I have not dj’d for a good few years and have decided to get back into it,although it will be bedroom only. I have a lot of vinyl but also have a pretty reasonable digital collection. My mixer is in need of replacement so my initial plan was to buy something like a pioneer djm 350 and then add a cdj350 (giving me the ability to load tunes via usb ) and sell one of my technics.or buy a DVR setup and keep both technics. That was before I discovered the world of controllers, traktor S2 and S4 to be specific. I think I may be at a life changing moment, should I drop my technics and go down the controller only route?
I must admit I am totally lost, it would be nice to keep with the mixer and technics but that is what I am used to… Certainly the controller route has a lure on cost alone- I couldn’t even pick up a mixer for the price of an S2, then I would have to fund a CDj or DVR (and dedicate a laptop to it).
So, over to you, thoughts about options, advantages, disadvantages appreciated?
You can actually get yourself a S4, buy a Traktor Scratch certification and plug your TTs into it. Then you’ve actually got both.
I don’t know at all how exactly it all works but I know something like that is possible. Don’t know if it also works with the S2 or with any other controller though.
so, I can use the S4 as a mixer for the technics provided I am happy to mix within Traktor?
The other option which looks rather nice is the Denon DN-X600, I could then add timecode (per the 1600) but cant use the mixer to select the music files as there is no endless rotary. But it starts to get expensive when I add the extra £100 or so for the software.
are you having fun spinning vinyls? → keep the TT’s!
are you having fun spinning with controllers? don’t know? → try!
usually they have 2 approaches:
controllers without jogwheel and pitchfader = made for more “premade”-style sets which are proper gridded & tagged (or for people using DVS as an button + feature extension)
[example: ni-x1, denon hc 1000s]
controllers with joghwheel + pitchfader = made for more “spontaneus”-style sets so if you are lazy with beatgridding or just want to play a track just came into your mind after 2-3 transistions and you dont have them gridded proper before, such a controller will provide more “fun” for you ;D (hint: look for the resolution, 7bit midi isn’t fun to pitch with ;D) (or for people which dont have TT’s or CDJ’s controlling their DJ-Software)
[example: denon sc-2000, ni s2, ni s4]
so you had fun mixing with controllers? yes? → keep them!
i would suggest to use an analogue mixer until you ARE SURE the sound of the emulated ones the dj-software provides you are matching your requirements because i know a lot of people which don’t like their behaviour incl. myself ;o)
if i were you, i would use an xone22 or 42 with an 4x or 8x audio-interface + DVS and add an NI-X1 for enhanced hotcue + EFX control so you have the best features of both worlds ;o)
It’s an absolute steal at the mo and a lot of fun. It will keep you going for a long while.
Down the line you can think about a DVS package.
You can always use TTs with an s2 as mixer but you need an external NI certified soundcard like audio 4/6/8/10 and upgrade to traktor scratch software.
NI forces you to buy ANOTHER audio interface only for an fucking scratch-certificate? if you buyd an S2 with an audio interface which has been built in BY NI? BWAHAHAHA ^^ lol fuck you NI, srsly ;o)
@racoon. The S2 only has 1 IN, that’s why it’s not scratch certified. So technically they are ““forcing”” you to get something with more inputs. Don’t expect all the features on the smaller brother.
I say since you already have the techs, go the S4 route and just go DVS. It will feel similar, but with the flex of a controller. Best of both worlds IMO
I didnt realise you could use the S2 with the technics. So if I understand correctly purchase the S2, use this as a “mixer” through traktor for the TT’s which have their own sound card? Will look into this option as I guess it allows me to play with the controller option and if I am not happy (prefer the old fashioned approach), sell it and buy a mixer - and I can time code this as I already have the Audio4/6/8/10. Good idea if I understand it correctly.