Long time lurker, first time poster. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at DJing for a long time now, but I never had a lot of time to invest. Now, I find myself with a lot of time, and I’m working on making the jump into things,
I’ve looked through a lot of postings and the FAQ, but I wasn’t able to find much solid information about what I should be gunning for in terms of physical equipment to get myself going. A buddy of mine lent me his copy of Traktor Pro 2 to play with, so I have that, but as far as physical equipment goes I don’t have a controller or soundcard. I was wondering if you guys would be willing to throw some ideas my way or just point me to a thread that might have some info on that so I could get started messing around in my basement.
I don’t have a lot of money to speak of. Probably $200 at this point. However, I do have a decent stereo receiver and some speakers, and a couple of pretty nice computers.
TL;DR- Getting started DJing. Wondering what physical equipment (i.e. controller and soundcard) I could pick up on a $200 budget to mess around in my basement.
That looks pretty good actually, and right in my budget. Nice that it has the audio interface built in too, so I wouldn’t have to worry about that much. Thanks!
you could get a used reloop digital jockey 2 Interface Edition.. metal chassis, good 2in 2out software routed soundcard to run 1 timecode if you wish to (not including seperate mic and headphone out), great crossfader, plasticy knobs but overall decent quality for the price and I think its built far better than the mixtrack
This is a picture of the master edition that has an inbuilt analog mixer and a 4in 4out soundcard, and no balaced master out, just rca. the rest is the same.
EDIT------------------------
Actually just had a thought… you could probably run two timecodes if you used the normal input for deck 1 and the mic input for deck 2, all it needs is a stereo signal to work… just thought I’d share
For the mixtrack, get the regular one (not pro) + either numark DJ IO or maybe an Audio 2 DJ. You should be able to grab a mixtrack+numark DJ IO for the same if not less for the mixtrack pro, and that leaves you witht the option of upgrading your sound card without losing your controller or vice versa.
Really just gives you more freedom imo.
I have a mixtrack and I love it. Build quality could be better, but you get what you pay for and its really not that bad.
I’m not sure how the Digital Jockey 2 works, but most entry-to-mid range controllers have a hardware mic input with very little control, it won’t get routed through Traktor, just go straight through to the master out.
Also, AFAIK, Reloop haven’t got any scratch certified products either.
Unfortunately I don’t know anything about traktor, but it does come up as an available timecode input in VDJ advanced sound config, I was unable to test it further though as I dont have the necassary 1/4 inch to dual rca cable or connector to actually do it, but the mic is definately software routed, as I was able to send my voice to a spare deck using my headphones as a mic to use the effects.
I am definitely not saying to get the interface edition because it will run two timecodes, as I am not sure the mic is stereo, it could be dual mono, I don’t know how microphones work, but it will run one timecode that you could switch what deck it is controling, in vdj that is.
the master edition however has a 4in 4out soundcard so would be able to run two timecodes without any trouble, it does cost more though, so probably out of reach of the OP’s budget even if used.
Looking through ebay, Mixtrack seems to be reasonably inexpensive there and if I pick up the Audio 2, that’ll keep me in the price range I’m looking for.
As far as the Mixtrack would go, is picking up a used one equally valid as getting a new one? I ask because I know some products tend to deteriorate faster when the quality isn’t as high, and given the comments about the Mixtrack being plastic-y, I thought it could be one of them.
Question that sorta keeps popping in my head:
For soundcards like the Audio 2, I know that one output goes to the stereo and one goes to my Headphone cue. That seems pretty straightforward.
As far as soundcards like the Audio 6, 10, etc- what is the benefit of having that many outputs?
another capable controller defeated by scratch certification LOL, But I was pretty clear about the software it could potentially work in, but the DJ2 is a better quality controller that will last two or three times longer anyway, and where a DJ2 will crab on the crossfader for it’s lifetime, the mixtrack will just wear out the “non-replacable” fader in a couple of months, and that will render it useless.
the mixtrack is possibly the cheapest way ive ever seen to get hands on with DJing. Just remember though that in this day and age there are many ways to DJ
For using a controller, A2 is all you need really, the advantages for A6 and A10 are for if you are using an external mixer (though the A2 can be used for 2 channel mixers) the a4/6/8/10 are all designed for timecode use, which is essentially using your CDJs or turntables to control traktor.
