I am a tech-house DJ currently using 2xTechnics, 2xPioneer CDJ200s, and a Vestax PMC-50A at home.
I am now thinking about swithcing to using Traktor as the hub of my setup. However, I have a few main criteria which I would like it to meet:
It needs to be properly 3 or 4 channels, because I like to layer and cut back-and-forth between multiple tracks.
I would like to use my Technics (with the Traktor scratch vinyls) as the main controllers for cueing tracks in Traktor, because I still love the tactile feel of vinyl (and I still occasionally play old 12"s). For the 3rd/4th channels I could use the CDJs.
The setup should be relatively portable and easily adaptable to the installed setups at clubs in Berlin. I currently play out a bit in bars, but expect that my gigs will increase soon. Sometimes there are space and time limitations in installing the equipment, so the simpler to setup and least space consuming the better.
I would like to touch my laptop as little as possible, so ideally scrolling through tracks, looping, syncing etc. can be done away from the laptop/on a controller.
I have a decent budget, but the less expensive the better.
Ideally I would only need to buy a “Kontrol Z4”, but it doesn’t exist!! Any other ideas?
That’s a lovely mixer you have.
Probably the cheapest solution would be to snag an Audio 6 or Audio 10 from Native Instruments, that should insure plug’n’play for a quicker setup.
If you’re willing to switch out the mixer then the DJM-900 og DJM-850’s should do. The EVO5 by Ecler and x1600/x1700 by Denon are also good to go
The other thing I forgot to add is that ideally I would like to be able to scroll through tracks, create and trigger loops, and hit the ‘sync’ button for the tracks, etc. in Traktor without having to touch the laptop.
As far as I can tell, I can’t do these things with just the DJM 900 or 850, and so if I bought one of those, or just went with an Audio 10, I would still need to buy and carry around something else? I’m not sure what exactly would then also be the easiest thing for this? A Kontrol F1? An A&H K2?..
The one other thing I forgot to mention though, which is why I’m not sure about a DJM 850/900 etc., is that I would like to touch my laptop as little as possible, so ideally scrolling through tracks, looping, syncing etc. can be done away from the laptop/on a controller.
Therefore, were I to buy an 850/900 etc., or even just the Audio 10, then I suspect I would still need to buy another controller.
Would just an A&H Xone K2 do pretty much the same job as 2x Kontrol X1s?
If I bought a Xone K2, or 2 x Kontrol X1s (along with the Audio 10), would I still need to use my Vestax mixer at all?
Sounds like you should look into the traktor audio 10 DVS // sound card..
Don’t know if I would lean towards the DJM900 because then you would have to bring your mixer every where you go. IOf you use the a10 you are able to use the club gear & just plug and play.
The ‘simplest’ if you are looking for total Traktor Scratch integration might be a Z2, X1Mk 2 on C&D and an F1 to toggle on deck C to fire loops / samples when your not using the X1 on Deck C.
The Z2 may only be two channel but the other two decks can still be utilised quite easily.
The above set up is what I’m using though to be honest I never use more than 3 channels at once. Plenty of good mappings available to double up effects on the X1 and the F1 on this very site too.
