VCI-100SE or Kontrol X1 + Mixer?
VCI-100SE or Kontrol X1 + Mixer? Posted on: 29.03.2010 by Karolis Petrauskas VCI-100SE or Kontrol X1 + MixerWhat would you guys get? I'd like to hear from people who play out a lot. I am believeing of the VCI but am on the fence as I am used to a traditional DJ setup. What are the pro's and cons and does the VCI-100SE live up to the hype. My goal is 2 - 4 decks plus maschine to add elements. I primarily play house and techie stuff. Thanks. | |
| Letty Losordo 30.03.2010 |
Originally Posted by bigbeatzz
This option lets you wild open for the mixing in/out question. |
| Letty Losordo 30.03.2010 |
Originally Posted by bigbeatzz
It's easier to set up and it's painless if the mixer isn't a good one. This solution is extremely light (one bag) and for bars, it's almost ideal. NOTA : If you've planed to play with other guys/systems at the same time, then you could consider to connect the audio outs thru the mixer (but you'll need a 4 outs soundcard) If you mix 4 kicks electronic stuffs, you'll be in sync within seconds with the sync/beatgrid function and platers are just here for exact matching of the 2 kicks (depends on the kick attack/botom and the groove of the tracks you mix) or Fader fx mode. it lets you more time for tricking the sound, looping stuffs and adding some fxs and finally to be more creative (as Ean does, for example) The jogs react the same way CDJ's do but they are far smaller than CDJ's. In my opinion, it doesn't get long to get used to it. |
| Karolis Petrauskas 29.03.2010 | VCI-100SE or Kontrol X1 + Mixer What would you guys get? I'd like to hear from people who play out a lot. I am believeing of the VCI but am on the fence as I am used to a traditional DJ setup. What are the pro's and cons and does the VCI-100SE live up to the hype. My goal is 2 - 4 decks plus maschine to add elements. I primarily play house and techie stuff. Thanks. |
| Shana Gresley 07.04.2010 | So im kind of in a similar boat, had a Maschine before I purchased my vci-100. That was a great starting point every bit as capable as an X1, you might need to spend some time finding/building a good mapping, i'd say, but I quickly got tired of a lack of faders, eq, etc. Then I purchased my VCI and i must say i'm absolutely loving it, its such a powerful little midi controller. You do have to be pretty aware of your controls in relation to the software though as most controls control a bunch of things and its pretty easy to throw them out of wack. Its a lot easier to use in 2 deck mode. As far as getting Traktor and Maschine to run in sync i'm having some issues, I can get them up and running together but Maschine is reading about double the bpm Traktor is outputting. Any input as to where I might be screwing up the midi clock would be fabulous! |
| Julissa Serrone 01.04.2010 | i had the same thoughts about the VCI-300. for me VCI-100 + TP is offers much more than the 300 and Itch. |
| Karolis Petrauskas 01.04.2010 | Thanks Haze...I appreciate that. Very true man...I was resident at SET for a while and got crap for using ableton. I switched back to cdj's with traktor and it was slightly more acceptable. I am moving back to NYC in June where many small spots have terrible DJ booths, I was actually contemplating the VCI-300 over the last day or so because it's a complete solution. I need something easy to connect but not so tiny like the vci-100. I owned a first run vci-100 and didn't like the click on the buttons and it didn't work right at the time, has anything changed with the SE model? Are the buttons softer? The 300 seems a bit more substantial and it appears tracks very well using itch. Another thing is that back in NYC I have a ton of DJ buddies...I am not sure the kontrol x1 combo will be easy for everyone to rock out on. I like to have DJ sessions at the house and need something that makes sense for different environments. This guys rig made me believe the 300 may be an option: http://3.media.tumblr.com/QxFZP9CAWj...5zAWo1_500.jpg To be honest I am confused right now...it sucks. Too many options LOL. |
| Julissa Serrone 01.04.2010 | hey man, i live in Miami as well....down by dadeland. Send your contact info. I have a vci-100 and a trigger finger ive been using and just got myself two x1's and a xone 42. both have pros and cons. Honestly right now seeing the scene here the way it is (and I don't play at clubs) I can't see taking a VCI to a club down here regardless of how good the music is. Hit me up, if your by my neighborhood and I got some free time you can check them out. |
| Mac Fly 31.03.2010 | If I had my time back I would do the VCI and both external and internal route. It really depends on the club/the mixer/the amout of space. So that way you can decide if you want to mix external or internal when you show up. Mixing internal is great becuase everything feels so naturally because your used to it. From my experience mixing externally is not really an advantage in any way if your still using 4 decks??? It just makes other DJ's happy because they see that your still like them and use the club mixer. But for four deck use, external is key with the VCI 100. |
| Letty Losordo 30.03.2010 |
Originally Posted by bigbeatzz
This option lets you wild open for the mixing in/out question. |
| Letty Losordo 30.03.2010 |
Originally Posted by bigbeatzz
It's easier to set up and it's painless if the mixer isn't a good one. This solution is extremely light (one bag) and for bars, it's almost ideal. NOTA : If you've planed to play with other guys/systems at the same time, then you could consider to connect the audio outs thru the mixer (but you'll need a 4 outs soundcard) If you mix 4 kicks electronic stuffs, you'll be in sync within seconds with the sync/beatgrid function and platers are just here for exact matching of the 2 kicks (depends on the kick attack/botom and the groove of the tracks you mix) or Fader fx mode. it lets you more time for tricking the sound, looping stuffs and adding some fxs and finally to be more creative (as Ean does, for example) The jogs react the same way CDJ's do but they are far smaller than CDJ's. In my opinion, it doesn't get long to get used to it. |
| Karolis Petrauskas 30.03.2010 | I prefer out of the box but I am limited on funds right now....Maybe i'll stack my chips for a few months and get a xone 42 or a djm-700. The game is changing so much it confuses the sh_t out of me (gear wise). I had some great gigs using ableton live but the club thought it wasn't "true DJ'ing (Huge club in Miami BTW)". So I turned back to using Traktor using timecode which I really enjoy. Although to be honest I've never had so much fun playing like when I would use live, something about remixing tracks on the fly that was amazing. That said I feel traktor is a happy medium between Ableton and straight up cds. I am confused to say the least, I have been playing nearly 20 years and I love where the art is going. Back in the day it was 2 turntables and a mixer...later CDJ's and a rane 2016 in clubs...then CDJ's and a DJM 800...now: what now? LOL I guess all in all the goal is always the same...get the crowd moving and screaming like wackos. I have played for 20 - 3000 people and have loved every minute. Where does this journey go next? |
| juan garcia 29.03.2010 | i believe choosing between those two options really boils down to your preference to mix in the box or outside.... me personally, I prefer mixing externally, not saying that's better, but it's better for me cause that's what i'm comfortable with my advice try both ITB and OTB and see which one's for you good luck. |
| Karolis Petrauskas 29.03.2010 | How are you guys using the VCI in a club? Do you use the clubs mixer or do you use the vci faders? Also, do you beatgrid or use the jog wheel? Does the jogwheel react like a cdj-1000? |
| Joannie Brague 29.03.2010 | I have an SE and a Kontrol 1. Perfect pair. But if you have Maschine use that. I have Maschine and the only reason I bought and X1 is because I'm a gear head. But the Maschine can do the same thing as an X1, you just need to spend time on mapping it. |
| Dee Atondo 29.03.2010 | The VCI 100 SE pretty much does everything. You can control 4 decks, but it can be tricky as there are two volume faders and jog wheels. I would pick the VCI 100 SE though there will be an adjustment period as you are used to a traditional setup. See Ean's video for a complete walkthrough of the functionalities of the VCI 100 SE + new mapping |
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