I’m really not a controllerist, what should I venture into?
So I have a vci100se with all the new mappings and what not, but I don’t use any of the features. I don’t use sample decks, any jog effects, any complicated effect combinations, cue point juggling or scratching. In fact, I always turn of scratching capabilities so I can go into cdj mode (pitch bend) and basically just use reverb, flanger, and delays.
I will admit that I like having a smaller controllerist controller so I can make really fast paced mixes (think porter robinson, knife party, or madeon kind of style) but I think I really find joy in mixing 3 decks (really hard since the vci only has 2 faders) that are more of the dirty south, axwell, alesso type deal.
I would really like to change my controller sometime in the next 6 months to something with at least 3 volume faders but should I stick with digital on traktor (or possibly switch programs if the controller doesn’t map to traktor), or go a cdj route? Hopefully by around next christmas I’ll have enough that I could go a cdj route? Not really sure what I should do since I’m basically a bedroom dj, dunno if I’ll ever play live yet, so spending loads of cash isn’t really justifiable. Again, I am open to a different controller option but I just don’t know where to go since most controllers are for… controllerists.
I say if you have the cash follow your hart. But it seems you have no idea what you really want.
If you want to keep it cheap, keep it digital (any controller will work with any software btw) but it sounds you prefer basic mixing and don’t want 8 cuepoints and sample decks and multiple effects.
Sounds like a basic CDJ setup is more your thing. I’d look at CDJ 400s if I were you. Or a non-pioneer alternative of course.
I’ve actually been looking at various types of cdj’s and pioneers are too much cash so the alternatives seem to be the best option. I just don’t really know what brand is respectable.
These gemini-600s are like $300 or under for a pair so I would probably get a pair of cheapish cdjs like that or dennon brand and then a nicer used pioneer mixer or the Behringer DDM 4000
Do you recommend any non pioneer brands/models? Same for mixer?
I am actually not a fan of CDJs, I just don’t like the concept of such devices. And I intend to never own one. So I can’t tell you what 's good and what isn’t I lack because hands on experience. BUT youtube FTW in this case, there probably are a lot of reviews on this.
(My friend owns limited edition CDJ 400s and he likes them, but I suggest you just spend a lot of time on the internet and do your own research.) Of course other DJTTers will be much more of help
About the mixer: I 've heard bad things about behringer regarding build quality. The only brand of mixer I really like is Allen & Heath but they don’t come cheap. They have some affordable mixers but I don’t think that’s your best bet. I think there mixers as cheap as those allen & heaths with more features.
P.S. I’ve heard that geminis do a great job imitating pioneer another friend of mine owns those CDJ 2000s and mixer that aren’t really CDJ 2000s, if you know what I mean
maybe look at the Allen & Heath Xone DX, it’s a controller for serato itch, 4 mixer channels, small non-touch sensitive jogs, 20 channel soundcard. dual color leds in most of the controls so you know what deck you are controlling easily. It’s mapped to traktor and VDJ if you want to use something other than serato.
One negative about this controller is that it doesn’t have pitch faders instead it has an endless encoder, I prefer faders and touch jogs so would not choose this, but it sounds like what you’re after and it’s pretty cheap now at around $500 brand new.
this should give an indication of the size of the unit
Funny thing, I was actually looking at the xone dx about a month ago but it was still like $1000 so I thought no way. I’m a little more inclined towards it now but no pitch faders is a huge deal breaker for me; I really love the feeling of pitch faders and using knobs for everything just looks too confusing.
I saw this on ebay which I could get with little to no money loss if I sell my vci100se.
it’s pretty much perfect for me to start off with regarding cdjs and while I would like the gemini ones that look like the cdj 2000s it’s about $1200 for a pair and unfortunately there’s no middle ground. Plus at this price point I can easily add on a really nice mixer in no time or an additional cdj. Just gonna do some further youtubing to check out these cd players some more.
Has a lot of the feature I’m looking for, and just a bit more money, so I can get a pair for around $500, then set aside maybe $300-$400 for a mixer. Sell my vci-100 for around $300, sell various things I’ve been meaning to put up on ebay and then I’ll only have to put forth maybe $400 for a nice setup?
I think unprofessional is the word I would use to describe them, they 'll be just fine if you get them probably but the lack of a built in CD or DVD drive and the iPod dock make seem very unprofessional, most of the features they talk about are pretty basic.
I like the previous suggestions a lot though. Especially the gemini CDJs
I think the cdmp7000 is gonna be your best bet, its even for 3 decks like you’re looking for. You said you’d spend about 500 on cdjs and around 4 on mixer so thats 900 for 2 cdjs and mixer or you can spend another 100 and get 3 decks and mixer and it all be in one piece. Not to mention the leds on it are touch screen
So many options which is a good thing. I really wanted to not have to spend too much money but the cdmp 7000 looks like an awesome deal considering a pair of those kind of cdjs alone is like $1200. Is there like a button you press to turn deck A into deck B or something? And do you happen to know if the effects are only usable via the touch screen? A dedicated fx knob and filter knob would be great, don’t think I could work with only touch screen.
Woa, those look fantastic and a pair would only cost about $300 used. I’m thinking either the behringer 4000, korg 402 km mixer, or just a pioneer djm 500 or 600 (second hand). Those all looked pretty good to me. And I researched the behringer 4000 and while it says it’s not made of the best materials, it’s only gonna be used in my house for the moment being. Plus I take good care of my things.
the ndx400’s are not midi capable, so you would have to use timecodes to control software,the ndx600’s are better for that.
I would avoid getting a djm500/600 as they don’t have the best sound or headroom, the behringer at least you are able to dial in the eq frequencies and it is midi capable so you could map the spare controls (mic, sampler, effects) for software. But if your in Australia I’ll happily sell you my djm600 for $300… if you want effects I have an efx1000 aswell.
I live in the midwest, too bad I don’t live in Australia; I loved it so much when I visited there for about a month. But I don’t necessarily need my mixer or cdj’s to put out midi since I really just want a laptop-less, traditional setup.
The behringer seems like a good option in terms of features but the build quality was my main concern. Not that I’d be smashing it around but nevertheless, something sturdy and reliable like a pioneer product seemed like the go-to.
I went to guitar center today to look at some of the stuff they had which wasn’t very much but the ddm4000 was there. Really liked the feel of it and sure the upfaders were a little looser than I liked but everything else (including the knobs) felt fine to me. Probably gonna go ahead and get that mixer and then.
The guy at guitar center said that he thinks it’s not really worth it to go to cdjs coming from a traktor background. I’m not sure how credible he was but he just said that digital is the future and that while it’s still a preference thing, finding parts for my cdjs/mixer could be a problem in 6 months to a year from now. Any opinions
Still looking for cdjs to go with this, can’t make up my mind.
Hey guys quick question, someone locally is selling 2 cdj 2000s and a djm 2000 for $2400. From the looks of ebay, this is an amazing deal that I think I might buy and then later flip on ebay or here for around $3500. Should I go for it?
yep get 'em… just make sure you don’t get ripped off and you should definately pick them up in person so you can have a play to see if there is any problems before you part with the cash.
