TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- DJ Booth
-- CDJ 2000 with Laptop vs USB Stick

CDJ 2000 with Laptop vs USB Stick

I'm sorry, this must have already been answered, but my search wasn't coming back with results.

What is the main benefit of running a CDJ 2000 with a laptop versus a USB stick or SD card?

Two main things I could think of:

1. Traktor or whichever DJ software control

2. Larger song selection

I guess I ask because I haven't noticed that much of a difference, though I do appreciate the looping functionality with Traktor over the CDJ 2000. And, perhaps loop points and load time if you aren't using recordbox (I don't).

I feel by comparison, if I use the CDJ 2000 with a USB stick I get most of the functionality I need without needing to use a laptop. What am I missing?

Thanks for your input, or pointing me to the thread I likely missed!

I use USB sticks.

quote:

Originally posted by PaULiN0 I use USB sticks.

In your butt

Oh wow what an insult that was.

Since this discussion isn't moving forward very well, I'll add some additional thoughts.

I have noticed drifting when using CDJs with USB sticks, but not when run with Traktor.

I haven't done anything with Recordbox from Pioneer though, so maybe there is a difference when tracks are analyzed and prepped with that? Using OS 4.20 for CDJ-2000.

Drift is a nuisance, but of course easy to correct with the jog, but I don't think WAV nor mp3 tracks should be jittering (easy to detect both audibly and via the bpm display on the CDJ). Maybe that has lead to the favoritism for laptop/CDJ combos?

http://www.**********.com/

Master tempo on CDJs doesn't sound as good on usb pens as it does through traktor. I don't know if this issue has been addressed with new drivers yet. The difference is much more pronounced when using mp3 files.

I still find USB pens to be much more convenient with CDJs. Plus you're not skimming through folders as much and looking at the screen, which makes you become more in tune with what's happening on the dance-floor.

I found a new approach that works well for me and much better than the normal one I used before. This time I use only 1 usb stick and 1 ethernet cable. I don't get much drift this time around from using 2 and i also use quantize. Everything works seamlessly, couldn't be more happier.

Heya,

This is a very personal choice. It's what makes you give the best performance that matters.

I mainly use the laptop because of the effects chains that I have set up. I also have a controller for the effects but still use the mixer for volume EQ etc. Also use the CDJs to match and cue and so on.

I have the ability to throw in extra decks if I am working with techno and house styles which in turn I can use the controller to work.

In my world I find them pretty much a means to the same end, it's just which suits you best that matters.

Hell, use the synch button if you feel to, in all honesty, DJing is about way more than beatmatching. Personally I like matching beats but wouldn't look down on someone for not doing it if their track selection was bang on. Sorry, wandered off topic a little.

But my point goes back to, whatever makes you sound better to your listeners is the right answer.

Cheers
Nem

quote:

Originally posted by PaULiN0 I found a new approach that works well for me and much better than the normal one I used before. This time I use only 1 usb stick and 1 ethernet cable. I don't get much drift this time around from using 2 and i also use quantize. Everything works seamlessly, couldn't be more happier.

Yeah, I know a lot of guys who do that and they swear by it. It seems to be a good option.

Cheers
Nem

Good information, so thanks for the info!

@PaULiN0 haven't tried using an ethernet cable myself, but would be something worth considering. I currently use multiple USB sticks, which is a hindrance because you may want something on one that isn't available on the other. That helps address the availability issue where a laptop sometimes could win the argument (but am not sure how often club setups are linked?). Not a fan of trying to keep 2+ USB sticks duplicated.

I don't use sync myself, so think that's outside of my original question here (but I did bring it up in another thread as when I tried it I experienced drift without using Traktor/laptop connections).

I will have to give the ethernet connection a try to see how that works, some additional simplicity (and complications), but like the options!

I realize I'm resurrecting an old thread, but still relevant to this conversation.

With the ethernet connection, how do you manage 4-deck setups? I like using a single USB stick to run two decks, but it's by no means a switch or router. Assuming four could be connected simultaneously, the bus should support 4x1411Kbps, but it's unclear from documentation how/if it handles this. I'm getting ahead of myself, however!

Alternative of course, just do 2-by-2 (but you give up the flexibility).

Second question: how often are clubs already setup, willing, or capable of letting you run ethernet connections between the decks? I haven't seen this often, still more likely to expect you bring a laptop instead.

When I use 4 cdj 2000's I link them together using a Netgear dual speed hub, the DS104, it enables all the decks to talk to each other and access a USB Harddrive or Stick or mem card that's plugged into any one of the 4 decks.

Pioneers more expensive mixers like the DJM 900 Nexus and the DJM 2000 nexus have built in hubs for networking 4 CDJs and to a computer which again enables each deck to see each other and the computer to access files but the network connection from the mixer to the computer does not allow HID with Traktor (no idea about serato as never used it but it works fine with rekordbox though)

I find nightclubs tend to be very strict with what they will allow you to do (unless you are a really big name DJ)
I have had some clubs even refuse me plug a laptop into their CDJs so I could use Traktor (so I always carry 2 usb sticks and a case of CDs with me just in case)

Thanks for the info Sarah, very helpful! Sounds like things work well configured that way, which I look forward to giving a try.

Any place that has CDJ2000/2000nexus' and hasn't got them networked really shouldn't be in business- it is the main selling point of them and an integral feature. Then again, having seen the standard of some lazy engineers it doesn't surprise me tbh - those sort of people and places give the good ones a bad name!

Don't forget that the mixer should also be plugged into the hub, so you get the 'on air' display; the CDJ jog wheel lights up red if you have that channels fader up ( if they are numbered correctly- otherwise you get odd things like channel 1 being up and CDJ 4 goes red!)

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Sarah H Pioneers more expensive mixers like the DJM 900 Nexus and the DJM 2000 nexus have built in hubs for networking 4 CDJs and to a computer

The DJM900 nexus does not - it has a single ethernet port, so it requires an external hub.

The DJM-2000 - despite being crap - does have ethernet sockets for 4 CDJS and 2 computers, so no external hub is required.

CDJ

quote:

Originally posted by Freak The DJM900 nexus does not - it has a single ethernet port, so it requires an external hub.

Thanks for that, never networked a 900 nexus so was unaware it was a single port but was aware it had the capability of being networked.

Personally, having the 'on air' display on the CDJs was never a feature I cared for. I can see why it would be advantageous but I have set my CDJ2000s to flash 90 seconds before the end of a track so I know which one is 'on air' and have the cue button on the channel of the next CDJ I am going to mix in lit on the mixer, I do have the decks numbered though which helps when I use Traktor and its remix decks.

As I have never networked my CDJs to a mixer, am I right to assume, that the fader start on the DJM 2000, would automaticly start the deck on that channel when you slide it up?

A lot of the clubs I have played in that have CDJ 2000s or CDJ 900s have not had them networked, I always carry a cable in my bag just in case, I never ask if I can plug it in anymore because most of the time I got told no, I just set up the first track to mix in and whilst its playing, pop in the Ethernet cable and then select my 2nd track.
If another DJ is following me, I leave it plugged in, I leave my bag in the booth as well so I can have a drink and a dance and collect the cable and my bag at the end of the night.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright © 2000-2021, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.