I need an update on DJing trend nowadays.

[Logical_Impulse]

A few things I recommend anybody thinking about looking to get some gear to “get back in the game” Take a look at what you currently have, Do you you have a laptop capable of running serato or traktor? Do you already have turntables or CDJ’s? Do you have a vinyl or CD collection? answers to these questions may point you in the direction you want to go.

When I decided to get back into Djing I had very little of my original vinyl collection, no turntable, did have computer and a very small budget. After a little thinking I decided to go Traktor and a Kontrol S2. Is this my Ideal set up? NO Is this the set up I need to continue to use for ever? NO but most importantly this set up got me “Back in the Game” the fasted and within my budget with money left over for a good bit of new tunes. Remember sitting around thinking about what gear to buy is only taking time away from getting behind that gear. ITS NOT THE GEAR YOU HAVE BUT HOW YOU USE IT!

[overcast]

@Point38

Okay, it just looks like it is going downhill because CDs are gone, it’s all MP3s now and I haven’t seen any new releases that favor vinyl lovers.

Not that one or two publications accounts for the entirety of a scene, but Mixmag’s and Resident Advisors #1 songs of the year (which are different for the record) are currently only available on vinyl. There’s tons of vinyl only labels, as well as vinyl labels that also do MP3/WAV downloads because that’s just a reasonable expectation. I hate to pile on but saying there’s nothing out there for vinyl lovers is quite asinine

[ImNoDJ]

@Point38

You are right, even though it says 2012 under About section, it’s been updated.

I feel that after release of Pioneer DJ XDJ-RX things like Serato and Traktor for vinyl will become obsolete, together with other controllers that require a laptop.

Things change quick in DJ world…

Those controllers still require a computer, you are just paying extra for it to be put inside the controller case.

You came in here asking basic questions about DJing gear, and now you are opining what will be obsolete.

You cant make this stuff up.

[ImNoDJ]

@Point38

Okay, it just looks like it is going downhill because CDs are gone, it’s all MP3s now and I haven’t seen any new releases that favor vinyl lovers.

Youve simply got no idea.

CDs are not gone, and vinyl is now huge in DJing and I have bought several releases this year.

Have you ever heard of Hardwax, or Juno?

[Patch]

On my life - this is the dullest thread I’ve ever come across.

[Point38]

@Logical_Impulse

A few things I recommend anybody thinking about looking to get some gear to “get back in the game” Take a look at what you currently have, Do you you have a laptop capable of running serato or traktor? Do you already have turntables or CDJ’s? Do you have a vinyl or CD collection? answers to these questions may point you in the direction you want to go.

When I decided to get back into Djing I had very little of my original vinyl collection, no turntable, did have computer and a very small budget. After a little thinking I decided to go Traktor and a Kontrol S2. Is this my Ideal set up? NO Is this the set up I need to continue to use for ever? NO but most importantly this set up got me “Back in the Game” the fasted and within my budget with money left over for a good bit of new tunes. Remember sitting around thinking about what gear to buy is only taking time away from getting behind that gear. ITS NOT THE GEAR YOU HAVE BUT HOW YOU USE IT!

The best advice from all! Thanks

[Point38]

ImNoDJ, yes, and that’s what I said - I have no idea. That’s why I wanted to know more… Nevermind.

[Point38]

@Fango_Jett

You do realize that controllers are far more accessible these days than cdj’s and turntables?

And…

1: Yes, there are still DJ’s that use cd’s although, the number is decreasing every year. One of the most common switches is from CD → USB.

2: The media players still have cd-drives for the DJ’s that want to use them. From what I’ve heard, a cd drive isn’t a big factor in the total production costs of a media player. Therefore, there is no reason for big manufacturers other than space not to include them. It will make them more money then it will cost them to include the drives.

3: I am a DVS user myself, and I enjoy it. It gives the feeling of playing real vinyl without the costs and the logistical nightmares.

4: The digital stuff is great, gives you far more options than gear from a decade ago. Midi controllers aren’t for everyone and the market is saturated → Try before you buy

You stated you wanted something “trendy” for yourself. IMO you can get something trendy in every aspect of dj gear. 2016 was the year where media players, controllers, turntables and standalone instruments could live near each other. All the gear available has a very specific audience and main benefits differ from each other. Luckily everyone has there own preferences, even the popular dj’s.

As a reference some big names with different setups:
Carl Cox → Traktor S8
Jamie Jones → Uses vinyl x cd’s x DVS (Traktor)
Loco Dice → vinyl x DVS (Traktor)
Dubfire → controllers (live elements for ableton x Traktor)
KiNK → mostly combo of synths, drummachines and effects x Controllers x Ableton x …

my setup → DVS x Vinyl x Controllers x Synths x Drummachines x …

In the end, it all comes to what suits YOU the most. There is really no one that cares about the gear you use in the audience besides some other dj’s and musicians. There is just not one setup that is the MOST trendy.

Easy solution for you: Go to a shop, try all kinds of gear out, find something that suits you the most and buy the most high end products from that categorie.

If you want to get the most satisfaction from the gear you are gonna buy: Start dj’ing again with gear you already own. If you don’t own anything at the moment, get a basic 2nd hand setup that keeps his value. In the mean time, start reading every articles on this blog , watch youtube videos, especially routines, performance and mixes from your preferred dj’s. After a while, you will (re)discover your own needs and you will know what new technologies are out there. Only from that point, you can make a well informed buying decision and get the most out of your gear and money. Buying a trendy setup is no reason to not think twice about your purchase.

Don’t let the marketeers from major companies decide what you need…

Thank you for putting your time into this! Really helpfull info!

[kooper1980]

@Patch

On my life - this is the dullest thread I’ve ever come across.

its threads like this that destroy my soul bit by bit!

[kooper1980]

As already mentioned CD’s are still a viable format. Record labels still release CD singles but even if they didnt it is still a viable option to download a digital file and burn it to CD. Many DJ’s still do this. Most however are switching to digital DJing, either by using usb’s with CDJ’s or using a laptop and controllers. Its all based on personal preference and I would second the recommendation to go to a DJ store and try out the various gear available. You can even hire out equipment for the weekend to test out at home.

I have personally fully embraced Traktor and use controllers alongside a mixer. I have also used rekorbox and CDJ’s in a live situation on several occasions and its a great set up. ultimately just play about a bit and choose what gives you the most enjoyment.

[Point38]

@kooper1980

As already mentioned CD’s are still a viable format. Record labels still release CD singles but even if they didnt it is still a viable option to download a digital file and burn it to CD. Many DJ’s still do this. Most however are switching to digital DJing, either by using usb’s with CDJ’s or using a laptop and controllers. Its all based on personal preference and I would second the recommendation to go to a DJ store and try out the various gear available. You can even hire out equipment for the weekend to test out at home.

I have personally fully embraced Traktor and use controllers alongside a mixer. I have also used rekorbox and CDJ’s in a live situation on several occasions and its a great set up. ultimately just play about a bit and choose what gives you the most enjoyment.

Thanks Kooper, renting would be a good action!