Gemini ps 525 + cdj-20s for scratch practice?
Found a guy selling a gemini ps 525 pro mixer and two gemini cdj-20s In a case wired up for $150.
I already use traktor and a hercules steel controller, but am interested in this as a practice tool to scratch and work on my beatmatching skills as I have never had the opportunity to learn on turntables or cdjs.
So should I buy it?
I’m gonna go with no.
Those “CDJs” look appalling. You won’t be able to scratch on them for shit. If you want to learn to beatmatch, the most cost effective thing to do is get a decent pair of TTs.
See if he’ll take $50
Not even worth messing with huh?
I read the faders are user replaceable in that mixer, and that one could easily use a fader for one of their more expensive models for around $20
He said he would take $100 and some old speaker boxes ive been wanting to get rid of and deliver them to me from 45 minutes away.
But if they are as bad as you say they are, I will stay clear.
If you can afford to throw the money away, they might be a bit of fun. But they won’t hold a stick up to anything pro grade. Don’t expect much if you do get them.
Re. replacing the faders: Yes, you could probably do that. But wouldn’t it be better to get a better quality mixer in the first place?
True.
I probably should just sell my herc controller and audio 2 and save up for something more accurate like an s4
Thanks for the advice.
STAY THE FCUK AWAY BUD. $100 is still not worth it. I’m in Chicago and found a guy selling on Craigslist two Gemini XL500II DirectDrives and a Mixer for $150 that I’m buying tomorrow. I tried em out once and they were built very well for the price but didn’t have any cash till now. This guy also lives a good 30 minutes away but I go by their anway usually. Just keep your eyes open. Even practicing on them will just piss you off at how you wasted your money. But hey, it’s good that you consulted with people online right? 
those dont have a vinyl/scratch more anyway i dont think. and if u can afford traktor scratch pro to use those with timecode cd’s you can afford better cd players i’m sure…
i would probably have paid that a few years ago for them i if i didn’t know about traktor just for beatmatching etc - but sound pretty unideal (is that even a word?) for what you want.
[quote]SEARCH JOG WHEEL: The SEARCH JOG WHEEL (14) has two
functions. Use the SEARCH JOG WHEEL (14) to make fine adjustments
in PAUSE mode. Use the SEARCH JOG WHEEL (14) to bend
the pitch for precise synchronization in PLAY mode.[/quote]
so doesnt look like there’ll be any kind of scratching done no matter how or what u connect it to with those non-touch sensitive jogs.
Its not really something I need right now.
I’ve been using traktor for a few years now, and am very skilled at making complex mixes and my timing is good, but if forced to mix two tracks without knowing the bpm and using only the pitch fader and tiny jog wheel, It takes me way longer than it should to line things up.
I’m hoping to eventually play at clubs, but I guess the only thing holding me back is the fear of looking like a jack ass struggling to beat match into the previous dj’s mix. My controller is only accurate to about .2 bpm, which doesn’t help.
I wouldn’t mind getting TT, but I own less than 30 records, so timecoded vinyl would almost be a must. Scratching isn’t hugely important to me, but would be fun to learn.
Maybe if I knew someone in the southern il/ st.l area that uses cdjs or tts and wants to learn traktor, I could teach them midi programing and whatnot in exchange for tt practice.
I dont see .2 accuracy as a big deal, just means you need to double up on the amount of adjustments you need to make., You can still keep it balance and have a bit of fun!
