So im a just started DJ and made some remixes with mouse and keyboard but as you know you lack the speed etc. to make really good mixes.
So this is why im interested in buying a midi controller.
I did do some research on the web for like 3 days but there are so many damn midi controllers I cant decide anymore whats good and whats bad…
I currently own decent speakers, professional headphone and a HP dv-6 laptop with windows 7 64bit which is pretty fast cause its 3-month-old laptop. Anyway back to the point which midi controller would suit me the best?
Im not used to any software yet.
I was think about the VCI-100 cause you can modify it and find allot of information about it on this website. Or maybe the VCI-300 cause I see allot of people on youtube making great mixes with it.
Anyway my goal is to start mixing as a bedroom-DJ and uploading my songs on youtube but slowly as I grow start mixing in clubs and bars with the same
equipment!
So what do you guys think that is the best midi controller for me ?
Im sure you guys got allot more experience then I have atm hehe.
Just bought the Xone DX and its right next to me. It’s an alright unit, but it lacks fundamental features so Im pawning it for $700 on craigslist lmao.
Honestly, the VCI-300 is great for precision and that real feel you get with a good CD deck. Or if you want to buy an actual mixer, pickup the Numark V7 which thus far is about as close as youre going to get to vinyl with a MIDI controller.
Well like I said im a just beginner DJ so I think when buying expensive equipment like Xone DX or Numark V7 would be a little overkill if you keep in mind I just started DJing.
I really dont care which software to use cause I gotta learn and pratice anyway but traktor looks to have more functions and easier to modify then ITCH but I can be wrong.
Anyway its just a hard decision to make cause there are really much midi controllers like I said.
If I were you, just starting out, I’d rather buy a couple CDJ200 and a DJM-400 and just practice DJing with CD decks first. You’ll learn a lot before jumping to the midi and efx stuff by doing everything analog first.
The set is 929 euro affordable for me, but I dont know it looks like I will buy old stuff. I mean lets face it vinyl and cds kinda had there time dont you think.
Digital is the new generation which includes me cause im only 18 and the vci-100 is way cheaper then the whole set.
But I can be wrong ofc I mean you guys sure got allot more experience then me but so far I could make pretty cool mixes with Virtual DJ by using mouse and keyboard… But once again I can be wrong and maybe buying the set is the best option to really start spinnin and learning
Ok my question is are you doing this just for fun or do you really want to DJ? The old stuff is what regular clubs still uses most of the time. So getting experinces with them will help you in the long run. There are times when your computer crashes and you’ll actually have to play a song using a CDJ waiting for your computer to reboot, and mixing by counting bars and beat matching by ear is so important just in case you want to drop this sick new song that you haven’t done proper homework on.
At least start out with one CDJ and the mixer, you can use your computer as the 2nd deck.
Well im currently doing the DJing with virtual DJ for fun. And I like it so far but as I said I lack speed of switching etc. cause I only got a mouse and keyboard. So thats why I started looking for a midi controller.
In the future I want to start recording my mixes, upload them and start hitting the local clubs once I learned and practice enough.
But now im even more confused since I started this thread!
I mean some people say “hey start with CDJ cause midi is for fake-djs”
Other people say “Just start with a midi controller its usually a cheaper setup and got allot more options + its the future”
And yes the most clubs are using cds but once you’re invited to the club you can carry your own gear and connect it not a big deal right ?
But like I said I can be wrong I just want to buy some equipment and make some cool mixes and I hope you guys can help me with choosing whats the best option for me
Wait so you want to learn to mix or produce? If you want to make your own mixes then I suggest you get your self a copy of Ableton Live 8 Lite and play around with it
Midi is definitely not for fake-djs! But if you want to learn the fundamentals then it’s definitely better to start with the CDJs just for learning purposes. Oh and this is unfortunate, people who hire DJs generally will like it if you have some traditional gear just in case you have to bring your gear some times.
I was somewhat in your position a few months ago, was DJing with nothing but a keyboard and wanted more control. I ended up getting a VCI 100 SE and I love it to death.
But, if I had the cash, I’d spring for 2x CDJ 200s/400s and a DJM 800 (Instead of the 400 just because of the cueing). Yes midi is good and all, and when the time comes DJing will be done on nothing but laptops and midi controllers, but you should still know how to properly beatmatch on CDJs. Right now that’s what irks me the most when I mix. I know how to bring one song into the other, but I can’t beatmatch manually for junk. You can’t really learn on a midi controller either, you gotta use CDJs or TTs.
You’ll learn fine on whatever equipment you have available.
My only suggestion would be find what is just inside your budget, and go one more model above it without totally breaking the bank… you’ll be happy you did.
Dude, screw CDJ’s! They’re BIG, old, and don’t do much. Borrow somebody else’s and learn to beatmatch on them. (Yes, you need to know how to do this.) If you’re just starting out, go with a compact setup, I’d recommend the VCI-300. You’ll be able to do the exact same mixes as a CDJ DJ without having a bunch of heavy gear to carry around. I started out with laptop and mouse, and seriously thought about going to 1200’s, but I realized that’s a step backwards. The future is music on your computer, not a record box or CD book. If you’re starting out new, why go back in time? I’d look into Ableton and Mixmeister, seeing how you aren’t married to any technology yet.
I’m also not selling it for $1300, I’m selling it for $700 (no, that’s not a mistake, I scored a great deal on it and Im just passing that along). Unfortunately though there’s now someone in line to buy it lol.
I would definitely recommend the VCI-300 as others have previously mentioned…awesome 1:1 stability and communication between the software and hardware. Pair it with the VFX-1 and you’ve got a nice combo that you could take to the club. Others have brought up CD decks…perhaps you could look at the Numark MixDeck, which would allow for both midi use with software (Traktor) and analog use with CDs…I think the reviews have been mixed, but it could be a good / versatile starting system
Well lots of different opinions on these forums as I can see.
But I think I got a solution! how about I buy a midi controller(for deck A&B) which can also use CDs/Vinyls decks(for deck C&D) like 808ND said.
So which would the best the Xone XD or do the VCI-300/VCI-100 also support this ?
If your going to run four decks the XD with a Traktor mapping would be my choice. The VCI-100 will work, but you’ll have to be switching between decks all the time in the software and that’s a pain. The XD is an Itch controller like the 300, but the XD works better with traktor than the 300.
x if you want to use Serato.
Wait so you want to learn to mix or produce? If you want to make your own mixes then I suggest you get your self a copy of Ableton Live 8 Lite and play around with it