I just picked up some turntables again and want to go DVS after playing around with the Traktor Kontrol S2 for a while. I’ve been really confused by all the options, though. I just saw that DenonDJ Serato box on the Blog page and just before that Akai rolled out their Serato hardware… I posted this in the Blog:
“It seems like the DVS landscape is changing these days. We’ve gone from SSL to TSP. There have been some oddballs in there like Mixvibes. Now we have the Akai products newly release and the Denon DJ Serato box is right around the corner. The selection of hardware is all over the place in terms of price and functionality. I’d like to see DJTT do a write up on the different DVS setup options that are out there now and their respective pros and cons.”
What do you guys think? I don’t want to get a $2000 Rane 62 mixer. On the other hand, the $350 (plus control vinyl) Akai AMX seems like it’s lacking in functionality if not paired with the AFX (and then why don’t you just go ahead and pay a little more and get an all-in-one Traktor Z2). Like I said, I’m familiar, though by no means a pro, with Traktor. I don’t have anything against going Serato. Then there are even things like the Allen and Heath Xone23c with Mixvibes throwing curveballs at us.
I’m not sure if this is the ideal place for this thread, but let’s discuss! Cheers.
I’ve switched from Traktor to Serato a few months ago, if you like doing routines on turntables, forget about Traktor and get serato, that Sticker lock feature is a god send
The DIF-1M looks pretty much like what I’m looking for (I like that it’s stand alone, has the mini innofader, the cues, dedicated filter knob, etc.), but at $270 online you still have to add the Traktor A6 to get TSP at $300 more. So altogether it’s $570, which is not bad. I haven’t seen many real world reviews of Traktor users using it, though.
I’m thinking this is still the way to go. I didn’t want to spend $800 bucks, but might not have much choice. Does it function as a stand alone mixer, too, or do you have to be plugged into the computer and software?
Which hardware were you using before, and which hardware are you using now?
Btw, I have two Stanton Str8-150s and an old Denon DN-X100 mixer as my vinyl setup. Yes, I do like to scratch. To me that’s part of the fun of spinning vinyl, so I would like a DVS system that is conducive to that.
Other stuff I have right now: Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk2, Akai APC 40 (don’t use it) and I know I have a Traktor A2 somewhere from when I thought I was going to run Traktor on the APC. Unfortunately, I can’t use that with TSP.
I have another question: Sometimes I see guys saying that want to buy a serial for TSP, what does that mean? I thought if you want it you have to buy a piece of hardware that has it, like the Z2, or a soundcard like the A6 or A10 that also includes it? How would you get around that? A mixer with built in soundcard that is Traktor certified and you pick up control vinyl?
Sorry if I worded that in a way that was confusing, but what I was getting at was that if you had a DJM 900 NXS, for example (or any other TSP certified mixer with built-in soundcard), you could buy a TSP serial code and pick up some control vinyl and you’d be good to go, right? In other words, you wouldn’t have to pick up any other hardware. I don’t really understand how that whole TSP serial code selling works. I mean, you can’t just buy one separate from the hardware on the NI site. I guess I have two TP codes myself since I’ve got the A2 and the Kontrol S2. Anyway…
Don’t get a Z2 if you mind lugging around your mixer whenever you go mix around at a friend who doesn’t have traktor or when you have to play out. it’s a nice piece of kit, but I ended up buying an A6 and X1 secondhand so I wouldn’t have to bother with that.
As a Mixvibe Cross DVS user I’d def recommend at least checking them out - I love Traktor but loved more Cross (plus it plays Video - have had a lot of fun with that)
Cross can work with any soundcard and I’ve a portable one as a backup, but my home setup is with a DJM 850 (and the club I mainly play has a DJM 900 so works great there too) - but it works a treat with my 850
Getting hold of the vinyls was a bit of a chore when i first wanted to go DVS with Cross - but Thomann’s got them in stock now if you’re in the EU
+1 for mixvibes, useds serato for 4 years and traktor for 3, just got mixvibes and it’s really good and getting better. effects aren’t as good as traktor but i don’t use many effects anyway
^Cheers, guys. Mixvibes sounds very interesting. As does Serato. To be honest, I barely scratch the surface of Traktor’s midi/remix capabilities when I spin. Though there’s always the option to, which is nice. I’m open to all suggestions. For you Mixvibes guys, can you recommend a decent scratch mixer with a built in soundcard?
