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Which is more cost effective: Vinyl or CD?
I'm interested in spinning trance music and i'm considering buying either some inexpensive turnables or a cd-dj unit. What is the least expensive of the two in terms of buying a unit that will actually be decent. Not the best of the best but something that would be acceptable to use if i played out. I definitely want to purchase a unit but i don't want to spend too much money as i'm dumping most of my money into my home studio for productions. Any advice would be appreciated.
Re: Which is more cost effective: Vinyl or CD?
CD is likely more cost effective. You can get very good CDJ's for reasonable prices, such as the CDJ-200 (around $300).
Vinyl is great, but there is no point in getting anything other than one of the better turntables, all of which run in the $350-500 range. Used Technics are probably the most cost effective.
The real cost of vinyl, however, is the vinyl itself. $7-12 per track gets very expensive. Pay download sites like Beatport offer tracks at $1.99-2.50.
So I say get some CDJ's, and you can always add vinyl later.
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| Originally posted by stabmasterflex I'm interested in spinning trance music and i'm considering buying either some inexpensive turnables or a cd-dj unit. What is the least expensive of the two in terms of buying a unit that will actually be decent. Not the best of the best but something that would be acceptable to use if i played out. I definitely want to purchase a unit but i don't want to spend too much money as i'm dumping most of my money into my home studio for productions. Any advice would be appreciated. |
what would be a nice inexpensive mixer to use with the cdj-200s?
How inexpensive?
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| Originally posted by stabmasterflex what would be a nice inexpensive mixer to use with the cdj-200s? |
a couple hundred bucks or less. what benefits are there to buying an expensive mixer?
Sound quality, build quality, and features. But if you are just starting out you can get something simple.
I'd recommend you stay away from the real low-end brands, however (Gemini, some of the Numarks, etc.).
Maybe something like the Denon DN-X100.
Try agiprodj.com for gear. You have to call them but they have the best prices and customer service.
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| Originally posted by stabmasterflex a couple hundred bucks or less. what benefits are there to buying an expensive mixer? |
I might get flamed, but eh.
Behringer DJX700. Love my unit. My buddy loves his. We've hammered the crap out of them, and its a great way to get familiar with a DJM600 without paying for a DJM600. It works great for a bedroom DJ. End of story.
^ what he said is 100% true.
and cd is much more cost effective. vinyl is a killer on the wallet.
I have a pos citronix mixer i use though. so far so good 
(no features though really) but if you are just begining you dont really need fancy stuff yet.
Turntables + Final Scratch or Scratch live = Godlike
Turntables + CDJS + Final Scratch or Scratch live + Rack of Accessories + Good moniters/speakers = SUPER GODLIKE
Final Scratch or Scratch live allows you to used all the music from your computer and manipulate it on vinyl or cdj's.
That's not a bad option either...
I think the rule is: Don't skimp on the decks, be it CDJ or Vinyl.
The mixer you can go cheap to start and upgrade later, as you'll likely do that anyway. Replacing decks is a waste of money, so get decent ones to start.
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| Originally posted by s3nate Turntables + Final Scratch or Scratch live = Godlike Turntables + CDJS + Final Scratch or Scratch live + Rack of Accessories + Good moniters/speakers = SUPER GODLIKE Final Scratch or Scratch live allows you to used all the music from your computer and manipulate it on vinyl or cdj's. |
I've got a DJX700 for the moment and it's good for what you pay for...
numark dxm-06
Re: Re: Which is more cost effective: Vinyl or CD?
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Ryan0751 The real cost of vinyl, however, is the vinyl itself. $7-12 per track gets very expensive. Pay download sites like Beatport offer tracks at $1.99-2.50. |
cds
/thread
I'm in the same boat as the OP. agree that CD are much easier to use and a lot cheaper then vinyl in the long run.
I've been hearing a lot about how those that don't start on vinyl are missing out on something and usually make the transition from cd to vinyl much harder than vinyl to cd. I feel like I'm missing out on a huge part of DJing by not going vinyl initially.
My biggest issue is getting the damn vinyl, it seems like such a big hassle. I wish there was an easier way to decide which route to take when your starting off spinning.
Re: Re: Re: Which is more cost effective: Vinyl or CD?
Beatport is supposed to start offereing WAV's for download (right now you have to have them shipped on CD).
And while I agree MP3 is NOT an audiophile format. the 320Kbps files I get from there sound perfectly acceptable.
If this guy is running his decks through a sub-$200 mixer, you really don't need to bring this up... again... please... not again... 
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| Originally posted by soundwave I'm sorry mp3's sound like shit. Unless it's a wav 44.1 16 bit file or better don't waste your time. |
techniks mk2 + shitty mixer + serato scratch live.. its abit less than 1000$, less if you get them all 2nd hand BUT, you can use vinyl, you can use cd and you can use mp3... all you need really. even if you dont have a laptop its a good choice.. i didnt have one when i got serato so i had to go to the other side of the room to add a new track lol.. but since you are just starting out, that wont be a problem anyway.
and btw it is really importand to have decks considering that some tracks only go out on vinyl. and dont even think you could use your dads turntable from the 80s cause its prob losing pitch, so you cant record vinyl to dj atleast.
Re: Re: Re: Which is more cost effective: Vinyl or CD?
| quote: |
| Originally posted by soundwave I'm sorry mp3's sound like shit. Unless it's a wav 44.1 16 bit file or better don't waste your time. |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by dj jasonF techniks mk2 + shitty mixer + serato scratch live.. its abit less than 1000$, less if you get them all 2nd hand BUT, you can use vinyl, you can use cd and you can use mp3... all you need really. even if you dont have a laptop its a good choice.. i didnt have one when i got serato so i had to go to the other side of the room to add a new track lol.. but since you are just starting out, that wont be a problem anyway. and btw it is really importand to have decks considering that some tracks only go out on vinyl. and dont even think you could use your dads turntable from the 80s cause its prob losing pitch, so you cant record vinyl to dj atleast. |
ok here we go.... (do not bother to flame anything cuz i wont flame back, this is just my opionions, and they are RIGHT!)
when you talk about the cost of your tracks. digital is MUCH MUCH cheaper. eventhough vinyl will never truly die, less and less vinyl is being pressed these days. so having the ability to play digital music is prefered. so lets assume you wanna be digital.
i agree with most of what has been posted allready with exception of anything behringer (just personal opinion, but i would NEVER run ANY audio through anything made by behringer, midi maybe). lets think realistically, are you gonna go all out and buy top of the line decks? or something nice but cheap to get you started?
lets start with turntables. if you are gonna buy vinyl decks dont bother with anything but techs. new techs, used techs, silver techs, black techs, gold techs, pink techs, WHATEVER! as long as they say SL-1200 on them and arent completly beat to shit they are fine. expect to pay anywhere from about $300 to $1000 for a pair depending on used/new/model.
lets not forget about needles now. some good starter carts would be sure SC35s, if you wanna go all out pick up some ortofons. figure anywhere from about $75-250 for needles. i wouldnt touch anything but shure or ortofon, but thats just ME.
now lets hook you up with a way to play digital on your TTs. basically serato or finalscratch. I personally own a serato system because i have more faith in Rane than i do Stanton (I dont like ANYTHING stanton, and yes i am a biased bastard, they fucked me once and i didnt like it). both of these are quality and if you wanna get into pros/cons use the search. it has been argued MANY a time. expect to pay about $550 for serato scratch live and about $600 for FS2.
next on both of these systems, do you have a computer to run these programs? I hope so cuz i didnt. remember that if your computer is slow now, you will need a new one or a major overhaul for this software. if you wanna be mobile you will need a laptop. lets say a minimum of about $1000 for a decent laptop capable of running SSL or FS2.
now lets just get the mixer out of the way while we are here. if you are on a budget, the mixer is where you are gonna wanna go cheapER. io wont say cheap cuz they you will go buy a behringer and i dont need to go there again. look at vestax and denon for your best quality/price ratio. i like the denon dnx-100 or dnx-300 if you are gonna go light on the mixer. if you wanna just pimp out everything at once, pick up an ecler or A&H, im not a big pioneer fan, but they certainly arent crap. you are looking at about $200-500 for a decent mixer.
on to CDJs. here, you dont wanna mess with anything but denon or pioneer. if we are gonna compare TTs to CDJs then the CDJ1000mk2 is the equlivilant to the 1200s. CDjs also have alot more options as far as master tempo controls for harmonic mixing and loops and all that fun stuff.you can drop anywhere from about $600-$2000 on your cdjs.
it all really breaks down to what you wanna spend and what kinda quality you want.
*note*
im not gonna touch the mp3 vs wav issue. if you want my 2 cents on it all i will say is that i have heard 320kbps MP3s on the best sound system in the world (dynachord by alpha concepts) at club space in miami, and yes it was voted best sound system in the world in 2004, and a 320 mp3 still sounds fucking awsome.
im not gonna tell you what to buy, im just giving you my input based on my experiences and my knowlege of DJ gear. i personally have 3 1200m3ds w/ ortofon concord nightclubs, a vestax pcv275R, serato scratch live, and a powerbook g4 w/ableton. all in all my home booth has a new pricetag of about $6000 and that doesnt include my vinyl, monitors, or headphones.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by phobosCGS What is better, scratch live or final? |
with record lots on ebay, i think that vinyl is just as cost effective if not better than cdj's... i have like 100 vinyls that i got on ebay (in lots) and didnt pay more than 175.00. its all good stuff too... you can buy single records of your choice for around 5 bucks also. i dont think vinyl is expensive at all...
i'd go with vinyl for the following reasons:
-start up costs are lower
-vinyl on ebay is killer cheap
-vinyl is an actual good and not something i keep stored on my comp..
-the sound quality is better
-nice cdj's are killer expensive
-vinyl is just better in every aspect
bisco
ps. i'd go with the numark dxm06 mixer too because it is the best bang for your buck. the effects are great! hard to get bored...
I would say CD. I spent so much money on vinyl, on styluses and cartridges (i went through three different cartridges to get the best sound quality and skip-resistance with the Shure Whitelabels)and finally it got to the point where I was sick of playing the same tunes over and over and I wanted to diversify my sets and not have to wait for months for something that was released first on MP3/WAV. With CDs, you can download as many songs as your hard drive can handle and you can afford, and not have to worry about warped records, scratched records or dusty records. You can diversify your sets and discover new, digital only releases as well. It seems like more and more DJs are starting to go the digital route anyways, I doubt vinyl is going to be that popular in five to ten years, and if your planning to do this for a long time, I think the CDJs are a better investment.
I would personally go with either the CDJ 1000 MK2s that I own, or the CDJ 800 if you don't feel you need 6% pitch at .02, which is supposed to be the most accurate, esp for progressive trance, breaks and house music. I invested in the 1000 MK2s because I thought I would want the extras in the future when I get more accustomed to everything, still learning. Mixing with CDJs just as fun IMO as vinyl, and you can buy so many MP3s for the price of just one single record, although if you get WAVs it may cost you almost as much as vinyl, but the sound quality is a little better.
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| Originally posted by Spirit5 styluses |
if you're trying to save money to put into production gear, keep in mind that you'll be able to play your own stuff on cd's a lot easier than trying to get test pressings done.
cd's will be more expensive for decent gear to start, but it won't take long for the total cost of ownership, including new music as a cost, to become lower than vinyl. Sure you can pick up some bargains on ebay, but you'll be hard pressed to find too many of the tracks you want, even 2nd hand, for $2 each on vinyl
i'd suggest getting pretty good cd decks though, really cheap ones won't be fun to use for long, you'll just get bored with their lack of features. cdj800 or dns-3000/3500 will keep you amused for some time.
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