Should I make the switch to CDJs?

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Should I make the switch to CDJs?
Posted on: 17.09.2012 by Brooke Cary
Hi everyone,

First off I'd like to say that for the past 2 years I've been strictly a controllerist DJ. While I feel that I've gotten pretty good with using just a controller, I feel limited by how compact it is. All of the controllers I've used/tried out, even the bigger ones like the DDJ-T1 and the Numark NS7 seem like they're jus too cramped to accommodate what I want to do.

I like playing on more than just 2 decks at once, so a 4 channel setup is what I'm leaning towards. Controllers don't really offer the tactile feedback and capabilities that 4 CDJs do. This brings me to my questions:

Which CDJs should I get (if I should even switch)? Its a huge step up in my budget (from only a few hundred to easily a few thousand) so I'm believeing that I may want to start small.

I found online that I can buy refurbished CDJ-850s for only around $550 a piece, whereas is I want 900s they'll cost around $850 refurbished. I'd rather have to spend only $2200 than $3400, but if someone here can convince me to spend the extra thousand I'll do it. Are there any huge differences between the two players? Obviously the 900 has slip mode and the link port but I don't really feel I'd use slip that much and is the link necessary? My only real concerns are with the main playing controls and media options. Also, I'd like a player that will be backwards compatible with Traktor so I can continue to use that library rather than having to put my music on a flash drive and browse on the player.

If you've gotten this far in the post thanks for taking the time to read it! Hopefully I get the answer I'm looking for and I can get started with CDJs.
Rosita Bourdeaux
03.10.2012
Originally Posted by wampaone
Yes the 850's work awesome with SSL provided you are using a Macbook Pro... windows will crash on you no matter what hardware you use...
Here we go........
Hyman Werness
18.09.2012
Originally Posted by jaredweiss
Is there HID support with the 850s in SSL? I've never actually used Serato but I'd be willing to make the switch.

And when it comes to browsing, with the 900s can I browse the tracks on my computer? I've heard that that is how rekordbox works with them but I don't really understand it.
Yes the 850's work awesome with SSL provided you are using a Macbook Pro... windows will crash on you no matter what hardware you use...
Adrian Zadrozny
17.09.2012
Originally Posted by jaredweiss
Since I'd have to buy the Serato box, I don't believe I'll go that route yet, but its nice to know that its possible. And even if I went with the 900s I'd still need Serato's hardware.

I watched a video of the Rekordbox connected with a hub to the CDJs (over the link port) and I liked it a lot. It looks like the best possible option, but I'm a little hesitant because its going to raise the price by over $1000. For now I may just go with 2 850s and 2 900s. That way, if I need to I can access everything on 2 players, but I'll still have 4 total decks I can work with.

"I watched a video of the Rekordbox connected with a hub to the CDJs"

Wait what? Rekordbox is a software that you use to set up your music previously before...
Shalon Jaranilla
17.09.2012
Originally Posted by jaredweiss
Is there HID support with the 850s in SSL? I've never actually used Serato but I'd be willing to make the switch.
Going the serato road and be able to have 4 decks will set you back another 900 dollars for the sl4.
Brooke Cary
17.09.2012
Originally Posted by fullenglishpint
850s are a evening mare to run with Traktor. They work really well with SSL and they're great units, but the lack of proper HID support in Traktor makes them next to useless (certainly not as good as pretty much any reasonable controller.
Is there HID support with the 850s in SSL? I've never actually used Serato but I'd be willing to make the switch.

And when it comes to browsing, with the 900s can I browse the tracks on my computer? I've heard that that is how rekordbox works with them but I don't really understand it.
Adrian Zadrozny
17.09.2012
Originally Posted by jaredweiss
Hi everyone,

First off I'd like to say that for the past 2 years I've been strictly a controllerist DJ. While I feel that I've gotten pretty good with using just a controller, I feel limited by how compact it is. All of the controllers I've used/tried out, even the bigger ones like the DDJ-T1 and the Numark NS7 seem like they're jus too cramped to accommodate what I want to do.

I like playing on more than just 2 decks at once, so a 4 channel setup is what I'm leaning towards. Controllers don't really offer the tactile feedback and capabilities that 4 CDJs do. This brings me to my questions:

Which CDJs should I get (if I should even switch)? Its a huge step up in my budget (from only a few hundred to easily a few thousand) so I'm believeing that I may want to start small.

I found online that I can buy refurbished CDJ-850s for only around $550 a piece, whereas is I want 900s they'll cost around $850 refurbished. I'd rather have to spend only $2200 than $3400, but if someone here can convince me to spend the extra thousand I'll do it. Are there any huge differences between the two players? Obviously the 900 has slip mode and the link port but I don't really feel I'd use slip that much and is the link necessary? My only real concerns are with the main playing controls and media options. Also, I'd like a player that will be backwards compatible with Traktor so I can continue to use that library rather than having to put my music on a flash drive and browse on the player.

If you've gotten this far in the post thanks for taking the time to read it! Hopefully I get the answer I'm looking for and I can get started with CDJs.
The 850's arent that bad. I would say get them only if you come across a deal you cant refuse though.

The positives on the 900 are just too good. For instance you can link up to 4 players at once using just 1 USB thumb drive. The 850's would require a stick for each player. I know you said you don't believe thats a big deal but 4 usb sticks? Thats gonna be a pain to keep track of. Maybe just use CD's, but again, that would complicate your library most likely.

850's do not have advanced HID mode. AKA not so plug in play as the 400/900/2000's. I dont know if you plan on using Traktor/Serato/etc anymore after making the switch to CDJ's but just throwing that out there. The 850's can be a bit more 'finicky' and often require the user to 'fine-tune' some settings in the software you are using. There are alternatives to mapping the 850 via MIDI mode into Traktor but that is a process I am not 100% clear on. I beleive there are some threads in this community regarding that.

I myself am in the market for some CDJ's and a mixer. Preferably 900's and a 900 nexus. Anyone want an s4?????

Hope this helps a tad.
Brooke Cary
17.09.2012		Hi everyone,

First off I'd like to say that for the past 2 years I've been strictly a controllerist DJ. While I feel that I've gotten pretty good with using just a controller, I feel limited by how compact it is. All of the controllers I've used/tried out, even the bigger ones like the DDJ-T1 and the Numark NS7 seem like they're jus too cramped to accommodate what I want to do.

I like playing on more than just 2 decks at once, so a 4 channel setup is what I'm leaning towards. Controllers don't really offer the tactile feedback and capabilities that 4 CDJs do. This brings me to my questions:

Which CDJs should I get (if I should even switch)? Its a huge step up in my budget (from only a few hundred to easily a few thousand) so I'm believeing that I may want to start small.

I found online that I can buy refurbished CDJ-850s for only around $550 a piece, whereas is I want 900s they'll cost around $850 refurbished. I'd rather have to spend only $2200 than $3400, but if someone here can convince me to spend the extra thousand I'll do it. Are there any huge differences between the two players? Obviously the 900 has slip mode and the link port but I don't really feel I'd use slip that much and is the link necessary? My only real concerns are with the main playing controls and media options. Also, I'd like a player that will be backwards compatible with Traktor so I can continue to use that library rather than having to put my music on a flash drive and browse on the player.

If you've gotten this far in the post thanks for taking the time to read it! Hopefully I get the answer I'm looking for and I can get started with CDJs.
Ming Devis
03.10.2012		I would wait a couple of months to see what Pioneer do, I believe they might update some of the other CDJ's in their product line.
Also look into Dennon, a lot of people like them and they are cheaper which is great in my opinion as a decent CDJ is insainly expensive for bedroom set up.
Rosita Bourdeaux
03.10.2012
Originally Posted by wampaone
Yes the 850's work awesome with SSL provided you are using a Macbook Pro... windows will crash on you no matter what hardware you use...
Here we go........
Erich Vallabhaneni
18.09.2012		I just recently started using cdj's instead of my S4 and its amazing, it brought back the love for me so I say its a good idea.
Hyman Werness
18.09.2012
Originally Posted by jaredweiss
Is there HID support with the 850s in SSL? I've never actually used Serato but I'd be willing to make the switch.

And when it comes to browsing, with the 900s can I browse the tracks on my computer? I've heard that that is how rekordbox works with them but I don't really understand it.
Yes the 850's work awesome with SSL provided you are using a Macbook Pro... windows will crash on you no matter what hardware you use...
Tatum Ansaldo
17.09.2012		You can have it plugged in via LAN and use it as a library. No need to burn a USB stick if you have a LAN switch and pro DJ link.
Adrian Zadrozny
17.09.2012
Originally Posted by jaredweiss
Since I'd have to buy the Serato box, I don't believe I'll go that route yet, but its nice to know that its possible. And even if I went with the 900s I'd still need Serato's hardware.

I watched a video of the Rekordbox connected with a hub to the CDJs (over the link port) and I liked it a lot. It looks like the best possible option, but I'm a little hesitant because its going to raise the price by over $1000. For now I may just go with 2 850s and 2 900s. That way, if I need to I can access everything on 2 players, but I'll still have 4 total decks I can work with.

"I watched a video of the Rekordbox connected with a hub to the CDJs"

Wait what? Rekordbox is a software that you use to set up your music previously before...
Brooke Cary
17.09.2012		Since I'd have to buy the Serato box, I don't believe I'll go that route yet, but its nice to know that its possible. And even if I went with the 900s I'd still need Serato's hardware.

I watched a video of the Rekordbox connected with a hub to the CDJs (over the link port) and I liked it a lot. It looks like the best possible option, but I'm a little hesitant because its going to raise the price by over $1000. For now I may just go with 2 850s and 2 900s. That way, if I need to I can access everything on 2 players, but I'll still have 4 total decks I can work with.
Tatum Ansaldo
17.09.2012		Yes they work with SSL flawlessly, but don't forget you'd need to buy a Rane SL interface to use it.

Read up on Rekordbox. It's basically a music management program not dissimilar to traktor's browser which you can plug into Pro DJ Link CDJs like the 900s and above and load tracks from your laptop.
Shalon Jaranilla
17.09.2012
Originally Posted by jaredweiss
Is there HID support with the 850s in SSL? I've never actually used Serato but I'd be willing to make the switch.
Going the serato road and be able to have 4 decks will set you back another 900 dollars for the sl4.
Brooke Cary
17.09.2012
Originally Posted by fullenglishpint
850s are a evening mare to run with Traktor. They work really well with SSL and they're great units, but the lack of proper HID support in Traktor makes them next to useless (certainly not as good as pretty much any reasonable controller.
Is there HID support with the 850s in SSL? I've never actually used Serato but I'd be willing to make the switch.

And when it comes to browsing, with the 900s can I browse the tracks on my computer? I've heard that that is how rekordbox works with them but I don't really understand it.
Tatum Ansaldo
17.09.2012		850s are a evening mare to run with Traktor. They work really well with SSL and they're great units, but the lack of proper HID support in Traktor makes them next to useless (certainly not as good as pretty much any reasonable controller. The 900s and above on the other hand are plug and play, which is a major advantage in my book. And as the last person said, proper rekordbox support with Pro DJ Link is a real step up from browsing individual USB sticks on the CDJ screen. The screen is absolutely awful for browsing.
Adrian Zadrozny
17.09.2012
Originally Posted by jaredweiss
Hi everyone,

First off I'd like to say that for the past 2 years I've been strictly a controllerist DJ. While I feel that I've gotten pretty good with using just a controller, I feel limited by how compact it is. All of the controllers I've used/tried out, even the bigger ones like the DDJ-T1 and the Numark NS7 seem like they're jus too cramped to accommodate what I want to do.

I like playing on more than just 2 decks at once, so a 4 channel setup is what I'm leaning towards. Controllers don't really offer the tactile feedback and capabilities that 4 CDJs do. This brings me to my questions:

Which CDJs should I get (if I should even switch)? Its a huge step up in my budget (from only a few hundred to easily a few thousand) so I'm believeing that I may want to start small.

I found online that I can buy refurbished CDJ-850s for only around $550 a piece, whereas is I want 900s they'll cost around $850 refurbished. I'd rather have to spend only $2200 than $3400, but if someone here can convince me to spend the extra thousand I'll do it. Are there any huge differences between the two players? Obviously the 900 has slip mode and the link port but I don't really feel I'd use slip that much and is the link necessary? My only real concerns are with the main playing controls and media options. Also, I'd like a player that will be backwards compatible with Traktor so I can continue to use that library rather than having to put my music on a flash drive and browse on the player.

If you've gotten this far in the post thanks for taking the time to read it! Hopefully I get the answer I'm looking for and I can get started with CDJs.
The 850's arent that bad. I would say get them only if you come across a deal you cant refuse though.

The positives on the 900 are just too good. For instance you can link up to 4 players at once using just 1 USB thumb drive. The 850's would require a stick for each player. I know you said you don't believe thats a big deal but 4 usb sticks? Thats gonna be a pain to keep track of. Maybe just use CD's, but again, that would complicate your library most likely.

850's do not have advanced HID mode. AKA not so plug in play as the 400/900/2000's. I dont know if you plan on using Traktor/Serato/etc anymore after making the switch to CDJ's but just throwing that out there. The 850's can be a bit more 'finicky' and often require the user to 'fine-tune' some settings in the software you are using. There are alternatives to mapping the 850 via MIDI mode into Traktor but that is a process I am not 100% clear on. I beleive there are some threads in this community regarding that.

I myself am in the market for some CDJ's and a mixer. Preferably 900's and a 900 nexus. Anyone want an s4?????

Hope this helps a tad.

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