DN-MC3000 vs. Kontrol S2 vs. Something Else(TM)
DN-MC3000 vs. Kontrol S2 vs. Something Else(TM) Posted on: 25.09.2012 by Leota Dolney I currently own a Kontrol X1 and F1 and a DN-X1700 mixer. I love the 1700, but don't want to have to lug the mixer around all the time, and so I have been believeing about acquiring an all-in-one controller for travel portability.I don't need 4 channels as I either i) do basic A->B mixing using only 2 decks, or ii) use decks C&D as remix decks with my F1 and mix using the F1's filters and faders. What I do want is 3 EQs + a dedicated Filter knob per channel. A separate gain knob is also nice. I am leaning toward adding a controller with jogwheels...but don't feel like I NEED them...just want to After much research, I am kind of settling on the following choices: 1) Traktor Kontrol S2 2) Denon DN-MC3000 3) Wait for the Behringer CMDs and get an MM-1 & PL-1 and pair them with my Traktor Audio-2 Kontrol S2 has tight Traktor integration which is nice, but no dedicated filter knob. I know you can use shift+gain to get filter, but isn't the gain knob an encoder? I don't like encoders for EQs or filters...I like having a center detente and defined stopping points for Min/Max on the knob. The MC3000 is nice, has dedicated filter knobs, can control 4 decks using layer switching (though not sure how much I will actually use this). But it's traktor integration will depend on me (I actually don't mind making my own mappings) and won't be as tight as the S2. Or I can go with a totally modular system...I can bring along only what I will need, not have extra/duplicate functionality, but will need 3 pieces of gear every time: a sound card (Audio 2), MIDI mixer (MM-1), and transport control (X1 or PL-1). Also, not sure if I want just 1 jogwheel or if I might want 2....not to mention that the CMD line ISN'T OUT YET!!! Do you hear me Behringer! | |
| Leota Dolney 12.11.2012 |
Originally Posted by foxdanger
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| Faustino Stringfellow 02.11.2012 |
Originally Posted by TeddyWhite
The simple answer is NO. Longer answer is you need the MC6000, and that isn't traktor certified, so it will do Timecode, just not under Traktor. If you want to use Traktor (and who wouldn't), you'll need an Audio4/6/8/10 or certified mixer Denon DN-X1600/1700 etc. If you use an external soundcard, make sure it has enough outputs for you, I went with and Audio 4, and three month later realised I needed and Audio 8. Neither the Audio4 or Audio8 are made anymore (I believe because they don't work with USB3), so you could be looking at the Audio10 for 4 decks ..... If you don't need Traktor's timecode the market is HUGE, if you do need it, then it's NI kit or NI approved kit only. A sensible option is the S4 ..... inputs that are timecode approved and full control over traktor. |
| Leota Dolney 29.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Stewe
Originally Posted by Stewe
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| Kellie Myrum 29.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by DirtyNerd
I would go for Denon as well. Better build quality then S2. |
| Leota Dolney 29.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Stewe
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| Roxy Susano 13.01.2013 | No man, is not BCD is MC, from DENON |
| Awilda Boggie 12.01.2013 | Behringer is now actually selling the CMD series, well the dj stores do |
| Roxy Susano 12.01.2013 | Sorry for the late... I bought mine MC3000, and here is the review for who need that: http://community .djranking s.com/showthread.php?t=65915 |
| Leota Dolney 12.11.2012 |
Originally Posted by foxdanger
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| Roxy Susano 12.11.2012 | Greaaat review dirtnerd rly tnx I'll get mine. I see in a store at Toronto for $429 CAD so i believe this is a good price. Rly tnx for all opnions, and I'll back here to say my thoughts about it when I get mine. Cya! |
| Leota Dolney 11.11.2012 | I've had my MC3000 for a little bit now and can say a few things about it. First I use it with Traktor and, for the price, I can't believe of any controller that would work better for me. It has almost all the features that I need, and the ones it doesn't have are relatively easy to work around. It, paired with my F1 is a pretty darn good setup to meet my needs. It is extremely well built...metal body...metal stems for all the knobs and though a bit heavy due to the super solid build...the overall size is small, so it is easy to carry around. It doesn't have any booth outputs....not a deal breaker, but having dedicated booth out would be nice. A somewhat minor annoyance is that the stem for the knobs are oriented in a way that makes it difficult to find alternate knobs (e.g., DJTT Chroma Caps)...basically the stem is a D-shape with the flat part of the "D" facing left when the knob indicator is at the 12 o'clock position. A lot of knobs such as the DJTT chroma caps have the flat part of the "D" facing down (i believe) when the indicator on the knob is in the 12 o'clock position. Jog wheels, are small, but I don't scratch so it doesn't affect me. The cross fader action is quick and clean. The line faders are smooth....the buttons are fairly responsive and have a good feel. One thing to note...the FX knobs do NOT have a center detente like on the Kontrol X1. Not a big deal for most FX, but with the new Traktor 2.6 macro FX, it is a bit challenging to find the center since the macro FX are bi-directional and the minimum FX value is at the 12'oclock center position. Overall, this is a super solid controller. I picked it over the S2 and others for a few reasons...it has dedicated filter and gain knobs plus the 3 EQs. solid build, prefer the "feel" of the mc3000 jogwheels (even though I don't use them much) over the s2...I didn't want a huge controller and one that seemed like it would work well with Traktor...and I happen to like Denon gear...I have a DN-X1700 that I really like. |
| Roxy Susano 11.11.2012 | So guys, Christmas clooose, aaaand black friday too. Any new comment abou MC3000? Any new controller was launched? |
| Laci Billingham 02.11.2012 | Ah yes that was the answer I was looking for. Thank you I suppose I will still go with my x1 + mixer + a6 +TTs |
| Faustino Stringfellow 02.11.2012 |
Originally Posted by TeddyWhite
The simple answer is NO. Longer answer is you need the MC6000, and that isn't traktor certified, so it will do Timecode, just not under Traktor. If you want to use Traktor (and who wouldn't), you'll need an Audio4/6/8/10 or certified mixer Denon DN-X1600/1700 etc. If you use an external soundcard, make sure it has enough outputs for you, I went with and Audio 4, and three month later realised I needed and Audio 8. Neither the Audio4 or Audio8 are made anymore (I believe because they don't work with USB3), so you could be looking at the Audio10 for 4 decks ..... If you don't need Traktor's timecode the market is HUGE, if you do need it, then it's NI kit or NI approved kit only. A sensible option is the S4 ..... inputs that are timecode approved and full control over traktor. |
| Laci Billingham 02.11.2012 | sorry to bring this thread back to life but i have a question about the mc3000. can you plug two turntables in to the line inputs of the mc3000 and use the tables to controll cueing and pitch adjusting? or would i still need to have a external soundcard to use the turntables? |
| Roxy Susano 03.10.2012 | GOOOD I will get mine in christmas! GOGOGO! |
| Leota Dolney 03.10.2012 | Just got the MC3000...played with it a little bit and can say that I am VERY pleased with it. I believe that the MC3000 paired with an F1 and maybe a MIDIFighter will be a very combination for me. I can keep it fairly minimal in terms of gear, but still get the benefit of controlling multiple decks, FX, filters, and remix decks. If I add anything, it will be a 2nd F1 or a MF. |
| Leota Dolney 30.09.2012 | I actually like the x-session pro a lot. I started with it and a launchpad and it treated me well. I paid like $45 for it. I just wish it had LED feedback and was built slightly more robustly... If the release date for the CMDs was anywhere near soon, I would have waited and picked those up...but at this rate, I am not convinced that they will even be out before the end of the year. In the meantime, I should have all I need. |
| Kellie Myrum 30.09.2012 | Good choice! You can grab MM-1 eventually to replace old X-Session Pro Cheers |
| Leota Dolney 30.09.2012 | Ok, went for the DN-MC3000...got a good deal on one! In fairness, this is Behringer's fault. If they had released the CMD line, I would have bought a couple of those units instead...an MM-1 and a PL-1. As it is, I doubt that I will get any moving forward. I'll play with my workflow, but I also don't see me getting another F1 just yet...maybe a MF3D sometime in the future. Right now my setup will be either A) DN-X1700, X1, & F1 (+CDJs) or B) MC3000, & F1. |
| Kellie Myrum 29.09.2012 | I like Denon because they put same quality components in to their controllers and CDJ line. Unlikely from Pioneer. Happy mixing! |
| Leota Dolney 29.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Stewe
Originally Posted by Stewe
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| Kellie Myrum 29.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by DirtyNerd
I would go for Denon as well. Better build quality then S2. |
| Leota Dolney 29.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Stewe
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| Kellie Myrum 29.09.2012 | It has clicks and actually I believe it's those same encoders from kontrol X1. You can map it for smooth transitions, just make sure those commands are set to fader or encoder "relative" mode where you can manually adjust rotary sensitivity the way you want. For example it's easy to map tempo adjust and set sensitivity that low so you can move BPM by 0.1% which is very handy for manual beat matching. |
| Leota Dolney 29.09.2012 | that's what I thought. Is it "stepless" or does it have detents that click? e.g., can you smoothly sweep across values, or does it jumpt (albeit in small increments) from value to another? |
| Kellie Myrum 29.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by DirtyNerd
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| Leota Dolney 29.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by soundinsurgent712
I believe that if the Kontrol S2 had a dedicated filter knob (not encoder) I would have gone for it over others, but as it stands, i believe I will go with an MC3000. I thought about waiting for the CMD MM-1 and PL-1 and just an all-modular setup, but I don't believe I will go that direction. I still have modular controllers, and will probably acquire a MIDI Fighter 3D to complement my F1 and X1. My only "concern" is that I don't want to have too much overlap in functionality between controllers. Right now, my X1 and F1 don't really overlap at all, but an all-in one will have significant overalp with my X1 (Transport, FX, Hot cues). I could have All-in one control FX units 1 & 2 and X1 control the FX units 3 & 4...but I don't use all 4 FX units, so not sure if it is worth it. So the all-in-one gives me a soundcard, mixer section (eqs, gain, line faders, pre-cue), filters, jogwheels, & pitch fader as functions that are unique to it...mainly it would work as a stand-alone alternative that I could use with an F1 for pretty full control... |
| Xenia Gorin 27.09.2012 | Well I've had the DJC.4 for a full day and I love the thing. I don't use the effects or filter much so not having a dedicated filter knob isn't a big deal. It's built pretty well, not too heavy not to light, the fader feels good, the pitch fades feel a little weak but Nothing that's gonna cause any problems. I wish I could get a little more volume out of it. The mapping from Stanton is good. I wanted to do some live vocal loops so I had to use ASIO4ALL cause the mic on it isn't running to the software it just goes straight through. Then I just route my laptops mic to deck 4 and set the loop recorder to "cue". I do wish it was a stand alone mixer but other then that I can say I'm pretty happy with overall. Gonna play around some more and just get to know it better..... |
| Leota Dolney 26.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by JSM
I considered the Stanton DJC.4, but the layout looks more tuned toward Virtual DJ than Traktor: The FX Section on the right is not an intuitive layout, dry/wet is encoder instead of knob (I don't like encoders for that)...I lose the dedicated filter knob vs. the MC3000, and no dedicated FX assign buttons...But then again, the cost looks like it might be very nice.... BTW, is the gain knob on an S2 an encoder or a pot? anyone know?...looks like it;s an encoder to me... |
| Roxy Susano 26.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by soundinsurgent712
I love this one too, but lot of people don't like Stanton, i don't know why, for me looks like a prety good company. But about Denon MC3000 x S2, isn't cleary yet to me why people prefer S2... |
| Xenia Gorin 26.09.2012 | Maybe the Stanton DJC.4.......... From everything I've read it seems decent. Mine will be here today so I could post my thoughts about it later. |
| Faustino Stringfellow 26.09.2012 | the denons are tight with traktor IF you find the right map. Denon is always late to the party with mappings, but users such as VIPER have made amazing mappings for them. Personally I won't be buying another NI hardware product, it's not that I believe they are crap (I've got 2xS4's, F1 and X1), I fed up of the NI community and the way they treat their customers. I had a tiny issue with my first Denon, and Denon were brilliant, they took ownership of the problem, fixed it and apologised for the wait. Has NI ever done that ? It's something to consider as well as the Hardware, what happens IF senario ..... As for the Berry .... If it gets to market before we die of old age, I guess it will be feature packed and you shouldn't have to worry about the build quality anymore, since the DDM4000, the kit has been very well made and has even increased in price !!! |
| Era Roka 26.09.2012 | S2, definitly S2 |
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