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djm 800 midi capabilities
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| TrAnCeMaSteR |
Hey guys,
So i'm finally going to move ahead and purchase proper DJ gear and had a couple of questions. I know that once cdj 1000s are hooked up to a DJ software, most of its features become obsolete, such as the looping. However, does using the midi capabilites of the djm 800 mixer change any of this? Or is that not how it works.
I remember seeing cedric gervais'(and most DJs who use DJ software) setup of these 3 hooked up to traktor and have to wonder if it is possible to set it up to work correctly...or is he actually not able to use the 1000s features anymore.
Basically I want to know if I'll be wasting my money if I buy 1000s and hook it up to DJ software (probably traktor or torq at this point). What do you guys think?
Thanks in advance. |
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| Ryan0751 |
The features of the 1000's that you lose, are duplicated in the software, and in most cases, are better than the ones on the CDJ itself. For example, looping is much more accurate in Traktor Scratch/Serato, than trying to make manual loops on the CDJ-1000's.
The wave display is also nicer in the software packages. That being said, these days I'd say purchasing CDJ-800's makes more sense for use with a DVS. The extra features you get from jumping from the 800's to the 1000's are lost in combination with software. The only big difference is the CDJ-800 only has .05% pitch precision (which really isn't a BIG deal at all).
Now if you're going to be using Serato, I'd get the CDJ-400's. They are now natively supported in Serato, which means that you don't need control CD's, the CDJ's display shows you the correct track time and track name, and a bunch of the buttons for looping on the CDJ are automatically mapped out in the software for you. The CDJ-400's also have .02% pitch precision like the 1000's, the only thing you lose is the "big" jog wheel (no big deal AT ALL if you aren't scratching).
As for MIDI support on the DJM-800, it works but isn't overly useful or necessary in a DVS/CDJ setup. |
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| TrAnCeMaSteR |
thanks man. great post!
I'll look more into the CDJ 800s as they make more sense to buy. And I've heard that the midi capabilities for the 400 are not perfect. |
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| Ryan0751 |
They aren't perfect... but the 400's + Serato = awesome. I helped my friend get that going, and using the native HID mode it works amazingly well. Using them pure MIDI to Traktor wasn't nearly as good.
They are great decks, and I have 1000's.
| quote: | Originally posted by TrAnCeMaSteR
thanks man. great post!
I'll look more into the CDJ 800s as they make more sense to buy. And I've heard that the midi capabilities for the 400 are not perfect. |
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| Zild |
I wouldn't buy something just because it works well with a certain program. What if you want to change programs like I did from Serato to Traktor? I personally prefer the big jog wheel and wouldn't buy a CDJ other than the 800s or 1000s and I don't scratch. Well I do, but I have turntables for that.
Another thing to consider is that audiolines.com sells the older models the CDJ800MK1 for $400 and the CDJ1000MK2 for $800 which is a serious deal as long as you don't mind not having mp3 capability. They have new CDJ400s for $700, but I'm sure you can talk them down a bit because when I bought my Xone 62 from them I got them to knock off $140 bringing it do $760 plus shipping. If you want to buy from them make sure you call them and talk to them on the phone. |
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| Ryan0751 |
Well native mode support is coming to traktor as well, or at least that's the rumor. It's not like you're "tied" to a specific software package, it just happens to work really well with Serato. The two companies worked hard to iron out all the issues. With Traktor (currently, who knows with the next update) you have to handle all the MIDI mapping yourself, and don't get the benefits of HID.
The CDJ-800MK1's platter doesn't feel like the MK2's. The MK2's feels like the 1000's, I don't care for the 800 MK1. But that's a great price!
Have you played extensively on the 400's? The jog IMO was not even an issue. It's plenty big, and has a nice feel to it.
They have integrated sound cards as well. Although I do like the 800's, the 400's have so many more features and are more compact. The ONLY feature the 800's have over them is a larger jog wheel. Seems silly.
| quote: | Originally posted by Zild
I wouldn't buy something just because it works well with a certain program. What if you want to change programs like I did from Serato to Traktor? I personally prefer the big jog wheel and wouldn't buy a CDJ other than the 800s or 1000s and I don't scratch. Well I do, but I have turntables for that.
Another thing to consider is that audiolines.com sells the older models the CDJ800MK1 for $400 and the CDJ1000MK2 for $800 which is a serious deal as long as you don't mind not having mp3 capability. They have new CDJ400s for $700, but I'm sure you can talk them down a bit because when I bought my Xone 62 from them I got them to knock off $140 bringing it do $760 plus shipping. If you want to buy from them make sure you call them and talk to them on the phone. |
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| Zild |
I've only messed with the 400s in store. But I wouldn't want them. Especially if I could buy a CDJ1000 MK2 for $100 more. And yeah you are right you're not 'tied' since you can still use them the normal way with control CDs. I have personally always liked the jog wheel on the original CDJ800s. For me it is about the size because I can be more precise with a larger jog wheel.
Like I said I definitely wouldn't buy something just because it has native support for a program you may or may not even use.
The first CD decks I ever used were the CDJ100s and I loved them, so really any of these decks are great pieces of kit.
Just saying why get the 400s when you can get the 1000MK2s for $100 more which is what I definitely would do. If I wanted to go cheap I would get the old CDJ800s for $400 each. |
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| Ryan0751 |
Well obviously you'd take the fact you'd be using a DVS into consideration :)
I was just really impressed when I helped my friend set the whole thing up. Played on them for quite a while and didn't feel like I was "missing" anything coming from my 1000's.
Now when they come out with a CDJ-1000 with CDJ-400 like features, then I'll be happy. As long as they aren't $1500 (stupid pioneer pricing).
| quote: | Originally posted by Zild
I've only messed with the 400s in store. But I wouldn't want them. Especially if I could buy a CDJ1000 MK2 for $100 more. And yeah you are right you're not 'tied' since you can still use them the normal way with control CDs. I have personally always liked the jog wheel on the original CDJ800s. For me it is about the size because I can be more precise with a larger jog wheel.
Like I said I definitely wouldn't buy something just because it has native support for a program you may or may not even use. |
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| Zild |
You know they are going to be $1500 which is why I was telling the guy to take this advantage to get a great deal on 1000MK2s. Then he won't be 'missing' anything from the 1000s because he will have a pair.
they're such a good deal I'm considering buying them even though it will leave me broke for a few months and I will never use them since I prefer Technics+Traktor. |
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| Ryan0751 |
Wait, 1000MK2's, or 800MK1's?
| quote: | Originally posted by Zild
You know they are going to be $1500 which is why I was telling the guy to take this advantage to get a great deal on 1000MK2s. Then he won't be 'missing' anything from the 1000s because he will have a pair.
they're such a good deal I'm considering buying them even though it will leave me broke for a few months and I will never use them since I prefer Technics+Traktor. |
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| Zild |
| 800MK1s are $400, 1000MK2s are $800. I've used both and really don't see a huge difference over the new models except for mp3 support and a little bit better platter on the new 800s. Although I have heard about 800MK1s crapping out after a few years of heavy use. |
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| Ryan0751 |
Wow, NEW MK2's? Interesting.
I paid $900 for my 1000-MK2's back in 2005. So not THAT great of a deal. Shame on Pio for jacking up the MK3's price for a few lame features.
I'd say $400 for the 800-MK1's is a great deal though.
| quote: | Originally posted by Zild
800MK1s are $400, 1000MK2s are $800. I've used both and really don't see a huge difference over the new models except for mp3 support and a little bit better platter on the new 800s. Although I have heard about 800MK1s crapping out after a few years of heavy use. |
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