Specific Needs for Dj Controller

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Specific Needs for Dj Controller
Posted on: 25.05.2013 by Tommie Cragg
Hey all, I want to buy a traktor controller (Haven't tried Serato, I don't know, maybe I would use it too)

Around 400-500euro

I dont mind 2 or 4 decks
Dedicated Filter,Gain,Low,Mid,High
Cue points,some fx, channel strip leds (for red peaking)
Professional soundcard 24-bit/192KHz
Balanced output (XLR pref,)
Standalone mixer function
Good looking and good feeling (metal construction?)

Sry for spelling

Thank you, I need your opinion
Tommie Cragg
28.05.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
The Denon's a nice unit, but it's VERY small and has even smaller jogwheels than some modular controllers at only 10cm in diameter. Also, no standalone mixer functionality.
Yeap I believe it suits me cause I move every 5 days and spent my weekend at different town. (Portability !)
About The jogwheels ,yea I must test them but i believe they will be ok.
Yes it isn't standalone but you can line in and mix only with a knob (Which is good at emergency situations untill you restore your laptop).
Other thoughts on Denon MC-3000 by anyone?
Doreen Schurle
27.05.2013
Originally Posted by StatusXtc
Thanks
I saw Denon Mc-3000 i loved it! I will probably buy it !
The Denon's a nice unit, but it's VERY small and has even smaller jogwheels than some modular controllers at only 10cm in diameter. Also, no standalone mixer functionality.
Tommie Cragg
27.05.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
Personally I'd go for the CMD Studio 4A (the budget option), or the Reloop Jockey 3 Remix (more expensive but MUCH more features and all-metal construction). Both have nice big jogwheels (5.5 inch) and a decent amount of controls on them
Thanks
I saw Denon Mc-3000 i loved it! I will probably buy it !
Doreen Schurle
27.05.2013
Originally Posted by StatusXtc
Thanks for the hint,
If jog wheels were bigger I would go with Reloop Contour/Cmd Pl-1 (All modular controller have small jogwheels) and in my budget ,500euro, you believe the best is an all in one controller or I can still go modular with bigger jogwheels?
Personally I'd go for the CMD Studio 4A (the budget option), or the Reloop Jockey 3 Remix (more expensive but MUCH more features and all-metal construction). Both have nice big jogwheels (5.5 inch) and a decent amount of controls on them
Tommie Cragg
27.05.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
Just to clarify, the "deck controls" are called a "control surface" or "(MIDI) controller", and a soundcard is an "audio interface". First step towards getting ACCURATE help is getting your terminology sorted out

Some modular controllers come with an audio interface built in, like the Reloop Contour (10-channel), the Xone K2 (2-channel), the Xone 2D (8-channel), and the Zomo MC-1000 (8-channel); others don't come with an audio interface, like the CMD PL-1/DC-1/LC-1, the Xone 1D, the Kontrol X1/F1, etc.

You can always use controllers that DO have an audio interface with a separate one like the Audio 2/6/10, but controllers without an audio interface will specifically REQUIRE an external audio interface in order to cue and mix.
Thanks for the hint,
If jog wheels were bigger I would go with Reloop Contour/Cmd Pl-1 (All modular controller have small jogwheels) and in my budget ,500euro, you believe the best is an all in one controller or I can still go modular with bigger jogwheels?
Doreen Schurle
26.05.2013
Originally Posted by StatusXtc
Hey Thank you all

I don't know why my previous post is not posted.
Supposing I go modular way with laptop,soundcard,external mixer and audio interface.

External mixer for practising home but

what kind of audio interface (deck controls) except CMD PL-1 (which isn't out yet) you suggest for traktor something i can carry to gigs with my laptop and soundcard?
Just to clarify, the "deck controls" are called a "control surface" or "(MIDI) controller", and a soundcard is an "audio interface". First step towards getting ACCURATE help is getting your terminology sorted out

Some modular controllers come with an audio interface built in, like the Reloop Contour (10-channel), the Xone K2 (2-channel), the Xone 2D (8-channel), and the Zomo MC-1000 (8-channel); others don't come with an audio interface, like the CMD PL-1/DC-1/LC-1, the Xone 1D, the Kontrol X1/F1, etc.

You can always use controllers that DO have an audio interface with a separate one like the Audio 2/6/10, but controllers without an audio interface will specifically REQUIRE an external audio interface in order to cue and mix.
Doreen Schurle
25.05.2013
Originally Posted by octostout
Also, seriously that thing you posted is one of the worst-designed controllers I've ever seen... Why would you suggest that? Suggest a 4 track, or the new mixtrack, or a vestax, or a twitch, or SOMETHING... Your weird Reloop fandom is getting out of hand.
Bit strange considering it won several awards for "Best Controller" :-\
Tommie Cragg
28.05.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
The Denon's a nice unit, but it's VERY small and has even smaller jogwheels than some modular controllers at only 10cm in diameter. Also, no standalone mixer functionality.
Yeap I believe it suits me cause I move every 5 days and spent my weekend at different town. (Portability !)
About The jogwheels ,yea I must test them but i believe they will be ok.
Yes it isn't standalone but you can line in and mix only with a knob (Which is good at emergency situations untill you restore your laptop).
Other thoughts on Denon MC-3000 by anyone?
Alphonso Deitchman
28.05.2013		The MC-3000 has 2 direct thru line-level channels that have volume controls, but you can't EQ them it seems.
Cassie Sangermano
28.05.2013		I did not realise that the MC-3000 didn't have standalone mixer functionality. I just presumed it was exactly the same as the MC-6000, minus a couple of faders and some other stuff.
Doreen Schurle
27.05.2013
Originally Posted by StatusXtc
Thanks
I saw Denon Mc-3000 i loved it! I will probably buy it !
The Denon's a nice unit, but it's VERY small and has even smaller jogwheels than some modular controllers at only 10cm in diameter. Also, no standalone mixer functionality.
Tommie Cragg
27.05.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
Personally I'd go for the CMD Studio 4A (the budget option), or the Reloop Jockey 3 Remix (more expensive but MUCH more features and all-metal construction). Both have nice big jogwheels (5.5 inch) and a decent amount of controls on them
Thanks
I saw Denon Mc-3000 i loved it! I will probably buy it !
Doreen Schurle
27.05.2013
Originally Posted by StatusXtc
Thanks for the hint,
If jog wheels were bigger I would go with Reloop Contour/Cmd Pl-1 (All modular controller have small jogwheels) and in my budget ,500euro, you believe the best is an all in one controller or I can still go modular with bigger jogwheels?
Personally I'd go for the CMD Studio 4A (the budget option), or the Reloop Jockey 3 Remix (more expensive but MUCH more features and all-metal construction). Both have nice big jogwheels (5.5 inch) and a decent amount of controls on them
Tommie Cragg
27.05.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
Just to clarify, the "deck controls" are called a "control surface" or "(MIDI) controller", and a soundcard is an "audio interface". First step towards getting ACCURATE help is getting your terminology sorted out

Some modular controllers come with an audio interface built in, like the Reloop Contour (10-channel), the Xone K2 (2-channel), the Xone 2D (8-channel), and the Zomo MC-1000 (8-channel); others don't come with an audio interface, like the CMD PL-1/DC-1/LC-1, the Xone 1D, the Kontrol X1/F1, etc.

You can always use controllers that DO have an audio interface with a separate one like the Audio 2/6/10, but controllers without an audio interface will specifically REQUIRE an external audio interface in order to cue and mix.
Thanks for the hint,
If jog wheels were bigger I would go with Reloop Contour/Cmd Pl-1 (All modular controller have small jogwheels) and in my budget ,500euro, you believe the best is an all in one controller or I can still go modular with bigger jogwheels?
Doreen Schurle
26.05.2013
Originally Posted by StatusXtc
Hey Thank you all

I don't know why my previous post is not posted.
Supposing I go modular way with laptop,soundcard,external mixer and audio interface.

External mixer for practising home but

what kind of audio interface (deck controls) except CMD PL-1 (which isn't out yet) you suggest for traktor something i can carry to gigs with my laptop and soundcard?
Just to clarify, the "deck controls" are called a "control surface" or "(MIDI) controller", and a soundcard is an "audio interface". First step towards getting ACCURATE help is getting your terminology sorted out

Some modular controllers come with an audio interface built in, like the Reloop Contour (10-channel), the Xone K2 (2-channel), the Xone 2D (8-channel), and the Zomo MC-1000 (8-channel); others don't come with an audio interface, like the CMD PL-1/DC-1/LC-1, the Xone 1D, the Kontrol X1/F1, etc.

You can always use controllers that DO have an audio interface with a separate one like the Audio 2/6/10, but controllers without an audio interface will specifically REQUIRE an external audio interface in order to cue and mix.
Latoria Kavulich
26.05.2013		NI Audio 2 (2 decks) or Audio 6 (3 decks, dvs options)
Tommie Cragg
26.05.2013		Hey Thank you all

I don't know why my previous post is not posted.
Supposing I go modular way with laptop,soundcard,external mixer and audio interface.

External mixer for practising home but

what kind of audio interface (deck controls) except CMD PL-1 (which isn't out yet) you suggest for traktor something i can carry to gigs with my laptop and soundcard?
Latoria Kavulich
25.05.2013		Denon MC-6000 ... ticks all your boxes except for the dedicated filter knob.
Doreen Schurle
25.05.2013
Originally Posted by octostout
Also, seriously that thing you posted is one of the worst-designed controllers I've ever seen... Why would you suggest that? Suggest a 4 track, or the new mixtrack, or a vestax, or a twitch, or SOMETHING... Your weird Reloop fandom is getting out of hand.
Bit strange considering it won several awards for "Best Controller" :-\
Kathe Stump
25.05.2013		Sure there are some instances where all-in-ones make more sense... But definitely not in OP's case. What he described would best be solved with a standalone mixer and a pair of deck controllers. You're just assuming he meant an all-in-one with no specific reason.

Unless maybe he's a wedding DJ? That's about the only thing I could believe of that would make an all-in-one controller make more sense. A modular setup has higher quality, higher versatility, higher customization, is more adaptable, and has the massive bonus of letting him use whatever mixer everyone else is using at his gigs, which, as I constantly say, is the most important thing that newbies need to start doing if they want to get gigs.

Also, seriously that thing you posted is one of the worst-designed controllers I've ever seen... Why would you suggest that? Suggest a 4 track, or the new mixtrack, or a vestax, or a twitch, or SOMETHING... Your weird Reloop fandom is getting out of hand.
Doreen Schurle
25.05.2013		The OP will need to confirm this, but from his post I gather he's looking for an all-in-one controller, which unfortunately rules out the mixer+modular options. I know there are some people on this community with a MASSIVE hatred of all-in-ones, but there are a few models out there with decent build quality that may suit a DJ better than a modular setup, especially depending on what sort of gigs they're doing.
Kathe Stump
25.05.2013
Originally Posted by jacksoe12
How would you connect the CMD PL-1's to the mixer?
You dont.... The PL-1's control Traktor. So USB into the computer. Then sound comes out of a sound card and goes into the mixer.
Janyce Henningson
25.05.2013		VCI400 sounds a good fit but not sure if it's in budget.
Avis Lekic
25.05.2013
Originally Posted by octostout
You just did the best job at this I believe I've ever seen on this community .

But what is your gigging life like? Are you established or are you breaking in? Club scene, raves, festivals, bar gigs?


Assuming you're a club DJ, I believe you definitely want a hardware mixer and an external soundcard, not an all-in-one controller. That way you have good build quality at home, and you're used to using a standard mixer, so you can just use the provided mixer (probably a DJM-900) at your gigs.

The build quality you get for your money on a hardware mixer is MILES beyond what you'd get in a controller, mixing externally is always clearly preferable, and you said yourself you need it to act as a standalone mixer.

So I'd suggest a cheap hardware mixer, the best soundcard you can get for the price, and two of these for control: http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/CMD-PL-1.aspx

behringer also has this cheap mixer that costs about 150 euro: http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/DJX750.aspx

So between the two PL-1's and the mixer, you'd be at about 350 euro, leaving 150 for the best sound card you can find.

How would you connect the CMD PL-1's to the mixer?
Kellie Myrum
25.05.2013		That reloop unit sure looks like mapping friendly guy.
Alphonso Deitchman
25.05.2013		It doesn't have standlone mixer function though?
Nga Mcquarter
25.05.2013		I believe Denon MC-3000 is pretty cool for your needs I was just trying it at the music store today and it feels AWESOME!
Alphonso Deitchman
25.05.2013		Not a fan of the FX encoders as you get no tactile feedback on the position of the dial. Also the Cue Mix should just be another pot rather than a micro fader, and the pitch faders should really extend further and replace the +/- buttons.
Doreen Schurle
25.05.2013
Originally Posted by makar1
The review last month by Phil Morse seems to suggest otherwise on the VU meters, and that they can only be used for the Master output. Traktor's meters are pretty useless for balancing gains.
Ah yeah, I found the relevant bit of the article but they have at least said they'll offer it as a firmware update; not sure if they've done that yet.

Another niggle is the inability to get the VU meters to show anything other than the output level. They’re useful for making sure you’re not pushing a distorted signal out of the unit post-mix, but that’s all, as you can’t also use them to set the gains on individual tracks when cueing. What often happens when controllers have only one set of VUs is that when you press the headphones cue button for a channel that’s out of the mix, the VUs switch to monitoring that channel instead, allowing you to quickly visually check the gain. I would have liked to have seen something similar implemented here. The good news, though, is that i spoke to Reloop about it and they promised to make this improvement in a forthcoming update, that will be downloadable from their website for all users.
Alphonso Deitchman
25.05.2013		The review last month by Phil Morse seems to suggest otherwise on the VU meters, and that they can only be used for the Master output. Traktor's meters are pretty useless for balancing gains.
Doreen Schurle
25.05.2013
Originally Posted by makar1
Looks like the Jockey has no channel VU meters, and I'm guessing no dedicated filters for standalone mode.
I'm not 100% on the filter, but if I remember rightly from the J3ME, the VU meters work in a similar fashion to the FSM mixers (ie, when PFL is enabled on a single channel, the VU meter displays that channel only). Personally I just use Traktor's per-channel VU meters anyway.

Originally Posted by octostout
I don't believe I've seen that Reloop thing before... Even for a cheap all-in-one, the design on that is GOD awful... I wouldn't wish that thing on an enemy...
How so? :O Everything's layed out perfectly for Traktor...
Kathe Stump
25.05.2013		I don't believe I've seen that Reloop thing before... Even for a cheap all-in-one, the design on that is GOD awful... I wouldn't wish that thing on an enemy...
Alphonso Deitchman
25.05.2013		Looks like the Jockey has no channel VU meters, and I'm guessing no dedicated filters for standalone mode.
Doreen Schurle
25.05.2013		24/192 is going to be virtually impossible to find in an all-in-one controller tbh... if you can settle for 24/96, then the Reloop Jockey 3 Remix should tick all of your boxes nicely

Tommie Cragg
25.05.2013
Originally Posted by octostout
You just did the best job at this I believe I've ever seen on this community .

But what is your gigging life like? Are you established or are you breaking in? Club scene, raves, festivals, bar gigs?


Assuming you're a club DJ, I believe you definitely want a hardware mixer and an external soundcard, not an all-in-one controller. That way you have good build quality at home, and you're used to using a standard mixer, so you can just use the provided mixer (probably a DJM-900) at your gigs.

The build quality you get for your money on a hardware mixer is MILES beyond what you'd get in a controller, mixing externally is always clearly preferable, and you said yourself you need it to act as a standalone mixer.

So I'd suggest a cheap hardware mixer, the best soundcard you can get for the price, and two of these for control: http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/CMD-PL-1.aspx

behringer also has this cheap mixer that costs about 150 euro: http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/DJX750.aspx

So between the two PL-1's and the mixer, you'd be at about 350 euro, leaving 150 for the best sound card you can find.
Hey thank you , I am breaking in and confused,

So You suggest mixing externally and bringing to the gig only my laptop, soundcard, and 2x cmd pl-1, and connect to the club mixer (or my home mixer).
Question:1.What kind of soundcard do I need for this?
2.About connection? How I do it? Laptop--usb-->soundcard-->jack---pl-1--->mixer Confused here
3.cmd-pl1 not out yet release date? Alternative to use in modular set-up?

Thank you
Kellie Myrum
25.05.2013		You should check out CMD-PL 1 which should be out soon. I have one and absolutely love it!
Alphonso Deitchman
25.05.2013		An external mixer is definitely the way to go if you want decent VU meters.

Pretty much every feature on your list is covered by a decent hardware mixer, whereas you'd struggle to find everything in a MIDI controller. Maybe the DDJ-SX?
Kathe Stump
25.05.2013		You just did the best job at this I believe I've ever seen on this community .

But what is your gigging life like? Are you established or are you breaking in? Club scene, raves, festivals, bar gigs?


Assuming you're a club DJ, I believe you definitely want a hardware mixer and an external soundcard, not an all-in-one controller. That way you have good build quality at home, and you're used to using a standard mixer, so you can just use the provided mixer (probably a DJM-900) at your gigs.

The build quality you get for your money on a hardware mixer is MILES beyond what you'd get in a controller, mixing externally is always clearly preferable, and you said yourself you need it to act as a standalone mixer.

So I'd suggest a cheap hardware mixer, the best soundcard you can get for the price, and two of these for control: http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/CMD-PL-1.aspx

behringer also has this cheap mixer that costs about 150 euro: http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/DJX750.aspx

So between the two PL-1's and the mixer, you'd be at about 350 euro, leaving 150 for the best sound card you can find.

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