Upgrade to Traktor S4 or CDJ's

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Upgrade to Traktor S4 or CDJ's
Posted on: 07.10.2010 by Arica Grow
Im currently using VCI-100SE. Because of the realese of s4,I really want to upgrade my gear (it is so f**kin' awsome!). On ther onther hand,with this amount of money(plus a bit more),I can also buy CDJ's which can also be used as a MIDI controller like Reloop Rmp3. Do you guys have some suggestions for me? Thanks in advance!
Chong Prestwich
15.01.2012
my 2 cents...

regarding the concept of "real" dj'ing, as long as you can play the tunes and keep a crowd in a bar/club then that is all the manager wants. unfortunately 90% of clubs just care about the $$$!

This also means most wont care what gear use. every club i've played in near me has allowed controllers, although using CDJs does feel better.

The solution? use CDJs and timecode with a laptop. that way it still looks like you're some some "real mixing" but have the benefits of digital. isn't this what most the "big" djs use in clubs after all...?

that said, i also agree with a "true dj" being able to use most kit in that they should be able to at least beatmatch. but this can be learnt using laptop if you turn the sync function off!!

so S4 or cdjs? if money was no object you wanna go with the "club standard" which would be cdj2000s! no point learning on some shitty
Chong Prestwich
15.01.2012
my 2 cents...

regarding the concept of "real" dj'ing, as long as you can play the tunes and keep a crowd in a bar/club then that is all the manager wants. unfortunately 90% of clubs just care about the $$$!

This also means most wont care what gear use. every club i've played in near me has allowed controllers, although using CDJs does feel better.

The solution? use CDJs and timecode with a laptop. that way it still looks like you're some some "real mixing" but have the benefits of digital. isn't this what most the "big" djs use in clubs after all...?

that said, i also agree with a "true dj" being able to use most kit in that they should be able to at least beatmatch. but this can be learnt using laptop if you turn the sync function off!!

so S4 or cdjs? if money was no object you wanna go with the "club standard" which would be cdj2000s! no point learning on some shitty
Chong Prestwich
15.01.2012
my 2 cents...

regarding the concept of "real" dj'ing, as long as you can play the tunes and keep a crowd in a bar/club then that is all the manager wants. unfortunately 90% of clubs just care about the $$$!

This also means most wont care what gear use. every club i've played in near me has allowed controllers, although using CDJs does feel better.

The solution? use CDJs and timecode with a laptop. that way it still looks like you're some some "real mixing" but have the benefits of digital. isn't this what most the "big" djs use in clubs after all...?

that said, i also agree with a "true dj" being able to use most kit in that they should be able to at least beatmatch. but this can be learnt using laptop if you turn the sync function off!!

so S4 or cdjs? if money was no object you wanna go with the "club standard" which would be cdj2000s! no point learning on some shitty
Chong Prestwich
15.01.2012
my 2 cents...

regarding the concept of "real" dj'ing, as long as you can play the tunes and keep a crowd in a bar/club then that is all the manager wants. unfortunately 90% of clubs just care about the $$$!

This also means most wont care what gear use. every club i've played in near me has allowed controllers, although using CDJs does feel better.

The solution? use CDJs and timecode with a laptop. that way it still looks like you're some some "real mixing" but have the benefits of digital. isn't this what most the "big" djs use in clubs after all...?

that said, i also agree with a "true dj" being able to use most kit in that they should be able to at least beatmatch. but this can be learnt using laptop if you turn the sync function off!!

so S4 or cdjs? if money was no object you wanna go with the "club standard" which would be cdj2000s! no point learning on some shitty
Chong Prestwich
15.01.2012
my 2 cents...

regarding the concept of "real" dj'ing, as long as you can play the tunes and keep a crowd in a bar/club then that is all the manager wants. unfortunately 90% of clubs just care about the $$$!

This also means most wont care what gear use. every club i've played in near me has allowed controllers, although using CDJs does feel better.

The solution? use CDJs and timecode with a laptop. that way it still looks like you're some some "real mixing" but have the benefits of digital. isn't this what most the "big" djs use in clubs after all...?

that said, i also agree with a "true dj" being able to use most kit in that they should be able to at least beatmatch. but this can be learnt using laptop if you turn the sync function off!!

so S4 or cdjs? if money was no object you wanna go with the "club standard" which would be cdj2000s! no point learning on some shitty
Chong Prestwich
15.01.2012
my 2 cents...

regarding the concept of "real" dj'ing, as long as you can play the tunes and keep a crowd in a bar/club then that is all the manager wants. unfortunately 90% of clubs just care about the $$$!

This also means most wont care what gear use. every club i've played in near me has allowed controllers, although using CDJs does feel better.

The solution? use CDJs and timecode with a laptop. that way it still looks like you're some some "real mixing" but have the benefits of digital. isn't this what most the "big" djs use in clubs after all...?

that said, i also agree with a "true dj" being able to use most kit in that they should be able to at least beatmatch. but this can be learnt using laptop if you turn the sync function off!!

so S4 or cdjs? if money was no object you wanna go with the "club standard" which would be cdj2000s! no point learning on some shitty
Chong Prestwich
15.01.2012
my 2 cents...

regarding the concept of "real" dj'ing, as long as you can play the tunes and keep a crowd in a bar/club then that is all the manager wants. unfortunately 90% of clubs just care about the $$$!

This also means most wont care what gear use. every club i've played in near me has allowed controllers, although using CDJs does feel better.

The solution? use CDJs and timecode with a laptop. that way it still looks like you're some some "real mixing" but have the benefits of digital. isn't this what most the "big" djs use in clubs after all...?

that said, i also agree with a "true dj" being able to use most kit in that they should be able to at least beatmatch. but this can be learnt using laptop if you turn the sync function off!!

so S4 or cdjs? if money was no object you wanna go with the "club standard" which would be cdj2000s! no point learning on some shitty
Chong Prestwich
15.01.2012
my 2 cents...

regarding the concept of "real" dj'ing, as long as you can play the tunes and keep a crowd in a bar/club then that is all the manager wants. unfortunately 90% of clubs just care about the $$$!

This also means most wont care what gear use. every club i've played in near me has allowed controllers, although using CDJs does feel better.

The solution? use CDJs and timecode with a laptop. that way it still looks like you're some some "real mixing" but have the benefits of digital. isn't this what most the "big" djs use in clubs after all...?

that said, i also agree with a "true dj" being able to use most kit in that they should be able to at least beatmatch. but this can be learnt using laptop if you turn the sync function off!!

so S4 or cdjs? if money was no object you wanna go with the "club standard" which would be cdj2000s! no point learning on some shitty
Chong Prestwich
15.01.2012
my 2 cents...

regarding the concept of "real" dj'ing, as long as you can play the tunes and keep a crowd in a bar/club then that is all the manager wants. unfortunately 90% of clubs just care about the $$$!

This also means most wont care what gear use. every club i've played in near me has allowed controllers, although using CDJs does feel better.

The solution? use CDJs and timecode with a laptop. that way it still looks like you're some some "real mixing" but have the benefits of digital. isn't this what most the "big" djs use in clubs after all...?

that said, i also agree with a "true dj" being able to use most kit in that they should be able to at least beatmatch. but this can be learnt using laptop if you turn the sync function off!!

so S4 or cdjs? if money was no object you wanna go with the "club standard" which would be cdj2000s! no point learning on some shitty
Alphonso Deitchman
09.08.2013
Originally Posted by arpan
It allowed me
There's your problem right there. Using a controller and software is fine if you have the skills to mix without them too. Otherwise you're only going to limit your gigging opportunities.
Imogene Tomczyk
06.08.2013
Originally Posted by Gryz
Do you really believe that even if your music is sick and you draw a nice crowd, a club will turn you down for using a controller over their CDJs?
Unfortunately, yes. It has happened to me! A club contacted me and wanted to book me, but turned me down because I spin on a Traktor Kontrol S2. Honestly, I love the S2/S4! It allowed me to make this killer mix:
https://soundcloud.com/arpan/party-favors-vol-1
Jacki Zellmann
27.07.2012
Originally Posted by Zoosh

If you are serious about DJ'ing in my opinion the S4 is absolutely an industry standard pre requisite. Turn up at a gig with an S4 and macbook and trust me people will take you seriously. I also weighed up getting the new Pioneer traktor mixer but the loop decks on the s4 software are in my opinion what makes the S4 stand out to anything in the foreseeable future.
I can confirm this statement and see that you are a real Pro with many years experience.
I am a composer and producer and found myself in a come back as a DJ, with a break of 10 years playing music in clubs. I decided to get myself a S4 plus a Maschine ( Now F1s ) and started in some local clubs. I had mixed feelings, first my age ;-) , second I had no clue about CDJ 2000s and third...I arrived with a Traktor S4, at this time this new Controller just came on the market. Up to now I use my S4 together with Maschine or only Maschine.

I had clubs who invited me for a gig, but have been skeptical about my S4 gear ....I simply said: " I am an artist and this is my gear ". Anyone feeling disturbed with Richie Hawtin using a Maschine Controller?

I am convinced that Pioneer will keep their CDJs in the clubs and this is OK because, when my Mac Pro crashes I can jump on a CDJ system ( I always have CDs with my music in the bag ), although it never happened so far. Finally, we will see more and more DJs who are just able to work with their individual systems, the old standard of using MK II 1210 Turntable will never come back.

If a DJ is more like an artist and likes to add some personal sound structures to his DJ Sets I recommend the S4 and / or Maschine.
Chong Prestwich
15.01.2012
my 2 cents...

regarding the concept of "real" dj'ing, as long as you can play the tunes and keep a crowd in a bar/club then that is all the manager wants. unfortunately 90% of clubs just care about the $$$!

This also means most wont care what gear use. every club i've played in near me has allowed controllers, although using CDJs does feel better.

The solution? use CDJs and timecode with a laptop. that way it still looks like you're some some "real mixing" but have the benefits of digital. isn't this what most the "big" djs use in clubs after all...?

that said, i also agree with a "true dj" being able to use most kit in that they should be able to at least beatmatch. but this can be learnt using laptop if you turn the sync function off!!

so S4 or cdjs? if money was no object you wanna go with the "club standard" which would be cdj2000s! no point learning on some shitty
Ricki Gaebe
11.01.2012
Originally Posted by padi_04
http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/

how can anyone not love it?
Not sure why I let this loop 3 times, I couldn't stop watching...
Dewey Melchi
08.02.2011
Originally Posted by Coldfuzion
When I first started reading this thread just now I saw "Im planning to pick up an S4 in the future." posted from Photo and I was like "wtf I thought he had one!" then I saw the date .

QFT. I just had the same experience.
Darren Teboe
08.02.2011
Originally Posted by natebehe
I dont believe the cdj will ever be eradicated, but hopefully clubs will make room for the digital dj.
I remember hearing/ believeing the same thing with vinyl and CD's over a decade ago, and now turntables mostly just hold up a jocks CD cases now. I'm sure they'll start accommodating more and more.
Gustavo Opalenik
29.01.2011
Originally Posted by Gryz
Do you really believe that even if your music is sick and you draw a nice crowd, a club will turn you down for using a controller over their CDJs?
I ran a small lounge/club for 5 years and never turned down a Dj for what gear they had. It was always about the person, their music, and their following. A lot of Dj's are moving to controllers out here. It is way more practical and you do not have to depend on the club to have all their gear in order as well. CDJs get torn up out here in the tropics.

Back on topic. I would get the S4 anyday. I bought one last fall and it is still my best new toy. Used on a New Years Eve gig and it was flawless. The mixer that is...
Alphonso Deitchman
09.08.2013
Originally Posted by arpan
It allowed me
There's your problem right there. Using a controller and software is fine if you have the skills to mix without them too. Otherwise you're only going to limit your gigging opportunities.
Imogene Tomczyk
06.08.2013
Originally Posted by Gryz
Do you really believe that even if your music is sick and you draw a nice crowd, a club will turn you down for using a controller over their CDJs?
Unfortunately, yes. It has happened to me! A club contacted me and wanted to book me, but turned me down because I spin on a Traktor Kontrol S2. Honestly, I love the S2/S4! It allowed me to make this killer mix:
https://soundcloud.com/arpan/party-favors-vol-1
Jacki Zellmann
27.07.2012
Originally Posted by Zoosh

If you are serious about DJ'ing in my opinion the S4 is absolutely an industry standard pre requisite. Turn up at a gig with an S4 and macbook and trust me people will take you seriously. I also weighed up getting the new Pioneer traktor mixer but the loop decks on the s4 software are in my opinion what makes the S4 stand out to anything in the foreseeable future.
I can confirm this statement and see that you are a real Pro with many years experience.
I am a composer and producer and found myself in a come back as a DJ, with a break of 10 years playing music in clubs. I decided to get myself a S4 plus a Maschine ( Now F1s ) and started in some local clubs. I had mixed feelings, first my age ;-) , second I had no clue about CDJ 2000s and third...I arrived with a Traktor S4, at this time this new Controller just came on the market. Up to now I use my S4 together with Maschine or only Maschine.

I had clubs who invited me for a gig, but have been skeptical about my S4 gear ....I simply said: " I am an artist and this is my gear ". Anyone feeling disturbed with Richie Hawtin using a Maschine Controller?

I am convinced that Pioneer will keep their CDJs in the clubs and this is OK because, when my Mac Pro crashes I can jump on a CDJ system ( I always have CDs with my music in the bag ), although it never happened so far. Finally, we will see more and more DJs who are just able to work with their individual systems, the old standard of using MK II 1210 Turntable will never come back.

If a DJ is more like an artist and likes to add some personal sound structures to his DJ Sets I recommend the S4 and / or Maschine.
Chong Prestwich
15.01.2012
my 2 cents...

regarding the concept of "real" dj'ing, as long as you can play the tunes and keep a crowd in a bar/club then that is all the manager wants. unfortunately 90% of clubs just care about the $$$!

This also means most wont care what gear use. every club i've played in near me has allowed controllers, although using CDJs does feel better.

The solution? use CDJs and timecode with a laptop. that way it still looks like you're some some "real mixing" but have the benefits of digital. isn't this what most the "big" djs use in clubs after all...?

that said, i also agree with a "true dj" being able to use most kit in that they should be able to at least beatmatch. but this can be learnt using laptop if you turn the sync function off!!

so S4 or cdjs? if money was no object you wanna go with the "club standard" which would be cdj2000s! no point learning on some shitty
Vikki Jeannoel
10.01.2012
cdjs if you are planning to do anything more than bedroom djing.
Ricki Gaebe
11.01.2012
Originally Posted by padi_04
http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/

how can anyone not love it?
Not sure why I let this loop 3 times, I couldn't stop watching...
Merilyn Sellards
25.02.2011
I had both cdjs and s4, and to be honest the whole "real dj" thing since like the cdj200s is whatever since you can easily beatmatch in cdjs almost like in traktor, (bpm counter,loops and now quantize in some models)and that's not cheating? plus I like to use both since some of my friends are still in denial of the digital evolution that is software djing... seriously day to day it becomes more obvious that you can do so much more things with a controller layout since you have it all at hand, heck even pioneer finally accepted it although not a perfect layout in their controllers its still pretty damn cool. I just feel clumsy now when I go back to cdjs, things are spread a bit too much for fast action and thew layout just doesn't suit what I want to do....
s4 dude, man I love it more everyday
Dewey Melchi
08.02.2011
Originally Posted by Coldfuzion
When I first started reading this thread just now I saw "Im planning to pick up an S4 in the future." posted from Photo and I was like "wtf I thought he had one!" then I saw the date .

QFT. I just had the same experience.
Mariano Godina
08.02.2011
I agree, how we get our music/set across to the audience is irrelevant. All that matters is the music and show you put on.
It doesn't matter if you use 2 tape decks/cd's or traktor.

I believe weather you decide to go cdj's or traktor S4 is a case of personal preference, from my experience I would go with the S4. I've never looked back since I got mine.
It's a dream to use & so easy to setup in a club.

Hope that helps
Darren Teboe
08.02.2011
Originally Posted by natebehe
I dont believe the cdj will ever be eradicated, but hopefully clubs will make room for the digital dj.
I remember hearing/ believeing the same thing with vinyl and CD's over a decade ago, and now turntables mostly just hold up a jocks CD cases now. I'm sure they'll start accommodating more and more.
Maxwell Bonifas
30.01.2011
i dunno about you guys but i fave spent a fortune over the last few years on finding my perfect DJ setup. Here is my list

Behringer bcd 3000 (introduction to digital DJing)
Numark stealth control (Great solid mixer with Virtual dj then traktor pro) used a usb soundcard with it for monitors not really any good when you break it or lose it)
Numark Omni control (Great mixer with traktor pro built in soundcard solid as via multiple PC laptop setups)

Started getting more gigs well paid on Costa Del Sol in Spain and Gibraltar so took the plung and converted to a mac setup (Normal job is a IT support guy last 20 years)

Then macbook pro setup with omni control and NI Maschine (Using DJ Endo's wicked mapping) Brilliant portable setup turnup at a club setup ready to roll in 5 mins really nice to kinda breakout of the traditional dj setup adding percussion with the Maschine and wavs via Traktor pro etc brilliant i have evolved a bit in the last few years all good.

Then i got all flash and bought a Numark NS7. Great piece of kit but Scratch sux and carrying it to gigs is a total pain in the arse.

I had a real good go on a vci arcade type controler with some Canadian guy who walked up while i was doing a gig in Puerto Banus in Spain (One of those make a difference gigs type thing, Flash millionaires around and bottles of Crystal etc very cool
compared to my Omni control but i thought i had chosen my route and spent enough money.

So S4 mhhhhh damn had to drool over the dubfire videos for months so of course had to have one. I am making enough money DJ'ing full time to pay my rent and living expenses.

I use nothing now but a S4 Macbook pro and when logistics isnt a problem I use the NI Maschine too. I have weighed up the pros and cons in terms of turning up at a club with loads of flight cases and being in practicle and also the aspect of packing away and out the door while the CDJ 1000 guys judge you and look down their noses at you ;-)

If you are serious about DJ'ing in my opinion the S4 is absolutely an industry standard pre requisite. Turn up at a gig with an S4 and macbook and trust me people will take you seriously. I also weighed up getting the new Pioneer traktor mixer but the loop decks on the s4 software are in my opinion what makes the S4 stand out to anything in the foreseeable future.

Since getting the S4 I have changed as a DJ. I mix mostly electro house/Breaks/Dubstep and every time i setup my s4 i get exited as i can really jam with my setup like never b4.

I have since sold all my old gear all but the Mashine which i love. I have used my S4 and macbook on about 20 gigs now and hand on heart not a single problem apart from user error. Trust me though in saying stay away from windows setups. I cannot trust the windows environment. Try playing at Pasha in Ibiza and something and getting a blue screen of death and like waving to the crowd and shouting its my laptop ;-) Not acceptable so any people bitching about S4 and Dell Latitudes or whatever take it with a pinch of salt as they unfortunately are limited due to costs of getting the perfect mac setup if you know what i mean.

I do find myself being a bit of a defensive with bigwig CDJ DJ's who have not realized the significance of the progression to MP3 DJ'ing. As a lot of us have chosen this route is it not better to be educated to having the best gear so we can represent well?

Rant over ;-)
Gustavo Opalenik
29.01.2011
Originally Posted by Gryz
Do you really believe that even if your music is sick and you draw a nice crowd, a club will turn you down for using a controller over their CDJs?
I ran a small lounge/club for 5 years and never turned down a Dj for what gear they had. It was always about the person, their music, and their following. A lot of Dj's are moving to controllers out here. It is way more practical and you do not have to depend on the club to have all their gear in order as well. CDJs get torn up out here in the tropics.

Back on topic. I would get the S4 anyday. I bought one last fall and it is still my best new toy. Used on a New Years Eve gig and it was flawless. The mixer that is...
Jerome Burruss
28.01.2011
Hopefully the timecode will come with the new Traktor Pro.

And something I definitely need to work on is my Serato. In a club (the couple I've done), I'm not even sure how to cue up tracks using just a laptop (for Serato).
Carlee Pickard
28.01.2011
When I first started reading this thread just now I saw "Im planning to pick up an S4 in the future." posted from Photo and I was like "wtf I thought he had one!" then I saw the date .

I love my S4! I hope that when I get more comfortable / comfortable enough to DJ at a club, the owners will not look down on me as I use "digital" DJ gear .

To be honest though, aren't most DJs using digital gear anyway? I see people using 1200s that are connected to their laptops... what the hells that considered? They aren't even playing off Vinyl, they're just pretending to.

I truly feel fakers < true to themselves people (for a lack of better words).
Nedra Fresneda
28.01.2011
Originally Posted by Karlos Santos
Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers MUSHROOM MUSHROOM
http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/

how can anyone not love it?
Christen Hedayati
28.01.2011
Problem solved: S4, and run CDJs into decks C and D. gives you full control over 4 decks, plus samples, plus you look super pro to all the 'tards that expect to see 2 "turntables" if you're a "real dj"
nayit ruiz jaramillo
08.10.2010
Originally Posted by theory28
s4 s4 s4 s4 s4 traktor traktor traktor

(badger song from weeble)

Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers Badgers MUSHROOM MUSHROOM
Tiara Bastarache
08.10.2010
I'm actually asking myself the same question. Looking to get started on some club gigs within the next year, but the sad part is to be taken seriously it seems as though the vast majority is saying to use CDJ's or Vinyl.

When It comes down to it though the pure $$ aspect seems to be out of reach.

I understand spending money to make money (Been there done that on a small scale), but to drop 2-3k to only have that investment returned within 2 years at the least is pretty harsh. That doesn't include the cost of music or promotions either.
Maisie Marras
08.10.2010
s4 s4 s4 s4 s4 traktor traktor traktor

(badger song from weeble)
nayit ruiz jaramillo
08.10.2010
Digital Heart....Vinyl Soul
That ^^ is the Original Traktor Scratch slogan used by Native Instruments...
In fact its still used for Traktor Scratch Pro on the website..

On your website are those prices 'per hour'..?

I live near you, do you need any DJs... ive just moved house and i need the extra beans
Bailey Fergurson
08.10.2010
s4.....s4........s4.....s4....(continue until bored)
nayit ruiz jaramillo
08.10.2010
Originally Posted by farhanashraf
u dont believe so?
Not at all.

I really dont believe its possible to define "a real DJ".

In this age of various DJ mediums its unfair to expect everyone to be able to use them all.

I dont expect a controllerist to know how to beatmatch on vinyl.
I expect the controllerist to really knock me out with his controller skills.

Its nice to be able to do it all, i can rock up and play on anything but thats cus i have had to learn and progress and ive chosen to adapt.


I believe its far more important that clubs adapt and realise the a DJ can use many mediums and that the clubs need to be able to support any style of DJ not the other way round.

Just my 2 eggs.
Hipolito Scionti
08.10.2010
I have no idea how to dj using Ableton for example...

Decks, CDJ, Controller, Traktor, Serato all amazing with though

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