DJ Gear Decision for a Beginner
DJ Gear Decision for a Beginner Posted on: 02.01.2011 by Sau Vildosola Hey Guys! My name is Kevin and I am a DJ enthusiast, or at least I have been. Until now, I have mainly been messing around with just programs, mainly Virtual DJ and my dream is to own a NS7FX, but it doesn't seem like its gonna happen anytime soon. Thing is, I have come across a bit of cash (around 800/900 Max) and I was recently wondering on buying a set or controller. All my music is digital and mainly mp3, I don't even have any CD's really. So i felt like getting a controller would be sensible. What I want from my set up is basically the ability to scratch well and also to play my digital files seamlessly. Other than that, just a dependable piece of hardware, because this might last me a long while. I am interested in Turntableism, but I am also open to every type of music.I came across the Numark Mixdeck and it seemed very versatile and also afforable too. I contacted someone on craigslist and he offered me 525 for it. I was Ready to buy this, but then i heard people's opinion on it here and on some general reviews... so now im not so sure. Then I looked into the Traktor Kontrol S4. Though I know it is pretty new, i have heard good things about it, although ive also heard it is a bit buggy? In my opinion it seems a tad bit compact and small for me. Is it comfortable to use? I might slightly prefer bigger platters, but ive never owned a set so im not sure. And finally ive heard about the VCI-300's. Supposedly this is one of the most stable controllers on the market? or so ive read. But i've also read that this set up is very basic? And I am not even sure what the diffrence is between the VCI-100 and VCI-300... I know that sounds very foolish of me, but to my understanding, the VCI-100 only has the ability to control MIDIs? Sorry for such a lengthy post, but I've been doing research for about a week and this is what I've gotten up to; 4 choices and a bit of confusion. Would you guys mind helping me out? Which in your opinion is best overall? and which is best for my purposes? Thanks! Appreciate your Help! | |
| Matha Obray 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
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| Matha Obray 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
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| Matha Obray 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
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| Matha Obray 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
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| Matha Obray 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
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| Matha Obray 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
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| Matha Obray 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
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| Matha Obray 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
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| Viviana Tarno 07.01.2012 |
Originally Posted by TekMann
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| Matha Obray 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
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| Dorie Scelzo 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by TekMann
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| Irwin Ney 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by TekMann
I alredy gived my opinion, DDM4000 + small DJ Controller would give you the best start kit |
| Wynell Ludin 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by TekMann
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| Dorie Scelzo 03.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by DJAttackZ
Originally Posted by TekMann
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| Viviana Tarno 07.01.2012 |
Originally Posted by TekMann
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| Julio Tewell 06.01.2012 | I got a pair of vestax pdx 2000, and stanton carts, for 550. You have enough for a mixer and mixvibes cross and a sound card and maybe an lpd 8. I'm too lazy to do the math, but it should be in your budget. But go for the ns7 if you want, i tried it and loved it myself. |
| Marylouise Thygerson 05.01.2012 | I'm partical to the NS7FX because I own one and LOVE IT. If your a turntableist like myself you will love the motorized platters because they react just like real turntables and no other controller is like this. The feel of a record when scratching and beat mixing is unbelieveable! For the money its totally worth it, but in a cheaper man's world it is a bit price'ie. But very rugged and professional looking. I get complments all the time just about the gear. If you can swing it....NS7FX is the way to go.......I'm just saying... |
| Irwin Ney 07.01.2011 | You need to check inside Traktor Audio Configs to see if you are routing two Audio Outs to your master channel, if you are routing only one audio channel out your master, you will listen from only one side of your speakers. Another way to use both speakers is to check the checkbox "Mono" on master, this way both speakers will use the same audio channel |
| Sau Vildosola 06.01.2011 | Thanks for the help guys, I am learning little by little, but there is a new problem that has popped up, a more technical one. So AT THE MOMENT, just to get a start, i am running my NS7's off of the line-in on my computer. When i can afford it, i will buy some decent speakers. The odd thing though is that only the left side of my speakers work. Currently I have Y stereo cable hooked up to my NS7 and it connects to my computer. I am using the built in sound card on my motherboard, which is a Realtek (Not the best, i know). I tried using a stereo to mono converter too, but the same results occurred. I have also tried a line in cable to my mp3, and the same thing happens. Now i am willing to bet that it is my sound card that is faulty, but is there any way to double check it isn't my NS7? Or maybe i am overlooking a setting? Thanks for all the help guys! |
| Ofelia Schraner 05.01.2011 | search for ellaskins on google. He has like 300+ tutorials. |
| Matha Obray 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
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| Dorie Scelzo 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by TekMann
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| Irwin Ney 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by TekMann
I alredy gived my opinion, DDM4000 + small DJ Controller would give you the best start kit |
| Wynell Ludin 04.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by TekMann
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| Sau Vildosola 04.01.2011 | Hey guys! So i Made my decision today and I bought the NS7FX. I just set it up and only played with it for about an hour. I really like the unit and it works great too, but ive started to get second thoughts... Because well, i did just spend quite a bit of money and playing with the set made me realize how much more I have to learn. I guess it is just daunting for me and I am now considering returning the NS7FX, lols. I am so confused. Maybe you guys could help me out by sending me some tutorials of sorts to send me in the correct direction? Also on a side note, what was your first experience with a DJ set up like? |
| Dorie Scelzo 03.01.2011 |
Originally Posted by DJAttackZ
Originally Posted by TekMann
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| Irwin Ney 03.01.2011 | I would go for the External Mixing route... I've been a Internal Mixing DJ for years and I really want to change route. You can buy a Behringer DDM4000 for home setup, it will give you the versatility that you need to try different setups as you discover different techniques. You can use two turntables or CDJs with it You can use a external audio interface and do external mixing You can do internal mixing and use the DDM as your audio interface I have two korg NanoKontrols and a M-Audio Oxygen 8 v2 25keys with a Numark DJIO audio interface and I'm looking to get a setup of 2 iPADs with a M-Audio Profire 610 audio interface (using the DDM4000 external mixing at home and the Club's Mixer at the Club). |
| Candace Carmouche 03.01.2011 | you can totally do turntableism on a vci-300. just takes practice =p imo, vestax makes a much better product than numark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CjzB_xQuQ8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2UTbvSezro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XRyGSOtrYo |
| Wynell Ludin 03.01.2011 | well i would say dont drop a g and get a vci 100se solid proformance and u can taste a little of everything then when u get to the point upgrade.. u dont need the best to be the best. in regards to the tt set up my first post is a good setup for under 900 with extras that will work with ur digital music |
| Sau Vildosola 03.01.2011 | Mann, with so much research that I have been doing, I believe i just realized something: I am not sure what to learn from my first set up. I Think i might want to try a bit of everything, Beat matching and creating interesting beats appeals to me very much so, but turntableism is something i want to try my hand at as well. I probably sound like an idiot because i am all over the place, lols. But Thank You for all your help and guidance guys, I feel like because my collection is all digital, It is cheaper for to get a controller instead of actual turntables. In my mind its down to Either the Traktor S4 or the NS7FX. |
| Danae Dumler 03.01.2011 | Agree with AttackZ ... I didn't take into account that you are looking to get into turntablism; if that's the plan, get a set of 1200s. It's the only way to go. |
| Wynell Ludin 03.01.2011 | my honest opinion is go with a real turn table set up if u want to learn turntableism. u will learn alot more and have much more respect in my opinion for djing starting that way. i love my ns7 but wish i never sold my turntables to get it.. |
| Sau Vildosola 03.01.2011 | Hmm, So i decided to just browse around and I found a NS7FX for about 1100, which makes my decision a little harder. What do you guys believe? |
| Wynell Ludin 03.01.2011 | you could look for a used ns7 for 900.. or go on ebay and build a vinyl set up numark makes a battle dj in a box that runs for about 300 plus their is a traktor scratch duo set up for 175 get ur self a native instraments kontrol x1 about 200 or dicers 100 and your in the door for a solid turn table set up all with un your 900$ budget down the road updgrade duo to pro and a better mixer their is alot of option u can do |
| Ofelia Schraner 02.01.2011 | Get a VCI-100..your just starting out and the VCI is pretty good. Midifighters if you wanna cue point juggle! Get an Audio 2 DJ for an audio interface. BAM your done. |
| Matha Obray 02.01.2011 | The sound card on the s4 is a lil problematic tho. I havent heard anything bad about the denon tho. Id go with that over the s4. |
| Cicely Furry 02.01.2011 | Serato is excellent for for mixing based on waveforms. But I'm more of a traktor kinda guy. I'd say go with the s4. The integrated sound card is awesome and you cant beat it for $900, strait up...plus the fx in traktor are far superior IMO. |
| Sau Vildosola 02.01.2011 | Well the only program that I have played with is Virtual DJ, I have never actually heard of Traktor or Serato up until half a year ago. I have not messed with these programs either; how are they compared to Virutal DJ? I believe Traktor is a little diffrent bc it has a 4 deck set up, but what is so intresting about serato? |
| Danae Dumler 02.01.2011 | If I were looking for a full controller in that price range right now I'd either go with the S4 or the Denon MC6000. If you don't have Traktor software already I'd say the S4 no question since you'll have to buy the software separately with the Denon. Then again, if you aren't committed to any particular software option, the Denon would allow you to try different softwares (except Serato) and choose. I would only go with the VCI-300 if you want to use Serato Itch exclusively.... |
| Lasandra Cleaves 02.01.2011 | God damnit. I just typed a freaking long post on my iPhone, and then my iPhone suddenly freezed. Aaargh! I'm going to eat first, and then I'll answer your questions, again... |
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