Beginner DJ, few questions

The main advantage of CDJ’s over midi controllers is the CDJ’s multi format playability. I know that if I’m playing out with my CDJ’s and the laptop goes down I can use a USB stick, if that fails I can go to CD’s. However, controllers can give you the ability to be very creative with your mixing. I’d check YouTube’s 10minmix series for various mixing styles on different setups.
Portability is a two edged sword chances are you’ll need to take your controller, soundcard, and laptop where ever you play but if you use CDJ’s you can sometimes only need to a USB stick. The downside of CDJ’s is the burning of CD’s and of course if you need to take your own set up. Most of the bars in my area use CDJ800s with a few with 1000s’. As I use 900’s with the RekordBox application I take my own CDJ’s most of the time.
The basics like beatmatching can be learned on either but with controllers and DVS you can be tempted to use the sync, or you may find find the sync allows you to apply a more creative style. Take a look at Ean Golden on YouTube for truly creative controllerism.
So you need to ask yourself what style of mixing you want to do. Do you want 2 decks or 4 and then look at what set up best suits you style and budget.
if you go with CDJ’s you’ll need a mixer and if you want to use them with a DVS you may also need a soundcard so you’ll be limited to used gear with your budget. Used gear is not a bad thing as I built over time starting with a used Vestax VCI100 controller which I updated with a custom firmware from Dj Tech Tools that made it in to an awesome controller. When I sold it I got my money back because it is such a good controller that holds it’s used price. I then bought some used Radius 3000’s to use as controller with a DDM4000 mixer and to give me a multi format platform. For me I found CDJ’s more comfortable to work with so once I had done enough gigs to pay for them I upgraded to a Pioneer set up.
Go to you local DJ shop and try the gear to get some idea of the feel. You’ll be surprised how the small things like the feel of a knob or slider can effect your choice. If you like the small jog wheels and the idea of very creative mixes look at a controller. If you like CDJ’s and what they offer look at a used CDJ 400’s with a mixer which may be just in your budget with a cheap mixer. Larger jog wheels like on the CDJ1000’s will be more than you’re current budget but there are the motorised platters of the Denon CDJ’s DN S5000 or DN S3500 that have 7″ platters which you could possibly pick up with a mixer on budget.

Totally just my point of view:

DDJ’ing throws up many options, which have been mentioned above. But for someone learning I personally think you could do a lot worse than a software/controller bundle. The software can stay when/if you decide to upgrade your controller. Traktor is the software that pushes my buttons at the moment, there are others though and I think it would be easier and quicker to learn the basics on something like this. Research like mad, it will pay off and you end up with kit that does the job.
Word of warning, don’t go mad. I know a guy who blew nearly 3 grand (UK money) on Pioneer cdj’s and mixer. Years layers and he’s done half a dozen house parties and that’s all. Im not saying don’t go for the best kit, just that you need to walk before you run and the walking part tends to be cheaper. Besides you don’t need cdj’s to have a perfectly giggable setup. Again, research it and you will get the bits you need rather than the bits you think you want.

You have the passion, now you need to temper it with some reasoned kit choices. I wish you luck, don’t lose your enthusiasm 🙂

I started a few months ago with a £150 mixtrack pro, which maps nicely to traktor. If I had a bit
More money I would have got the s2 though, and then traktor pro would have been free.

After a lot of practice and messing around, I realised I prefered the cue point juggling and playing with effects, to scratching and just standard mixing, so purchased a kontrol F1 to compliment my gear. If I’d have preferred scratching I may have gone a different route.

Overall though I am massively pleased with my mixtrack pro, and would be quite happy using this for a while yet, as so far, with a bit of cheeky mapping, I am yet to find a way that a much more expensive mixer would further my skills massively.