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-- undecided on starter set-up
undecided on starter set-up
This is what I have narrowed it down to.
CDJ: Pioneer CDJ-800MK2's or Denon S3500's.
Mixer: Pretty much set on the DJM 400. Is there a better option out there for around $500?
Headphones: Sony MDR-7506 (or V6's), Sennheiser HD-25, or Pioneer HDJ1000's.
I know the Denon's are better technically. However, the 800's are also a great pair. And I also plan to play out eventually, and would like to have the feel of the Pioneer jog wheel. The 3500's wheel feels a bit heavy, is that right? But the Denon's have more features though.
But does that even matter if I'm getting DJM 400 mixer? The effects on the Denon's are basically negated. Is there anything other reason to get the Denon's rather than 800's if I'm getting a DJM 400 mixer?
Also, for headphones, I've heard good things about the Sony's...is that industry standard? The 7506's don't feel right (kinda loose)...but others seem to have no problem.
And do the Sennheiser HD-25's have a loud volume risk? Or was that another model.
The Pioneers also look good, but don't seem as widely used...any cons about them? other than breaking which I have heard
Basically, I'm looking at about $2000 for all of this. I'd really just rather get the original Pioneer 800's and save $400, but does anyone know who's still selling them?
Any help is appreciated.
I'll take pio cdjs over denons any day of the week.
Get Cdj1000's and be done with it !!!
For A Mixer : Numark 5000FX
I would get the Pioneer CDJ-800's.
Of course, I may be a bit biased when I say that, but it seems like most places have CDJ-1000's, so the transition across Pioneer models won't be as great as Denon -> Pioneer.
I know that's one of the reasons why I got the 800's.
From what I've heard, the DJM-400 should be perfectly fine and should last you a long time. Just be aware that the inputs are analog, and are converted to digital internally for mixing.
I'd hardly consider that a 'starter' setup, but what do I know? I started off (still am, hehe) with an Ecler Nuo4 and a Pioneer CDJ-800mk2 (2nd CDJ-800 should be arriving next week).
I did some pricing earlier this summer on equipment, and came up with $1733 for 2x CDJ-800mk2 and DJM-400. You can probably find it for slightly less (try agiprodj.com, djmart.com, etc.). I bought my equipment through agiprodj.
As for headphones, I bought a pair of Sennheiser HD280 Pros last year for around $90 or so. The only issue I have with them is that they are a bit bulky. I would suggest trying out as many as you can and make your own decision. I've heard good things about the HD25's, and have heard about breaking issues (something cleanly snaps, probably the frame) on the Pioneer HDJ-1000's. Perhaps someone could also comment on the Technics DJ-1200 headphones (I think Armin van Buuren uses them? ~$120).
Hopefully this (rather long-winded) post will help you out a bit. =)
I'm gonna go with the Pioneer 800's...it's where my heart's at. DJM 400 to go along with that and still not sure about the headphones. It's gonna be between either the Sony's or Sennheiser's.
Decks and mixer I want at around $1700. Is that a reasonable find? I'll have to do some searching but it would be great to them at that price.
The above pricing was done through DJDeals.com before they lost their Pioneer Authorized Dealer status.
I hope I'm not breaking any rules by saying this, but I got my CDJ-800mk2's for $589 apiece. AGIProDJ may have had the DJM-400 for something like $495 or so (I don't remember exactly how much). Decks and mixer come out at < $1700. Definitely feasible.
Regarding the Sennheiser HD280's, I look kinda retarded when I'm wearing them. The headband sticks out really far on either side, and isn't flush with my head. Think of it like a C-clamp across my ears. Haha.
Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either of the two.
Personally, I don't buy Sony because of how they handled the XCP rootkit fiasco a while back.
I recently purchased the exact setup you're l ooking at (w/v700 sonys instead) from agiprodj. 2 800 mk2s and a djm 400. It was my first setup as well and I went with the equipment for precisely the reason that I wanted something over the barebones beginner setup. So far, it has been an absolute blast. Def go with the 800s over the 3500 because, like you said, with the effects on the 400, it negates many of the 3500's "extras" over the 800. PM me if you want more specific details. BTW, I got my geat from 1750.00 (agi-pio authorized dealer) or so so anything around that is solid.
Try the ECLER NUO3 instead of the DJM-400....you lose the effects/sampler, but you gain another channel, professional XLR ouptuts (if you plan to play out ever) and just better overall build quality...so it'll last you quite a long time, before needing to upgrade. It has an FX loop, so you can always add an EFX-500 or something later
Re: undecided on starter set-up
| quote: |
| Originally posted by cherrybarry Also, for headphones, I've heard good things about the Sony's...is that industry standard? The 7506's don't feel right (kinda loose)...but others seem to have no problem. And do the Sennheiser HD-25's have a loud volume risk? Or was that another model. The Pioneers also look good, but don't seem as widely used...any cons about them? other than breaking which I have heard |
). They will be sweet if you look after them & are careful how you use them. The Pio HDJ1000's are an awesome set of cans, absolutely crystal clear sound. I previously got through a couple of cheap pairs of Technics (�20 a pair = v cheap 
). No way I'd go back.
For the headphones I reccomend the Ultrasone DJ1 or DJ1 Pro headphones. They are the best I have ever used, they have awesome bass, and great isolation. Im never buying any other headphone as long as these are made.
with that money, I would get the DJM-600 and the pioneer CDJ-200, instead of the 800's.
thwe jogwheel of the 800 in size and shape are similar to the CDJ-1000, but actually the sensitivity it's more similar with the CDJ-200.
and I honestly prefer the CDJ-200 over the CDJ-800, even if you give them to me at the same price.
you can get the DJM-600 wich is propably whatyou will find in almost all clubs, and witht the CDJ-200 you can easily use a CDJ-1000.
as for the headphones , I have the HDJ-1000 and it's true that they break, but I actually paste them with an special glue and everything works perfectly.
I don't think you want to paste them, so get the sony or the Sennheiser, I've just heard wonders about both of them, so thye gotta be fine.
hope this helps you.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Pinokio with that money, I would get the DJM-600 and the pioneer CDJ-200, instead of the 800's. |
what's the advantage of having a Nuo3, other than the extra channel? Is the sound quality comparable in both? I want effects on my mixer too, so the 400 seems like the better choice.
I'd like to integrate my laptop sometime in the future too, so that might not work with a 2-channel mixer, but for now, I'm leaning toward the 400's because of the effects.
well, if youre just starting out, its best to not use effects until youre ready. You'll want to focus on the core skills, like beatmatching, EQ'ing, track selection and just general mixing skills.
Once you get those down, then you can move on to adding effects to your mixes....and by the time you reach this level, you will be sick of the effects on the DJM-400 and want to upgrade to another mixer and an external FX unit, like the EFX-500 or EFX-1000.
A lot of the time new DJ's get FX to start off, and end up using them way too much or just miss out on the fundementals of DJ'ing. I'm kinda guilty of that myself! 
This is why I recommend the NUO3....you have 3 channels, better sound and build quality, and more room for expansion in the future. So when youre ready do add effects, the FX loop will be ready for you...and a 3rd channel for another deck or CD player or even your laptop. Plusit has XLR outputs if you plan to use your setup at a club/house party etc...
So in the end, you can keep your NUO3 for a long time and add things to it, without worrying about upgrading to a new mixer everytime you develop new skills or add new tricks to your mixing
The DJM 600 is outdated, The new DJM 400 is the best 2 channel mixer i've ever used beside a Rane TTM56. It's just got a nice feel to it.
Buy 2 800's, the 400 and the HD25's , upgrade the mixer in 2 years. GEt one without effects , something like an Empath, and get an external FX box!
Happy Days!
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Trogdor I would rather have the DJM-400 than the DJM-600. There is absolutely no reason in this day and age to buy a DJM-600, unless it is extremely cheap. I would take an Ecler Nuo3 over both of them. The CDJ-200s are nice, but I don't think I would take them over the 800s. Coming from vinyl, I prefer the vinyl-mode on the 800s. But, if you've never DJed before, then you won't miss that. I gotta say that I hate stutter-cue, though. |
I think I'd still like to have effects right away, but a Nuo3 + FX unit will cost too much for now. What exactly is an XLR output? I've read it allows for better signal quality than standard audio cables...
But does that mean I can't use the 400 mixer to play out or just lower sound quality?
Well, if you get an EFX plus the NUO3, it will be expensive....but I'd say to put off getting the EFX until a little later on, once you get your other skills up to snuff (well, obviously, you can do what you want....I feel like I'm "telling" you what to do here, I dont mean to come off like that...just talking from experience)...
As for the XLR cables/connections, its just a higher quality, more professional output that is "balanced", which means it has less noise, and is used when attaching the mixer to any peice of professional gear, like powered speakers, amplifiers or larger systems....its pretty much a necessity.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Soundwerks Well, if you get an EFX plus the NUO3, it will be expensive....but I'd say to put off getting the EFX until a little later on, once you get your other skills up to snuff (well, obviously, you can do what you want....I feel like I'm "telling" you what to do here, I dont mean to come off like that...just talking from experience)... As for the XLR cables/connections, its just a higher quality, more professional output that is "balanced", which means it has less noise, and is used when attaching the mixer to any peice of professional gear, like powered speakers, amplifiers or larger systems....its pretty much a necessity. |
thanks guys. the only reason i'd like to have effects right away is that I know how they work and what they do. I've been using Reason and making mixes on Ableton for a while now and have used Traktor DJ for over a year, so the whole EQ'ing, phrase matching, harmonic mixing is really nothing new...I'd like to do the real thing finally instead of clicking with my mouse...
But I might actually decide on the Nuo3...seems like a better long term choice
my buddy got a djm-600 for 500 bones off e-bay...it works like a gem too!! i'd go with two 800s and a 600 fo shiz
I'm selling a vestax pcv-275 mixer for 350$ if you are interested (check For Sale / Wanted Postings thread). It is an amazing mixer to start spinning on, and im sure may people here will back me up on this one.
ive been looking into the CDJ series. From what I could gather the CDJ-200 would be a better choice due the fact that tempo control is more precise, the 800 seems like it has the temp control of the CDJ-100s. And I dont think I would need the CDJ-1000
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Psychotron the 800 seems like it has the temp control of the CDJ-100s. |
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