old school kat coming back

I was also out of the scene for a long time and came back last year. I ended up with a Numark N4 because I wanted something that could double as a freestanding mixer for my 1200s. In the end it comes down to how you want to mix. If you want something that resembles what we used to do back in the day you might want a DVS (it has vinyl or cds that you control as jog wheels) set up or a controller with jog wheels. Try Serato, Virtual DJ and Traktor. You can get free trials of all 3 and you’ll get an idea of how they are different and what you prefer. Ableton is a production software used for djing. It really doesn’t resemble old school djing in anyway but you could always try your buddy’s set up. My advice to you is focus on the software and then find a controller not the other way around. The software is way more important than the brand of your controller these days. Good luck to you and welcome back!

rjwhite41, post: 42345, member: 2565 wrote: … Try Serato, Virtual DJ and Traktor.

I would add MixVibes Cross to that list. Also a free trial and 49 bucks for the DJ version (no DVS) and 79 for the full version.

Dj Donavin, post: 42334, member: 12076 wrote: … its a little overwhelming with all the controllers and software.

I can see how that would happen :D.

i am a big pioneer fan and looking at the ddj sx

You might want to consider the XDJ-R1, it’s out now and you can use it in just about every possible way. With CD’s, USB devices, with an iDevice for control FX and such and, of course, as a midi controller. So you can pick up the thread where you left it by playing on two CDJ-style players with a two-channel mixer and slowly work your way up to digital (using MP3s) and finally software. At your own pace.

i know that comes bundled with serato.

I am not sure if Serato made up their mind yet about supporting this one. Then again, Serato is only one of 4 choices, the others (in my opinion, there are even more of course) being Traktor, Virtual DJ (LE version included with XDJ-R1) and MixVibes Cross.

well my buddy who is currently using abelton live said its great too and i would like that more.

That is a radically different way of DJ-ing from “old skool”. Better play with your buddy’s setup for a while first before deciding on that course.

will all i need is a laptop controller and speakers to have a mobile set up?

Essentially yes. For compact I’d say active speakers (stands to put them on) and a foldable DJ stand for your gear is handy (don’t want to be dependent on the venue’s kitchen table, right?).

Greetinx and good luck,
C.