Moving from Traktor to CDJ - what is the CDJ equivalent of the Kontrol F1
I have been learning Traktor using an S2 and a Kontrol F1 and have a good grasp of both of these.
Now I want to branch out to use CDJ (I will probably maintain the Traktor skills but want to be flexible to do my gig on either) kit.
I love using my Kontrol F1 to push out samples at the touch of a button/pad (spoken words, noises, special effects) and get cool sounds looping (drums or sounds) over the other decks (A&B).
What is the equivalent in the CDJ world?
I would love to build my current Traktor set on the CDJ … but I have some cool sounds and loops that I would like to throw into the mix on the CDJ (like the Remix Decks) but they are only used in the mix for a few seconds (so not worth getting another CDJ just for this) but don’t know how to (my only idea is to have my laptop nearby running Traktor and use it as an input to the mixer - but this seems clumsy and I want to do away with the laptop and move to CDJ and USB. I know that you can use the HiD to connect Traktor but I would like to be able to do a gig JUST using CDJ and DJM.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the Traktor but my local club has CDJ2000Nexus decks and DJM900Nexus Mixer so I want to make things easy for myself and just take a USB to the gig.
There are a few samplers out there that don’t need a laptop, but they are quite expensive.
You can make it easy for yourself by bringing your laptop and hooking up the CDJ’s with Traktor in HID mode. That way you don’t need to reroute any cables, need an extra soundcard or use control cd’s.
Emm…youre totally over looking the fact you can use CDJs either with timecode (if you have TSP) or in HID if only TP. also the DJM900 works as an audio interface for traktor…
Exactly as mentioned…just use Traktor with HID mode…
Or, bring a sampler.
Outside what was mentioned…
The new Korg Electribe sampler runs around $400USD and has some good live performance capability.
the RMX 1000 could be worth a look - it’s more of an FX unit but there’s a nice little way to fire off samples you can have on an sd card in there and effect them.
It’s a very different way to how an F1/Traktor works and tbh you might find it quite limiting but I really love using mine.
You’d need to be putting it ideally through a mixer that has a send/return. It can work on a master out but you get a lot more control with it effecting a channel you’re selecting.
The nice thing about them once you’ve got into using it is, you can use that same fx setup on whatever you’re djing with, be it modern cdjs, older ones or vinyl
plus - should also have mentioned, it’s easy to grab ‘samples’ quickly on the fly, roll them fast or slow using the xpad, and raise/lower their pitch ( but you don’t hold onto those samples - once you grab another you’ve lost the previous), and put that all through the considerably high quality fx section
they’re pricey new but 2nd hand you can usually get a good deal
There’s a new Electribe? I’ll have to look at that.
Also, I just remembered that if Elektron is still making the Octatrack, it’s probably the best choice (if you have the money to buy it and the patience to learn it). It’s basically Ableton Live in a little box. It’s tempo adjustments leave a lot to be desired, though. Just like most of the hardware things…if you’re playing loops, you’ll constantly be adjusting the decks to the sampler.
Yeah, the EMX and ESX are both getting replaced. The new synth should be out about now, the sampler is coming in March, iirc. The only real info so far is a video by Korg, but looking good. Much smaller form factor, can be run on batteries (yeah, making beats outside, awesome), Ableton Live integration, finally timestretching - sounds quite nice so far. Might be tempted when it’s out next spring as I’ve just sold my ESX.
Yeah, I found the videos. There’s also a demo on youtube from a trade show or something with some guy performing some smooth d&b and jizzzing all over it.
It looks like a lot of fun, actually. But, it’s probably not quite as fluid as Traktor’s internal stuff for the OP’s purposes.
Did he mention a budget? Quality in my experience has been cheaper in the long run. But yeah, if he is looking for the cheapest way to practice for pioneer gear, 350s.
I’m assuming he will be getting CDJ900NXS or CDJ2000 as the clubs have the 2000 NXS. It doesn’t make sense to buy a 3rd of those for just playing remix-set type loops. Just get a CDJ350/400 and save some money.
If you watch DJ Ravine (hate on him all you want but the kid can mix), he has a CDJ350 just for scratching.
