I am new to the DJ Scene and am getting ready to purchase some equipment. I would Love to buy a couple of CDJ 1000’s and a DJM 800, but its not in the budget right now. Here is my question. After much review I am considering a VCI 100 SE or a Xone DX. I know the Xone Dx is not officially out yet, and its performance is yet to be seen, but this is the unit I am leaning towards. I am looking for some opinions on the two choices. I will outline why I think the Xone might be the right choice. I am interested in a controller, but would also like a unit that would work as a standard mixer, ie I could still use a couple CDJ 800’s with the Xone. If I purchase the VCI 100 SE, I would still need to upgrade to Traktor Pro, and buy a sound card. This would get me into the $850 to $900 range for a nice setup. If I buy the Xone DX it is already a 20 channel sound card and comes with serato 2.0 for $1299, and I can use it as a standard mixer and it has true 4 channel control. Like I said above I am new to the scene, but I like the idea of a controller that can also be used as standard mixer. Any advice or opinions are appreciated.
Xone DX ALL THE WAY. the reason I say this is because u wanted cdjs originally, and what the DX will do for you is teach you how to do major mixing OFF OF the screen. sure you’ll have to look at the Itch displays a little but, the are are ALOT of onboard functions and controls very easily labeled and styled like a traditional 4 channel mixer rather than an HID controller. yes it is expensive but it is a high quality product but when you get ready for those cdjs you wont be like “oh shit i dont have a screen..” even if u had timecoded cdjs you’d still be comfy doing your major mixing on your mixer and cdjs without screen help. the xone dx will be a better tool for training and mixing.
They are not the same product and from what you already mentioned just go for the DX. You gave yourself almost all the answers you where looking for in your post considering your needs, don’t you think? Also, if I may add, you may have another alternative which is a Xone 4d (depends on your budget of course but you could get one probably as a second hand item within the price range of the DX…or try at least).
Thanks for the quick replies. Ya I did kind of steer the opinion towards the Xone, but I am not familiar enough with the VCI to know if I was missing something. I have another question also, please remember I am new so forgive me for asking basic questions. With the Xone DX, would I be able to control two virtual decks in Serato with the DX and run two CDJ 800s with time code cds through the DX on the remaining channels? Or can you even use time code cds with Itch? or only Scratch?
The Xone Dx isn’t Traktor Scratch certified yet so for the time being I personally can’t answer.
About the VCI yes there’s a point missing which is probably more fun to play with if you’re using Ean’s mapping and did we mentioned arcade buttons yet
I like the simplicity of the VCI,and the layout.Everything is where it should be,esay to use.There are a lot of things going on in the DX.Plus i don`t use 4 decks,so im fine with the VCI.My 2 cents..
Yes. I am nearly certain the DX has a true analog mixer and is not totally HID with its 20 channel soundcard, and I know it has line and phono inputs for TTs and CDJs. It should work with traktor scratch pro since it has the same or a very similar soundcard as the 4D.
It’s not analog, but you’ll still be able to hook up CD players and such to it.
The big thing you’d miss out on with the DX over VCI-100 is the touch sensitive jog wheels, and that’s probably not a huge issue for you. I’ve got a Xone 3, and I couldn’t be happier with it (unless it were a 4. goddamn those are pretty).
However… as a guy who came up on belt drive TT’s with no pitch control, then 1200’s, then Final Scratch on 1200’s… I’m leaving the 1200’s at home after 25 years.
I’m always interested in how new DJ’s want to learn how to “mix” more traditionally than start and stick to controllers. With Technics announcing that they will no longer make 1200’s after Feb 2010, the writing looks to be on the wall. Unless you are looking to battle, beat juggle, and perform… if i was starting out today I would stick to and master the new technology.
Sure… it’s great to wipe the smirks off of idiots faces to leave the laptop and rock some 12’s, but that’s just satisfying my ego… the crowd does not care… and the future is in controllers IMO.
We used belt drive TT’s because we had NO CHOICE… it sucked. Things have evolved…
Technology is moving at such a rapid pace… the gear you buy this year will be outdated in 2. All decks now have a different feel… most 1200’s back in the day felt the same. What you learn on will not be at a gig unless you bring your own equipment… plus, I think track choice, creativity, and how you work the crowd are more important than if you are a purist or not…
just a thought… good luck with your choice… plus, I have NEVER been disappointed with A & H gear… all of my analogue gear is A & H. I currently have a studio console, 2 Xones plus a 4D… they make the best kit IMO if you can part with the cash. Good resale value too if you keep it clean.
Thanks for all the insight. I am trying to find a balance between the foundations of Dj’ing and the new technology. I want to be able to efficiently beat mix and create loops just by listening to the track, but I definitely am interested in the potential of controllerism. I was hoping to find a controller that would allow me to use cdj’s run right through the mixer without software, but also be able to use it with software as a midi controller. Maybe I am asking for too much, or maybe I am going in the wrong direction, but that is what initially intrigued me about the DX. I guess what I am asking is if there is a unit that is basically a DJM 800 and a VCI 100 all in one case?
Great! I’ve been thinking about the DX as a complete solution for the 4 decks in Traktor but didn’t find any info about how to make the two work together, in that page there’s even a TSI, thanks.
Hawk, no you’re not asking to much, what you want in fact is featured within the Xone 4D, not the DX.
You’ll be able to play CDJs connected to the DX but that will be through your software, and the DX isn’t it seems Scratch certified.
However the 4d instead is a ‘real’ mixer, is scrach certified and is a complete solution as you’ll have mixer/soundcard/controller all in one. With the 4D you’ll have different options than the DX in terms of controller layout but it is a powerful controller anyway. You’ll miss led feedback but you’ll have more knobs and buttons, a different layout and practicability for 4 decks control and globally all an A&H mixer can provide. I could also mention direct potential control of the 4 fx banks, the vertical faders that are just brilliant for Fx uses and the great filter effects provided by the main mixer section)
Both 4D and Dx have advantages and ‘flaws’.
Now what’s best for you considering those two products, can’t tell, I’ve ordered a DX myself but I’ll miss what the 1d-like controller sections the 4D has to offer. I’m still torn between the two. I even plan on keeping the 1D I’m using (with other stuff) to use with the Dx (but that’s kinda torn the plan of having an all in one solution).
Just to confuse you a bit more, you could still do that as it can be a viable solution (with its own advantages and flaws)
Have you tried it, Karlos? How it feels with Traktor? Making a TSI won’t never be a piece of cake for me, I’m kind of “MIDI-retarded”, I would prefer a proper official mapping, I don’t need any special trickery or complicated operations for my sets.
, and I couldn’t be happier with it (unless it were a 4
, I would prefer a proper official mapping, I don’t need any special trickery or complicated operations for my sets.