Notebook + S2 -> How to upgrade from here?
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rfb.
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August 29, 2012 at 6:18 pm #27321
michael133
Memberits all a matter of opinion i personally use a vci100 for deck b + c and a reloop contour for deck a and also have a midi fighter classic for rapid fire effects control
August 29, 2012 at 6:52 pm #27325Papa Bear
MemberMy setup currently consists of a Denon MC6000 as main part and for A+B, two SC2000 for C+D, and an Akai LPD8 for sample slamming 😉 It was not cheap, but I can do whatever I want with it. To test it, I plugged in my old Numark Total Control and thought about mapping browsing and playlist shortcuts to it, but soon acknowledged I was faster with the controls of the MC.
So as an inspiration, controllers like the X1, Reloop Contour, SC2000, or the one from Allen & Heath K2; if you’re into samples, AKAI LPD8, AKAI MPC series, Korg Nanoes or equivalent could suit you.
EDIT
Just saw the Reloop Contour only costs 89€ which would be about 95$ or the like. It’s a good deal considering the amount of buttons and knobs you get, though I cannot tell how well it is manufactured. Maybe some members here have Reloop gear and can state whether build quality is check or crap 😉
August 30, 2012 at 2:35 pm #1011207rfb
MemberThe contour looks like a nice piece of equipment, especially for the price! But having read some reviews and watched some videos, I will try out an X1 first and see how it goes. Just like its layout a bit more, and the familiar plug and play approach. If I really like it, I might even ditch the S2 and go for 2x X1 + Mixer and go modular. If I don’t like it, I can still try the Contour.
Also found a 4 Deck mapping for the S2 on DJTT, I will try that too, maybe I don’t need any additional controller right now 🙂What I would REALLY like to do is just be over with it and get a VCI 400 EGE, but the price tag keeps me from doing that for now
Thanks for your advice, I will follow up on this once I have tried out the different solutions 🙂
Edit: Ugh, there is SO many options out there. Just read up on the A&H K2 and that offers some cool setup possibilities too. Really the coolest thing about this whole digital djing and the controllers, the variety of options, can be a real pain in the *** too 😀
Hell, you could even use a K2 as an inexpensive/very portable “mixer” and use two x1 for deck controls. Then maybe spice it up at a later stage with a Midifighter 3D for Remix Deck + extra Effect control. That could actually be a really cool setup, especially since, with an Audio 10, it would translate very well to gigs at clubs too… Hmmm.
September 1, 2012 at 10:35 am #1011328MemberSorry for the double post, but maybe this way somebody’s gonna take a look at what I’m writing, maybe I’ll even start a new post, because I am unbelievably CONFUSED right now 😀
So I did a lot more research and went through possible setups/controllers in my head.
The S2 I have is a nice piece of kit, and I don’t wanna claim that I outgrew it or anything. There’s a lot I like about the S2, like its formfactor and how it integrates nicely with Traktor. I also really digg the loop controls with the two push encoders, and the transport and hotcue buttons are nice (but there could be more of them).
But there’s some stuff I dislike. Build-quality could be better, not just talking about that plasticky feel. I mentioned that some more buttons would be nice. And I just can’t wrap my head around how they could forego including dedicated filter knobs! This alone is becoming a serious deal breaker for me. Also the EQs aren’t full kill, which didn’t bother me at first, but now sometimes I wish they were!While on paper I like the “2 Decks + 1” approach of the S2, I’m coming to a point, where it doesn’t line up with my slowly emerging own style of djing anymore. Especially since I feel the “+1” part = the very limited control of the Sample (now Remix) Decks, isn’t of much use in a real world liveset. Sure if you carefully prepare them with the help of your trackpad and computer you can pull off some nice stuff, but to use it from the controller on the fly? meh…
I don’t want the S4. Build-quality with NI seems to be a bit of a gamble. Tried the F1, that was great. Tried out the X1 and it didn’t even sit on the table properly because the rubber feet weren’t aligned correctly! I hate stuff like that! Also the S4 is way too big.
September 1, 2012 at 10:54 am #1011329MemberSo what alternatives have I been thinking about?
First off: I will probably get a midifighter anyways, just to have some extra buttons for cuepoint juggling or other stuff to play with. So that will probably be added to whatever else is going to replace the S2.
1. The Denon MC6000 is becoming more appealing the more I look at it. Sure the controls are a bit crammed, but I’ve got small hands 😀 Build-quality seems to be rock solid, it has tons of in- and outputs, tons of controls, it’s a standalone mixer too and coupled with a midi-fighter and all the available mappings out there (although soon I will probably get my own hands dirty with that too) this could be a really cool, reliable setup. They go used for prices that I might put up with. Only unsecurity because of the loop controls, I love the encoders on the S2 for that.
2. Minimalist modular setup: So Faderfox apparently is selling off demo devices for steal prices atm. I could get a Traktor Audio 2, a DJ3 or FT3 for controlling Traktor’s mixer and the transport sections of up to 4 decks and a FX3 for handling the effects. Selling the Traktor license I don’t need this could come in at ~ 250€ – and coupled with a midifighter would be a very compact yet powerful setup. With an Audio 10 (or comparable interface) this is a club ready 4 Deck setup! Only downside is that given the workflow of the Faderfox stuff this would be a BIG step away from the workflow of the S2 (compared to Twitch or MC6000).
So any thoughts anyone? Pretty pleeeaaase? 😀
Maybe suggestions on a better modular approach for option number 5? Should I go modular now, or maybe stick to the all-in-one road a bit longer, until I’m able to do my own mappings and stuff?As I said, kinda lost right now, so help is highly appreciated! 🙂
September 2, 2012 at 8:56 am #1011356MemberLove my MC6000. If you want specific information ’bout the MC, ask DJ Hessler 😉
I especially love the two outs it offers, you can always experiment on the output side to achieve the best sound on location.
And yes, is rock solid. But I cannot advise whether to go modular or stay a.i.o. – depends on your feeling about that
(though, I can give you one point: I HATE plugging that mess of USBs together on my setup 😉 )September 2, 2012 at 10:26 pm #1011382MemberThanks for your feedback!
I will try the modular approach first, because I can try out the Faderfoxes and give them back if I don’t like the workflow. And there is so many possibilites to tune such a setup to individual needs. But yeah, all those cables, USB Hubs… gonna be a pain in the ass lol
If modular isn’t for me right now, I’ll definitely give the MC-6000 a shot, and if that’s not for me either I will just stfu and get a Kontrol S4…
September 3, 2012 at 5:41 am #1011389djsubculture@gmail.com
ParticipantHave you considered the Vestax VCI-400 EGE?
September 3, 2012 at 7:37 am #1011396synthet1c
MemberA reloop contour controller edition and interface edition would have you sorted for controlling 4 – 8 decks… They are fantastic construction quality and will be unlikely to break. As said earlier each button has a hard shift allowing 4 decks of independent midi messages as well as each control having a standard temporary shift layer. The jog wheels have 5 hard shifts on each deck layer as well as a temporary shift for each of the 5 layers so if you like things like jog fx you could have 40 possible layers.
The LED ringed encoders for the effects section is very easy to use when the controller has a slightly inclined viewing angle, there is even 4 very short sliders that by default are mapped to the effects knobs but that can be changed. The loop section has 2 push encoders and 2 buttons, there is 2 absolute knobs with a center detend for filter and pan.
The soundcard of the interface edition is 10 out for 4 independent decks and a headphone out, it is loud and sounds pretty good although I prefer my Audio 8.
The one negative of the controller IMO is the hot cue buttons have a big click so if you want to trigger them quickly you need to hit them hard. although through shifts you get access to 8 of them for each deck layer. Also if your a TPR trainspotter the contour has only 128 TPR although I can scratch on it just fine using VDJ Pro with the registry tweek.
September 3, 2012 at 3:21 pm #27607MemberHey guys great to find more feedback, thanks for that!
@djsubculture:
Yeah, I’ve looked into the VCI 400 EGE, and if I could pick any All-in-one controller to keep me happy for a long time, this would be the one. It’s on sale at DJTT atm and would weigh in at a total 810,- Euros including shipping and taxes. Compared to the regular price this is a really good offer, but still a lot of money. If I sold my S2 I would have to spend another ~ 450 bucks to pay for that, leaving me without a TP2 license. Not willing to make that kind of investment right now, since I have only been djing for a good two months now 🙂
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@synthet1c:
Still intrigued with the Contour, thanks for your sharing your more in-depth experience with it! Pretty cool that is has 10 outs, didn’t know that. To me the Contour looks way more interesting than the A&H K2. I also love the fact, that it has tiny jog wheels, because going modular usually means losing jogs. And although I don’t scratch, they certainly have their good uses!I’m putting my S2 to the side for now and will go into a modular testing phase. I have a Faderfox FT3 underway for my mixer needs + a Faderfox DX3 for more deck controls, loops and effects. If you don’t know Faderfox, they have amazing build-quality from what I hear and they are based out of the same city in Germany I live in. Support your local scene! Since they are fully warrantied demo devices I only pay 200,- for both of them combined (normally one unit is 250,-) 🙂
I secured a used Midifighter Classic today for only a hundred bucks.
Then I still have the X1 here, which I will have another test session with today (found an interesting 4 Deck mapping), but I’m pretty sure I’ll send it back. So probably ruling out option b) (see below) today.
But still got the Contour on the horizon. I think I will end up with one of the following setups (the ones in bold = most likely), that should keep me busy for a long time:
a) Faderfox FT3 + DX3 + Midifighter + NI Traktor Audio 2
b) Faderfox FT3 + X1 + Midifighter + NI Traktor Audio 2
c) Faderfox FT3 + Contour (Controller) + Midifighter + NI Traktor Audio
d) Good ole NI S2 + Midifighter
e) Denon MC 6000 + MidifighterI will keep you posted on my progress, just to add something to the forums and help out others who might debate going modular. Modular sounds very interesting to me for the ability to only bring to a gig what I really need, and also to be very flexible in the future 🙂
September 3, 2012 at 5:43 pm #1011422Participantrfb, post: 27762, member: 2662 wrote: Hey guys great to find more feedback, thanks for that!
@djsubculture:
…If I sold my S2 I would have to spend another ~ 450 bucks to pay for that, leaving me without a TP2 license.Why wouldn’t you have a TP2 license?
I’ve went from a pair of Kontrol X1s, to a pair of SC2000s to an MC6000 and now a VCI 400 EGE, all on the same license.September 3, 2012 at 6:31 pm #1011425MemberMy TP2 license came with the S2. Sure I can sell the S2 without the license, but then I would get a little less money for it. Either scenario requires me to shell out 500 bucks on top of what I already invested. And I’m sure the VCI 400 EGE is a really, really great controller, but not sure if that investment would pay off for me. I haven’t been into this long enough IMO, and I don’t know how the EGE would go as far as resale value goes, since not everybody here in Germany knows DJTT and so I doubt that people would be willing to pay a premium as compared to a used run of the mill VCI 400.
Does that make sense at all? 😀
September 3, 2012 at 7:36 pm #1011427ParticipantI NEVER buy DJ gear with the thought of how much I can get when I sell it.
Buy the DJ gear that works well with your workflow and will allow room to grow as your skill set increases.That’s why I went with the VCI 400 EGE (although I was *this* close to pulling the trigger on the Kontrol S4), I had outgrown my MC6000.
September 3, 2012 at 7:43 pm #1011428MemberGood choice on your part I think. I love NI, I think they put out great products. But not impressed with their hardware build-quality at ALL. Your VCI should hold up way better 🙂
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For the general statement, I agree with you. BUT budget considerations are more important than what DJ gear I think I would like the most. I mean given my skills it’s not like I couldn’t still grow on a cheaper modular setup or even with nothing else than my S2 🙂September 3, 2012 at 9:04 pm #1011463MemberJust had another testing session with the X1, and though this particular unit is going back for sure (!) (for wobbling around on the table) I actually had a lot of fun playing with it, using the 4 Deck mapping. The mapping is exactly like the stock mapping apart from only one exception, which lets you use it for 4 Decks instead of just two. Very intuitive! And funny how with only two FX units I had the most fun playing around with the FX in a long time.
So I could actually see me using a X1 after all, but let’s see how the Faderfox stuff compares. It really depends on the workflow with the FT3 unit, because with that I will control the internal mixer. I don’t wanna buy a real mixer as of now (due to budget constraints), and I don’t want to mess around with my computer to control Traktor’s mixer. So for the decision whether to go modular the FT3 will be most important. If it’s a trainwreck I can still get Faderfox’s DJ3, but that’s 50 bucks more I’d rather save.
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