So I have decided to get gear and decided to go with Traktor. Note: I want ot mix AND produce.
First off, I am the kind of person that wants to start off with what is the best value for the money, and can expand my knowledge and skill the most.
I am looking at a possible 1200-1300 budget. Assuming I already have a laptop and ableton to use, I need the following:
-Controller I have been looking at DJTTs VCI-100 SE and Arcade version. Obviously there is a big price gab between the two. I have seen many vids on both and really like what I see. Would anyone recommend anything else (or these) and why?
-Speakers/Monitirs - Currently I have a basic computer speaker set with a subwoofer, so I am looking for something that can do me well and (maybe) use at a house party.
-Production gear - looking for something that will help me produce/remix music well. Now in this area I know barely nothing of. I “hear” akai keyboards are good, but then again I have no idea about this.
-Good, reliable, and DURABLE headsets. I am currently in the process of skullcandy shipping me my free second replacement pair of GI’s, so i ned a good brand.
-Everything in between. I.e cables and sound cards to interface everything together.
I ask TWO things from you all.
One: a suggested setup that only revolves around mixing.
and
two: a suggested setup that revolves around a balance of mixing and producing
Lol Skull candy is CRAP. But you probably know that by now
Anyway, as a recently new owner of the dj tt vci-100 SE, i can tell you that i’m extremely pleased with it and would recommend it to anyone whos into the controller thing. You’ll notice the build quality is first rate as soon as you pick it up and it has probably the best jog wheels in the industry. I haven’t used the arcade edition yet, but it looks very fun. I’m not sure that the 300 dollar gap is really worth it, but had it been a little closer in price to the SE, i would have grabbed it. As far as production gear there’s Apple Logic, Massive, Reason, Fruity loops, Ableton, Cubase, Sonar, Sony Acid, etc.. I don’t produce but i’ve heard good stuff about all of them. Headphones are easy. Technics makes a very good pair, Sony obviously has a couple of great ones too. Ditch the computer speakers and look at some KRKs. They make very good quality monitors that aren’t gonna bankrupt you.
[u]http://www.krksys.com/index.php[/u]
[u]http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/technics_dj/prod_intro_rpdh1200.asp[/u]
If your going to be using Traktor, The vci-100 is the best controller for the job as it was built for traktor. Or vice versa i cant remember.
good luck man.
If it were me, I’d buy the relatively cheaper stuff just to get started: M-Audio BX8a speakers ($500), an Oxygen8 keyboard ($120), Numark DJ io soundcard ($120), B stock VCI 100 + DJTT firmware mod kit + overlay ($460), should leave you enough for some $100 headphones.
I have all those items (plus a few more) and they suit my amateur needs well. I think your biggest investment should be speakers. It took me a few failures with crappy speakers that had small woofers to realize it’s one item you can’t really skimp on. Other than some basic gear to start, it’s mainly about learning and practicing.
I’d take the Oxygen 25, its the same thing only upgraded and alot smoother to use. Also it looks better.
I’t can be used for several things, cue-points, upping and downing the tempo and pitch (like Eean uses his), producing and so on. Map the keys for a function in ableton and it works.
dont let reviews of teh bx8a’s scare you, they are phenomenal, I have a set adn I blast teh shit out of them at home and at house parties, and they ROCK, do yourself a favor and get a sound station to work them if you want to produce. My signature has my studio and club setups, pretty affordable in the end.
