Home 2023 Forums Digital DJ Gear Anyone use timecode on a CDJ?

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  • #2481211
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    Been there, done that, it sucked, moved on to controllers.

    #2481261

    Not a big fan of timecode cd’s either. The track never seems to start on time. The vinyl timecode does work perfect. Shame, because I would like to use timecode with my old & trusty Cdj1000mk3 too.

    However, I read somewhere that someone who is a Rekordbox user is satisfied with cd timecode. Maybe worth checking that out, but I doubt it’ll work as it should.

    #2481301
    DJ Tucker
    Participant

    Interesting. I think my biggest criteria would be for there to be no drag or drift like when scratching. Because I planned on using another turntable, I wasn’t planning on an instant start (controller style) when hitting the cue or play button. As long as I can hold the track and throw it in like a record, I should be ok. Timecode works so well with vinyl that I had really high hopes for a CDJ. Oh well, I’ll report back after it arrives. I use VDJ 8. Other than apps on the iPhone I’ve always used VDJ.

    #2481401
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    One good controllers (I use the MCX8000 by Denon) you can set insta start or delay and even let it run out like a vinyl.
    There are very very few things I cannot do with my controller when compared to DVS, even the most demanding scratching can be done on the controller easy and sometimes more easy (transformer) as on DVS.
    And for those few occasions I want DVS my controller does support DVS and I can just hook up a turntable or 2 and use them and do not have to sacrifice creativity as I still can use the sampler, Flip, Ptich”n”time etc. on my controller with the DVS of the turntables.

    #2481521
    DJ Tucker
    Participant

    I love controllers. If it were up to me, I’d always use a controller. I’ve used controllers for 4 years now but needed to build up, and become proficient with, a timecode system so I can gig at places where that’s the only option.

    #2481531
    squarecell
    Participant

    So is your plan to DJ with one 1200 and then a CDJ running timecode?

    I feel like getting something like a Denon SC2000 to use as your second deck might be a better idea.

    #2481541
    DJ Tucker
    Participant

    Yeah. I should have picked up one of those but they weren’t on my mind when I ordered my CDJ. I needed to familiarize myself with a CDJ anyway. My main plan was to buy a second cheap turntable so buying a slightly used 1000 MkIII at a similar price seemed like a decent alternative to a turntable with questionable QC. For the last year, my bedroom setup has been one Technics+timecode and instant doubles in VDJ along with a mixer with onboard soundcard. My gig setup over that time has consisted of everything from just the mixer and laptop using hotkeys, to a dvs box on club PA, to two tape decks, to all-in-one controllers. As long as I can headphone cue some kind of way, I can rock a party.

    #2481981
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    Why the hell would you DJ at places where there only is timecode?
    To setup your Laptop with a timecode audio card between the CDJs is way more hassle for any tech than setting up the controller you brought along.
    I have DJed for over 20+ years now and in the last 5 years I NEVER had to DJ with timecode.

    #2482381
    DJ Tucker
    Participant

    We’re in different cities, we may even be in different countries. We’re definitely at different levels professionally because I mostly play in bars and small janky nightclubs where there’s no tech, only managers, and owners that stupidly look down on controllers.

    #2482911
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    Yes we may live in different places, however I have DJed around the world including up scale places in the US, Spain and Britain but also in “low tech” places like the Phillipines, China (yes Club wise its low tech) and Haiti.

    All you need to do is educate people and managers, be professional about it and show them that any controller is better than timecode. If any manager wants me to DJ with timecode I charge 50% extra, because plainly put: It sucks and I do not want to limit my creative freedom.
    This way I have converted several managers to think differently, even some that have 8000 bucks Nexus 2 CDJs in their booths and said I am an idiot before, thanked my for the education after my set blew the roof off and the DJ before me playing on the Nexus crap emptied the dancefloor every 2nd track.

    If you just bend to their will, you will never make it in the DJ industry, you either follow the rules of success or you become frustrated sooner or later.

    These rules are very simple:
    – Trust yourself and that your way works, do not bend
    – Break the rules (not the law) break the rules of DJing how they want you to
    – Don’t be afraid to fail – every time you fail you push forward if you follow the above
    – Ignore the naysayers the managers that tell you, you cannot do it that way
    – Work like hell, if you want to succeed you need to work your butt off, if you do not somebody else will
    – Give something back (like I try to do here)

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