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-- What can you do on a CDJ that you can't do in Serato or Final Scratch?
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What can you do on a CDJ that you can't do in Serato or Final Scratch?

I don't know a whole lot about CDJ's, so I was just wondering if there are some effects, methods, etc. that would make someone want to choose a CDJ over using a set of turntables and Final Scratch or Serato Scratch Live. The advantages of using software are obvious (carrying infinite tracks on a hard drive, skip-free, etc.), but are there any advantages the other way around?

Well I was debating between SSL and CDJs and I went with CDJs for following reasons:

While SSL and FS software are advanced they are still not perfected. Crashes still occur etc
I like the pitch stability of the CDJ, some SSL users reported unstable pitch
I like the hands on exp with the CDJs. The way I can loop, apply effects and use jogweel to control th effects.
I bought my CDJ's few months ago and love them.

What is the advantage of using the jogwheel as opposed to manipulating an actual (time encoded) vinyl?

It seems to me you can do everything and more if you have Final Scratch and maybe a MIDI controller.

my biggest thing about viynl that made me switch to cdj

just when you're about to drop the incoming track at the perfect moment and you start backqueing to get the feel and then it skips just as your cue point comes

plus the things that you can do with cdjs that are physically impossible to do like looping

(by the way, forgive my ignorance if I am missing something, as I have never touched a CDJ in my life)

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello my biggest thing about viynl that made me switch to cdj just when you're about to drop the incoming track at the perfect moment and you start backqueing to get the feel and then it skips just as your cue point comes

Hm, that sounds like it would suck.

quote:

plus the things that you can do with cdjs that are physically impossible to do like looping

But you can loop in Traktor if you're using Final Scratch...

quote:

Originally posted by david.michael But you can loop in Traktor if you're using Final Scratch...

SSL too

well you can start a loop at a point and end it. then you can adjust th eending point of the loop.

What I do sometimes is loop a track at the end of a break down, then I move the end point out slowly, so the loop hits the first beat. You can run some effects over this too, then you let the loop go. When it works its wonderful.


plus there are also other things, like looping a track and beatmatching it to the current track and bringing it in. other things like that.

I guess I still just don't understand how that differs from what you can do in Traktor or SSL.

ask pvd to answer, it sould be a good reference

quote:

Originally posted by david.michael I guess I still just don't understand how that differs from what you can do in Traktor or SSL.

i guess I dont understand what traktor or SSL can do :P

quote:

Originally posted by Boomer187 i guess I dont understand what traktor or SSL can do :P

Ah... that makes more sense then.

Here ya go, watch this vid: http://www.stantondj.com/v2/fs/spt_fs2_video.asp it pretty much answered the questions I had. Fun vid to watch too.

well cdjs are nice, i havent gotten mine yet (2 more weeks!!!) but if you have a pair of pio 1000's for example, you get the best of both worlds, effects and looping and vinyl mode as well which you can then couple with ssl or FS if thats what you dig...to be honest its just about personal preference i dont think anyone here can make a decision for you, but it looks like you've already decided in the direction you want to go..what kinda decks do you have?? i mean if your havin fun using your computer in conjunction with vinyl then that's great, all the power to you...but perhaps you should go play around with some nice cdj's in a music shop to get a better understanding and make your decision. good luck bro

quote:

Originally posted by SPAWNmaster well cdjs are nice, i havent gotten mine yet (2 more weeks!!!) but if you have a pair of pio 1000's for example, you get the best of both worlds, effects and looping and vinyl mode as well which you can then couple with ssl or FS if thats what you dig...to be honest its just about personal preference i dont think anyone here can make a decision for you, but it looks like you've already decided in the direction you want to go..what kinda decks do you have?? i mean if your havin fun using your computer in conjunction with vinyl then that's great, all the power to you...but perhaps you should go play around with some nice cdj's in a music shop to get a better understanding and make your decision. good luck bro

Thanks for the advice!

To answer your question, I do not currently have decks at all. I haven't purchased them yet. But it's the route I plan on going, since with Final Scratch I have the musical flexibility (and more) of the CDJ with the tactile features of vinyl. But it seems that a lot of people use CDJs instead, so I thought I would see why that is.

As you said, I'm sure it just comes down to preference.

edit-- FYI, I currently DJ using Traktor (without Final Scratch) and my MIDI controller, with the crossfader mapped to one of my sliders, and the EQs assigned to my knobs, etc.)

Also that fact that if you wanted to play MP3/WAVs on your TTs with SSL or Final Scratch, you have to turn your computer on. With CDJs, you can just play around with them and listen to your MP3s/WAV without having to turn on your computer in order to do so. It comes in handy to have a laptop with SSL or FS so you can use that, but not everyone has a laptop, or enough space to fit a laptop and two TTs, since TTs are bigger than CDJs. Also taking a laptop to gigs is okay but you have to be really careful not to get it damaged or stolen. Quite a big investment. CDs are a hell of a lot cheaper to replace than a laptop.

Q: What can you do on a CDJ that you can't do in Serato or Final Scratch?


A: Play CDs

Technically you could put a CD in the disc drive of the computer you're using Serato or FS on and 'play CDs'.

quote:

Originally posted by spike_boy69 Q: What can you do on a CDJ that you can't do in Serato or Final Scratch? A: Play CDs

I don't know about final scratch, but Serato is compatable with both cdj's or tables, so if you wanted to you could use cdj's to control serato, and still play cd's if you wanted to.


A;;em

I prefer looping in Traktor with FS2 much more than on cdjs... But in terms of convinience, CDJs rule all. All clubs have cdjs, many more now only have cdjs rather than turntables- This for me is the huge draw.

I am currently sitting on this exact dilema.

Vinyl woes that don't happen with CDJ's
Dust - I hate any dust issues getting under the needles/stylus. Pisses me off to no end.

Buffer - Stability. If you have big bass in a club, an annoying fan bouncing around beside an unstable booth, you're going to suffer skipping.

Instant looping - I know with FS2 that looping is available, but it's more hands on instead of 'click-on' with FS and SSL. You have more control, and it's much more effective.

My biggest option to switch to CDJ's

FS2 and SSL is a major pain in the ass to setup in a club. I like to just get up and go instead of getting behind the mixer and fucking around. Such a pain when you're working with a Xone 464 as you have to climb UNDER the damn DJ booth/mixer to connect things. The idea of FS is great and I've been using it for years. But the practicality in a club is very difficult because it is not club standard and we're not all PvD having a team of people set it up for you.

For the record, I've never had a single issue for computer problems with Final Scratch, both 1 and 2.

Whatever you decide on DONT GET FINAL SCRATCH. You'll regret it. Trust me FS is known for poor tech support. I've been there. I had so many issues, that I finally gave up on it and bought Serato. Man, I LOVE SERATO. Vinyl emulation is so close to the real thing. I LOVE IT!

With Version 1.5 and 1.6 you can now do loops, and hot cues. On other words, you can have up to 9 (I think) loops saved per track and 5 hot cues. You can't do that with a CDJ. Practically everything you can do with a CDJ and turntable you can do with Serato. Its so freakin stable, I never had an issue with it. Tech support is awesome, and the peeps on their message board are real helpful. SoCal Serato board members have monthly Serato Spin Offs & meetings where we all get together spin off, share ideas, help each other out, and show tricks, and talk about what's hot on the dancefloor right now. All the DJs play different styles, so when someone needs help with EDM, I help them out, when someone needs help with hip hop, others help out. It's like a close family.


Check it out, this is from the last Serato Meetup on June.

Computer

I think the huge advantage Serato or FS has is that they use a computer. The big downside is that in a club environment setup and keeping everything safe can get tricky. This is nothing a little preparation and professionalism can't over come. Talk to promoters and techs before hand and let them know what you need and want to do. Not only will this make things allot easier it will make you look good. Showing you�re serious about having a good performance and are doing the necessary preparation to ensure it. Incorporating a computer into your tools can give you limitless possibilities compared to other setups. I've seen Sasha and BT live and was blow away by the performance. I know these guys weren�t using Serato, or FS. The point I�m makeing is its not just Serato or FS that are better than CDJ's. Its the addition of a computer to the mix that will give you so much more that you could do.


Allen

Personally I would recommend CDJs over FS2 and SSL, but if you're going to use a vinyl emulator...I would go with Serato.

Yes, it can be a pain in the ass to set up.

Re: Computer

quote:

Originally posted by Allen Mueller I think the huge advantage Serato or FS has is that they use a computer. The big downside is that in a club environment setup and keeping everything safe can get tricky. This is nothing a little preparation and professionalism can't over come. Talk to promoters and techs before hand and let them know what you need and want to do. Not only will this make things allot easier it will make you look good. Showing you�re serious about having a good performance and are doing the necessary preparation to ensure it. Incorporating a computer into your tools can give you limitless possibilities compared to other setups. I've seen Sasha and BT live and was blow away by the performance. I know these guys weren�t using Serato, or FS. The point I�m makeing is its not just Serato or FS that are better than CDJ's. Its the addition of a computer to the mix that will give you so much more that you could do. Allen

First off, while I agree that in theory it may be valuable to add a computer to the mix because of the potential in extra techniques (effects, live re-sequencing etc), hardly anyone would see those kinds of benefits. This guy in particular is looking to buy his first DJ setup and may not have any experience with production, so I doubt he'll benefit from having a computer that does anything beyond FS or Serato.

Second, promotors are notorious for not coming through with shit so relying on them to do something as (to them) menial as figuring out how you're going to hook up your cables, is probably a bad idea.

Personally, the reasons I went with CDJs instead of Serato are that I didn't want to bother with setting up all the cabling outside of my bedroom, and that I didn't want to rely on my laptop not to fuck up during a set (which I've seen happen). Note that I already had turntables and a laptop so that wasn't an issue.

Personally get whatever you want to use at home. Know that if you start getting gigs that you will be expected to know how to use whatever equipment they have. If all they have is a crap dual CD deck well you better be able to use it because that is your job. I've never been a fan of taking my own gear to a gig but that is just me.

And setting up two CDJs in a booth where access is limited is just as difficult/easy as setting up SSL/FS2. It just takes pluggin in a few cables.

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