CDJ 850 Traktor
Hey guys, I’ve decided on a pair of CDJ 850s (I think)
I can pick up a pair for about £1000 which is heavenly in comparison to a single CDJ900 which will run me about £800
So, what I want to know is, what problems will I encounter with the CDJ850s and Traktor? I know that there isn’t HID support out yet but is that a major issue?
Thanks
Are you going to be using timecode instead then?
I was planning on using MIDI.
Is that a bad move?
No not at all. Ive not read about using them through Midi, but i think most of the controls are mappable.
I envy you being able to afford Pioneer cdjs are controllers though haha. Will you be using any cds swell to justify the cdj’s? or are you getting them so you get used industry standard hardware?
Exactly that. I’m getting them simply for the fact that they’re the cheapest industry standard CDJs that I can find.
I’m not sure how well they’d integrate with Traktor though. How much better would the 900s be? Would it be worth the extra 500?
If you could stretch or save a little bit more id get the 900’s if you want to use them directly linked to traktor due too the Advanced HID. Although If you were going to use timecode or even just put your music onto a usb and play through that, i.e. no Traktor i feel then the cost would be harder to justify.
Wait until the 6th anyway. Suspected announcement of new CDJS from Pioneer. Which if true will push the price of the current range down. 
Well my student loan doesn’t come in until the 17th anyway. =P
If I really want to get to grips with CDJs as the industry standard, should I stand clear of laptops and just use USB drives?
Will they work with the VCI 400 as a standalone mixer or will I need to buy a new mixer?
I wouldn’t count on it. They may push down the cost of the current 2000’s - marginally - but if the rumours are true and the new release is an updated 2000 then I cant see it having any effect whatsoever on the 850’s or 900’s.
Haha, I think were in similar positions. Although i have no idea when my loan comes in. What uni you at?
I want CDJ’s but can’t justify them at the moment =[
You could use the VCI as a mixer but it would have to be connected to the laptop still, so could use it to trigger samples, loops etc if just using the cdjs as a live inputs.
Same as an S4
Kent uni. You?
It’d need to be plugged in? Even with the new firmware update?
Not sure on that. I know the s4 still has to be connected to a laptop. You’d have to check on the VCI, never had firsthand experience with one.
And loughborough.
CDJ-850 integration with traktor really pisses me off. It’s not accurate and the controls are hit and miss at best. For example, certain LEDs such as key lock don’t necessarily show whether it’s on or off, they just alternate when you press and depend entirely on whether they were on when you connected to traktor.
With SSL the integration is perfect but for some reason traktor only supports 900s, 2000s and (?!) 400s. I’d recommend the 850s any day for SSL or as USB or CD players, but good traktor controllers they ain’t (yet). The potential’s there but it’s not properly implemented.
And the VCI 400 works as a standalone mixer in the outer 2 channels so that’s not a problem.
Even if the VCI isn’t connected to a laptop?
pretty sure it just needs power.
Never knew that… Thats cool, always thought only the Denon one worked without a lappy.
Hot dang. Cheers guys. Looks like I gotta save up for the 900s
If you’re using Traktor and don’t have existing hardware, it’s a much better solution in the long run to either use a high end controller with Traktor, and pocket the $1200 or so, or just import your library into Rekordbox and move into a USB rig. “Getting to grips with the industry standard” is one of the most infuriating myths in the DJ world, and this is coming from the owner of a pair of 2000s.
If you’re looking for cheap Pioneer hardware, that new Aero thing runs off of Rekordbox drives, has MIDI support and a card, and is looking to come in at around $1200 IIRC, about a grand less than a pair of 900s.
I’m trying to move away from MIDI controllers to CDJs. I’d still like to have the option of using it as a midi controller as a gateway though. I’m actually being really tempted by the CDJ700s. Complete rip off from pioneer but cheap, cheerful and unlikely to break in my bedroom.
I have to disagree with you there buddy. If I’d never touched a CDJ before playing a club, I would have cried myself to sleep. If I expect to play out more, I need to get to grips with what most venues stock.
I think a better solution would be time code vinyl way cheaper and more fun to use. You could get two decent turntables a Kontrol X1 or some dicer’s plus the option of collecting sweet rare tracks on vinyl and using the 1200’s at clubs (and it will cost about the same or less than one CDJ 900). CDJ’s are so easy to use mate once you know how to beat match by ear there is not much to get your head around especially with most clubs having 2000’s these days, bring some usb sticks or advance hid with your laptop and your laughing.
What? Seriously?! How?! What tripped you up, was it the extremely basic interface, the sparse and easy to use controls, or maybe the ridiculously basic cueing system? There’s literally maybe 2 things about CDJs you can’t learn in entirely by staring at one for 10 seconds. And even then the manual will teach you just as much as a $2000 investment.