I’ve been meaning to post here for awhile, anyway here’s a few pictures that I’ve managed to find of various set ups I’ve used over the years.
This was taken early 1983. First DJ set/ A pair of 1200s (what else was there), a Radio Shack mixer (spent all of my savings on the 1200s) and a telephone handset that a friend converted into a DJ headset.
As far as everything else, SAE pre-amp, SAE Parametric EQ (a bitch to adjust I got rid of it shortly after this picture was taken) and a SAE 500 watt amp. TEAC ( I think) cassette deck, DBX audio switcher and a Bose 901 EQ. The 901 speakers are just outside of the picture.
The above served me well until I sold everything ( I know, I know) in 1993.
I took a break from DJing for awhile.
Fast forward a few years and back into DJing.
A pair of Denon DN-S3500s and a Denon DN-X500.
Before the 3500s I had a pair of DN-S1000s.
When the Denon DN-HS5500s became available, I bought a pair and thought I was in heaven. No more burning CDs! My DJ set was complete. What more could I ask for?
Then the Denon DN-X1600 was released and of course I had to get one of those! I actually wanted the DN-X1700, but I just didn’t have the money for one.
After a club event where I played with another DJ who was a Traktor Pro user, i decided to take the plunge and go all digital.
I sold my 5500s and used the money to buy a pair of Kontrol X1s and Traktor Pro.
When the Denon MC-6000 became available, I bought one and thought, “nice”
Unfortunately it wasn’t long before I outgrew it.
My current set up. 13" MBP (and I once swore I’d never use a MAC) with a Vestax VCI-400 EGE, AIAIAI TMA-1s and Traktor Pro 2.1.3.
This will be my last DJ rig.
Until something better comes along.
What makes you like the Vestax VCI-400 more than the Denon MC6000? I always thought that the Denon’s had pretty much the same capabilities as all the other controllers except for being a tiny size and lack of timecode.
That and the larger layout. If you have large hands, the 6000 can be a bit difficult to use. One of the problems is that I would often inadvertently bump the jog wheels by accident.
Also the jog wheels on the VCI 400 are adjustable for tension as well as touch sensitivity.
For me, the VCI 400 is a better TRAKTOR controller. The MC-6000 is probably better suited for VDJ.
I suspect I’ll get flamed for saying that.
Thansk for the pics and background - really interesting.
I’m currently weighing up a new Traktor controller, and have it narrowed down to the 4Trak, MC-6000 and VCI-4000. Was just wondering if you can perhaps elaborate a little on why you feel the Vestax is so superior to the Denon? I can see the benefits of say the Numark 4Trak over the MC-6000, because of it’s size and control layout, but the VC is practically the same size as the Denon, and arguably not quite as well built (that’s only my interpretation from comments and reviews - I haven’t held the VC myself).
Are their specific features or ways the VC does stuff that give it an advantage, or is it perhaps something specific to the way you mix …?
As I mentioned earlier, for me, the VCI-400 is a better Traktor controller. More buttons. better integration with Traktor.
And for me, that’s the main thing.
I feel DJs, especially new ones, tend to put the cart before the horse. That is to say, they always ask, what the best controller and then pick the software. One should pick the software first. Then find the best controller.
hmy: