So many options? I dunno dude it’s still just 80 buttons at the end of the day. Faders and knobs are much more useful. Better yet some sexy encoders + a bunch of modifiers.
I’m pretty sure that the S4 isn’t actually a mixer, the EQs and filters are just the same as the ones in traktor.
If you don’t like the filters/EQs why not change them to another type in the settings? Theres a few different imitations of major lines includes. Out of curiosity what don’t you like about them?
The main thing we were saying about the launchpad is if you just have a bunch of buttons that trigger things like that, there’s really not much of an improvement over just hitting all the appropriate keys on your keyboard, you know? The led feedback is nice, but what you really could use more is the encoders and stuff that the X1 has. My vote is for that instead of the launchpad, even if you can only get one. It’s less buttons, but you can really do anything with it.
Here’s my reason for hating CDJs. Basically, they were used to replace lugging around vinyls because CDs are lighter and cheaper, and because of this, you didn’t have to bring a record with you to just play one song off of, you could just burn a bunch of single songs on to a cd and have less to bring around. In the context of a DVS, however, the only thing you can get out of any player hooked up is the current position in the track. Once you take into account all the stuff that needs to happen, there will be delay, it’s not noticeable, but it’s just something I don’t like to deal with. (my earlier post). The most interesting thing a DVS adds, besides that physical element, is the ability to have good, expressive scratches, which are hard to do with an encoder like on a controller. That said, scratching a CDJ doesn’t sound as good as scratching a vinyl does. The difference in scratching vinyl is that the needle and position of the record directly corresponds to your place on that record. On a CDJ, you’re not moving the medium, you’re just playing around with a section of the song that’s stored in a buffer, and your movements are transformed to what that would sound like if you were scratching a little record. So with various CDJs, based on the manufacturer, model, and all of that, you get very different scratch sounds from all of them. With a turntable, on any model, the same movement of your hands on the same point in the track will result in the same scratch sound.
CDJs were invented for convinience, and to modernize the record crates. Over time, as technology improved, you had CDJs with built-in BPM counters and algorithms, different effects, loops, etc. Basically, they grew more powerful. But if you’re using a DVS, you don’t actually need to use any of those things, because your software does it. You know what I mean? If I had to choose between a controller or a DVS with Vinyl, I like the feel of vinyl, so I would go with that. If I had to choose between a controller or a DVS with CDJs, I would choose a controller. It’s hard to justify a $600 CDJ that you just need to play CDs and maybe scratch from time to time. A record player for $600 on the other hand, you can use for a lot longer (arguably) and the technology on it isn’t made obsolete by the computer you’re using, unlike a CDJ.
You said that perfectly. I might actually save that somewhere to copy/paste to people asking the same question.
Also, the S4 does have an on-board soundcard, and it’s own equalizer and everything, it’s not midi controlled from software. I think for a DJ that wants a solid, all-in-one controller to use with Traktor, it’s really nice. The only limitations are the same as with any all-in-one controller (expandability, not modifiable, etc.). I played with it at Guitar Center, and the quality of everything sounded really good, I feel like the equalizer and sound card would all sound really good during a set.
Thanks! 
NemSim you basically just reconfirmed what I was thinking. The cdjs were like a niche piece of equipment, right? I don’t know if I will ever really get into scratching. All I could ever see it for it a random transition. I feel like im talking above my level of knowledge on alot of this stuff but im glad no one has bashed me yet.
Basically Ill leave the cdjs out and pick up a 4 channel mixer and a kontrol x1. Probably using the shift button for decks C and D as was mentioned. So will an audio 4 soundcard allow me to run 4 decks and a midi controller such as the x1? The 8 hot cues on the launchpad would have been nice but Ill pick up a midifighter if I ever need that
Hit me with some more knowledge or suggestions on equipment if you got them.
2 decks external, or 4 decks internal with the audio 4 mate. you will nedd the audio 8 if you want to run 4 decks externally thru the mixer.
You’re right about the CDJs, they filled the gap for DJs until computers came along. Don’t worry about being above your level of knowledge, that’s what forums are for
Side note, the only reason I’m getting the vinyl is in case I feel like scratching at some point, and to have that look at clubs and shit (and I can actually play my records if I want to sometime). I figure it’s all a fun hobby anyway, I’m allowed to do something pointless.
The Audio 4 DJ has 2 stereo outputs, and 2 inputs, so you’ll need the Audio 8 DJ, or something else that has 4 stereo outputs. The MIDI controller doesn’t depend on the soundcard, you can do whatever with whatever. Also, you can still have 8 hotcues on the X1 per deck, there’s 16 buttons on the bottom, 8 per deck, that shift between play, sync, all that stuff and to 8 hotcues. You’ll just have to do a really good job mapping, or get a second one some day. Doing 4 channels is something to work towards, it’s hard to really utilize them all, and even harder to make it sound good.