…internal or external
got an s4 for home use at the moment and i’m staring to think about getting gigs. so thinking of getting 2 x1’s and mixer probly djm 800
so do u think this is a good idea or should i stick with the s4
Why not stick with the S4? This way you have everything in one controller.
why would u do that?
the S4 is the best all in one u cn get right now.
out with the old in with the new.
you are on djtechtools.com asking if u should get rid of ur S4 for the soon-to-be-replaced standard (pioneer cdj and djm).
im curious, what benefits do u think the pioneer setup would have over the s4?
when u play out, youll be using your own equipment, why bother with cdj’s?? its not like theyre gonna force u to use cdj’s at a club. /end rant. sry
bingo.
the type of equipment you use will have nothing to do with getting gigs.
the s4 is a powerhouse. so to speak
i wouldn’t waste another thousand dollars on a mixer that 80% of production companies and clubs already have as a house mixer
yeah the s4 is great. now where are u planning on getting gigs at? a club or like a mobile dj kinda thing
Im moving over to traktor scratch with cdj’s and a small midi controller (nanokontrol) because the dj booths of today barely even have enough space for a laptop, let alone something like the s4. Once the new traktor software comes out there will be nothing someone can do on an s4 to set it apart from everything else on the market, apart from the whole “all in one” solution thing. which i personally think is negated by the fact that its massive and a total hassle to set up at any gig. Controllers like the s4 seem like fantastic idea on paper, but in real life situations its not a viable solution. Personally id much rather just come along with my soundcard, laptop and a small midi controller which can go beside the cdj’s.
i love my x1. i wish i had 2 
fantastic piece of hardware even if you already have an s4.
i would have to agree with the size of the s4, it is in fact wayy to bulky to have set up next to a djm, some technics, cdj’s, just to much.
now for a mobile dj, PERFECT. i used to use the ns7 for doing weddings and parties and shit.
now if you get a residency at a club, then you would have no problem having the s4, or if your gonna play some small time ‘raves’ and shit, just let the promoter know in advance.
i may have strayed a little OT, ha, i’ve been awake to long
I didn’t read anyone’s responses because I don’t care.
I have two thoughts on the matter.
- Pioneer mixers suck. Like, no really…they suck. I know they’re used everywhere, which is convenient, because they’re really easy to use. But they still suck for the price. I would never buy one to have, and yes…I’ve played on them.
- I like external mixing better. I hate Traktor’s gain structure, which means you need either an FOH mixer or external mixing (preferably both). I don’t think the EQs sound good compared to real EQs. And I’m starting to think that Vestax makes the best mixers on the planet, though I haven’t used a high-end Rane or Urei to any serious degree, nor any boutique brand. Still…I think external mixing is just plain better. It sounds better, it gives better control IMHO, and it lets you set the gain staging so that you don’t get ugly digital clipping and you don’t have to deal with Traktor’s horrible-sounding limiter.
In short…external all the way…just don’t use a Pioneer. Great decks…shitty mixers.
I wouldnt go as far as saying pioneer mixers suck, but they definately arnt as good as they are made out to be. Personally my fav mixers are A&H
Only A&H I’ve ever played on is the Xone:92 and I hate it … no adjustment of the crossfader cut in is infuriating (and no, adjusting the ‘bump’ in the middle of the fader doesn’t qualify)
It isn’t a turntablist mixer. The only time I ever used the fader adjust on my mixer was when I first bought it and thought it was the volume control.
@Conall, no. They suck. For that kind of money they shouldn’t feel like they’re put together by monkeys.
@Sherlock……CF cut in…it’s a turntablist thing. That’s not what that mixer’s for. If I’d been designing it, it wouldn’t have a crossfader. Most people wouldn’t have noticed.
I see no real benefit to that other than being able to say you spent more money on gear. If you think it’ll make you feel more confident do it, but there’s no real reason to .
Man you know what you are talking.
I will do it with a iPAD and some tactile mid controller (I have two korg nanokontrols and no iPAD yet…)
At home I will use a DDM4000 with external mixing for emulation of the club’s mixer.
i was at club and got in the booth and was looking about and there was not even room for a laptop the dj who was using scratch on technics at the time had his it on the floor. so since then i’m kinda thinking the s4 as great as it is maybe 2 x1’s a mixer is more practical for gig use
I have a mate who just uses his Audio2 and an X1 and the club mixer. Doesn’t even touch the CDJ’s.
yeah thats my plan but with 4 decks
There are many ways to skin the Traktor Cat!
That’s its appeal innit?
You can either go barebones with Timecode CD’s…or you can get crazy with loads of hardware!
Pioneer mixers do have shitty sound output compared to A&H and Rane etc.
But do the punters even notice it? Only if they audiophiles!
You really need to choose a mixer that suits your needs.
If it is the house mixer…then you use it…or you don’t! You either like to use it…or not!
Personally, i like to have a hybrid setup…so I can decide if i want to go heavy…or light!
Depending where and how I am playing!
So if you has the cash…keep the S4…get the X1’s…and do your thang!