I got the basics, but where should i go from here??
ive been DJing for 5 months now using an m-audio torq & xponent (currently transitioning to traktor pro right now though, its taking a while to get used to), along with a korg padkontrol (which i really dont know how to use, i can only get it to work with FL 9 & play keys but no loops) and ive been doing mixes & mashups and such, along with a couple shows (some haiti benefits, but they werent exactly my style, i only like mixing electronica). So basically im either for a graduation present or for the summer as i get a job & save up some $$ i want to know what direction i should be going in as for what to do next equipment-wise. first off id probably want to get my own laptop (i use my friend’s laptop for shows) but im probably already getting one for when i go to college next year so besides that im stuck as to what i should be getting, like some real CDJs & a mixer (that arent insanely expensive), speakers, lighting, extra controllers, etc.. I also turn 18 this summer and im gonna be whoring myself out (making a promotional CD right now) and try to get club gigs but im also trying to do a show or two with my friends this summer so idk what my primary focus is right now so yeah if any of you guys are willing to read through this big ass wall of txt and give some pointers it would be greatly appreciated
This isn’t a decision to be made hastily. Take your time and decide on what you would like, but i would get a decent laptop if i were you. But if you’re getting one in the fall, maybe you could save some money.
Don’t worry about getting lights, it’s a waste of money.
I’d go for a laptop, soundcard with monitor out and a decent midi controller… with this you’d be able to turn up anywhere with a sound system and play…
[quote=“lethal_pizzle, post:3, topic:11587, username:lethal_pizzle”]
I’d go for a laptop, soundcard with monitor out and a decent midi controller… with this you’d be able to turn up anywhere with a sound system and play…
[/quote]Which is what is all about.
you should look for a Vestax VCI-100 SE or Numark Omni Control. Those are probably the best thing to start with as far as MIDI controllers. Omni Control comes with Traktor LE and a built in soundcard so it is a really good piece of equipment. As far as I know, the VCI-100 comes with Traktor LE but not with a soundcard, which means you would need to buy an audio dj2 or 4 (Native Instruments) to take full advantage of everything.
All of my friends with vinyl or CDJ’s are aching to go digital or even just go midi… I would just go midi, like a vci, and add in decks later on with timecode or CDJ HID mode.
waitwaitwaitwait so the xponent ISNT a decent midi controller?? its worked out pretty damn well for me so far lol
&& im going for CDJs in the long run because apparently they’re club/performance standard (why the hell do all the clubs use serato scratch when theres no scratching?!?! makes no sense)
Haven’t tried the Xponent but it’s Fisher-Price look keeps me away from it, it’s so ugly man! Same for Torq, looks like a crappy video-game from the 80’s.
I have a great vci-100, padkontrol, and audio 4 sound card set-up. My freind gave me Traktor Scratch Pro, so now im set. And im doing the arcade mod so its going to be pretty sweet.
Hey whatever works for you dude, doesn’t have to be thousands of dollars to get the job done hehe.
I consider myself a huge gear snob though in all honesty, I’ve owned the regular top shelf stuff and unfortunately have become a bit too pampered for my own good. It’s kinda like smoking cuban cigars, once you do it - not much can compare to it.
That’s why I love MIDI gear, there’s so much stuff thats simplistic and dare I say “cheap” in feel, but what matters is how you use it. But then again, I suppose that goes the same for all things
haha you prove a good point, sir. i have a nagging feeling that once i get CDJs ill never be able to go back to my xponent (just as now im just traktor and its slowly taking up my mixing time even though ive pretty much mastered torq).
totally off topic: whats a good program to use with a padkontrol for loops and stuff? i wanna be able to use this thing live and ive barely made heads or tails of it (the manuals suck complete ass so theyre no help)
The optimal setup IMO would be getting a decent mixer, a couple pioneer CDJ’s, and then a software/audio interface package of your choice. Given that and your padKontrol, you should be able to get a hell of a lot accomplished. MIDI controllers don’t have the backup like CDJ’s do in the ability to play without a computer hooked up.
Hell, people have even gotten netbooks to do the job, and you could get two of those for the price of a mac and have a school computer and a DJing computer. That’s just my 2 cents though.
haha well your 2 cents i appreciated dude thats pretty much what i was thinking. im defenitely gonna use laptops no matter what (i need that visual feedback) but yeah what are some budget pioneer cdjs to use w/ a laptop? 1000’s are out of the question but do 800s or 400s do the job fine & are still laptop compatable?
400’s for me do a fantastic job. You can go timecode, CDs, iPod, or even use it as a soundcard and just use the MIDI/HID function of it. The only real argument I seem to come across with it are from the turntablists who are all about the feel of the platter, in which case the 400’s will not do a good job emulating vinyl, if you scratch that is.
As for the 800, it has no direct link to the computer.
