Looking into buying some cdj800(mkII)s and a djm600 in the new year and want to use Traktor Scratch with them.
What is Traktor like to use with them? I’m not sure everything works like it does with my S2 for example. I realise I won’t be able to pick tracks using the mixer/decks but is there anything else?
If I go crazy I might buy a pair of 1200s instead of the cdjs. I’d want to keep the cost down though and looking on ebay probably wouldn’t be able to afford better than the mkII…any issues here? Could it end up being costly, specially seeing as I know nothing about turntables?
Which soundcard would I need? I’ll only ever be using 2 decks. Is the audio 2 good enough quality to use in a club or is it just the inputs that differ from soundcard to soundcard?
Last but not least, would I be able to keep Traktor Pro 2 on my laptop whilst also installing Traktor Scratch Pro? I only plan on keeping the timecode setup for about 4 months to get comfortable using it before selling. I’ll obviously sell TSP then too and revert back to TP2.
i cant speak for how the 800s work with traktor but you should be fine 1200’s if you prefer a turntable. they hold up pretty well and parts seem to be plentiful if they needed any work.
if you only need to use 2 decks the audio 2 should be fine as well. i have an audio 8 and it’s great. EDIT - i don’t know what i was thinking when i wrote this, but as nicky h says below, you cannot use timecode with the audio 2. my sincerest apologies.
there is no difference between traktor pro 2 and traktor scratch pro 2 other than the abilty to use timecode. i imagine you could keep both versions on your laptop but why would you go through all the trouble to get a timecode setup to sell it after 4 months? just curious…
It’s the route I want to go down with regards to playing in clubs. I just wanna get used to either cdjs or Technics (obviously cdjs would be more useful for this purpose but the more I look at Technics the more I fall in love) so I feel comfortable enough. Then I’ll keep my soundcard and controls cds/vinyl and thinking about it I’ll have to keep TSP as well. I’ll keep the S2 for mixing at home too. The reason I have to get rid after 4 months is because I’m going out to Ibiza, so this seemed like a useful way of saving money for it so I don’t just blow it on nights out.
How much is the TSP upgrade in the UK and how’d you do it? Remember looking for it before and couldn’t find where to actually upgrade.
You could do what I have done (you will save money on getting the DJM 600), Buy either the Technics or CDJ’s and use your S2 as the mixer, if you buy (again like me) TSP W/Audio 6, you can hook it up use all the S2’s functions (song selecting/fx etc)
TSP also has the drivers for the S2 included so if you ever just want to use that then switch over and dont need both programms on your laptop.
I do the same, S2 with an audio 8 & 1210’s, i couldnt fit any more on desk i got the scratch upgrade from my local dj store, its a good deal (cost me £100 I think) comes with vinyl and cd’s.
Is there anything I should be looking out for when purchasing the cdj800mk2s and djm600?
Is there any difference between the black and the silver djm600? The silver looks newer but maybe that just because the black and gold looks really old fashioned.
Also, exactly what cables am I gonna need for the setup inc. the soundcard?
Whats the difference between an audio 4 and a 6? Is a Komplete Audio 6 something different as well?
honestly you should be reading the specs on the products you are going to buy and see what they can do. take a look at pics and see what kind of connectors you will need.
you are going to need rca cables to run from your soundcard outs into the mixer line ins. from the main out on the mixer: it depends on what kind of sound system you are hooking up to. the djm 600 appears to have xlr outs so if your sound system doesn’t have those inputs you will need to get an adapter or pre fab cable that has the other end you need (i.e xlr to rca, or xlr to trs).
edit: my mistake, the 600 also has an rca master out as well (didnt notice cause the pic i looked at was truncated).
traktor soundcard outs into mixer:
well, the amount of rca sets you will need depend on how many decks you are going to use. the djm 600 has 4 channels and if you want to use all of them you will need an audio 8/10 with 4 sets of rca cables. if you want to use 2 decks with only the cdjs then you can get away with an audio 4/6 and 2 sets of cables (see below for recording caveats in traktor though).
djm 600 master out:
you will also need set of rca cables with an the adapter you mentioned (if that’s how it hooks up to your speakers). or you can get a pre fab rca > stereo 3.5 cable.
cdjs:
i’m not too familiar with the cdj 800mk2s, but i believe you are going to be hooking those into your soundcard ins and using timecode cds to control them. that means you will need 2 more sets of rca and tsp2 with timecode cds.
recording:
keep in mind if you want to record your sets you are going to need to run the djm 600 REC or BOOTH out (another set of rca) into an input on your ni soundcard (if you want to record with traktor). i guess you could also run that into your laptop’s built-in soundcard input and record into something like audicity or any recording daw (rca > 3.5 stereo male).
This image is for serato using TTs, but it’s the same principle:
You can’t record with the audio 4 but you could plug the record output of the mixer into the 3.5mm jack on your laptop and use audacity. You can ignore the mic connection (which includes the red input to the mixer) but essentially for each deck you need an RCA from the CDJ to the sound card, and another one from the sound card to the mixer. That’s of course before you sort out the master output and recording.
Don’t forget that as well as an NI sound card you’ll need a scratch licence - timecode doesn’t work with a normal traktor pro licence. Make sure that the one you end up buying comes with a licence.
if you get the audio 4 you won’t be able to run your signal back into the soundcard because the cdjs will be using the inputs. like i said though, you should be able to route the signal back into your laptop soundcard and record into audacity or the like (if your computer can handle running both programs at the same time). the audio 6 will have the extra set of inputs you need to run the djm back into the soundcard to record in traktor. you’re probably better off this route anyhow since you can get it new along with tsp2 and all the timecodes.
6 sets of cables if you want to record. 5 sets if you don’t want to record.
edit: fep just beat me. a pic probably would have been a good idea on my part. the only thing missing in that pic is the connection to the sound system and the recording cables as fep said.
i got the scratch upgrade from my local dj store, its a good deal (cost me £100 I think) comes with vinyl and cd’s.
I’m just having 2 decks by the way.