Let me start by saying that i have been lurking DJTT for quite some time, and love the community. This is my 2nd post and hope to have many more =].
Now then, I have been djing for a few years now, learned on serato scratch live with some 1200s. eventually got my own set up which consisted of a super cheap CDJ/mixer using SSL with 1 deck internal, and 1 deck time code. i wanted to upgrade to some CDJ 900s or 2000s and ditch SSL, but didnt have the cash to do so. i eventually upraded to the Numark V7 controller because of the awesome build quality and amazing features. I still love them, very much so, but i really dislike having to rely on a laptop. so I am thinking about trading my V7s for some CDJ800mk2s just to lose the laptop even though they are a little bit inferior function wise. This all made me wonder, what do you use, and why do you use it?
Because the mixer is the greatest modern DJ mixer ever created and I use the other controllers because I can’t afford CDJ-2000s yet. Traktor and the X1s are cool and all but I would rather not plug in my laptop sometimes and just mix off flash drives, and if I did want to use traktor I would rather use the CDJ-2000s to control using HID and be more hands on.
I used to mix on a Numark Mixtrack with a M-Audio Fast Track Pro and a Kontrol X1, I originally got that setup because it was upgrade friendly and cheap, I’ve since ditched the Mixtrack and bought a Akai APC 20 and mapped it to near perfection. the reason I use controllers over CDJ’s is because I dont see the point in spending more money to do less I can do more on my laptop and a kontrol X1 than a high end Pioneer rig with no laptop.
I find I often mix better when I’m just using two CDJs or two timecode decks than if I’m just pressing buttons and sitting around syncing tracks on X1s. It’s a different feel and puts me in a different mode and sometimes the extra time and multitude of buttons lead to doing stupid things that detract from the mix.
With timecode or pure CDJs it forces me to really get in the zone and put my energy on perfectly mixing two tracks and I find those mixes often have more energy and I have more fun doing them.
been meaning to sell the cdj setup but im not quite ready yet. bcuz I totally agree with xonetacular with the feel when im on the cdj’s w/ analogue mixer.
I find I often mix better when I’m just using two CDJs or two timecode decks than if I’m just pressing buttons and sitting around syncing tracks on X1s. It’s a different feel and puts me in a different mode and sometimes the extra time and multitude of buttons lead to doing stupid things that detract from the mix.
With timecode or pure CDJs it forces me to really get in the zone and put my energy on perfectly mixing two tracks and I find those mixes often have more energy and I have more fun doing them.[/QUOTE]
This is exaxtly why i want cdjs! Even if i find i dont like cd mixing, time code, plus an x1 for browsing/fx control would be very easy to add.
I really like my setup (as seen in my sig) because I feel like it brings things as close to “basic” as I can, while still having the ease of being able to mix my Mp3’s instead of vinyl. A lot of my friends also use Serato, and so it’s just much simpler bringing my laptop rather than an entire setup with chilling with them.
I don’t mix out, yet, and still consider myself learning. But there’s something to be said for keeping it simple, and this WAS the setup I dreamed about when I first got into mixing and researching what I wanted. It’s honestly unreal actually owning it now, and I get such a stupid smile everytime I turn on the power and just have fun.
At home, I have SL1200 x 3, a DJM500, Dicers, and TSP. I’m pretty satisfied so far except I need a newer mixer. I had an Ecler Evo5 before but sold it because I needed the funds so it’s back to basic DJM500.
At the club, there’s a DJM700, DJM800, DJM900, and DJM2000, CDJ-1000 x 4, CDJ-850 x2 & CDJ-2000 x2 plus 2 pairs of SL1200s. The club has 2 huge rooms. The main club (Republiq) and the ultra lounge (Opus).
I just use APC40 with paddy’s map as a starting place then mapped sample decks, group fx, Fx select, and pitch adjust. Control over single fx, advanced fx, sample decks in c/d, all 8 cues for all 4 decks, 4 track decks if I choose, and for better quality mix recording I can just mix internally… it’s pretty sweet.
His maps here with all working lights.
Looking for some cdj’s and a midi fighter for chained fx. We’ll see how much money santa brings me.
I use this for my normal Digital DJing, playing Psytrance, Electro, dubstep etc.
I have a few map variations. 1 for 2 x track decks and 1 Timecode Deck and 1 sample deck.
Another map is 4 internal decks. Lastly a map with 2 internal decks and 2 sample decks.
TT’s and external Xone 22 mixer. This is for my Timecode use for when I want to scratch or play Electro using Timecodes.
Reason I use these is that the APC80 allows me access to all my functions without soft take over. The LED’s give me visual feedback. The APC also can take a footswitch, which is handy.
2x Pioneer CDJ200
1x Laptop + Traktor (2 Decks)
1x NI X1
1x ECLER SMAC 30 PRO
Usage:
I mix two CD Decks on my 3 channel mixer with kill EQ’s, sometimes i switch from the two CDJ’s to two Traktor Decks, control them with my X1 and mix them analogue.
Usage:
Then i can mix with all 4 Decks (two CDJ’s + two Traktor Decks) simultaneously with a finer resolution (4 band eq) and have two filters i can play with.
Future Upgrade:
1x Audiointerface with more Channels to use 4 Traktor Decks
2x Pio CDJ850 (for 2 more cd decks and for 2 more hid traktor controllers)
Usage:
mix 4 CDJ’s or 4 Traktor Decks on one Mixer with 2 Filters and a 4band EQ.
(modify the xone92 from 4 phono inputs to 4 more line inputs and make it DVS<>CDJ switchable without a need to change wires)
PS: And after i had enough money to buy the two cdj850 i will hunt for an XoneDB4 ;o) so the next few years of my income are already planned ;D
DB4/1200s/Dicers/TSP mainly. I only do basic scratching so the DB4 faders aren’t a limitation for me, and the MIDI control of the dicers and mixer provide all the functionality I need with a logical layout.
Alternatively: DB4/MPK49/APC40/iPad/Ableton/touchAble. I rarely mess with this setup anymore as it takes a ton of prep work, but it allows for pretty much limitless on-the-fly production. I was never very good at modifying synth/drum parameters while playing so I’d usually just map out a few familiar presets.
DNX1600 and two X1’s is the primary setup. I have two Stanton T92’s but the only time they get used is when I’m playing old records that mostly consist of 70’s soul, old country and weird stuff.
I’m using the two X1’s for transport control and sample deck control with, for the most part, the default NI mappings for each. I also have an APC40 but don’t use it.
