So I currently use a CDJ 900 NXS + 2000 setup with a DJM800 + RMX-1000 which I absolutely love. As I’m starting to get more invested into my actual career as a medical/graduate student, I’m questioning why I have such expensive gear when I’m not playing out at clubs or anything… With the introduction of the XDJ-RX and even the DDJ-SX, it’s becoming harder and harder for me to not really consider selling my equipment and buying a controller which can really accomplish the same thing.
I initially went the CDJ route because I really liked the large platters which made beatmatching much easier for me. I also felt that I really learned how to phrase much better when I started using the CDJs. I also absolutely love the RMX-1000, but I think I may have to give it up if I move to a controller unless I just drop it between the controller and monitors.
I really like the XDJ-RX, but a lot of people seem to be saying it’s not built as well as the CDJs? Has anyone played on one to really see how it is? Unfortunately, my GC doesn’t have one here, and I don’t really wanna purchase one before selling my equipment. I do have an SX coming on Wednesday that I will try out, but I think I still prefer mixing without a laptop. The other reason why I’m shying away from CDJs is because when I DJd at my cousin’s wedding, I had to move all my songs/cues to Traktor anyways because I didn’t want to bring my CDJ setup, so I feel like moving back to digital DJing is the right move with my sister’s wedding coming up next year.
I dunno what the point of this post really is, but I know I’m really going to miss my CDJs and DJM if I sell them even if I do end up loving the Pioneer controller or whatever I get.
Well, it’s more that the CDJs are just insane overkill (in terms of price) for what I currently do. Also, I think using CDJs just to control Traktor seems a little silly considering a $600-$1000 controller accomplishes the same thing? Are there really any benefits of using CDJs to control Traktor via HID vs midi?
Keep the cdjs even if it’s in cupboards, if you sell then you will regret it later on. At least I did when I sold a pair of 1000mk3s to fund a traktor set up.there are controllers on the market that ypu can plug in cdjs and use then in conjunction with the controller maybe look into that
Maybe you should look into renting your gear out? the CDJs are total overkill but you will regret selling them. you could run the place on a smaller mix track but what’s the point?
Unfortunately I live in a tiny college town so no one would really rent it (nor would I trust drunk college kids to handle the gear safely). The bars already all have the equipment. How much does renting out CDJs and DJMs usually get per hour?
I guess the only advantage of moving towards a single controller would be saving money and really getting all the Traktor FX, but I’ve always felt overwhelmed by Traktor FX which is why I liked my DJM and RMX-1000, very simple.
I mean i’ve used everything- DDJ-SX’s, S4’s, XDJ/CDJs, DVS on Traktor and Serato, and I’ve had tons of fun on it all.. CDJs at the end of the day though just work.
With a controller you have to take the laptop around everywhere which Imo is a hassle.
Rekordbox’s library management workflow is different than serato and traktor. After trying your SX out you may find rekordbox to be superior. I know I did.
Serato and traktor do give you a ton of cool effects to play around with. Both are solid software platforms, but again you have a laptop.
Take another look at your workflow and maybe even try HID mode to see if traktor suits you better!
Laptops are annoying and risky to gig out with, and for some people who come from CDJs it’s not as fun or comfortable having to spend a lot of your workflow looking at the screen.
I go back and forth between Traktor and CDJs depending on what style I’m playing and everytime I use CDJs I feel this ineffable sense of freedom and enjoyment since the laptop’s not there and I’m mostly looking at my hands on the controls. This is a massively subjective and personal thing but I have a lot less anxiety with the CDJs. Maybe it’s just that it’s more rote than using the laptop, I don’t know.
On the other hand I feel like the farther my music gets from four on the floor, straightforward dance tracks the more enjoyable it is to mix with Traktor. The entire CDJ paradigm is has evolved around very straightforward quantized kick drums on every quarter beat with a 8, 16, 32 bar structure and they are really not useful to me for modern future beat and netlabel type stuff with a lot of syncopation, lead-ins, and unconventional bar phrasing.
Anyway, $4000 of gear sitting around in the house and not earning gig money is kind of a sunk investment unless you’re wealthy, especially when there are things like the XDJ-RX out there that are a great at-home simulacra of club gear. Resale value on Pio gear is great, but still, you know.
Yea, I spoke to mart21har in PMs a bit, and I think I will just see how the SX I ordered does when it arrives this Wednesday. I am thinking it will be enough to satisfy the similarity to CDJs and a DJM, but I definitely agree on feeling attached when I have to use a laptop!
Actually at this crossroads. Getting rid of my Z2 and debating going all out or sticking with a DDJ-SZ. I understand laptops are a liability and i feel much freer doing the whole CDJ thing.. The question is that whether the freedom of the 8 pads on a NXS2 setup is worth the extra 4 grand y’know.
I’ve used the XDJS, DDJs, and all the traktor hardware and CDJs just work. Just an absolutely bonkers investment.
I think the biggest question is, are you using your CDJs to their fullest? Many people would kill for that setup, but if you’re only doing simple transitions it’s probably overkill, especially if you don’t really care to go any further.
If you do switch over, you’ll miss certain features for sure. I’d love to sugar coat it but if you drive a Ferrari and then grab a Camry, you’re going to miss things. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the Camry, it still does what you need it do, but that’s essentially how I view this question.
Let’s be real, you don’t even really need a controller. You could easily add TouchOSC to DJ software. DJ from your phone at parties. You could do it, but you know you’re going to miss the sound. The FX. Cueing FX in your headphones. Fader start. No one is going to be able to tell you one way or the other there’s pros and cons all the way around. Best thing to do is try things out, don’t make any quick decisions, but as for me I’d keep them.
I think though with the introduction of the DDJ-SX and DDJ-SZ, these controllers are pretty much able to do everything the CDJs are able to. The only thing I will certainly miss will be the color FX and easy FX access on the DJM (though the SZ does have those!).
Before I switched to the CDJ/DJM setup, the SX and SZ controllers weren’t out yet so I didn’t feel any other controller really matched the CDJ very well.
The SX comes in tomorrow so I am pretty excited to give it a shot! I think the SZ looks real good if I can snag it for a bit cheaper (~1200) as well.
I’ve had a XDJ-RX for about 6 months now and find that it is great for a home set up, I haven’t noticed anything wrong with the build quality at all. If you want to scale down and can make the finances work (selling the CDJ’s etc to get enough for the XDJ and still be happy with whats left over) then I can’t recommend it enough. Has everything you need for a home set up and is easy to move around if you do find yourself wanting to jump outside the bedroom.
Plus if you have already done all of the work to get things set up via rekordbox then there’s not issues at all, if you move back to Traktor there will be that change over situation (not a biggy but still a consideration) to deal with.
