DJ software recommendations
Hey everyone, I’m sorta New to this so my questions may sound elementary, so bear with me please 
I am using VDJ, I want to switch to Traktor, I am using a Denon MC-6000, and hope to get a controller in the future.
What is the difference between Traktor Pro, Pro 2, LE 2 and I’m assuming I’m missing some, but that’s all that I am aware of NI making.
Also, I have the chance to get the X1 for $150 on craigslist. good idea?
Thanks guys
a. Whats wrong with the denon,
b. whats wrong with vdj
b. why do you want an x1 when the denon is 100x better.
For the most flexibility, I’d say Traktor Pro 2.
The X1 is only a good choice depending on your workflow… while $150 is a good price, it may be worthless if your style doesn’t need it.
And.. what Hoodless said too. 
too slow
vdj has more flexibility that traktor, traktor is more user friendly at an intermediate level and the features are more excessible…
don’t get caught up in the game of gear whoredom, if you need to ask why you need something, then you don’t need it. You should also realize that midi controllers are “dumb” it’s the software that’s smart… the only difference in controllers imo is layout and quality… none of the kontrol series is built to last much longer than the warranty and there are no authorised service centers from what I have read, so if your set on an X1 you better off buying one new, the denon however is built to last and a better option than the X1 is the xone k2
hey
to also answer your question about the software, Traktor Pro 2 is the only one that exists now. Traktor Pro (1) upgraded to version 2 quite a while ago now, and LE has just been discontinued, with the users getting a free upgrade to Pro 2 as well.
So the only decision now is whether to just go for Traktor Pro 2 or Traktor Scratch Pro 2, the only difference being the second allows you hook up vinyl decks (through an appropriate sound card) to do timecode control.
k
Yea, I really dont see a need for it, yet, I just know it would open a door to do something cooler. seems like if I bought it that cheap, it’d be something I’d grow into.
thanks for the info guys.
You have a launchpad! Get on the custom mapping hype!
I only got an X1 as I needed a controller with encoders (to control FX parameters) but the great thing about the launchpad is when you are bored with it; remap it!!
thanks Gribble! sounds like a lot of fun!
I promised myself I wouldn’t take it out until I learned the in’s and out’s of my 6000. but I might just end up breaking that promise haha.
I think I might wait until I get Traktor Pro 2 to bother with it. I can’t seem to figure it out with VDJ.
mapping in vdj is a piece of cake, everything is understandable enough if you can read english and the wiki contains all you need to get started… You can use as many variables or modifiers as you like, you can chain complex macro’s together and you have some powerful verbs traktor doesn’t offer, these abilities make extra firmware and middleware redundant… vdj’s mapping potential isn’t limitless but in direct comparison to traktor it seems that way.
can you send me a demo or something that i can learn how to map to VDJ? you seem pretty into it and I want to see if its all its cracked up to be 
thanks, cant wait to try it out!
Yup! This forum is biased towards Traktor, but there are plenty of djs using other software. Don’t discount VDJ until you really know what you want.
You are a new dj, and there’s a lot of cool stuff out there, but you might want to slow down a bit and learn the basics with the (very powerful!) tools you already have. Preferences on software and secondary controllers are decisions best made when you have the experience to know which tools will best suit the workflow that you haven’t developed yet.
The style that you develop will dictate what gear and software you will ultimately need, not the other way around, enjoy the journey! The perfect setup for you will come together when you know what you need, I think you should aim your enthusiasm on practicing and learning who you are as a dj.
Btw, I dj for a living with an MC6k and VDJ and love the combo. I wasn’t entirely happy with the layout of the cue buttons, so I mapped my Akai lpd8 for hot cues. The VDJ forums are a great resource for mapping help.
@ synthet1c Like the new avatar! 
Are we the only VDJ fanboys on this forum?
i can appreciate the potential of vdj over traktor now too - tho i don’t yet own a copy of vdj pro.
personally i’ve mostly switched to using the free mixxx with audio routed into ableton for effects. there’s some cool stuff coming in mixxx 1.11 and it’s scripting possibilities blow away anything else out there but needs real scripting to use it. hopefully that will also be improving in the near future - as will the builtin effects. bpm detection is much better in the 1.11 alpha release and also has much nicer shaded waveforms now.
right now for the best combination of usable flexability and features i’d say that vdj is the best bet for people who aren’t coders but want great mapping options.
i still love the effects in traktor tho and the overal look+feel of it and it’s probably the best for beginners who want to get into making their own mappings still.
wow guys, lots of useful information, thanks!, I only have 12 more days until my trial version of VDJ expires so im gonna have to get either one or the other. still up in the air, anyway I appreciate the input, thanks guys.
not sure what you mean by “send me a demo” if you have an idea of what you want I can help you to put it together and understand how it works using vdjscript, but the best resource is the wiki if you wan’t to know what tools you can use
list of all verbs
vdjscript wiki (including syntax)
examples of script from atomix
most of the stuff on the examples is pretty basic, if you wan’t complex I’m your guy 
@jake it seemed appropriate to use it LOL… I’m trying to convert zestoi, but the mac version isn’t there yet. but his coding skills would be great for the mac users to make awesome plugins… have to wait and see what vdj8 brings
Im gonna take an hour or two and read all that stuff in the links you sent, so i can get a better idea of what I actually want, but literally i had no idea DJing was this complex, but I love it and cant wait till I understand twice what i know now.
but what I would like to do is be able to use my launchpad as an effects controller with the MC-6000. i cant figure out how to set up the launchpad so it will act as an FX board to the music going through the MC-6k, or does it not work like that
the launchpad just sends out (and receives) midi to whatever software u are using - so you just map it to whatever controls u want in that software. in the case of the LP u also need to send back midi feedback from that app else buttons will never light up on the LP (unless u use middleware software like midimasher or midikatapult)
so i could map the LP to just the FX and have it do that?
I’ll go play around with it today, thanks for the tips!