does it matter what CDJ's
does it matter what CDJ's Posted on: 01.12.2011 by Asuncion Osorto Normally i would search but CDJ is too short a phrasegonna try to make this into a simple question I've been doing mobile stuff and using my own gear but want to quit that and get into the clubs Issue: I have never used a cdj before, always tt's or X1 Im just going to grab a used pair but dont believe I need anything expensive If im using traktor timecoded cd's and the x1 Do I need really need a 800,850,900, 1000 etc? or should i just find the cheapest/best deal out there I would assume the older models work basically the same. | |
| Dorie Scelzo 16.12.2011 | I agree very much with ryan |
| Dorie Scelzo 16.12.2011 | I agree very much with ryan |
| Dorie Scelzo 16.12.2011 | I agree very much with ryan |
| Dorie Scelzo 16.12.2011 | I agree very much with ryan |
| Dorie Scelzo 16.12.2011 | I agree very much with ryan |
| Dorie Scelzo 16.12.2011 | I agree very much with ryan |
| Dorie Scelzo 16.12.2011 | I agree very much with ryan |
| Dorie Scelzo 16.12.2011 | I agree very much with ryan |
| Dorie Scelzo 16.12.2011 | I agree very much with ryan |
| Dorie Scelzo 16.12.2011 | I agree very much with ryan |
| Dorie Scelzo 03.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by geminimech
I wanted to try them for 3 reasons: they seem like they might be at the right point on the cost/features curve for what I want; I've heard that they feel pretty good for the price; and they're not Stanton (just a personal thing). I still might, but I've gotten to the point that I really don't care about CDJs. If I use CDJs, it'll be with Rekordbox prep'd USB sticks, and I just won't practice like that at home. I'll just use Traktor at home and buy something with a pitch fader (probably a dn-sc2k). The cost of a pair of RMP-3as is about the cost of a DVS setup if you can find the right used turntables, and I'd much rather do that at home if I were going to spend that money. |
| Verlene Geevarghese 02.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
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| Kasi Marget 02.12.2011 |
Its too much hazzle for a couple of features.
And so you are planning on buying a pair of 2000's, and thus pay thousands of $/ |
| Kasi Marget 02.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by DJMM
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| Dorie Scelzo 01.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by dope
That was one of the arguments for vinyl when CDs started getting accepted |
| Yee Bedilion 16.12.2011 | Mostapha I might have been a bit unclear with my choice of words. My point I was trying to make is that several cheaper alternatives can add up over time and you might not realize it. Not so much to do with the resale value as it does with one's question for ultimate personalization. As new options come out, you feel an urge to try to the new options to ensure you have made the best choice. And by you, I mean me in my personal experience with midi controllers. But its cool that you were feeling some of the other things I was saying. Thanks! |
| Dorie Scelzo 16.12.2011 | I agree very much with ryan |
| Yee Bedilion 16.12.2011 | You should feel each jog yourself, I believe that all the jogs are pretty similar. I mean, obviously the smaller ones are going to feel different, but I dont believe it can affect your abilities to beatmatch in any way. I keep looking at the denon 3700 with the direct drive motor. It has alot of functionality. Everything from the 850 up has some sort of wave form display. I mean its not traktor or anything but you can still see where the energy drops. If you are getting a cdj, make sure its usb. Thats the reason why I'm not happy with my cdj 800mkii. I'm very close t just getting a pair of 350s until I can afford to get the 9s or 20s. People get angry about the price of the cdjs, and I feel like thats why they got bad things to say. First thing I was told when I started is that the gear costs alot of money. I'm sure anyone who initially started was aware of the steep prices so I dont see the big deal about the expenses. Just imagine if all of our produced good were made in sweat shops, how expensive it would all be then. I believe if you can figure out if you'd be happy with cdjs(maybe rent them or something) than you should drop the money on them. In 2 or 3 years(or more) that your cdjs last you, god only knows how many different controllers you may purchase and resell at a fractional price to get the purchase the next "innovational" controller. I'm willing to bet that if you compared your purchased over an extended time period and compared cdj players vs midi controller players that the amount of money actually spent it very close. Then there is the time spent programming your midi controllers trying to find the "optimum" mapping vs just turning on your cdj and not having any choice of what the buttons do. I feel like the mapping functions of programs is only a marketing strategy to keep everyone buying new stuff. I'd rent as many different cdjs as you can to see if they fit your needs. it your fine with it, who cares what everyone else believes. They are probably about to sell all their gear to hop on board the latest technology anyway. |
| Dorie Scelzo 03.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by geminimech
I wanted to try them for 3 reasons: they seem like they might be at the right point on the cost/features curve for what I want; I've heard that they feel pretty good for the price; and they're not Stanton (just a personal thing). I still might, but I've gotten to the point that I really don't care about CDJs. If I use CDJs, it'll be with Rekordbox prep'd USB sticks, and I just won't practice like that at home. I'll just use Traktor at home and buy something with a pitch fader (probably a dn-sc2k). The cost of a pair of RMP-3as is about the cost of a DVS setup if you can find the right used turntables, and I'd much rather do that at home if I were going to spend that money. |
| Dione Haimes 02.12.2011 | They work in SSL as well. Still need an SSL box though. |
| Glennis Cartin 02.12.2011 | Just wondering, do 850's work in HID with Traktor? Or is it just SSL? |
| Verlene Geevarghese 02.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by mostapha
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| Malorie Flamenco 02.12.2011 | Also the problem is buying that much expensive gear , and use it like a midi controller. I'd rather use s4 or something equivalent if I am gonna use Traktor. Too much hassle like someone above said. Just bring your cds or thumb drive and ready to mix =p |
| Dione Haimes 02.12.2011 | Bought 2k's mainly because i got a good trade in deal on the 1k's and 850mk2's that i had. so i wasnt paying out that much on top for the 2ks. HID in traktor and SSL is amazing, just like using a real CD. exept i dont have to lug about two big CD folders about everywhere. USB sticks are nice, but rekordbox does my head in and you have to update them constantly. The 850s are GOOD players! i liked them when i played with them, same jog as the 800, plus you have a nicer screen, usb stick connectivity, and HID compatible. If you like using them as HID controllers, but also want to learn how to use CDJs (and not overpay for features you wont use) get the 850-k's (400s are nice too if you dont mind a small jog wheel) |
| Kasi Marget 02.12.2011 |
Its too much hazzle for a couple of features.
And so you are planning on buying a pair of 2000's, and thus pay thousands of $/ |
| Randell Koper 02.12.2011 | Hi everyone, I also dont understand why some would use DVS with cdj's now that they can read usb sticks or hardrives. Its too much hazzle for a couple of features. That being said I feel the cdj-mixer set up is expensive and due to our budget restrictions we face this dilema: in which I expend more cdj's or mixer? Given the current options for mixers, like xone db4, or xone db2, or ecler evo 4 or 5, pio 900, I would prefer to use the cash differencebetween a cdj 850 and a cdj 2000 in a good mixer. For me its more fun using cdj's and I am still contemplating buying a pair after i sold my previous set, but I am waiting for Pioneer, I hope, realesing a cdj with out cd reader XD. |
| Kasi Marget 02.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by DJMM
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| Palma Hanslip 02.12.2011 | Everything that i wanted to say has been said. But from my experience the price difference between everything and the 1000 (not including the 2000) is worth it just for the jog wheel alone. Especially the fact you can tighten/loosen the 1000 jog. That's just a very, very stripped down version of my opinion |
| Malorie Flamenco 01.12.2011 | Mostapha wrote everything I wanted to say actually, unless you are using vinyl, I don't see the point of using timecode cdjs. If I had enough money to get good pair of cdj and a mixer, I wouldn't use laptop or traktor for sure. |
| Dorie Scelzo 01.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by dope
That was one of the arguments for vinyl when CDs started getting accepted |
| Kasi Marget 01.12.2011 | Damn, you got good points too. If i buy 850 to replace the 350, that would only be for the feel of a real jog, a better pitch fader and, well that's almost it. That can look stupid, i guess it's the RGAS. But i need a CD player with a good jog, without wasting money on useless features (for my personal use). Name a cd player that has a nice big jog, but has no (or the less possible) features that would be useless for a timecode user. That's why I was looking for 850-k, and I gotta admit the black color is sooooo much better looking than the ugly grey they had. I would love to have like 3 CDJs 2k + a DJM 800, that must be such a different feeling than Traktor. But honestly i don't see myself paying so much money to loose some features. What does CDJs have that Traktor doesn't ? Nothing. Except a certain feel, that you can get via using CDJs for timecode. Traktor for viables waveforms and complete the CDJ lack of features, but on the side of the booth so you still got that "real" feeling, and you're not staring at your laptop. Damn that's a tough decision, but luckily i don't have enough money atm so I have time to believe about it |
| Dorie Scelzo 01.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by dope
Originally Posted by dope
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| Kasi Marget 01.12.2011 | Well, I was using MIDI (no HID on the 350) but I switched to timecode for the mobility and comfort it provides. Why I didn't feel comfortable with MIDI/HID : - You have to assign a player to a channel in Traktor in the CDJs menu, ok that's no big deal but in a rush if you forget that you are screwed. - I've always been afraid of sudden non-recognition for whatever reason or mapping issues. - You have to create an "agregated device" (not sure that's the good translation) with the internal soundcards of all CDJs. - The switch between CD mode and HID mode has to be done on all players before being able to play tracks from Traktor, because (on Mac OS X) it has to be done before you check/assign the outputs on Traktor settings. - If the place you are playing at has CDJ 1000, you're screwed - Massive amount of cables (HUB, HUB power supply, USB for HUB, USB for each player..) Ok with timecode you'll say there is a massive amount of cables too, but well if you are correctly prepared with rubber tape etc (for further information about how to setup really fast : http://www.djranking s.com/community /showthread.php?t=41161) - Last but not least, many of the previous reasons lead to that last one : You can't do a smooth transition between several DJ (CDs -> HID is longer than HID -> CDs) I guess i pretty much summed up all the reason why timecode is still a very viable option. Especially for DJ playing at clubs and likely to move often. But gotta agree, for pure bedroom djing, MIDI/HID is awesome. Back on topic, are the CDJ 850 that bad ? I really want to have a "standard size" player with a bigger jog, but I don't want to pay that much for 900s or 2000s if I won't use a half of the features as a timecode user. Seriously, 3 hotcues ? My X1 gives me 8. Auto loop ? Same, and Traktor's auto loop are even better. What's the reason that led you to the 2k for timecode Hoodless ? No criticism, i just wonder Or you got a pretty big income, or there is ONE reason that i forgot, and that might apply to me and lead me to 2k too. PS : sorry for mega post, once i start writing i just can't stop myself |
| Kristofer Krauel 01.12.2011 | IF i was going to buy cdj's i'd buy 400's or 850's so I could use them in HID mode as opposed to using them with timecoded cd's. If you are buying them just to practice on I'd go 400's because anything you use in a club will ultimately be better but they all do pretty much the same thing so will do for home use. |
| Dorie Scelzo 01.12.2011 |
Originally Posted by dope
I've spun on a lot of gear |
| Kasi Marget 01.12.2011 | Is the jogwheel feel worth $1k ? Btw Hoodless there is a mistake in you signature : My "Steup thread" |
| Dione Haimes 01.12.2011 | 850 has the same jog as the 800 AFAIK, Its a good jog but feels a lot hollower compared to the 1k/2k. Excellent players though. |
| Kasi Marget 02.12.2011 | I'm in the same situation, switched to timecode and will change CDJs soon (got the 350 atm) I'm planning on buying the 850 (the new freshly released black model 850-k). I don't need all the 900/2000 features and screen cause i got an X1 just like you. I'll just go for 850 cause they have the same jog, and same size/ergonomy as the one i might find in clubs. That's all. Any CDJ would work, but even with the 850 and the auto loop section that you won't use as CDJ is reading the timecode cd's bpm, remember that if you don't use the features on a regular basis, you still got the ability to, and that's a plus if you or someone else needs it one day, or if you want to sell it later TL;DR : 850 or 850-k seems a good pick imo. |
| Asuncion Osorto 02.12.2011 | perfect answer. thanks |
| Dione Haimes 01.12.2011 | Different quality of jogwheels, more/less features. Good jogwheels, 1000/2000 Decent jogs, 400, 800mk2, 850, 900 SHIT JOGS! 200, 350 (all in my experience) |
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