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Cheap setup needed

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Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)
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  • May 10, 2015 at 6:10 pm #2191901
    bob6397
    Participant

    If you want a set up without a controller, decent gear is not going to be cheap..

    The cheapest no-laptop solution would be something like a Pioneer XDJ-RX – an all-in-one controller which doesn’t need a computer. That will set you back around £1,100.

    A complete separates system (with 2 x Pioneer XDJ-1000’s and a DJM900) would cost in excess of £3000. And if you change that to CDJ-200’s, the cost would be over £4500.

    A cheaper alternative could be a pair of Numark NDX500’s and a Allen & Heath Xone 23 Mixer – that would set you back around £600.. But it wouldn’t be as good as other, similarly priced pure-digital options. And with the numark players you lose the advantage of Rekordbox – IE the ability to cue your tracks before hand and store them with the tracks on the USB’s as that is a Pioneer system.

    In my opinion, cheap isn’t worth it – for a reliable, decent-sounding system you are going to need to spend money, unfortunately.. The cheapest option (by far) would be to get a decent controller (Pioneer DDJ SX2/Numark NV/Terminal Mix 8) that would cost between half and 2/3rds what a proper no-laptop solution would cost for a similar outcome, but would have much more flexibility.

    But – this is a digital-DJ forum. Our automatic response is “Why would you not want a Laptop”.. So you might be in the wrong place. But, seriously, don’t bother going too cheap.

    bob6397

    May 11, 2015 at 2:34 pm #2192231
    DJ Tucker
    Participant

    What’s your actually budget? There’s lots of knowledge on this site but “cheap as possible” is pretty hard to quantify.

    May 11, 2015 at 11:13 pm #2192351
    GCM EDM CLUB
    Participant

    Let me try to fill you in on the situation, we’re quite amateurs and we’re young so dont expect much from us including a strong budget, or knowledge/experience. You’ll probably think to yourself ‘wow what scrubs’ as you read this, but hey, gotta start somewhere…

    One of our members owns a mixtrack pro II, which is inconvenient to bring around everywhere. Thats why we’re looking to get our own equipment. We don’t really like the layout of it however, its quite unintuitive. Also its missing a few features. Even the Pioneer DDJ SB, same price would be preferable I think.

    For the no laptop part, its just another thing to not have to carry around. We can scrap that idea since it sounds like it might be a little unreasonable.

    We completely agree, and would love some nice quality, like the ones you mentioned. The problem is basically, who is going to give money to a bunch of teens that basically want to party? We have very constricted funding as a result. Unless we can get more donations, either in money or equipment, we have to stick at the lowest spectrum of the price range for now at least.

    The DDJ SX2 is pretty expensive, and isn’t the SR basically the same thing except has colors, and a 4 channel mixer with extra in/outs? The trouble I think we’re having is what we really need next. Just to throw out some names, we’re looking at right now the DDJ SB and SR, Behringer DJX750, Pioneer DJM 250 & 350, Gemini CDJ300, and Gemini CDM 4000

    We’ve gone to the guitar center, etc. and played around and demoed different controllers and a few CDJs, mostly the more expensive ones but a few that we mentioned, and are actually quite familiar with a lot of them. In the end, we will likely either buy a cheap controller, or depending on the options, maybe a used controller or other setup if its cheaper and in good condition.

    Opinions?

    Thanks guys, much appreciated

    May 11, 2015 at 11:41 pm #2192381
    bob6397
    Participant

    Everyone has to start somewhere!! (BTW, I don’t use a controller at all – I have just mapped my keyboard for everything I need.. I don’t need one for my style of DJing though and I made that choice consciously 😉 )

    Carrying around a Laptop isn’t too hard – indeed, I suspect that some of you (being students…?) carry one around anyway most of the time..?

    The most important thing by far though would be to choose a controller based on what you need from it – write down what features you want/need – and what software you use (If you use Traktor, buy NI hardware and don’t bother with anything else as they soon won’t support it in all likeliness). once you have decided that, we’ll be able to give you a more definite answer.

    Of those that you mentioned, I would go for the DDJ-SR followed by the SB, and I am not altogether sure why you would need a DJ mixer if you don’t have any players to plug into one..?

    I would advise you to stay away from the Behringer kit though – their kit looks awesome on paper for features/price but unfortunately there are just too many horror stories about their kit for anyone on here to even bother recommending them – I myself had a Behringer PA mixer die on me in November – the master volume started to change the volume of its own accord (really audibly) half way through a gig. I bypassed it, managed without a mic and played on but it wasn’t ideal. I replaced it with a similar but far superior Yamaha mixer – much nicer and it will last 10 years if I treat it well.

    Hope this makes sense – give us some answers (including a rough budget?) and we’ll be able to help you a bit more!!

    bob6397

    May 12, 2015 at 1:56 am #2192411
    GCM EDM CLUB
    Participant

    Thanks! Speaking as purely a club rep, Ive had a lot of bad experiences on forums, not necessarily music related ones, but still. Thanks for understanding.

    We’ve gotten to that point in school that nobody cares much about the work, so laptops are few to be seen. Its not as hard as I make it sound to bring one in, Im just being lazy myself. Ill do it.

    Again, we have a very constrained budget, no precise number, we can always try to throw together a bake sale or whatever, but it will be slow by all means. I think we could pull together enough for the SR, if not definitely the SB after some time…

    Good to know about those other brands. Its hard to find good info on them.

    As for the preferances, I think I can speak for the group when I say the following:
    We already have full serato, and for features beyond the basic jogs and faders:

    FX built into serato
    slip mode button
    built in hpf/lpf

    There’s not a lot more, especially considering the two’s similarities. Is there much of a difference besides the extra pads, 4 decks, individual fx knobs, and the extra little things around the bottom right of each deck?
    Another thing, 4 decks is ridiculously hard to do especially for beginners right?

    Sidenote – Ive heard issues with the SB about stuck jogs, dont know much about them or how often it happens, but haven’t heard much int he way of issues with the SR.

    idk… feel free to chime in with anything, whether on these two controllers or something different.

    Opinions?

    Thanks everyone!

    May 12, 2015 at 5:12 am #2192431
    Darren Thierry
    Participant

    stick with the Pioneer line, get the most that you can afford — btw the absolutely cheapest setup especially if you already own an iPad is the WeeGo — dJay for iPad is legit and Spotify premium integration is worth every penny. Don’t let the “consumer” moniker fool you — this is a pretty good setup that has worked many times when I didn’t feel like carrying the laptop or DDJ-SX

    Haven’t heard of any stuck issues — usually setup / config related

    May 12, 2015 at 6:54 am #2192481
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    I personally dislike the WeGo with a vengeance (buttons style and lay-out are horrendous in my opinion, but that’s just me).

    Having said that. You should seriously consider something used. With the advent of the SX2, many a SX has gone on sale. You could expand with a set of cheap used CDJs. Since the SX is standalone mixer too, you can play without laptop in the old traditional analogue way or hook up a laptop and use it as a very nice and complete controller.

    Another option is a used Denon MC3000 or 6000. They are built like a rock and will play forever, so a relatively safe bet second hand.

    May 12, 2015 at 11:15 pm #2192981
    GCM EDM CLUB
    Participant

    The wego is actually a few more dollars than the Sb where I am.
    Looked at the Denon controllers. They look nice and well keep them in mind, but so far the pioneers look better Id say, especially with that consolation of the jog sticking not happening that much.

    Thanks guys this helped a lot!

    May 13, 2015 at 6:56 am #2193231
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    I have worked professionally with the MC6000 for almost 3 years and have NEVER had any jogwheel problems and while slightly smaller in size I can tell you they beat the ones on the low end pioneers. The MC3000 has exactly the same jogs. So you won’t have any problem about sticking jogs. If looks are more important than component quality and build quality, by all means go for the Pioneers 😀 . Seriously, don’t trust me, ask some of the Denon owners on here about their gear.

    May 16, 2015 at 8:28 am #2195101
    Quicknight
    Participant

    If I may say something, guys…

    Ever since I’ve been on this site (almost 3 years now)..I’ve met many here who are very helpful to others and will never hesitate to help anyone needs it.

    Just a thought of mine, why doesn’t DDJT open up a fund for the community? Ya’ know something like Kickstarter or so?
    Don’t flame me for saying this, it’s just a suggestion and I’m sure many will appreciate it.

    Helping other DJs become better. Isn’t that the whole point of this site?

    May 16, 2015 at 10:43 am #2195151
    Dustin
    Participant

    Hi

    I agree quick.
    You have to remember though that equipment is NOT cheap. I myself saved for years to buy my equipment and to have it should under my nose for no profit. I am now 7 years after the fact I’m starting to save and save and save to get what I lost back.
    My point is that most guys who start websites like this one do it off their own backs without funds. It’s not DDJT’s fault, I think encouraging the company’s making this equipment make certain things affordable and maybe make cheaper versions of this professional equipment.

    Just my two cents worth

    Thanks
    Dustin

    May 18, 2015 at 8:54 am #2195821
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    Sorry Quicknight we are already donating:
    Our time, which is extremely valuable.
    There are so many tips and tricks from DJ Vintage and me on the forums and Phil and the gang on the blog that you get for free, that would cost you THOUSANDS (yes thousands) of dollars. An hour of my DJ time usually is far beyond 100 dollars.

    Phil, Vintage, Steve, Joey and me, we are all pro level DJs who share their experience to help you out.

    But we are not a charity to give out gear or money.
    This would mean even more time and effort, not speaking of verifying who actually is in need, so the money is not wasted. I have volunteered for the red cross for a time and even those charities 30% go to people that are not actually in need and they are professionals.
    So sorry but at this time I do not see this happening here.

    May 18, 2015 at 3:47 pm #2196101
    DJ Tucker
    Participant

    You need a Pioneer WeGo3. It’s not cheap but it sounds great and all you need to dj is an iOS device, though it is also a full midi controller that I usually take to small gigs to use with VDJ8 on my MacBook.

    May 18, 2015 at 10:44 pm #2196221
    Quicknight
    Participant

    I understand. You guys do one hell of an amazing job already 🙂

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