Digital DJing techno... how do you do it in 2022

[ozias_leduc]

I never thought I'd consider getting a DJ controller but... here we are

What's your view on DJ hardware in 2022?

I'm actually looking at NI Tractor S4 mk3 and Pioneer DDJ1000. I want 4 digital decks, and the option to use my 1200s, but can't stomach the thought of buying 4x XDJs. Or hell, even 2. They are so goddamn expensive!

I suppose DDJ1000 is the smart choice because - since it uses Rekordbox, it's easy to prepare a USB to bring to a club (if I ever DJ in a club again).

But I'm still drawn to the S4 mk3.

I dunno. I want to enjoy mixing again and frankly my ridiculous setup of 2x 1200s and 2x shitty CDJ350's USBed into Rekordbox as controllers is clunky A F

What do you say Subsekters

[Barfunkel]

I'm personally saving money for Denon SC6000's... Not that I need them for home use, I just love good DJ setups. Laptop + controller gives me a headache.

[ozias_leduc]

Holy shit they are sooo expensive! I just can't get my head around paying that kind of money for digital djing! They look amazing though. Are you worried about the fact that they're not club standard though?

[Ben Kohonays]

I really don't understand this blind adherence to the CDJ that seems prevalent throughout the industry. All that money for what amounts to a software controller. Once you've gone digital does it really matter? If you wanna stick to vinyl fair play, but digital might as well be one of these:

[ozias_leduc]

Yeah the cost of CDJs are so insane.

I think I'd like something that can essentially replace my Pioneer mixer - so I can still have 1200s either side. So that would need the additional phono inputs - so I think I'm looking at the Traktor S4 or Pioneer DDJ1000...

[loug]

minimal setup, traktor Z1 X1

[illit_]

I can only input what not to get. I have an XDJ R1, it boasted usb playback, cd, laptop intergration, vinyl link up, and some bluetooth to your phone shite. Just shy of a grand when i got it and it is a bit of a let down.

Havent been able to get it working with any software, only has one usb port so cant link up, filters are rezzy as hell, and the track reading software doesnt support rekordbox folders even though it has rekordbox written all over it!

Its usable but i wouldnt recommend it. I had a £200 serato digital mixer before and it was all a bit janky. They might have improved now though (this was back in 2015).

100% find a place you can try before you buy!

[Barfunkel]

Holy shit they are sooo expensive! I just can't get my head around paying that kind of money for digital djing! They look amazing though. Are you worried about the fact that they're not club standard though?

I know how to play with CDJ's and XDJ's, so it's not a problem. Not that I have any gigs anymore lol, I'm an old nobody. Those will just be for my personal enjoyment. I love good DJ gear.

[ozias_leduc]

Great info here kids!

Illit - yikes. Yeah honestly the more I think about it, the more I wanna say fuck Pioneer. They’ve been real shits about the new Rekordbox too (subscription model.. ) so I’m happy to avoid their products.

Barfunkel - yeah right on. Same lol. And CDJs aren’t rocket science anyway so no need to limit myself to them.

Reckon I’m headed towards Traktor land with loug! S4 seems pretty tight

[zhluq]

Traktor with loads of keyboard mappings for cueing/loading/previewing and any old MIDI controller for faders, EQ and filters. Sometimes I'll use an iPad with a more complete TouchOSC template. Never felt the need for dedicated DJing hardware.

[over9000]

Yeah cdjs / xdjs are very expansive.
But they have one giant advantage for me to dj controllers with laptops: they just have a small screen
When i was djing with controlers i always watched the screen, watched my library, hence thought too much about the next tracks etc.
For me djing needs to be a flow. Thats easiest with vinyl or cdjs for me, cause i dont get lost in all the options of a big screen.
So xdj 700 all the way for me even if they are expansive.
And they do the same more or less than a cdj2000nxs that costs three times as much

Mixers theres no way past allen & heath imo much better than the pioneer mixers that cost the same

[Lost to the Void]

I really don't understand this blind adherence to the CDJ that seems prevalent throughout the industry. All that money for what amounts to a software controller. Once you've gone digital does it really matter? If you wanna stick to vinyl fair play, but digital might as well be one of these:

I`ve done so many gigs with people using them, and similar. All seemed to be doing a good job to me.

[ozias_leduc]

SO I ended up getting the Native Instruments S4 mk3. It's really nice. And seems like everything I want - 4 Traktor decks and I can swap two of those over to my turntables. And I escaped the hell of Rekordbox. Win.

Now I need to give some serious love to my music collection, it's a bit of a goddamn mess

[over9000]

Yeah rekordbox sux
I use windows folders on my usb sticks, works best for me
Glad you found something that you enjoy

[illit_]

Great info here kids!

Illit - yikes. Yeah honestly the more I think about it, the more I wanna say fuck Pioneer. They’ve been real shits about the new Rekordbox too (subscription model.. ) so I’m happy to avoid their products.

Barfunkel - yeah right on. Same lol. And CDJs aren’t rocket science anyway so no need to limit myself to them.

Reckon I’m headed towards Traktor land with loug! S4 seems pretty tight

Yeah, really wish i had got some 400s and a xzone mixer. Probably would have cost about the same

[illit_]

Yeah rekordbox sux
I use windows folders on my usb sticks, works best for me
Glad you found something that you enjoy

Cant believe its the standard. Fucking hate it

[over9000]

Just bought 2 used xdj 700s to replace my wonky old cdj 350s
Have fun everyone

[msl]

Rekordbox and XDJ700's


.

[Lost to the Void]

So, I`ve started getting excited about mixing again, to the point where I am considering DJing again.
I am looking at getting the XDJRR, it`s completely self contained/standalone, and compatible with Pioneer Recordbox CDJ`s, so I can just rock up to a gig with a couple of USB`s and I`m good to go.

[msl]

So, I`ve started getting excited about mixing again, to the point where I am considering DJing again.
I am looking at getting the XDJRR, it`s completely self contained/standalone, and compatible with Pioneer Recordbox CDJ`s, so I can just rock up to a gig with a couple of USB`s and I`m good to go.

I don't know I've always been a bit suspect of those all in one things, maybe the quality and ergonomics have improved in the last years. Gotta say I fucking hated lads bringing them into the booth and taking 15 mins to connect them. Rekordbox for all its weaknesses is damn convenient.