Beginner DJ Setup (All Suggestions Welcome)

At home and in a club I use and external mixer, djm 800(club) xone62(home) with a kontrol x1 mk1,and audio 6 soundcard using traktor. This is perfect for me. It’s cheap I can use cdjs or turntables with I don’t bother with as I prefer just an x1.

If you buy and x1 for £100, and audio 2/6 soundcard depending on dvs.for £80/150 and an external mixer you will be fine,

I prefer this as if you get gigs in clubs you don’t have to take a big controller, and you can have same setup at home as you do in club depending on mixer.

I have technics 1200 but I only use for real vinyl not djs, I don’t bother with cdjs due to the expensive cost.

Chuck broke it down pretty simply above, unfortunately my posts are never usually that short or to the point. I typed a huge response, that would have been useful for the OP or others trying to decide upon a controller, but somehow it was lost in the interwebs. I’ll try again…

To the OP, no offense but you really have to give us more before anyone can give you any really helpful response. Mostly what you’re going to get from your post above is standard, “read the sticky”, “use the search”, etc…. While those are great suggestions, I’m going to try and dive in a little deeper. I would totally suggest that you dig through the forums and also watch as many YouTube videos as you have time for. It’s worth it if you consider the size of the purchase in question. Also, check out the controller buyers guide.

First, I would echo some great advice from other threads and sites about this type of question. YOU and only YOU can make this decision. But given the right information, we can help point you in the right directions so that you’re thinking about the right things, and can then make the proper decision for yourself. Small things to some, can be dealbreakers to others, for example, pads above or below the jogs, or even pads vs no pads.

Check out Serato as much as you can, videos, try a friend’s setup if possible, etc…. Also, try Virtual DJ Home, and the demo of Traktor. There are some small/big differences between the different software options and that is going to be a biggie. What type of DJing are you wanting to do, what workflow are you looking for…? Maybe even have a look at Ableton Live if you like what you see with Traktor. It’s not aimed to traditional DJs really, and Traktor is somewhat a happy medium, but for some it’s the right path, and there are some videos on YouTube that would be able to show you what I mean much easier that text on a forum can describe. But definitely choose your software first, then a controller to work with that choice. Even coming back to us with a short list, telling us what you think you like, and are still researching, and WHY, would help us to be able to give you more useful input.

Some things to consider, with an entry level controller, you are spending less to start with, but also consider the cost of upgrading to the full software, if it’s not included. Also, consider the controls/layout of these entry level controllers, as they are for the most part not designed to fully take advantage of the full software. For example, if spreading cost over time and a small initial budget is what we’re working with, a Denon MC2000, then later adding the full Serato and a Reloop Neon might be a decent route. If you can hold off and wait, while saving up for a more expensive option, a Relopp Terminal Mix 8, or even a DDJ-SX2 would both be a great choice. It just depends on what you’re aiming to do, what type of music you play, what type of gigs you see yourself doing, etc.

So, have a look around the forums, read the other similar threads and check out the buyers guide. Have a look at what is available from your choice of retailers. Have a go on some other people’s kit if that’s an option. Try the demos. Watch plenty of videos. Then come back to us with some more info, such as what caught your attention and why, and we can likely give you some more specific suggestions.

For Traktor, S2, S4, modular with X1, F1, Z1, etc…. or even the Z2 with other bits….

For Serato, MC2000, MTP2 for more entry level options…. TM8, DDJ-SR/SX2, Denon MC6000 Mk2 for middle of the road to higher end options, or from there up you really need to be making this decision mostly for yourself, with more specific questions between this and that, for us to help out….

Get back to us with some more specific info and we can likely help steer you in the right direction/s, but ultimately it’s a highly personal choice, with personal preference between slight differences being a biggie…..

Keep in mind, I’m still basically a NOOB, and my .02 is US currency so may be worthless depending, this is also in NO way a complete, all inclusive list of the options available…. for instance, Serato now has some modular controllers coming out, the Akai stuff, and the Reloop Neon… they look pretty cool, and could be great for Serato users that want a similar experience/workflow/flexibility to what modular Traktor DJs enjoy… There are also other options galore, so definitely come back to us with a short list, and let us know why those things made your list, not just the price either….. Hope this helps, keep us posted……. and best of luck….

In my opinion 2GB leaves very little room to load and work on tracks in RAM. I’d day 4GB is the lowest comfortable limit. More is recommended especially if you expect to do lots of FX and such. The more the computer can do in RAM without having to load/unload from/to your harddisk the better.

Good luck Glenn. I wouldn’t say THE best (it’s way too personal a choice to call anything THE best), but it’s definitely on our good starter controllers.