Need advice choosing my first DJ gear

DJ Gear & Hardware CDJ & Vinyl DJing
, , , ,
1

Need advice choosing my first DJ gear

Hello everyone!
I want to start DJing, and I don’t know which route to choose. I can spend approximately $1600 on DJ gear, and I can’t figure out what to buy. I’ve already got one Technics 1210 turntable (and I plan on buying another one after that fancy new Pio deck is released, and prices for 1210 will hopefully drop), but I’ve noticed that in my area there are CDJs (2000 nexus or at least 850) installed in every single club, whilst vinyl turntables are installed only in 1-3 clubs. I have a couple of options: A&H Xone:4D for about $1500-1600 new (I’ve heard a lot of ppl praising the sound quality of Xones, and with this unit I’ll be able to use 2 Traktor decks along with 1210s) or CDJ 1000 + DJM 600 used in good condition for about $950-1000 (so I can learn to mix on CDJs and won’t be frustrated when I’ll get to play in a club)? I’ve read that DJM-600’s audio quality isn’t that good, but I don’t know if it is really noticeably worse than Xone if I’m only going to use it in bedroom (I’m using Genelec 8030 monitors and a sub). And is there a chance that recorded mixes will sound noticeably worse?
So, basically, I’d like you experienced guys to give me some advice on what to buy in this situation. Please help a novice :roll_eyes:

2

I’m an A&H fan myself and yes you will hear the difference in sound. If you need the soundcard the 4D might be a nice option otherwise the 42, 62 and 92 are nice mixers also. I currently have a xone:3D and am happy with it but it’s needed some repairs unlike the 62 I had before it.

dunno on the cd vs TT question, I’m biased as I’m old and I like the physical aspect of records myself but I’m old as dirt.

3

Maybe I should consider buying another Technics 1210/1200, a simple 2-channel mixer and a DVS system (Traktor Scratch Pro seems the right choice)? If so, what mixer should I get? A&H Xone:22 or 23 are nice, but I’m afraid they aren’t durable - lots of complaints on the Internet about the filter popping sounds, noisy headphone output etc.

4

I’m not sure how much the price of techies is going to drop when the new Pio deck comes out. Budget for 'no drop in price’and you won’t be disappointed.

As for the rest of it, well, I’m not sure. You seem to have a whack of money to spend on all this. My advice? Too many people around here seem to think they need a Ferarri when they have still got to learn how to drive. Why are you worrying about what is essentially a four deck set up when you say you are just starting out? Get a second TT or a second hand pair of CDJ 1000s (although it doesn’t have to be Pio stuff, there is a little too much bleating about industry standard etc when it really doesn’t matter all that much - You don’t need something with the Pio logo on it to learn how to mix with cd decks just as you don’t need the technic logo to learn how to mix on decks).

Can I ask you a question? How much actual DJing have you done? Have you got Traktor at home? Do you buy vinyl? If you want to buy that second TT my advice is get that, a second hand two channel mixer and spend a shit load of what’s left on wax. Wax will cost you a fortune, week in week out. Look at Amadeus’ thread which is just below here and see how much we spend on our obsession. People always forget about this aspect.

If your not prepared to do this, either Traktor/Serrato and a cheap controller or a second hand pair of cd decks and a second hand mixer will do you just as well. Personally, I’d go for the cd decks and mixer plus a sound card if you don’t want to jack the monitors straight into your mixer. With the cd decks you can buy mp3s, use them as controllers for tractor and so on. Learn how to mix with two decks before you learn how to mix with more.

A Xone 4D is, IMO, overkill for you if you are really just starting out. I know you have the money but that is no reason what so ever to spunk the entire wad on something you have little experience of. As for what sort of mixer you should buy, well, I like Allen and Heath. Always have. I just bought myself a Xone 92 a few weeks back so I’m going to be biased.

That’s my advice - a two channel mixer and either a second hand set of turntables if you are serious about buying the vinyl. If you aren’t then the two channel mixer and a second hand set of cd decks (remember, it doesn’t have to be Pio, and if it does, they do not have to be 2000s.)or go and get a controller and Traktor…

What ever you decide, though, do yourself a favour and budget, oh I don’t know, half your money maybe, for MUSIC. Buy it gradually and learn what you buy. It makes me laugh how the music is the bit that seems to get forgotten when it comes to getting into all this. Says a helluva lot about the current state of things.

Sorry if I seem pissy or condescending at all, I just wanted to get in there before some gonk turns up to tell you to buy everything expensive when you really don’t need to.

5

Strange, I’ve posted a reply to teknik1200 about an hour or two ago, and it hasn’t appeared here yet. Still on moderation, I guess.
So, thank you guys for you help. I think I’m going to buy a second Technics and a 2-channel mixer. Can’t decide though, should I spend the rest of my money on a DVS system or on vinyl. See, I’ve got a huge collection of music, but it’s all digital, mostly FLAC. I’ve bought a 1210 only a couple of months ago because I always wanted to get into the whole vinyl thing, and I only have four records (it’s nearly impossible to buy good techno/house vinyls here, and shipping from online shops is pricy). I’d love to just be able to buy lots of records, but I don’t know if I can get on vinyl everything I want to play. For example, some classic singles cost a ton of cash on discogs.
And I can’t decide which 2-channel mixer to get. Xone:22 is cheap, but I’ve read a lot of complaints on forums about quality issues. Rane mixers are reliable, but I’m not going to scratch, and so I don’t think I need to pay that much for a 2 channel mixer. Maybe you can recommend me a good mixer?

6

Listen to Thumper.

I personally haven’t played w/ A & H, but have heard nothing but praises for them.

What’s your disposable income once your budget is spent? Because, as Thumper said, vinyl is expensive compared to digital files. Granted, you could get tables and use DVS to play your digital through your vinyls, but then you’d be dependent on playing at clubs with a Traktor certified mixer, taking your mixer to plug into their system, (if they’ll let you) or buying an external audio card that supports Traktor DVS.

If your goal is to play at clubs, you’d probably be best off going the CDJ route to start. You can always upgrade and add tables to your system later if need be. Everything I’ve read about Pio mixers is go w/ the 850 or higher from a sound quality perspective. I’ve got a 900 and like it a lot.

7

Since it’s your first gear, I’m assuming you don’t have club gigs or won’t have any gigs any time soon. Don’t focus on getting club equipment. But I would stick to something similar. CDJ 350s are a good bedroom set, just because of the rekordbox compatibility, if you do end up DJing at a club then you’re good to go with the USB you use with the 350s. Also, a good alternative would be the 850s. And why not start with used equipment, all worried.

Never used the A&H, my only experience is with Pioneer’s DJMs (and a Numark mixer which I don’t recommend). I’ve tried almost all of them. My favorites were the DJM 800, 850, and 900, mainly because each channel has its own manual effect knob, which I love and think all mixers should have that.

8

350s are probably a good call, actually. Away from Pio, I use denon sc2900s which, for the money, are as good - if not better - than anything else you will be able to buy (and that includes the bulk of Pio gear.)

It all comes down to how important rekordbox is I guess. I dunno, can you get Rekordbox without buying the kit? Is it a free download on their site? I’ve never looked. If it is, you could always buy something else and run your stuff through Recordbox if you really need too although you could just stick the raw music on a stick or cd and just go commando style…:smiley: have you got a friend that would let you have a bash at Rekordbox when you need to?

9

Ya, It’s free on their site. Rekordbox is only compatible with CDJ-350, 850, 900, 900nxs, 2000, 2000nxs. And it is “raw music on a stick”. Rekordbox isn’t like Serato, Virtual DJ, or whatever. Just to clear things up.

10

So rekord box doesn’t give you bpm info, or set cue points etc? What do people use it for then? I just assumed it was like Engine?

11

@Pestao - Approved your posts mate :slight_smile:

12

we can see your replies now! I’m sure a few folks on the board have the 22/23 maybe someone can chime in. I only know the 62 and up but I hear the 42 is very nice, these do come in a little high for a starter. DVS gives you both worlds butyou do need to hope TTs are available at clubs in the future.

13

What about the NI Z1 or Z2 or whatever they’re called? Two channel mixer, built in sound card and traktor compliant? Can you use decks with it? DVS?

Other than that, I think you will be happy with xone 22. You can pick one up for £250 which isn’t bad. I think Amadeus uses one and he certainly doesn’t seem to have any issues with it.

14

It gives you the bpm, you can set cues and loops, and organize your playlists. Export it onto a USB, plug it in the CDJ so all the info is there and ready.

15

Ok, it is like Engine then. Cheers.

16

Thanks :sunglasses:

Rather than buying a mixer with a built-in soundcard, I decided I should buy an Audio 6 and a simple 2-channel analog mixer. I want to be able to take an Audio 6 soundcard to any club and play on their mixer.
Thanks to everyone, you helped me out to decide what I really need. I bought a used Ecler Nuo 2.0 in good condition for $350, and I’m getting a second technics TT and Traktor Audio 6.

17

Nice. Let us know how you get on!