Big changes on my setup, need help!

DJ Life & Community General Discussion
1

Big changes on my setup, need help!

Hey guys! (tl;dr at the end)

It’s been almost two years that I’ve been rocking with my S4 and my 2006 Macbook White.

Yeah, the 2006 Macbook never let me down live on my gigs (yeah, it locked down or bugged only on my bedroom). I’m switching for a i5 MB pro. And no, don’t even start arguing that MB is overpriced or something like that. I use windows on my desktop studio and I want something fast, stable, and MIDI friendly for gigs (the main reason that I’ll go with MacOs).

And I’m selling my beloved S4. After outdoors, bars, big clubs, festivals, rainy gigs I started to hate the S4. It’s a wonderful piece of hardware, but it’s too bulky for me. I just hate doing gigs with a travel bag and my backpack. I want something smaller, modular. I don’t even use the effects and jogwheel anymore.

I’m still arguing if I should buy a soundcard for Traktor. Is HID reliable enough?

So, I’m selling my S4 and switching to a more compact setup. I was thinking about getting a Midi Fighter to play along with my iPad. And also a mixer to mix at home, some midi enabled maybe? I’m totally open for any ideas or suggestions.

tl:dr ppl: I’m switching my setup for a more compact and modular one. I’m thinking on getting a mixer for bedroom mixing. Should I buy a soundcard? Which controller is compact and good enough? I already got an iPad.

2

Whether or not you should buy a sound card for your mixer depends on whether or not the mixer has a sound card.

3

For a controller, I really like the Kontrol X1 and they are very much modular and compact.

4

I think it doesnt depends on my mixer and mostly on the gigs that I attend to. Sometimes they do have cdj 900 or 2000. Sometimes every dj of the night use my S4 to mix on to.

I thought of a X1 too. But I want some bigger buttons to smash songs together.

5

Honestly if you want a full working and compact modular setup then the X1 + Soundcard is the best thing.

and on the Button front, after about 2 weeks of use, you know exactly were each button is, there big enough.

I dont even look down at the unit anymore!

one thing i couldnt live with is my X1

6
  • 1 for the Kontrol x1 . Best investment yet, compact, light and covers all my basic needs.
7

I know a lot of DJs locally who use HID mode with Traktor.

That being said, it’s always good to have what you plan on playing out on… at home. I will always be a big proponent of that methodology.

8

I have an X1 that i use with serato but its a great piece of hardware.

I just recently stopped using it at home since i picked up a midi programmable mixer but i sill use it for gigs.

9

I see a trend here. Kontrol X1 FTW.

Any ideas for a good n cheap 4 channel mixer?

10

DDM 4000 gets thrown around a lot.

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Yeah, I found this one on a search around the forum… But it is also an analog mixer?

12

Look into a xone:K2 it has a built in 4 channel soundcard built into a full midi controller that is usb powered. Its kinda awesome imo. I have a super mapping that I have been making for the past month that has almost full control of traktor with the single unit. I mix with a K2 and a launchpad and it is the most portable unit ever. Everything including all of my spare cables fit easily into one bag and they only require one power source to keep your laptop charged.

13

Why not the new Behringer modular controllers? Those also seem fairly sweet for the price tag.

14

If you’re using CDJs then you won’t need a sound card.

There’s too many variables. You can get Reloop Contours which have a sound card or X1s which don’t.

DDM4000 is digital.

The only analog mixers are Ecler and A&H afaik.

15

I’ve been thinking about it too. But the main issue is that I live on a country that is really hard to grab some specific gear, including the K2. But I’m doing my maths to check if this is possible.

Does anyone have any complaints about the numark DJIO soundcard?

16

It’s a decent card. Only 2 channels though. If you buy a mixer though such as the DJM850 you won’t even need a soundcard.

17

That’s what I’m thinking about. So many options. Now I see why a lot of people spend thousands a year on dj gear.

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Midi Fighter Pro?

16 nice and big super duper mega responsive arcade buttons + 2 faders for deck A+B and 2 filter knobs?

You can assign the first 8 buttons to control everything you need for deck a and the other 8 for deck b, use the bank buttons for deck c+d if you want?

It’d be a super mad mega compact setup :thumbsup:

(sorry for all the adjectives, I just really love midi fighters :open_mouth: )

19

They seem to be really dope. BUT, I can’t trust my local custom’s.

SO, It seems a possibility…

20

I would buy an F1 and download a 4 decks map