I see most of you are talking about Traktor Remix Decks’.
I personally use Serato and I’m thinking about upgrading to Rekordbox.
For me 4 channels, could be acapella for 3rd and some loops for the 4th. But that is also possible with a 2+2 or Samples in Serato not as comfortable, of course..
I have 4 channels running in traktor with the thinking that I am using two channels to mix tracks with 3 and 4 available for additions. Sometimes an addition means a 3rd track, sometimes its a loop. Its not like “I am playing all 4 tracks constantly” but I do use them all regularly.
I started the thread because I read Xdj-Rx were in Top 2 of Pioneer most selled products. So I just wanted to know your opinion about 2 or 4 channels. For me that RX would be enought.
One remix set has all my main samples, the ones I really really use all the time. But specifically, I use a 64 pads/buttons controller so I have a quick access to them, no layers, no shift functions, one button, one sample. I recently bought a cheap APC mini for that and with the additional faders provided I can manager the filters and volume per column. It’s not a ‘great’ controller but best investment for my need.
For the other remix deck. I have 12 constructed remix sets ranging from 1A to 12A. Each of them include the samples I like the most in that key. It can be rhythmic parts, vocals, loops one-shots, whatever.
The “key” here - no pun intended - is to have a quick way of calling/loading those sets. So I’ve mapped 12 buttons on my keyboards that at the same go to my favorites folders where those are and navigate to the correct one. I have a another set of two buttons allowing me to quickly stop/unload/load a remix deck.
Then I have others remix sets, that I do use as ‘constructed’ tracks or even some bought ones.
Nice work. I’m currently building Remix Sets from my favourite Sample CD’s. Mostly Breakbeats/loops, risers/droppers and crashes/explosions, with some bass loops and melodic loops.
I really like the idea of generic, key matched Remix Sets.
But honestly mate - if you are heavily into Remix Sets, you should think about grabbing an F1. I’ve NEVER bought software specific hardware before, but the integration between the F1 and Remix Decks is just brilliant. (Although it sounds like you’ve got it all covered with the APC mini…)
You have a keyboard mapping for 1 button find and load Remix Set? That’s pretty damn groovy…
I do have an f1 that I use extensively.
However for the use of the main samples remix deck, I have all samples on 1 layer, not on 4 pages and for that specific need, the akai apc mini is the best for the price.
I also use another layer for stems controls on decks A&B (likewise I have all stems displayed on one layer with visual feedback, mute buttons, filter and volume controls).
The F1 doesn’t replace the apc mini, but that’s the same for the other way round if I wanna manage remix sets in details.
Not exactly: 12 buttons for access, two other buttons for stopping/unloading/loading for decks C&D. It’s difficult to map all those functions including the research ones on only one button so you have everything that can happen at the same time when you press and release the button. So yes, 12 (quick access) + 2 (stop/unload/load/settings)
I’ll add soon a 13th button to have access to a specific “sequencer” remix set (but used with the f1)
I use 2 channel for 2 decks in traktor, 1 channel for ableton, 1 for soundbite looper, and I have the other 2 in my xone 92 for effects pedals or ableton send/return channel also for effects.
I only ever tried 3 channels with Serato, and I as not very good with it all. But, I would used Serato’s vertical stack of three tracks, so I would turn my mixer 90 to the right to mimic that. That was neat and fun and sort of stupid too.
Praise be to anyone who can do more than mix two tracks, because it is all beyond me.
It’s not about playing three whole tracks at once. It’s about using parts of tracks to help the mix expand.
Nah, I get that. I just wasn’t good at it and couldn’t really find a good way to utilize it.
lol, true, I’m really not using the 4 channels of my mixer
I’m currently using traktor with a Kontrol S2 and my thought is until I can push it to the max (not there yet) the two channels are enough for me. Though looking forward to building my skill and as that happens I’m sure Ill grow into needing more channels but only time will tell.
I’m a big fan of using four channel mixers. My method of DJing is loading up four different tracks at a time, then mixing them as need be. It greatly decreases the time spent looking for the next song and strains your eyes a lot less looking at laptop/CDJ screens.
that sounds interesting man!
what I see in some Youtube sessions, specially genre I love (Indie/Nu Disco, Electro Swing and House/Deep House) they mainly use 2 channels for mixing.
In fact, the new Rekordbox sequencer with quantice and sync option you could make an extra rhythm with it, or add new samplers with just a brand new DDJ RR.
Everybody will agree that a DDJ RX looks more “pro”, that in Djing it’s also important, so maybe worths the extra money for the moving lights effect on the platter and the additional two channels.
The sequencer/sampler is technically a 3rd channel, the Kontrol S2 also has a C&D volume knob on it so you can use Remix Decks via a side controller while still having some authority over the overall volume of that source.
It’s also why they call the Kontrol Z2 a 2+2 mixer despite having a 2ch layout.
yeah, that’s what I mean…so this is why I said DDJ RR is more price balanced than RX IMO. Not so pro…but I’m sure lots of those 3th and 4th channel are getting dust on that RX
I use 2 channels at home, and so I use 2 channels when I play out.
That being said, I’d love to add a third deck and a mixer that can handle more than 2 at home - but until I can practice with it and get really comfortable with it - it’s not something I like to push even if the option is available to me.
A lot of times you see people saying they are using all 4 decks when in reality they are just getting the next tracks ready a little bit quicker. Which is handy - but it’s also unnecessary. You can do the same thing on two decks you just have to move a bit faster within transitions.
When it comes down to truly utilizing 3 or more decks - I very rarely see it being done in a live environment and I go to shows fairly consistently. Dieselboy played a pretty amazing 4 deck set recently, and I saw Blackley at the beginning of the summer which was really impressive - but that’s really it. I know some house/techno/tech-house guys push more decks at one because their tracks are more minimal in nature and I get that.
Depends on what you’re playing.
I also see kids getting up there going crazy with too much stuff going on and making otherwise good tracks undanceable - and that’s a cardinal sin in my book.
I switched over to a 4 channel configuration with my xone92 and x2 traktor D2 controllers with regards to playing a lot of House and Techno. You have to really learn how to EQ properly, grabbing elements and sitting them between other parts of your sound spectrum without clashing. The 4 band EQ with 2 xone filters really helps 
I configuration is based mostly on deck A & B as the main track sources. C as a secondary lead or pad loop layering tools which can switch with A or B when I want to bring that mix to the “front” of stage. And Deck D is either Ableton running drum or percussion loops or a remix deck using the new step sequencer
Good ear training is to open a DAW, listen to your favourite tracks and open a visual Spectrum tool (Ableton). There with an EQ, you can isolate and see where the different sounds sit within the mix. Going even further, grab your mixer spec sheet and see where the EQ’s range sit. Then while listening, you will know how to isolate certain sounds or getting that cool pad loop to come through without the muddiness that can screw up the low end or vice versa.
As well for icing on the cake, get your tracks and loops etc in Key! no sense of layering when all those tracks aren’t in the key together. Then it can really be messy
I love my DNX-1100. I created a mapping for my Launchcontrol to utilize the filters in traktor, add djm style color fx, have a single assignable fx unit for all four channels and control the “master eq” in traktor. It has helped a lot with doing House, Techno, and Breaks.
I love taking parts of each tune and turning four seperate tunes into one unique performance. With the utilization of the Stems decks on Traktor, it has gone to another level of craziness. I would die without 4 channels.
But for basic deejaying, I could see how 4 channels can be excessive.