I know this really comes down to preference, but I’d like to see what you guys think.
Option 1:
A pair of Gemini CDJ 700’s and a good second hand 4 channel mixer. This set up would be strictly for home use and practice. This would be good because I think that it would help me be more familiar with a club setup. I’ve owned a pair of numark ndx-400’s and shitty numark m4 mixer, but I still think if I were to show up to a club with cdj 2000’s and a djm 800, I would be lost. I do alot of house parties and small outdoor events, but I’m really trying to break into the club scene. We have alot of good clubs here, and I know all the right people.
Option 2:
The Pioneer ddj-sx. This looks like everything I have ever wanted in a controller. This would be awesome, because I do really enjoy playing big house parties and doing mobile gigs. Not only that, but it seems like I could record some awesome mixes with this thing and really have some fun with it. The past year I have been using a mixtrack pro and feel like I’m djing with a childrens toy.
So I guess it’s either Nice home setup for practice and keep my shitty controller for my mobile gigs, or I get the ddj-sx and wait some time before I can afford a good bedroom setup that I can practice on for the clubs.
I am currently looking into these options aswell. Since Pioneers are way to expensive i looked into the 700’s with a good second hand mixer or a ddj sx. Another option that came to my mind was the Gemini CDMP 7000 but the mixer is not midi capable and only has 3 channel. So i am looking into this thread every day to get some ideas and recommendations. I know that everybody needs to find ones one way but maybe someone points out a flaw in a product that i have missed. My VCI 100 is faulty as f**k so i need to get something anyway and instead of buying a s2 i would like to upgrade and go 4 channel. That is just my addition to the topic
Definitely the DDJ-SX over anything from Gemini. You should be able to set up Serato/Traktor to emulate a pair of CDJs pretty accurately if you need the practice, and the physical layout is almost the same.
And if you want it to be more like a club setup, just put the laptop where you can’t really see it and only use it for loading tracks……used like that, it feels a hell of a lot like using a CDJ + Mixer setup with broken screens……just a few small layout changes.
And when you want it to “do more”, it’s already there.
It’s not a question as far as I’m concerned. The DDJ-SX just wins. Then again, I think the same is pretty much true until you’re actually comparing it to stuff that costs several times more than it does. Though I’m a bit biased.
DDJ-SX looks great but the one thing stopping me is the feedback i’ve read re Serato DJ. Having said that I haven’t used it yet. Any thoughts SX users? It seems reasonable to discuss the software in tandem with the controller.
I’ve had zero problems. It read my SSL library just fine, and it does everything I actually want. No crashes so far. After some initial tests, I actually used it at a house party a few days after I got it. No problems there either.
That being said, I have no idea if its effects are good or not because I don’t really use them. It’s sampler leaves a good bit to be desired, but for basic stuff, it’d work. I bought mine mostly because of the hardware, and I haven’t been disappointed.
Thats what i thought. The ddj sx really is a fine piece. Ill wait for the Namm News on a ddj tx or something directly from NI because there is no way im using serato. Over the years im comfortable with Traktor so no changing for me. So it will be ddj sx with the Viper Mapping or a ddj tx. Fingers crossed. Thanks for all the responses. Hopefully the threat author got his answers aswell. Now only the finances need to be managed! Anyone from Germany interested in a vci 100 lol
i got the DDJ-SX since before noveber (30th of october of last year) - one of the first owners of the thing
I never had problems with the DDJ-sx other than the occasional firmware weirdness (sometimes - rarely - the LED would flicker at a much faster refresh rate than usual - seems like a lot of people are experiencing this according to serato forums - but nevermind this is not serious just a visual thing, im sure it will get resolved the next firmware)
other than that the DDJ-SX is perfect, i even use it as an analog mixer (with traktor audio 6 - the filters are built into the mixer so even without a laptop its a 4 channel mixer with 4 PIONEER Filters on ea deck!)
if you are looking to play out in the club, i would suggest buying the DDJ-SX and buying a second hand Serato SL1/SL2/SL3 box, they share the same library, the DDj-sx can be your home gigging, you can play out with the SL boxes, no problem there, coz SSL and Serato DJ share the same core library
IF YOU ARE TRAKTOR USER:
DO NOT Expect the DDJ-SX to work as good with Traktor (thru midi mapping) as it does with Serato - it just wont compare, im saying this as a Traktor user who bought the DDJ-SX , sometimes i wish it came with TRaktor, but the SX was too tempting i just couldnt wait and got it immediately lol
Thanks for the replys. I have decided that I am going to purchase the ddj-sx. Can’t wait!! And I think that’s a good idea Zilch. I will purchase a ssl box as well. The programs look very similar.
Ive just got the ddj sx. Fantastic bit of kit and working fine in Serato dj. I however am having a torrid time trying to hook up my ta6 so i can use my 1210’s with control vinyl in Traktor. When i wire it up the sound quality is rediculously crap through channels 1 & 2 set to phono. Any chance of a quick guide on how to cable it up, what settings you use (when using the ddj sx as an analogue mixer). Im stumped. Ive spent about 6 hours today trying to get it to work. My aim was to use the ddj sx as a controller for Traktor but using decks 1 & 2 as timecode so i could scratch on my turntables. Iam using viper 6.2 traktor mapping, ddj sx set to other software mode.
Could really do with help as im even considering getting rid of the TA6 and buying an SL3 to hope that it will work being a Serato interface.
How have you wired it up so far? You should have each turntable connected to the TA6 inputs A+B, then wire the A+B outputs to your DDJ SX. Set the TA6 input settings to Phono, and set the DDJ SX inputs to Line(or use the CD inputs).
You can use the SX as your mixer in External Mixing Mode, but you can also use it purely as a MIDI controller for Traktor’s mixer in Internal Mixing mode routing all audio through the TA6.