Breakdown: The S4 vs. The Denon DN-SC6000
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Breakdown: The S4 vs. The Denon DN-SC6000 Posted on: 16.03.2011 by Art Beatz Hey Guys! I need some info from anyone who has used the new Denon DN-SC6000. I love the S4 but I have had my eye the new Denon due to all its wonderous outputs in the back. I believe the output interfacing blows away all the competition for the asking price. I mean, on paper you would believe the Denon should sell for about $2000, but it's only $799 (USD) !!! My main concern: Is it a better Traktor controller or about the same when compared to the S4?????? If it is the same, then it beats out Traktor's S4 for the stand-alone mixer option, which is a critical option when the unbelieveable happens at a gig: C R A S H!!! I have ruled out Pioneer because it is nice for indoors, but not designed well for travel or portable use, and Pioneer is just asking way too much for what you get in return: no XLR's, no booth out, variable MIC controls, (JUST LOOK AT THE DENON ...) Please post your comments- thank you | |
| Art Beatz 17.03.2011 |
Originally Posted by aviatorman
The Denon looks like it will NEVER let you down if things go awry with the Mac, but I have had Traktor and I couldn't give a shit about any other software. The Denon does push out the sampler option, and I believe Denon jumped the gun with this feature; they could have added a few more buttons. Also there's the MIC flexibility; a big + for Denon Is the sound quality on the Denon better. I really don't believe the XLR makes a difference in sound quality, but it is the most reliable connection I know of, and you get the added dB with the balanced out. What about the jog wheels: Denon vs. S4 ???? The bottom line: If you had a mobile gig, which one would you grab to go with ...??? I need to hear from some Denon users out there...!!!:eek: |
| Art Beatz 17.03.2011 |
Originally Posted by nerve
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| Ellie Guritz 16.03.2011 |
Originally Posted by nerve
The upgrade is already available for downloading??? Tnx |
| Art Beatz 16.03.2011 | Hey Guys! I need some info from anyone who has used the new Denon DN-SC6000. I love the S4 but I have had my eye the new Denon due to all its wonderous outputs in the back. I believe the output interfacing blows away all the competition for the asking price. I mean, on paper you would believe the Denon should sell for about $2000, but it's only $799 (USD) !!! My main concern: Is it a better Traktor controller or about the same when compared to the S4?????? If it is the same, then it beats out Traktor's S4 for the stand-alone mixer option, which is a critical option when the unbelieveable happens at a gig: C R A S H!!! I have ruled out Pioneer because it is nice for indoors, but not designed well for travel or portable use, and Pioneer is just asking way too much for what you get in return: no XLR's, no booth out, variable MIC controls, (JUST LOOK AT THE DENON ...) Please post your comments- thank you |
| Art Beatz 21.03.2011 | Thanks Loop ! |
| Francina Decosse 20.03.2011 | don't know dude ... if you need versatility like the one in the Denon and still want only one unit, you choice is clear. As for the S4: For the Mic battles with S4 - I can repeat myself that an external mixing console (e.g. 3 mic ins + 2 stereo in + 2 or 3 (XLR&TRS) outputs). Such cost about $200 and these are the good models from e.g. Mackie. Whenever you need to organize such an event, you can just take the console with you as for the Video integration - Virtual DJ can run on the S4 and there will soon be a mapping for it. There is already sounded demand for such a mapping. there's no doubt NI have the better controller. For controllerism, that's the proper unit. |
| Art Beatz 18.03.2011 | The 1/4" on the S4 are balanced, but I always prefer XLR for a solid worry-free connection. |
| Art Beatz 18.03.2011 | Thanks for the advice. Is it me, but I'm in NYC and the Guit Center here seems to be run by arrogant slouches. They are not motivated to put on any finishing touches to showcase their products. Just an observation. One of the downfalls of online shopping is that you cannot touch-n-feel all these wonderful products. At this point, based on the feedback, it seems like the S4 wins on Traktor control, but everyone is siding with the Denon on the mobile front and in terms of versatility. C'mon - we all need to make an extra buck. I am looking at the real world of gigging and I need a piece of mind when I play. I thought about Karaoke, hip-hop MC battles and video integration, the Denon is in the lead. Has anyone had an S4 crash????? :eek: |
| Danae Dumler 18.03.2011 | OK so since I posted above I have been to a guit center and checked them out side by side. Unfortunately they won't hook up the denon to traktor, so it's running VDJ, which I have never used before. The jog wheels are way better on the S4 -- they have more resistance which makes it feel like you have a lot more control. The other thing that turned me off the denon a bit is the feel of the knobs and buttons. The S4 knobs feel great; the Denon's feel a bit cheap (not quite as cheap as the behringer ddm4000 for example but still cheaper than the S4). The one thing I couldn't figure out was whether the S4 has balanced outs. It does have 1/4" outputs but it doesn't say if they are balanced (perhaps this info is readily available in the docs though). I'm sure the sound quality is fine on either machine -- the S4 soundcard is basically the Audio 4, and I don't have too many complaints about that card (I have an Audio 8 but it's the same card other than the number of ins and outs). But balanced outs are much more reliable especially if you're stuck with long distances to your amps. I still believe I would get the denon if I was buying one now but I'm not as sure anymore -- the S4 feels really nice compared to the denon. One thing that surprised me is how small the denon was - it hardly seemed bigger than my VCI-100! definitely smaller than the S4, which is a plus, though it does have a slightly more cramped feeling (definitely not as bad as it looks in pics though). Anyway if you have Guitar Center nearby, go play with both of them before buying! |
| Art Beatz 17.03.2011 |
Originally Posted by aviatorman
The Denon looks like it will NEVER let you down if things go awry with the Mac, but I have had Traktor and I couldn't give a shit about any other software. The Denon does push out the sampler option, and I believe Denon jumped the gun with this feature; they could have added a few more buttons. Also there's the MIC flexibility; a big + for Denon Is the sound quality on the Denon better. I really don't believe the XLR makes a difference in sound quality, but it is the most reliable connection I know of, and you get the added dB with the balanced out. What about the jog wheels: Denon vs. S4 ???? The bottom line: If you had a mobile gig, which one would you grab to go with ...??? I need to hear from some Denon users out there...!!!:eek: |
| Art Beatz 17.03.2011 |
Originally Posted by nerve
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| Danae Dumler 16.03.2011 | There are ups and downs to both. I'd go with Denon for flexibility and for sound quality if I was making this choice. But the S4 is no slouch in either category; it's just that with the booth out flexibility (implemented in the coolest way possible) and the XLR outs and the ability to use this as a mixer, you're getting a lot more bang for the buck with the Denon. Sure there is S4 software but T2 will be out in a couple weeks and the upgrade price is not too obnoxious if you really MUST have the sampler. You also lose some sample buttons with the denon but you already have a MIDIFighter, don't you? :-P The booth out on the denon is just phenomenal, you can send a different signal through the booth out if you like so you can essentially play two gigs at once! Not bad if you want an ipod shuffling in the chillout room while you mix in the main room. One big drawback to the denon for me is the lack of VU meters -- there are two but there are four channels so you can't see all four at once. But you can switch between them so it's not a total dealbreaker. Another drawback is the lack of filter knobs ... I love the filter knobs on the S4 but I hate how it's implemented in the software -- I'd much prefer to just have a korg nanocontrol or something nearby for fiddling with filters. I guess you could re-map the gain knobs or something if this bugs you. Another drawback is the damn thing looks cramped ... not sure if it feels that way though as I've never played with one. Still, I love my VCI+A8+MF combo enough that I'm not buying either one at the moment Until I can afford a DB4.... |
| Random X 16.03.2011 | True that! |
| Francina Decosse 16.03.2011 | no, not of course. april 1st, that's it. but the TPS4 has the T2 essentials already. It was funny to experience the fuss of TSP2, but patience is far from difficult if you have an S4 ... |
| Ellie Guritz 16.03.2011 |
Originally Posted by nerve
The upgrade is already available for downloading??? Tnx |
| Francina Decosse 16.03.2011 | objectively, the Denon kicks S4's arse (hardware wise)! subjectively, I'd get the S4 over and over any day again. I just love it! For me, the hardware has all I need. The denon is not giving as good control over traktor as the S4 does (both standalone). By adding various other devices in addition to the main units, you could eventually equalize their completeness. E.g - a small mixing board to the S4 to add Mic ins and booth out; TP Software + an x1/MC2000 to the denon to catch up on the controls side; you name it ... My perception is that the Denon is the PERFECT unit for wedding DJs ever built. The S4 is the best club oriented portable controller so far. S4 is all about performance, MC6000 more about versatility. soooo, what are you after ? |
| Leeanna Ayla 16.03.2011 | If booth out is a deal breaker then the Denon is your choice. You'll have to buy Traktor though and you'll have to map it to Traktor. Something you don't have to do with the S4 and there's work around for the booth out deal. |
| Antonetta Wikel 16.03.2011 | I was comparing the 2 back in November/December. There's definite likes and dislikes with them both. In the end I chose 2 Denon DNSC2000 controllers and continue to use my external mixer because, quite frankly, the mixer section on both, while decent, wasn't as good as my existing mixer. Nerve brings up a good point about software unless you already have Traktor Pro or some equivalent. |
| Miquel Catan 16.03.2011 | Does your Denon come with software dedicated to it and free traktor2? |
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