sets but not my thing atm. Will read up on the upcoming controllers you mentioned above! thanks!

[JayRuss]

If you wan't to spend more the ns6

If you wan't scratching a good option is the VCI-300mk2

Those two will be your best option i would say or you could wait for the Vestax VCi-380 to drop, but all controllers nowadays have a sync feature theeres no real way of getting around that. And if I was you using itch would most probably feel more comfortable with you as ITCH uses the same music library as SSL, saves the hassle of importing your music library over to traktor and er-anylizing all your songs etc.

[chrisw]

I can beatmatch fine, thats why I'm not after some kind of autosync gizmo. Stuff like the Ergo and Scratch intro seems designed for the BRAND NEW guy who needs lights to tell him that beats are matched. Which is why I'm after kind of a mid-level software. I'm passed all the basic stuff, I can EQ mix, gain control, beat match, loop etc etc. I was looking at the VCI 300 and it looks reasonably solid a 6% pitch mode is pretty much all I'll need unless I want to do table breaks. From what I've seen it looks like Traktor might be what I'm after, despite wanting to stay in serrato because it's what we use at work. Traktor looks like it offers more creativity options, sample decks, efficient looping and what not to perform (with the capability to manually beat match).

I'm not too big on scratching so thats not too much of my concern right now. Useful for a few hip hop sets but not my thing atm. Will read up on the upcoming controllers you mentioned above! thanks!

I can beat match by ear. I just choose to free up my hands from beat matching so sync isnt a *Noob* feature. its just a feature that allows you to get more creative with your mixing.

[3Fifths]

I can beat match by ear. I just choose to free up my hands from beat matching so sync isnt a *Noob* feature. its just a feature that allows you to get more creative with your mixing.

Wasnt implying thay people who use it ate noobs
Im justsaying its a feature i dont really need and im looking for a mpre well rounded software

[chrisw]

Might want to look at 4track cause in traktor i know you can change it so you dont need to view sync

[dookiex]

I'm seriously considering picking up the new VCI-380. It's basically as if the VCI-300 made a baby with the Twitch. I also absolutely LOVE that there's performance pad effects AND the pads are velocity sensitive. I'm pretty sure you can activated the pad FX when using the SP-6 sampler in Itch with the VCI-380 which seriously opens up a lot of possibilities. I think if I do end up with the 380, I would probably miss the fader FX though. Oh well, you win some and you lose some.