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-- School me!! <n00b warning!>

School me!! <n00b warning!>

Okay.. I'm going to wear a flame-proof suit while writing this, because i'm expecting some RTFM/'everyone has their own choice' responses - but hoping someone can take a few minutes and throw some wisdom my way..

I'm looking to DJ for fun. Used to do it in college and have since gotten into EDM/IDM and would love to mess around with it..

I'm trying to figure out a decent setup to do it on..

I'm not going vinyl and i'm kinda wondering why you would even need CD's? just the 'feel' of it? I assume it doesnt matter that much if data is read from a laptop/ipod-ish device or a CD..?

So with that in mind.. what would a good setup be in the $2k range? Ideas are more than welcome. Torn on whether i need CD decks or not.. I already have a macbook pro, ipod etc and other laptops available so that doesnt need to be part of the budget.

For software - I was thinking traktor, but unfamiliar with serato.. Assuming there are other options as well? I do some producing and I'm familiar with cubase (not that thats an option but) would Live be worth checking out?

I'm mainly a trancewhore stylewise.

Throw your pearls of wisdom at me oh experienced ones

Honestly, there's no real point to cdjs/cds any more what with Serato/Traktor/Torq.

Go vinyl. Vinyl decks last a LOT longer than cdjs and are far more durable. Get a couple of techs, some sorta mixer (Vestax or Numark are cheap and reliable when it comes to the beginner market), and invest in Serato or Traktor or Torq (Torq being the cheapest).

Oh, and have a laptop

But if you do that, you'll learn to mix vinyl and have decks that will last you forever.

Thanks for the reply, but I dont think i'm going to start a vinyl collection at my amateur stage, so i'll prob stick to the digital domain...

if you do pure traktor whats the best control surface for it? I think i'd want at least one CDJ just in case though? Whats a good choice?

And I guess software recommendations are welcome.. is traktor the bomb or?

You might be surprised to know that there's still a lot of music only being released on vinyl. Promo is on the money there. I just can't see why anyone would want to invest in cdj's these days. Vinyl is just more authentic imo.

quote:

Originally posted by ravan Thanks for the reply, but I dont think i'm going to start a vinyl collection at my amateur stage, so i'll prob stick to the digital domain...

...that was my point. Programs like Serato Scratch and Traktor Scratch allow you to use vinyl while "sticking to the digital domain" as it time-encodes your mp3s, wavs, and other files onto a pair of vinyls that it comes with.

That means you can mix any mp3 on your computer (preferably laptop) as though you HAD the vinyl.

You won't have to buy countless vinyls and pay tons in shipping fees. Also, if/when you feel like collecting vinyl you'd be ready. And keep in mind that there's plenty of older tracks that are impossible to find digitally. If you got Techs and Serato then you'd be able to get those tracks as well as any digital track. Another added plus is that most clubs have hookups for either Serato or Traktor so if you ever got to that point all you would have to bring to a club to play is your laptop and *maybe* your time-encoded vinyls.

You'll have more options this route, wind up spending less money, have gear that will last you forever, and learn how to spin vinyl all in one go. I'm having buyer's remorse with my cdjs I got a few years back.

quote:

Originally posted by Teezdalien I just can't see why anyone would want to invest in cdj's these days. Vinyl is just more authentic imo.

might be a bit down the road but right now every club I've been to is using CDJs. the TTs are used for holding CD binders. sad i know

+1 to what Ted Promo said.

I personally use Torq and love it. You can pick that up with something like an X-Session Pro (google it) or go all the way and get an Xponent and you've got everything you need for around 500 bucks. (besides speakers and music of course).

Go with what Ted Promo said.

My first legit setup is going to include 2x Tech 12's, and Traktor Scratch for sure.

i can't stand lugging a computer around to gigs where it can get trashed or stolen.

if i could afford to buy a computer just for deejaying then serato, then it could be a good idea.


i also can't stand looking at a computer screen at parties

quote:

Originally posted by nefardec i can't stand lugging a computer around to gigs where it can get trashed or stolen. if i could afford to buy a computer just for deejaying then serato, then it could be a good idea. i also can't stand looking at a computer screen at parties

Luggin' around 2 cdjs is arguably just as bad if not worse though.

You know what? I'm going to say my piece and that's that.

As much as having Techs /w a DVS would be great it seems like a ton of money to blow on equipment. Sure you could get some Techs used, Traktor Scratch Pro, and an ok mixer, or a Rane and whatever your flavor yadda yadda...

2 sound sources or 4? That is the question...

You have a macbook pro so that's working in your favor. I'm not saying that my setup is your setup...but I'm tossing the idea out that you just need a very nice mixer (1300$ ?) with no midi (midi is worthless imho /w traktor unless you get a soundcard that's decent in there), audio 8 dj (500$), some good speakers and amp (?), and tracks($200).

I dunno, find an older Nuo 4 with midi and buy Traktor Pro, look for some solid used hifi gear, and blow the rest on mp3s

BTW: Traktor is the bomb. Period.

quote:

Originally posted by nefardec i can't stand lugging a computer around to gigs where it can get trashed or stolen. if i could afford to buy a computer just for deejaying then serato, then it could be a good idea. i also can't stand looking at a computer screen at parties

1. agree
2. agree
3. agree


lol

quote:

Originally posted by miamitranceman Luggin' around 2 cdjs is arguably just as bad if not worse though.

most clubs have em there waiting for you!

Both of these controllers are made by Vestex. They are a heavy build , and well laid out.



+ Traktor PRO. you already have the laptop, and will just need a good audio interface (fasttrack pro will do the trick or a audio 8 ).

This would be a choice setup for techno/trance etc.. $500 + $200+ for a sound card.

I have the VCI-300 , it uses Serato ITCH , but does not have as many features past a 2 channel mixer w/ loops. It is more for scratching, but I tell you, the jog response / pitch fader is 4x more responsive then the VCI-100 above as it uses high resolution midi.

If you want to just mix tracks , learn to beatmatch, scratch etc, this would be a better option. It has a built in audio card, so that is not needed. Price $1000+



Jay

I back the TT's and Serato route, thats what I took.

Well at first it was Finalscratch... and before that I had been collecting vinyl for a few years.

Seriously, get some vinyl. There is something about having that physical piece of music in your hands. The music literally represented on the surface of the thing.

CD's and Mp3's more seem intangible a lot of times.

Also a lot of older tracks can not be got by legal means besides on vinyl.

I agree with the laptop bit though, its expensive and a potential liability.

You don't need an expensive laptop to run serato

quote:

Originally posted by Ted Promo You don't need an expensive laptop to run serato

No, but its still another piece of kit that you can lose.

quote:

Originally posted by Allied Nations most clubs have em there waiting for you!

Yeah but the thread starter was talking about doing house parties, not club gigs. Most houses dont have CDJs set up.

In my case, i try and learn on as much as i can. But to start out get TTs for sure. I love my CDJs to death, but like other people have said, theres nothing like vinyl. Only reason i got CDJs was to get rid of my computer for gigs and vinyl is damn expensive to get real presses. Nowadays though, you cant really go wrong with anything. Go to guitar center and play around with the CDJs there and see if you like them.

Oh yeah... if you do decide on going to the vci controller, there arent much alternatives. Dont let those guys at guitar center sell you something similar with some no name brand on it. I saw some kid waking out with some retarded controllers and i was about to cry.

quote:

Originally posted by miamitranceman Yeah but the thread starter was talking about doing house parties, not club gigs. Most houses dont have CDJs set up.

you're right...

in terms of house parties now though, i have a rule.. i never lug my own shit to house parties anymore, unless im invested in it and thats what it comes down to.

you want me to spin at your loft or some shit? id love to, please have 2 cdjs and a mixer there thanks

Ha! Get this. I heard that's actually pretty kick ass. Look up the videos on Scratchworks. It's $1200.

Oh yeah, did I also say it works with Traktor, Serato, and pretty much any DVS system on the market? Here's the video.

VIDEO CLICK HERE

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