OK so here is my story. I entered a contest just before xmas to win a traktor Z2 from NI and with 8000 enteries somehow I won. I have been djing about 2 years and decided to take a step up from the baby S4 to the cdj 900s to go with the z2. Now my question is what is the best way of doing everything. I love traktor and want to take full advantage of the z2 controls along with the 900s abilities.
Should I still use traktor or pass?
Use computer or no?
CDS? USB? COMPUTER FOR MUSIC?
LEARNIGN curve when Using these high end devices?
Best Sound Setup as far as ins and outs and and wiring.
anything I missed please let me know something that could help me
also sorry for any miss spelling
Hey there. I use both digital and analog quite a bit. Been buying a lot of vinyl lately, but do the CDJ thing most often, and occasionally traktor. I’ve been around for a while, so seeing the dawn of digital, I still feel analog equipment sounds better and runs less of a potential clipping issue. I like CDJ’s for the USB/rekordbox ease of use, and they are nice to mix on. If you are concerned about sound, I hope you’re buying AIF’s or WAV’s. I gave up on mp3’s about a year ago. For listening at home and in the car, fine. But for making a mix to promote myself, or especially in a club. High quality files are worth my money on Beatport. Paying a little less for an mp3 that has 4 times less information is not value in my mind. Mp3’s are a compression algorithm written in 90’s for a lack of bandwidth and expensive storage space. We don’t have those concerns anymore, but old habits die hard I guess. I’d go usb with some good quality files. I own the same Allen & Heath Xone 92 for over 8 years now. Killer sound, and travels well. I do the soundcard thing to run traktor. Hope that helps!
Hi there, welcome to the forums.
Well I’m assuming you’re very familiar with Traktor, so if you wanna keep using it then the 900s in advanced HID mode will suit you very well I’ve got 3 900s and a 850 all in HID and it’s flawless.
Sadly I haven’t used a Z2 yet but I’m assuming that you can link it with Traktor, use the 900s in HID, the Z2 in MIDI and as a soundcard and then you can use all the Z2 controls and the 900s.
In saying that it wouldn’t hurt to use the Z2 just as a normal mixer every now and again so you are comfortable mixing with and without the safety net of traktor.
In terms of learning curve is not that hard, just practise and you’ll be fine.
Wiring wise the Z2 has an inbuilt USB hub so you can just run the cords from the 900 into the USB ports on the back of the mixer and just in case RCAs from the CDJs to the mixer for when you’re not using traktor.
Hope this all helps.
Buying CDJ to control traktor is like buying a Ferrari to do your grovery shopping once a week, imho.
Of course it get’s the job done, but there are other options that are a) cheaper and b) better suited for the task at hand.
When you buy a CDJ, you’re paying for the CD-Drive, the USB-functionality, the audio-conerters, the display, (Pioneers brand name), and so on.
If you use it as a midi-controller, you basically turn all that in what has to be the most expensive set of buttons/controls ever.
If you look at the Denon SC-2000, they offer every control over Traktor the CDJ 900 could give you and more, since the 900s don’t have hot-cues. Only the the CDJs are more than 6 times as expensive…
Usually I’d suggest you use USB and Rekordbox to take full advantage of the CDJs, but since you said you like Traktor, and going the USB-route would pretty much render many of the Z2’s functions useless, I don’t really know what to recommend.
The best idea would probably to download rekordbox, and get familiar to playing witht he CDJs standalone so you’re comfortable with them if you ever get to play a gig without Traktor.
thanks for that info. I was so excited to order these the other day and now im sitting here like omg did I bite off more then I can chew??? And yes I know traktor pretty well in the past 3 years this is now my 3rd upgrade. started off with an s2 then tried the s4 and loved it!!! now its off to play with the big boy toys. and should I use the software that comes with the pioneers since ill have traktor? I feel like im goanna have to always be updating both softwares every time I get new tracks and set my hot ques up. thanks again
I agree with TCMuc. I transitioned from a controller to CDJs years ago to move away from Traktor. Still, I have the option to use the software if I’d like. But buying CDJs to use exclusively with Traktor is a bit much.
I did not really buy the cdjs just to use with traktor. I would like to just use the cdjs since they have and give the ability to not need software and a lighter amount of gear needed to travel with to gigs. I’m just so using the traktor and taking to long to learn the tips tricks and short cuts for the 900S. I’m a quick learner but iv only played with cdjs never tried to actually make magical sounds mixing with them.
I agree that it also seems silly I just am nervous about having to go back through and setting up all my ques also learning to play with out detailed sound waves and not having a super dumbed down controller. It did not take me long to get the hang of traktor but this might be a challenge!?!!? Any one been through this already and have input
Since you have everything, set them up with different configurations and see what you like best. I use 2 CDJs with a 900nexus and Traktor and love it. If I’m doing a solo gig or open format, I bring laptop and everything. If I am playing with others, then I just bring USB sticks or CDs. The good thing about having this setup is that you can learn the CDJs and feel comfortable in a club that only has those. This is not overkill at all. Quite proper actually.
If your gonna use the Z2 as a mixer…than definitely use traktor as you will not need timecode, you can go the HID route plugging up to the cdjs (my preferance) or plug into mixer and z2 will handle the rest…
Use the Z2 as your soundcard.. as it is Traktor Scratch certified. Run the cdj 900s in HID mode for now (in Traktor). The Z2 has a USB hub in the back of the mixer.. so you shouldn’t need an external hub.
Download rekordbox as well. There is a link to an app on this site (rekordbuddy I believe? probably not the right name) that allows you to automatically sync all cues and loops from Traktor straight to rekordbox. This will provide you with a back up solution if your laptop fails.
For now use the cdjs in HID with Traktor just to get a feel for the new equipment and also to use your Z2 to its full potential.
If you decide to go to just USB sticks say 6 months down the road or so… Then you can decide if you want to sell the Z2 for a standalone mixer. I would recommend the DJM 400, 700, 800, or even the 850. These mixers are somewhat affordable vs the 900 nexus and/or 2000.
NI’s deck volume LED (Deck A, Deck B - Channel 1-4, etc) feedback is a joke compared to Pioneer or other industry standard mixers. Not just on the Z2 but the S2, S4, and other controllers. The lights at times seem for show or “hey look at that” rather than an accurate readout of your levels.
The Z2 also lacks a master cue, a big feature for DJ’s who beatmatch in their headphones. Meaning you have both Deck A and Deck B cued up in your cans, not relying on the booth monitor until you start to fade in. Not sure if the DJM250 has this or the xone 22. Most clubs here in Charlotte have at least a DJM 800.
The Z2 faders and EQ knobs (in my opinion) are rubbish compared to what Pioneer and others offer from the factory.
The Z2 is a great mixer IF you are a traktor DJ and don’t plan on straying away from it. However, be prepared to familiarize yourself with more industry standard mixers if you plan on playing out. Most clubs aren’t too keen of the idea of you, the DJ, bringing in your own mixer. Let alone having the booth space to hook up two (routing a Z2 into a DJM 900 for example).
