Ok, first off this isn’t a post knocking controllers or digital djing, just my personal opinion and experience.
I started off mixing on a mixtrack pro about 5 years ago, after really getting into house music. I loved it, and the mixtrack helped me grasp the basics of mixing.
After a year ago or so, I wanted to step up to more pro gear, so I bought a couple of cdj 1000s and a djm 600. Such a big step up from the mixtrack, and after about 6 months me and my mates started putting on a house and techno night in our town, which was pretty successful. The cdj style of mixing really appealed to me, beatmatching tunes is really enjoyable, and feels a lot more professional.
Anyway I went travelling around Australia for a couple of years, so bought an S2 to take over there for partys and what not. Had an amazing time, and threw some epic partys. However, after mixing on cdj’s, it just felt like cheap gear, and although you can beatmatch with controllers… Well its just not the same. However it was perfect for the time. Very portable, which for me is the main advantage of controllers.
So fast forward, I’m home, and it feels so good to ve back on the cdj’s. I’ve just bought a Xone DB2, and a pair of 1210’s for the vinyl only releases.
So what am I trying to say? I don’t really know. Just that the more traditional way of mixing suits me I guess. Not beatmatching tunes takes away a lot of the enjoyment out of mixing. Not knocking digital DJ’s, but I know what I prefer
I think it just comes down to the controller choice, the S2 did the trick as a portable solution but there are other controllers quite more comfortable to beatmatch with like the SX2 or even a SZ/RZ. It comes down to jogwheel and pitch fader resolution/size, with the S2 and Mixtrack lacking on the latter.
I find the most exciting part is doing things with the music.. trying different transititions, some FX, trying tunes that haven’t been used in a while, being creative and using the function of the hardware/software to keep the floor busy, after all, if you are at it long enough, using the gear is second nature regardless if you like using sync or not.
Controller DJ’ing, offers more function than other methods, and makes certain things easier, especially when you want to use the hardware to do more than basic track to track transitions. (but yea, a mixtrack is pretty basic as far as controllers are concerned - I personally wouldn’t have one)
And there’s still room for more traditional DJ’ing methods.
Don’t like controllers? Don’t use em, pretty simple, there’s always DVS or HID..
Im with the OP basically controllers do feel cheap and nasty compared to a real setup they have their purpose I am not knocking them but sync ect you actually lose control if you know what your doing with a set of techs cdjs.
All that crap about giving you more time to do effects is bull imho…
Controller DJing can be boring and so can CDJs … But when that happen CDJ won’t let you get in to the mapping land and you are stick with a basic design
I never find making seamless and creative transitions boring, which along with picking the perfect tune for the moment is djing for me. I guess I just get bored when a computer is in control of a large part of that skill.
If you prefer beatmatching, you can always do that with a controller. I myself prefer vinyl and my DJM 900 NXS, and I’ve gone from a lot of effects to fairly minimal effects - perhaps because I’ve tired of the effects available on the 900. Everyone’s their own person so go ahead and be your own person. Nothing wrong with preferences.
But the truth of the matter - even coming from me who prefers turntables, is that controllers give you a lot more power than a standard CDJ/turntable setup. It’s just a matter of whether you like or want to use that additional power.
Deff depends on the controller your using.
Comparing a mixtrack to CDJ’s seems like youre comparing a nissan versa, to a BMWM3.
Of course driving the M3 is going to be more exciting, its got more buttons and it pushes you to be more exciting with your driving style.
Same can be said for controllers. If you get a proper, well built controller, you can have just as much fun.
But i will admit, there is something sexy about knowing that your mixer isnt connected to your Decks.
