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Pioneer CDJ-1000 MKII + Serato?
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| IpLaYWiTLiGhTs |
So I've been reading that when you use Serato with the CDJs, you lose the wav display and looping fuctions thus making the features of the 1000 MKII pretty useless. Also, looping with the CDJ-800 is usually faulty.
Is this true? Has it been updated?
Wouldn't that mean you're basically downgrading to a CDJ-800, and should buy that instead?
I'm about to buy CDJs and I'm still in the debate war of 1000's vs 800's, so this is going to finalzie my decision. Don't want to buy SSL and then find out it makes the 1000's features totally useless. |
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| DjWoody |
The loop features on the CDJ still work with Serato, it's just not as accurate. However, and this is a BIG however, you GAIN MORE with Serato. The looping with Serato is SICK and it lets you do instant loops, which is something the CDJ1000 doesn't let you do. Also, the waveforms on Serato are WAY more accurate than the ones on the CDJ's.
CDJ WAVEFORM
SERATO WAVEFORM
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| miamitranceman |
| I wa reading about an issue with Serato and CDJs in CDJ mode/auto cue etc. Have you guys had any problems with it? |
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| Polt |
| quote: | Originally posted by miamitranceman
an issue with Serato and CDJs in CDJ mode/auto cue etc. |
I have cdj-800mk1s and there is no issue with it being in cdj mode. |
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| Ryan0751 |
Serato/Traktor Scratch/Torq has worked perfectly fine with my CDJ-1000 MK2's. The only issue with cueing is that it's not quite like "throw in a cd, hit cue/play". You do have to find the first beat yourself for most tracks.
Still, if you haven't bought CDJ's yet... can you wait a bit? Or even consider the 400's?
The 400's can control Serato natively (though the updated Serato release is still pending), this means:
1. No timecode CD's to deal with, or the related issues of using timecode.
2. CDJ's display is updated with the track name and time of what is playing in the software.
3. Features like the looping and beat jumping are mapped to the software, so they work seamlessly.
Now I imagine it's only a short matter of time before Pioneer adds these features to a 1000 class deck, would seem like a lot of money to spend on the MK2's at this point, only to have a new unit come out within the year.
If you really must have the big jog wheel, the 800 MK2's are perfectly fine for half the price. And like you said, you get much, MUCH better looping and cue points in Serato, along with a better wave display. |
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| tortoise |
| this might be dumb but here it goes. why would you buy the 800 or 1000 just to spin ssl? the 1000 are over 1100 usd each. why not just buy a controller for much cheaper. IMO if your are going to play actual cds get the cd player if your are just going to play ssl just get a controller. |
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| Ryan0751 |
Gee I don't know, maybe BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T WORK? LOL
Serato needs timecode, at least until the "itch" product comes out. Or you need a deck that is support in their new HID mode, like the CDJ-400. But those are $630 each anyway.
And having CDJ's means you can, you know, play CD's too (useful for DJ'ing with others, and as a backup).
Plus the controllers out there kinda suck, and are all really setup to be an all-in-one solution. There's something to be said for good quality DJ gear.
| quote: | Originally posted by tortoise
this might be dumb but here it goes. why would you buy the 800 or 1000 just to spin ssl? the 1000 are over 1100 usd each. why not just buy a controller for much cheaper. IMO if your are going to play actual cds get the cd player if your are just going to play ssl just get a controller. |
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| n3lly |
| quote: | Originally posted by tortoise
this might be dumb but here it goes. why would you buy the 800 or 1000 just to spin ssl? the 1000 are over 1100 usd each. why not just buy a controller for much cheaper. IMO if your are going to play actual cds get the cd player if your are just going to play ssl just get a controller. |
It's just having the ability to play cd's, having an industry standard deck that you know wont break down on you, and well finally having serato on either CDJ's or Turntables allows you to keep your music in order. You can search for tracks, put them into playlists. Prepare them by putting them into a temporary window, a review window, loads of things.
I think the cataloguing of tracks is probably one of the main benefits.
I agree though, i dunno if i'd be using SSL as much as i do if i had CDJ's, but it does take away the hassle of having to burn cd's etc.
I do enjoy using the vinyl emulation more though.
nelly |
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| IpLaYWiTLiGhTs |
Oh, for sure. If I had SSL I'd rather use them with my TT, but I'm thinking it's time to upgrade if you want to "stay in the game" with other DJs.
Also, nothing wrong with more toys :p .
Anyways, thanks all for the input. |
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| SuPeRSaW2005 |
I recently got my hands on Serato too, and it seems like you are having most of the same questions I was having before I bought it. Here are some general facts about how it performs with the CDJ-800 MK2s that might help:
1) When you press play, it actually is pretty damn instant if you are using relative mode and have the cue point set up ahead of time (only required to do this once and it will save it in the mp3 file itself). Plus you can have up to 5 for each. Also, you can save I believe up to 9 pre-set loops for each track (also gets stored in the mp3 file itself).
2) No problems with pitch accuracy (just as accurate as regular CDs). Most CDJers who first make the jump to Serato might at first think it feels different because they are overwhelmed with the cool waveforms on the screen, and they might be tempted to keep using that to help them beatmatch (which is not a good idea).
3) The waveforms are pretty damn accurate, but of course you shouldn't really on your eyes (what you see in the wave alignment) to beatmatch. Use your ears!
4) You can still use your loops on CDJ deck, but that's only in absolute mode (which means there is a very slight, unnoticeable-to-the untrained-ear lag from time when u press play and the time it actually starts). In this mode, you can also use the cue/play button as you would normally on the CDJs. But of course you will have much more fun with the relative mode internal looping stuff.
There's my 0.02 cents. |
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| IpLaYWiTLiGhTs |
| quote: | Originally posted by SuPeRSaW2005
4) You can still use your loops on CDJ deck, but that's only in absolute mode (which means there is a very slight, unnoticeable-to-the untrained-ear lag from time when u press play and the time it actually starts). In this mode, you can also use the cue/play button as you would normally on the CDJs. But of course you will have much more fun with the relative mode internal looping stuff.
There's my 0.02 cents. |
Thanks for that...
This worries me. I'm guessing anyone with a DJ backround, or really listens to a DJs mixing would be able to notice. That sucks...
And no worries about the waveforms. Strictly using my ears... |
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| Ryan0751 |
No no, you have to realize that the looping capabilities in Serato (and even more in Traktor) are WAAAAAY better than the CDJ loops, even with regular CD's.
The CDJ-1000's don't have auto-loops of course, you have to hit the in and out points, and doing it on the fly and winding up with a loop tight enough to mix in and out of is really hard.
The CDJ-800 has the auto loops and beat cutter, but it's BPM engine is "just ok". Same problem.
People have been buying things like the cycloops sample for years because it's BPM detection engine is really good, and it grabs nearly perfect 1,2, 4 or 8 beat loops no problem from CD's or vinyl.
Well now all the major DVS apps do the same thing. I've made loops in Traktor that I've left running over a track for like 2 minutes with little (actually no) drift. Serato is similar.
The only downside is that means your loop buttons and hot cue buttons on the CDJ's are kinda not used anymore. Hopefully Pio's next 1000 class deck will have the HID mode of the 400.
| quote: | Originally posted by IpLaYWiTLiGhTs
Thanks for that...
This worries me. I'm guessing anyone with a DJ backround, or really listens to a DJs mixing would be able to notice. That sucks...
And no worries about the waveforms. Strictly using my ears... |
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