Advice on Equipment: DenonMC6000 or NI-S4

[Oyiwaa]

Good Day folks. I have a sort of a basic question. I am very new to the DJ world - have never DJ'ed, except for a few house parties using my home stereo. I want to learn how to DJ probably using professional equipment. I will not go into club gigs, but would love to do house parties for myself, family and friends.

In view of the above, I wanted something like the Denon MC6000 or the NI-S4: Both can connect to my computer, and help me learn the ropes. But what I am not sure about is whether it is advisable to invest that much money ($800) in such an equipment when I am just starting out? Or would it be better to settle for either of their smaller sisters: DNMC3000 or NI-S2? Are there other more competing controllers / mixers you would recommend?

I don't have any other equipment and plan to get speakers after the mixer. I will appreciate your advice.

Thanks - - Oyiwaa

[robdquick]

There are quite a few things to think about with these 2 products:

1: The S4 comes with a full version of Traktor. The Denon comes with an LE version of either Virtual DJ or Traktor depending on where you live. If you haven't already got DJ software and want to use the Denon to its full potential, you'll need to purchase software separately which then bumps up the price a bit ($299 for Virtual DJ, $89 for Virtual DJ)

2: Are you going to want to attach any other equipment to them? i.e. cd players/record decks/mp3 player? The Denon is a standalone mixer as well as a controller, so you can use it without a computer with just cd players etc. attached and it will function just like a regular mixer. With the S4 (i think) you can attach cd players etc. but they have to be routed through traktor which means you have to have a computer connected and turned on (can someone confirm this for me?) I think this also goes for connecting a mic as well.

3: Are you going to want to use Timecode with this now or at any point in the future? With the S4 you can purchase the timecode upgrade and use the same hardware, with the denon you can't use timecode full stop with Traktor without purchasing an NI soundcard, and with Virtual DJ it can be done, but you'll need at least another soundcard with 1 output, or ideally a 4 in 4 out soundcard.

4: Do you want to be able to plug and play, or do you want to fiddle around with mappings etc? With the S4, you can plug it in and it will just work, and the jog wheels will use the HID protocol for better control. If you want to change any of the controls you can switch it to MIDI mode and map it yourself, but then you lose the hi-res jog wheels. With the denon, it comes with pretty good traktor and virtual dj maps, but both can be fully customised to suit your needs.

I have the denon, and it's a fantastic piece of kit. I use it with traktor, and the jog wheels are more than good enough resolution for what i do (I dont do any scratching or anything with them). The fact that it is a standalone mixer means that if anything happens with my pc, I can just play the mp3 player that i keep connected to it permanently while I sort out any computer related problems. Being a mobile dj, having extra inputs always comes in handy for various things as well.

Both have balanced outputs, the denon has 2 mic inputs whereas the S4 only has 1, so not really much difference there. I have never used an S4, so i can't comment on it at all, but I highly recommend the Denon!

At the end of the day it depends on what you want out of the controllers and what you are going to use them for, both now and in the future.

[Oyiwaa]

Robdquick,

Thanks very much for your informative answer. I am actually leaning towards the MC6000. Since my intention is to learn both software and CDdjing, I plan to attach other devices to the mixer - like a CD player when I can afford one. I am fascinated by the TimeCode features, but I am still reading on it - I still don't see the need for it since I am not into vinyl and don't anticipate scratching. Now, assuming the MC6000 is a bit too stiff, what other competing model would you suggest? Since I am just a beginner, would it be better to get the MC3000 and spend the rest of the money towards a good powered speaker? And do you use a subwoofer with your Wharfedale Titans?

rgds, Oyiwaa

[robdquick]

If you don't plan on using all 4 decks, then the MC3000 would fit the bill quite closely. The only downside's I see in the MC3000 are that the 2 inputs are line only (no vinyl, only CD/mp3 etc.) and there are no eq's for the line inputs. If you were planning on mixing with the CD's, rather than just using them as a backup source, then the lack of eq's is probably a deal breaker. Also, only 1 mic input, and no booth output (but these 2 probably aren't as big a deal). If you were planning on using 4 decks, then the MC6000 is definately the best option, but there probably is a way you could map the MC3000 to control 4 decks if you needed it to (although it would probably be quite confusing and fiddly).

If the MC6000 ends up being out of your price range, maybe take a look at the American Audio VMS 4.1. I have no experience with this product, but when i was doing research when buying my midi controller, I looked into the VMS4, and it seemed like it did pretty much the same as the MC6000. It's quite a bit cheaper than the MC6000. I can't quite remember why I ended up choosing the MC6000 in the end. Once again, i have no experience with this, and i would urge you to do your research before purchasing.

I don't currently use a sub with my Wharfedales, but I do plan on picking up at least one in the future. BUT.... the wharfedales are awesome speakers for the price, they put out a decent amount of bass, loads of connection options. I have played rooms with up to 150 people in with 2 of these with no problems. I wouldn't like to play any bigger crowds than that though without a sub!

If you have any other questions about the MC6000, feel free to ask them!

[Bhajan]

Are there other more competing controllers / mixers you would recommend?

Vestax VCI-400 Ean Golden Edition is in the same class as the two controllers that you mentioned. It's the one that I recently purchased and I'm very happy with it. It's the first controller I have ever owned though, so I don't have much of a reference point. People that have S4's tend to love them as far as I've seen, with native HID jogs for scratching. The only drawback (for me) was lack of extra buttons. The Denon seems pretty solid but many complain that the buttons/controls are too small and jammed together too tightly. I looked at all three (MC6000, S4, VCI-400 EGE) and decided on the VCI-400 EGE because I wanted a nice clean professional look and the maximum amount of mappable buttons that are large and playable. Also, I have no interest in scratching, so lack of HID jogs was a non-issue for me.

I am not sure about is whether it is advisable to invest that much money ($800) in such an equipment when I am just starting out?

I was in the EXACT same dilemma here. I guess it just depends on your level of passion/interest in mixing. Before I got my controller, I would come home EVERYDAY from work and crank up my stereo, launch VDJ, crack a couple beers, and see what kinda cool shit I could do with a friggin mouse and a keyboard. And I loved it sooooo much that I knew I wouldn't be adequately satisfied with a less-than-awesome controller. If you actually effin' love the hell outta mixing, get it. If it's just fun to do sometimes at parties for your friends etc, you might be going overkill. Just my 2 cents man ... Good luck!

[robdquick]

Good Point Bhajan, I had totally forgotten about the VCI-400, another good contender in this category. I do have to agree with your point about the buttons being a bit cramped on the MC6000. Not cramped enough to cause any major problems for me, but if you were doing a lot of cue jumping etc. I would think that that might be a downside. For straight mixing and the odd cuejump its prefectly fine though.