Which CDJ for a "high-end noob"?
Which CDJ for a "high-end noob"? Posted on: 14.09.2012 by Malia Janise Hi all,Looking for my first CDJ's. A little about me: Late 1990's San Francisco rave scene. Used to bedroom DJ on 1200's. I rarely touched them after about 2004. Lot's has changed since then obviously. That said, I'm the type who likes to make "sound" purchases. If I'm going to spin vinyl and it's 1999, MK2's and a Rane mixer. I'll buy the 909 instead of the software synth if you know what I mean. Much of this is obviously out of wanting good gear. The other half (yes, almost half) is that I like to buy things that have value/demand as a sort of industry-standard, making it easier to one day resell. So that said, I know there's oodles of CDJ's out there. I figure stick with Pioneer. Beyond that, can anyone give me a crash course on the different generations? I see MK2, MK3, etc. It would be awesome to even get a breakdown of the evolution: "from 2000-2005 the CDJ XXX was king. Then more digital effects were added, blinky lights, laptop sync etc, so from 2006-2012 the CDJ XXXX and XXXX have reigned." I like this because I figure I don't need anything crazy from the last few years as they all seem to be about digital tie-in etc. While this would be nice, I figure I should get comfortable with CDJ's in general, perhaps using one from the earlier generations that led initial charge from vinyl...but like, the one that the clubs would have used, if that makes sense I figure I'll start out using my existing Rane MP22z mixer. TLDR:what have been the industry-standard CDJ's for the last decade? And which would be a solid buy to use for a year, then sell for more or less the same amount due to having a solid legacy? | |
Laurence Calisto 26.11.2012 |
Originally Posted by Reticuli
|
Carman Kopacek 26.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by trilla_shocka
|
Adrian Zadrozny 26.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Zanzibar
The 850's do not support pro link. Meaning for each player you must have 1 USB stick. Two 850's, well that equals double the amount of time of music management, rekordbox, etc. Now add four decks into the mix, that's 4 USB sticks ($$$) and 4x the time (no pun intended). 900's and above. Well you guessed it. With pro link you can link up to four decks via ONE USB drive. My 2 cents. As far as timecoding goes. No one wants to or should have to shell out more cash for $99 traktor scratch upgrade, nor should anyone be required to buy an extra interface for $199 or more. 850's would not be the best choice in this day and age for a lot of newer users |
Carman Kopacek 26.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by trilla_shocka
|
Adrian Zadrozny 26.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Zanzibar
Correct me if I'm wrong but the 850's do not support advanced HID mode. |
Karolis Petrauskas 18.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Ever
Good luck and enjoy it! |
Johnetta Olewine 18.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by bigbeatzz
|
Karolis Petrauskas 18.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Ever
Not too long ago I decided to fix up my old decks, I replaced all of the lights and the tempo faders; soon after I did the LED UFO mod. Long story shorter, when I play on my 1200's it relaxes me. When I use my S4 I always find myself tinkering TSI files and CDJ's get kind of boring. CDJ's are standard if you are playing out but for chilling at home 1200's are so nice. There is nothing like mixing on vinyl, even if now I mostly play vinyl using Traktor or Serato (I have both). I find it fun to get nice timecode pressings and the feeling of "throwing" or "scratching" real vinyl is like therapy to me. Just my 2 cents. |
Adrian Zadrozny 17.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Ever
|
Adrian Zadrozny 17.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by bigbeatzz
|
Carletta Riemer 21.12.2012 | All DVS have effects built into them. If you use the 700 in internal USB mode and not as a controller but only have an analog mixer that has no effects, that would be useful to have them and not such a huge thing. If you don't like them, don't use them. It's doubtful the effects section is adding much to the cost of the Gemini. It costs 1/3 to 1/4 the price of the equivolent Pioneer units and has more features. I don't use butt warmers in cars, either, but I don't complain about them being included. |
Laurence Calisto 26.11.2012 |
Originally Posted by Reticuli
|
Carletta Riemer 26.11.2012 | The Pioneers don't even have effects. So complaining overly about the Gemini's is unjustified. |
Malia Janise 27.09.2012 | Thanks for all the tips guys. Beyond helping me decide which to get, I've learned a lot from this thread hearing about why different people opt for different gear. I found some 900's and, if UPS is correct, will be enjoying them by next Tuesday. |
Treasa Maffucci 26.09.2012 | personally, i went for 850s because they are the most similar to the club standard for the least amount of money. sure, they dont have the link feature or a fancy screen or digital out or HID through traktor, but the difference in price was too large to justify those additions. If i had the extra money, i would spring for some 2000s, no doubt. And i would love the link feature and all that jazz, but i just dont have that extra money at this time and place. But for what i paid and for what they do, not what they dont do, i love em |
Carman Kopacek 26.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by trilla_shocka
|
Adrian Zadrozny 26.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Zanzibar
The 850's do not support pro link. Meaning for each player you must have 1 USB stick. Two 850's, well that equals double the amount of time of music management, rekordbox, etc. Now add four decks into the mix, that's 4 USB sticks ($$$) and 4x the time (no pun intended). 900's and above. Well you guessed it. With pro link you can link up to four decks via ONE USB drive. My 2 cents. As far as timecoding goes. No one wants to or should have to shell out more cash for $99 traktor scratch upgrade, nor should anyone be required to buy an extra interface for $199 or more. 850's would not be the best choice in this day and age for a lot of newer users |
Carman Kopacek 26.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by trilla_shocka
|
Adrian Zadrozny 26.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Zanzibar
Correct me if I'm wrong but the 850's do not support advanced HID mode. |
Carman Kopacek 26.09.2012 | A pair of CDJ-850's are the best choice. For one they can play different media off of USB, CD and become a MIDI controller (for use with Traktor for example) using a simple USB cable. Another great thing about them is they're not very expensive if you find them used or even new for that matter. I've used the 850 more than a few times and I love it, not as fancy as the 900 or the 2000 but it gets the job done and you have lots of ways to get your music playing through the CDJ. Some of the disadvantages are that it does not have a Digital output on the back, and maybe that the jog wheel feel isn't adjustable like the 1000's and the 2000's. There's a lot of mish-mash with CD's and Digital files being played but the good news is the 850 does both, so what ever you're most comfortable with will still work. Needless to say if you're looking for a CDJ, the 850 is great to start off with and will keep you going for quite a few years before technology changes. Here's the CDJ-850 with its tech specs: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...layers/CDJ-850 Another thing for the record as well, All CDJ's above the 800 MK2 have the same "relative" feel. So if you practice on the 850's and have to use the CDJ-2000's in a club or at an event, there's no real need to worry because they all pretty much do the same thing. Half the crap on the CDJ-2000 I've never used anyways. |
Erich Vallabhaneni 20.09.2012 | alot of people probably wont agree, but I just got a Gemini CDJ 700, and for home use it is all you'll need. The effects on them are horrid, but having CD, USB, SSD card, and midi capability really gives you alot of options and you get the feel of using a full size CDJ. I wouldn't advise for traveling alot or anything, but home use they are pretty fun. |
Karolis Petrauskas 18.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Ever
Good luck and enjoy it! |
Malia Janise 18.09.2012 | Well put, BigBeatzz. You guys are right, I too am really into the feel of vinyl. So much that I've fiddled with CDJs in stores and I can't imagine "jogging" while beatmatching. That said, I'm 99% committed to CDJs. A big part of me wants to learn on whatever is the club standard, and I feel like it's simply that. Sure, I could see myself having fun with a DVS at home, but I want to be able to play out, and I feel like learning DVS before CDJ would inhibit this. |
Johnetta Olewine 18.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by bigbeatzz
|
Karolis Petrauskas 18.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Ever
Not too long ago I decided to fix up my old decks, I replaced all of the lights and the tempo faders; soon after I did the LED UFO mod. Long story shorter, when I play on my 1200's it relaxes me. When I use my S4 I always find myself tinkering TSI files and CDJ's get kind of boring. CDJ's are standard if you are playing out but for chilling at home 1200's are so nice. There is nothing like mixing on vinyl, even if now I mostly play vinyl using Traktor or Serato (I have both). I find it fun to get nice timecode pressings and the feeling of "throwing" or "scratching" real vinyl is like therapy to me. Just my 2 cents. |
Adrian Zadrozny 17.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by Ever
|
Malia Janise 17.09.2012 | If they don't already own a bunch of vinyl and a pair of 1200's, why would someone want 1200's and Serato/Traktor over CDJS (ones that can control said programs / have USB)? |
Adrian Zadrozny 17.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by bigbeatzz
|
Karolis Petrauskas 17.09.2012 | Get some 1200's and Serato or Traktor Scratch and call it a day. |
Adrian Zadrozny 17.09.2012 | Those are some great prices... |
Treasa Maffucci 16.09.2012 | ya one of my friends bought a pair of refurbed 800s a year or 2 ago, one of them was DOA, but it was sent back and they promptly sent him a brand new 800. the cdjs have held up since then. another friend got a refurb djm700 (for 500! a steal!) and that thing was cherry, looked brand new and has held up like a tank. personally i would prefer to buy factory refurbished as opposed to used via ebay/craigslist, as they usually run at about the same price, and with used you just never know what your going to get. |
Malia Janise 16.09.2012 | Thanks for the heads-up! I coincidentally came across this a few hours ago. ~$840 for a 900, free shipping. I searched Google and found a surprising little amount of comments on buying refurb from Pioneer. The only things I discovered are that: -90 day warranty -Paired unit's production date may differ, thus display brightness can vary -May be spotless, may have light scratching Nothing much beyond that, which is surprising because $840 is nearing the price I've seen them going for on Ebay and CL - odd since you believe for $40 (and tax) more, people would buy direct. |
Treasa Maffucci 16.09.2012 | just a heads up, pioneer currently have some refurbished 850/900/2000s up on their website, which they rarely do. I have friends that have had good success with their refurbs. i just scored a set of 850s for a little over 1100 for the pair shipped, not too bad. http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...-Media-Players |
Malia Janise 16.09.2012 | I likely wouldn't go any lower than the MK3. Problem is that I'm easily upsold, but I suppose the price jump from the 1000 to the 900 is indeed pretty large. |
Danae Dumler 16.09.2012 |
Originally Posted by TCMuc
The mk1 is fine too if you can find them, but there are a lot of annoyances - the platter is just ok; the digital outputs don't work for shit; looping is pretty inaccurate (I heard it is much better on the mk3, I'm not sure about the mk2 on this point). I believe the mk2 and 3 have larger buffers too which means less annoyance cueing things up. Short version: go for 1000mk3 if you can afford it; otherwise 1000mk2 will probably keep you happy for a while. |
Nikole Resende 16.09.2012 | If you don't want USB/computer integration all the 850/900/2000(nexus) are just one thing: way to expensive. You'd be paying for stuff you don't even need. If you don't need USB connectivity or don't want to use your CDJ as a controller for any DJ software, you don't need any of that new stuff these pieces of gear are offering. As long as all you want is play CDs, get familiar with the concept of CDJs, and don't mind burning CDs and bringing them to the club, you should go for the CDJ 1000 mk3. The CDJ 1000 was initially released in 2001 and was the first CD Player that "led initial change from vinyl" as you put it. That player used to be the club standard for that time, and actually kind of still is, as many smaller clubs still haven't made the change to the 2000. Their prices are typically pretty stable. I've never seen a serious price drop in the second hand market for pioneer players, even when a new generation model was released. There also is the CDJ 800 mk2, that was meant as a "home version" of the CDJ 1000, giving DJs all the important functionalities of the CDJ 1000 they knew from the club at a lower price point for home use. Again, the features the 1000 offers over the 900 are not really necessary of all you want to do is get used to CDJ mixing. So my advice would be: Get the CDJ-1000 mk3 or CDJ-800 mk2 now, and if you feel you want more features sell them in a year or so and upgrade, your chances of losing a significant amount of money in this deal are really small. |
Laurence Calisto 14.09.2012 | it has no rekordbox, and honestly, the 400 is dropping below the threshhold where you'll even know how to work a large-format CDJ. the jog wheel has a VERY different feel from any of the larger CDJs. the feel is very different. the muscle memory for tempo adjustments you'll develop will be inaccurate for larger decks. edit: just to clarify, after enough time on cdjs i'm able to play by feel - i hear drift, i adjust by instinct without believeing. when i jumped from the s4 back to CDJs, I was way overcompensating for the small jog wheel. the small wheel on the 400s is definitely not going to give you that memory. |
Malia Janise 14.09.2012 | I'll be sure to call Space ahead of time Last question in case you're still up. I randomly saw the 400 has USB too. I imagine the the tradeoff from, say, paying more for USB on the 850 is Rekordbox? |
Laurence Calisto 14.09.2012 | yup, people brought CDs everywhere. also, it's not safe to say, call ahead or travel with usb and CDs |
Malia Janise 14.09.2012 | This sounds like some Star Trek stuff. Jokes aside, getting a pretty good grasp on where things are now. What were clubs like say 2005-2009 (pre USB etc)? Were people simply bringing their CD's everywhere like we used to with vinyl? And is it safe to say that now going forward, clubs will have USB-ready systems? I believe I'll be tend towards the "less gear the better" approach, at least to start. |
<< Back to Oldschool - vinyl and disc Djs topicReply