Help choosing my first controller!

The VCI-300 is really good with the basic stuff and if you do not need to do extreme things. Well built etc. and comes with Itch.

I myself have the Terminal Mix 4, it is extremely well built controller with everything on it, so no need to use shift a whole lot of the time. However it does only come with DJ Intro. For some that is enough and it is the best “basic” software I know. If you need more you need to factor in the cost of a Pro DJ software license (Traktor or VDJ) as there is no upgrade path from Serato yet. It does have the best jogwheels I know of so far though (apart from the motorized NS7).

If you do not need 4 decks, the N4 is not as good build quality (plastic) as the Terminal Mix 2.

If you want to go Traktor, then the S2 is really tightly mapped. However some people dislike that it is plasticy and the small jogwheels.

The Novation Twitch is a fun controller however for me especially for weddings etc. it has major downsides: No jogwheels. I am just used to bring in tunes with manual matching and nudging. It is really low volume by itself, you can mitigate this but you should consider it. It is too cramped for me.

The Denons are really high quality and the good thing about them is: They are not really the best at anything, but they are really good at everything and built like a tank. However for my workflow I also found them to be a little cramped in the EQ section especially.

I would recommend if you can to get down what software you want to use first and then decide on the controller!

I too would’ve said either the Reloop or the Denon MC3000. I used the Kontrol S2 for a few months now, and it’s a very good controller in its functionality, but the build quality (and I don’t care what all the NI nuthuggers say, I still use NI gear, but come on, be real folks…) is sub par, period. The Denon feels amazing, actually I maybe would’ve bought one today, for me the only dealbreaker is that it has no loop encoders, which I love. But other than that it is of amazing quality and packs everything you could ask for in a controller with a footprint considerably smaller than the S2.

Have fun with your new controller! 🙂

The Numark N4 !
Iv had a for a while now and its the most versatile controller iv played with. It comes with serato and vdj off the box but out of preference i use traktor and you can find perfect mapping files and it has more features than anyother controllers on your list and i think its the cheapest ( not sure ). It gives you an option for 4 decks which you might want to learn to use someday in the near future! the knobs also even though being plastic have a rubberly feel and its just generally a really nice looking controller ( <—– my picture ) .

DJ Swaiy, post: 28212, member: 3866 wrote: Thanks Terry, you got me sold on the Terminal Mix 4! Appreciate the help.

At this moment in time i believe this is the best money for value controller you can get…. and some.
Only time will tell (as it is still a new controller) but in my opinion is, Reloop undersold themselves a bit here.

Having owned the TM4 for a bit now the only three things i dislike about it is the stupid encoder knob they used instead of regular pots in the FX section, the fact you cannot have a constant dim light on on your buttons so you can easily see them in a dark DJ booth, especially the cot cue/sampler, and the fact the VUs are Maser volume only – why oh why…!

Congratulations on both, gig and controller.