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Beginner without controller, looking for one

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  • June 4, 2015 at 11:55 am #2206381
    Tom Claessens
    Participant

    To make things more complete, here is some more background information.

    software: no real preference – but controller must work with VDJ / Serato (no traktor experience)
    type of DJ: bedroom, private party (5-20 people) – background music during dinner, then dancing)
    music type: deep house (myself), mixed genres (crowd) but no hip hop or r&b
    effects: no scratching and not really an FX guy, just EQ mixing one track in another to keep things going
    gear: probably have to bring my own gear to the places, that includes amplifier and speakers as well

    Device must have an audio interface (but I believe all listed above have).

    June 4, 2015 at 2:58 pm #2206711
    bob6397
    Participant

    Firstly, choose your software. The software is the most important of your workflow and the hardest to change if you get it wrong – you will have to re-create all your cue points in your new software if you decide the old one isn’t for you.

    Secondly, (you may not be able to do this yet) decide on what features you want from a controller – IE large jogs? Sample pads? Output format (by which I mean RCA vs Jack vs XLR)?

    Here on the forum, the most recommended beginner controllers are:

    Numark Mixtrack Pro (2 or 3 – 3 just has a pretty frock on..)
    Reloop Beatmix 2
    Denon MC2000
    Pioneer DDJ-SB

    All are good beginner controllers (we do not recommend the Hercules/Gemini controllers you mentioned as these are far superior in build quality for the same sort of price) and all should let you mould your craft.. 🙂

    Also, all of them are designed to work with Serato (and I think they all come with Serato Intro), but there are mappings available for VDJ which will work as well. Definitely decide on software first though… 🙂

    Hope that helps… 🙂

    June 4, 2015 at 3:34 pm #2206771
    Tom Claessens
    Participant

    Software choice is a bit difficult because I can run VDJ and play with it (as I already did) but for Serato you apparently need a controller attached before you get to see the decks. So I can only use it (DJ Intro) to play one track after another, just like foobar / winamp / or any other media player (or am I missing something?)

    Output to RCA is good enough (for now). My AVR receiver has only RCA in and uses the XLR only to go to the amplifier.

    I assume that larger jogs are only handy for scratching? The sole purpose for me would be to find a good starting point in the track. I’ve seen someone work with the xone 4d and those are even smaller compared to the Pioneers / Reloop or Numarks. So my best guess on this subject is that jog size is not of importance, as long as the feedback is decent/good for going through a song to find a start.

    So I can’t go wrong with either one?

    The Reloop & Numark are the same price, but for only 20 euros (22 USD) more you have a Pioneer product (more popular / higher second hand market price?). If you add another 22 USD, I can buy the Denon MC2000.

    But are the higher price points actually better constructed products or just more expensive marketing/branding? The Pioneer seems to be in the middle of the playing field here, so best “bang for the buck”?

    June 4, 2015 at 5:05 pm #2206931
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    There is a good guide out recently in addition to the “Controller Buyers Guide” that I would suggest you read before moving on:

    http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2015/05/join-us-get-your-free-dj-software-guide-today/

    As for the controllers, it’s a highly personal choice. Price differences of 20 bucks basically mean no difference. In case of Pioneer you might pay a few bucks more for the brand. As Bob said four of the ones you mentioned are on our shortlist. While Hercules isn’t at the top of my favorites list. Their gear just somehow seems below par. Not sure what support from the company is like these days, but my experiences have been less than positive. Again, just one man’s opinion.

    Same story for Gemini really. Can’t say much about the product (check the controller guide for that), but my experiences with the brand as a whole have been disappointing.

    June 4, 2015 at 5:09 pm #2206951
    bob6397
    Participant

    You’re not missing something.. that was the main reason I didn’t pick Serato (I don’t use a controller at all so I needed it to work with my soundcard).

    Larger jogs are normally considered handier for scratching, but it is possible to scratch on pretty much any jogs. The denon in this bunch has the smallest jogs, I think. Any size of jog, however, will be fine for you for just navigating the tracks..

    In terms of build quality, the Denon will be near as makes no difference indestructible, the Pioneer not far behind (although it is plastic..) and the Numark just behind that, tying with the Reloop. None of them are flimsy however.. I sense that you are tending towards the Pioneer as the best one for you – so (I am reading it right) then go for it – you will figure out with your first controller (and they aren’t that different really) what you really want form a controller and you can use that knowledge for buying your next one in a year’s time.. 🙂

    bob6397

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