First DJ controller
First DJ controller Posted on: 10.04.2011 by Karima Overlock Hey guys, I'm interested in purchasing my first piece of DJ gear and am hoping to eventually start playing small parties and lounges and eventually work my way up to playing clubs if everything goes well [long way away, I know]. I was wondering if there were any particular controllers you guys recommend as good beginner controllers without spending a fortune. I don't plan on scratching much as I'm primarily going to be spinning trance and progressive house [electro house as well]. I'm planning on using Traktor as my software and understand that I would have to map it out myself if the hardware doesn't come with Traktor. Here's a couple I've been considering: Low Tier: Hercules DJ 4Set: Apparently this just got released this past week and I've been waiting to hear reviews on it. It's hard not to like the $250 price tag for a 4deck controller but I understand the quality won't be the best. With the limited amount of buttons on the controller, I'd consider getting a midiFighter for extra loops, effects, etc. Mid Tier: American Audio VMS4 ($499) Hercules dj console 4-mx ($499) Vestax VCI-100SE ($549) Not too sure which way to go from this range, don't know if the extra quality really over the lower tier is really makes up for doubling the price. Would love some opinions. High Tier [for me lol]: Traktor Kontrol S4 Denon DN-MC6000 Sorry for the long post, but any help is appreciated! Thanks guys! | |
| Dino Hapgood 12.04.2011 |
Originally Posted by ultratyght
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| Tatum Ansaldo 11.04.2011 |
Originally Posted by Yep.
If you want everything you need in one with very high quality to boot, I'd suggest the S4. You suggest the VCI as a mid range option, but bear in mind that you'll need a soundcard (I recommend the NI audio 2 DJ) and SOFTWARE, which will cost you probably another couple of hundred bucks. The S4 gives you all the above for a good price. And happens to be a great controller. |
| Karima Overlock 10.04.2011 | Hey guys, I'm interested in purchasing my first piece of DJ gear and am hoping to eventually start playing small parties and lounges and eventually work my way up to playing clubs if everything goes well [long way away, I know]. I was wondering if there were any particular controllers you guys recommend as good beginner controllers without spending a fortune. I don't plan on scratching much as I'm primarily going to be spinning trance and progressive house [electro house as well]. I'm planning on using Traktor as my software and understand that I would have to map it out myself if the hardware doesn't come with Traktor. Here's a couple I've been considering: Low Tier: Hercules DJ 4Set: Apparently this just got released this past week and I've been waiting to hear reviews on it. It's hard not to like the $250 price tag for a 4deck controller but I understand the quality won't be the best. With the limited amount of buttons on the controller, I'd consider getting a midiFighter for extra loops, effects, etc. Mid Tier: American Audio VMS4 ($499) Hercules dj console 4-mx ($499) Vestax VCI-100SE ($549) Not too sure which way to go from this range, don't know if the extra quality really over the lower tier is really makes up for doubling the price. Would love some opinions. High Tier [for me lol]: Traktor Kontrol S4 Denon DN-MC6000 Sorry for the long post, but any help is appreciated! Thanks guys! |
| Miquel Catan 14.04.2011 | I have a friend whos looking to pickup his first piece of gear
. He's been doing parties and stuff with other people's gear
and denon rack based gear
. I have owned 1200s and my pioneer mixer and have sold all that for a s4 (also to consolidate for space, as I had none left). I loovvvvvvvve my s4. I'm trying to convince him to go for s4. His play style isn't advanced enough to need more more than just two or four decks playing. He hasn't done looping and such. Originally he was looking at an Xone DX and I told him it was a pretty good unit but the smaller buttons weren't something I'd like to use. The other alternatives don't seem to be really worth it. Personally, I love the s4 and if you're new to DJing it definitely makes it fun. LOTS of fun. |
| Kenny Barci 13.04.2011 | Hey man, just saw your post just now. I'm a member over on digitaldjtips.com, you should check that site out for in depth reviews at all the various price levels. http://www.digitaldjtips.com/category/dj-gear / Check out the link. This is a very very invaluable site if you are just starting out and want solid opinions on gear, mixing tips, and information on how to land that first gig and such. Really great site. I know I am going to incur some wrath here, but have you thought of the numark mixtrack pro? 2 decks, all the knobs you need if you are just starting out, built in sound that is quite decent and jogs that are really great for the price: $250. You could always buy this, practice for a few months and sell it down the road for $150-200. I can't say I took this route, I ended up with a DN-MC6000, but I am somewhat reckless with my spending habits. BTW the DN-MC6k is a great unit, works perfect with traktor and has more inputs and outputs than the S4, but it doesnt come with traktor, so thats something to consider. Still both of those are the best units you can get for under $1k. STAY AWAY FROM THE VMS4. There are horror stories about the shoddy sound quality and overall glitches. It looks nice on the outside, but from what I hear the unit is poorly built. Also, one last note: Beats color your sound. They sound bass heavy because the headphones have a microprocessor built into them to enhance your bass, definitely not something you want when you are trying to accurately mix. There are plenty of choices out there, and many decent sets for around $60-100 if you are starting out. Check out Shure, Senheisser, or AKG or KRK. Don't worry, I was and still am in your boat. I just started a few months ago, and there is alot to learn, it seems pretty overwhelming. Just take your time with it and learn something new everyday. |
| Dino Hapgood 12.04.2011 |
Originally Posted by ultratyght
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| Karima Overlock 11.04.2011 | It's great to get so many opinions on this and wanted to thank everyone for replying. It seems to me that the S4 is the way to go with the integrated sound card and software as well. I'm at least a month away from having that kind of money save up though, so I downloaded the demo of Traktor and have been spending hours each day trying to figure everything out so that when I finally do get my S4, I'll be somewhat competent at using it. I'm having a great time doing it and am convinced that I am going to enjoy doing this and am determined to get good at it. On a quick side note, I've had the Beats by Dre headphones [the studio ones] for about a year now and know that they aren't made for Djing, but I was going to be using them when I first start out. Are there any major negatives to this? Thanks again guys. |
| Dino Hapgood 11.04.2011 | S4. I just started DJing a few months ago and honestly, the S4 has been perfect for me. I've supplemented with an LPD8 just recently because I wanted some custom midi maps and such as well. However a controller isn't all you need. So far I have purchased (in addition to the S4) the aforementioned LPD8, M-Audio AVS40's, a table to throw my gear on and practice, and reloop rhp-10 heaphones (which I will probably be upgrading soon, should have gone with the TMA-1's). I still need to get a bag, which is another 130. To be honest, there was way too much compromise with the other gear. That and you had to purchase the full version of any software they were packaged with to get the full functionality. I can't stand compromise when buying things because it just leads to me being wholly disappointed. If you can live with compromise than go the cheaper route to see if you like it, but for me it's always head-first dive (within reason) or nothing at all. The s4 has made learning such an awesome experience (besides the small driver problems I had at the outset) and the all-in-one solution has been anything but limiting. |
| Tatum Ansaldo 11.04.2011 | I dno, never had one. I liked the S4 when i tried it but to be fair I also knew that I'd want my midifighter and probably X1 as well on the side. |
| Lilliana Perris 11.04.2011 | People be realising that an all in one solution is UBER limiting... |
| Leeanna Ayla 11.04.2011 | S4's are fetching pretty decent prices on the used market. Just sayin. |
| Tatum Ansaldo 11.04.2011 |
Originally Posted by Yep.
If you want everything you need in one with very high quality to boot, I'd suggest the S4. You suggest the VCI as a mid range option, but bear in mind that you'll need a soundcard (I recommend the NI audio 2 DJ) and SOFTWARE, which will cost you probably another couple of hundred bucks. The S4 gives you all the above for a good price. And happens to be a great controller. |
| Tamra Sundell 11.04.2011 | Hello ultratyght, i was in your case not long ago, had just about the same budget and was looking at two of the controllers you mentioned. The only thing, i did not want to double up my budget, so i stayed on a $350 to $400 range. I tried three controllers which were: Hercules dj console 4-mx ($499) Vestax VCI-100SE ($549) Mixvibes U-Mix Control Pro ($350) I did not like the hercules controller, you have to have little hands, the controller is very heavy and not very convinient to use to my opinion. The vestax VCI-100SE was very good but it did not have an integrated soundcard so would of had to invest more money in an external soundcard (tight budget constraints...). And finally i tried the U-Mix Control Pro, the controller was nice, the build quality was pretty good and the faders were tight, it fitted my needs, so i went on and bought it! Now i really love the controller, it's a safe purchase! |
| Gloria Lemmel 11.04.2011 | I would recommend any of the controllers listed here, they all work well, some with minor glitches for certain functions, some with major glitches for certain functions, but they all do what they are supposed to well. I own a Kontrol S4 and love it to death. It does everything that I need it to do and more. If you don't want to dish out all of the cash for that, the VCI 100 is another great option and it has a huge amount of mappings available from your trusty friends at DJTT. If you plan on just trying DJing out and aren't set on it, I'd say go with a cheaper controller, but if you plan on sticking with it, it may be a better call to spend more earlier. The best way to see if DJing is something that you will stick with is going to your local guitar center, and messing around with their DJ setups. Normally the people around the store know what they're doing, so if you need a quick lesson they will probably enjoy teaching someone for once instead of peddling warranties. They might even give you a bit of a hookup price if you treat them nicely. If you are having the time of your life messing about with these setups, DJing is probably for you, so I'd say toss more into it. As you will learn over time, in Professional Audio, the more you dish out in the initial investment (again assuming that you stick with what you're doing) the longer it will last you. This is especially present in Controllers, where the brand name won't necessarily bump the price of the unit up a couple hundred dollars, or drop it a few hundred (Except in the case of the Pioneer Mixers/Controllers). You will essentially get what you pay for. If you were to ask me right here what controller to get, I would say the S4. It is made by the people who made traktor, for people who use traktor, so it will continue to be functional for quite some time. If you were to ask me what controller I'd get if I were not sure about DJing I'd say a Numark Mixtrack Pro or the Hercules DJ 4 Set. Your question about the doubling of price with the higher tier controllers is an important one for everyone to ask, and my answer is, well...yes. You will see that in these controllers the build quality is much higher, and with the controllers having onboard soundcards, the quality of the soundcards is generally much higher. This might start sounding like a broken record, but I believe you get the point. If you spend more earlier, the initial investment will end up paying itself off. |
| Ok Moroski 11.04.2011 | Consider the fact that with a kontrol s4 you save 200 bucks or so on tp2, and that with a vci you would need a soundcard too... Get the s4. Also allows you to add dvs if you want to in the future for cheap. Better to get good kit now than waste 250 bucks on a controller you will replace quickly. I agree with m00n about the keyboard too. You can get a feel, see if you like it, then get the s4. |
| Loreta Altema 11.04.2011 | Do you have any experience with traktor? I'd reccomend before throwing any cash down on a controller, try out the different softwares and map your keyboard first.. A keyboard mapped right will do you just fine while learning the basics and then you can either save more for a better controller, do more research, or you might even decide this whole thing isn't for you.. IMO. |
| Karima Overlock 11.04.2011 | 125 views and no replies? haha any and all help/advice is appreciated, I'm just trying to get someone with a little more experience to give me their opinion. if not for specific controllers, at least what tier to aim for? |
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