Beginning DJ with classic controller questions!

Hi Magnus, welcome to the forums.

I moved your post here, because it was more of a DJ Gear question than it was an introduction.

While I understand your motivation to have spotify integration in your DJ Software. Truth be told is that DJ Pro only runs on Mac (so unless you have one that will last for a while, that is an expensive extra piece of gear) and it is “young” software. People I have talked to do comment that is has potential, but is definitely not there yet.

DJay 2 and DJay Pro on iPad are more solid, especially DJay 2 which has been around for quite a while. Both with spotify integration and running on iPad (duh).

If you want to use a non-iPad ready controller, you’ll be looking at a Camera Connection Kit, maybe some mapping issues and powering the iPad while playing might be an issue.

Going with iPad, there are controllers like the iDJ Pro (getting a bit old but a great iPad integration), BeatPad 2 or WeGo3 (be aware this has a rather different lay-out). The latter two can be used as controllers for PC as well.

I don’t share the popular opinion that Pioneer is the best around. They make good products, some better than others and their budget line isn’t any better than some of the other brands. Denon’s MC2000 to name one is at the same quality level, imho.

However, buying a new controller is about your workflow and shouldn’t be down to money. Money is important, so you have to buy within your budget. But only after you determined your (desired) workflow. That will lead to the software that will fit your workflow most closely. Then you set your budget and finally you end up with a shortlist of 2 or 3 controllers that fit your workflow, your software of choice and your budget.

I would seriously advise against using an S2 for anything but a Traktor environment. Use it with other software (including DJay Pro) at your own risk :-).

My only gripe with the Mixtrack Pro 3 is that there is a lot of empty space, i.e. bigger than it needs to be. Otherwise a solid starter controller.
Nothing wrong with the SB2 either. Solid performer.
The Reloop Beatmix 2 should be on your list to consider too.
Depending on how important performance pads are to you (workflow!), the MC2000 is also a must consider, imho.

True that. I picked up somewhere, not sure where, that other software manufacturers (if they currently support them to begin with) will at least lessen their efforts to support (mainly mapping/drivers of course) NI controllers.

Right now:
– Serato – no support (won’t work at all)
– DJay Pro – no support (perhaps if you write your own mapping)
– Mixvibes Cross – no support (S4 is supported, so you might be able to adapt that mapping)
– RekordBox DJ – currently no MIDI support whatsoever, but don’t expect (old) NI gear to be natively supported by Pioneer when the midi module comes out
– Virtual DJ – Even this “eat it all” software, no support for S2

Finally, if any new feature or development in other software requires a firmware upgrade, it’s HIGHLY unlikely that NI will put serious effort into bringing that to market.

So, unless you feel like midi mapping, don’t want the chance to ever try Serato or RekordBox DJ and don’t mind not having official support for most major DJ software, then yes, working the S2 in a midi setting might be your thing.

But with so much other, better suited out of the box, options, why bother?

If you haven’t read it yet: http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2015/12/review-video-algoriddim-djay-pro-for-ipad/

DJay2 is true and tried, Pro still a v1.0 implementation. Phil calls it a sister app to the Mac version.