Hey guys, its been a while hey! Man I’ve been so busy with work its crazy! Well guys lately I’ve been making some decent cash recently from Djing, and from my day job so I’ve decided its long over due to upgrade my set up in the next cpl of weeks. The thing is I’m in a bit of a dilema as to what to get.
As of now I Dj on a cruise ship and guest Dj at clubs and at parties when I’m at home. I use my controller pretty much most of the time, but sometimes I use my TSP timecode. So now this is where I’m not sure what to choose..
Should I get the KS4 and flog off my RMX or wait for the new TSP and get an X1?
Both look like great set ups, I’m just not sure which is better. The KS4 is great for all the reasons we know, but the new TSP which will be coming soon with an added X1 also looks sweet and its excellent IMO.
I know you will probably say go for the one which suites my needs more, but the thing is, they both do. Having the KS4 is an all in one solution and great for me cos I travel alot, and I can also hook it up to any system, but having the new TSP and an X1 will also be great and convenient and I can just hook it up to any mixer at any club or venue. Pricing wise I think it will probably work out to about the same price, although theres no news on the new TSP price.
So you see my dilema? I’m not sure if any of you are in a similar situation or not, but what would you do, what do you think would be the better option? I’m open to any suggestions or ideas guys. Thanks in advance!
It’s a tough pick being that we know what the KS4 does, but for the next version of TSP its still up in the air, if you can wait, just hold off a couple months
Yeah I understand you, but I’ve been waiting so long already to upgrade my set up I was just waiting for the cash to come in, and now I’ve got it I wanna upgrade now! lol..
I will be buying my new MBP next month and then my set up afterwards but I dont want to wait longer than 2 months.
Funnily enough i’m almost in exactly the same position.
I own a Hercules RMX, due to space restrictions etc. i’ve just been using controllers (Rmx and Mpk Mini), but i’m moving to a new flat next week and have been buying vinyl again - will be picking up some 1200’s and new TSP once i have the money.
The thing for me is, i just can’t seem to shake the feeling that controllers just aren’t as fun as vinyl. I’ve been doing a lot of controllerism, playing with live remixing, loops, beat juggling etc. which i do admit i really enjoy, but when i’m playing a set where all that stuff isn’t needed (Or wanted) i miss cueing and beatmatching the old fashioned way, especially the touch of vinyl.
So i’m going the TSP route, with my MPK mini for cues/fx/loops, so i can just turn up at a club with timecode, backup Vinyl/CDs, laptop, soundcard and headphones…all of which i can fit in one bag.
Even better i can just turn up with a bag of vinyl, carts and my headphones.
I’m still a tiny bit unsure, mainly because of the large outlay, but i’ve been sold to it since i had a little session at my mates the other night, remembered how much i love vinyl - just owning it is a pleasure.
Best of both worlds with TSP, can even have a backup controller incase the TT’s fuck up.
If you don’t scratch, it’s a great all-in-one controller for up to 4 decks in TSP or TP. I don’t think it’ll work great with sample decks. And it’s expensive if you want to scratch…and not as good as a battle mixer. So, yeah…it’s not bad for an all-in-one, but…you’ll probably like the KS4 better than it…and the KS4 is cheaper.
if the rumours are true (pretty well founded rumours having been published on the DJTT blog and Skratchworx), the announcement about the new version of TSP should be tomorrow. So sit tight for another day before making your decision!
Given your current options I’d go for the S4, an all in one solution with the promised timecode support not far off now.
Personally I am sure (as sure as a random no one a.k.a. me) that the Traktor Kontrol S4 will get the same updates that you’ll be getting with the new TSP although they probably both will be paid updates.
That being said, i’d grab the S4 for sure, and then take it from there and possibly add an X1 to my setup little later down the line (or now if I had the cash).
I’m actually debating whether or not to pick up an X1 or a MIDI-Fighter next.
In all seriousness, it really comes down to your space requirements.
I know people are going to bash, but the new Pioneer and Numark controllers look like they really could be right up your alley. That being said, the S4 is also right in the same realm.
Honestly though, I’d make a move on from the RMX. As good as it is for what it is, there are better options out there. I mean, there is nothing inherently wrong with it, but really, there’s something to be said for having “professional grade” as back-asswards as that sounds.
Honestly I’d also take a serious look at the Xone: DX or the Xone: 4D if you really want to step up in quality, but like the smaller footprint of something like the RMX. It’s A&H quality, built like a TANK, and probably right up the same alley. Cost is the issue though.
Personally, I’d consider a VCI-100 Arcade. Honestly, I wouldn’t swap mine for anything, that’s no joke. Not one of those pioneer things, an S4, nothing.
The mapping is pure sickness, fader fx etc, and the FW1.4 makes it a seriously tight midi controller. The next best thing to HID i swear.
Also don’t thing anyone should think they need to go external to be more “professional” etc. I get that people have their reasons though so am not knocking it.
I know im in a slightly different boat, but we are both motoring in the same direction.
I am almost 100% sure I have decided.
A. DVS it is (for customization and broad equipment base I can use) for me.
B. As was stated above, internal software mixing IS not up to par with a solid analogue mixer(A&H, Vestax, Formula Sound), at all. The only way this would be so, is if you were mixing 192kbps mp3 into said analogue mixer. And even in said case, the clarity of the COMBINED audio signal at all frequency ranged would still be outmatched by the analogue mixer, period.
So that being said, new Traktor is right around the corner, and I already have an Audio 8, Kontrol X1, a digital external mixer whos sound quality is fading quickly and two 1200’s. Now although I have nothing but fine words for the TT’s it has been a b*tch and a half trying to find flat control vinyl. And with all the hassle of the things Ive already given up on em in my head.
So as for ME. As soon as my tax return check gets here im getting two cdj800mk2’s for timecode use, and renting out to parties (cause you can do that with pioneer cdj’s, not so much with the S4)
And after that comes a lovely new A&H mixer, most probably the Xone:92. And a second X1 somewhere in there to control the features that will be in the new software.
Cant wait for the reliability of cdj’s and the warmth of A&H…
IMHO people who insist that internal mixing is shit and can’t emulate the real thing are in the same boat as those who say that nothing can ever sound as good as real vinyl. Granted it has character, but just as different mixers sound different, internal mixing and EQ have their own traits.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with them and if sound engineers with much better ears than mine are telling me that internal sounds just as good I’m inclined to believe them.
If you’re playing music off your computer, it’s just “closer” to the original recording for starters. An external mixer is adding a layer is all. That layer can add qualities but that does not make it “better” quality.
My music goes from my computer to my soundcard directly to active monitors.
When I first got my soundcard and active monitors i routed it all through my DJM600… then i just cut out my mixer and went straight to the speakers.
