Digital DJ Beginner Software & Controller?

Hey there and welcome to the forums!

I’d say all software has a learning curve. And all can be built on. People use the major 4 for serious gigs. The next question becomes what kind of DJ do you plan to be when the hobby takes of (we obviously have no doubt that it will 😀 )?

You’ll have to check out the websites of Traktor, Serato, Virtual DJ and Mixvibes Cross, to name the most obvious candidates. There is plenty of info on their latest releases over on the blog as well.

What is your preferred music style or genre? What kind of budget are you on? Do you intend to play out or just practice in the bedroom? All questions which’ answers help determine what you should get. You got the order right imho by deciding which software before which hardware.

Reading the great controller buyers guide on here helps, once you picked your software, to find a suitable beginners controller. You’ll see things like Numark MixTrack Pro 2, Pioneer DDJ-SB and Denon MC2000 mentioned on here often as good starter units that can take some abuse (or a lot in some cases) and can last you a little bit longer than just for the first few baby steps.

Hope that helps getting you started.

Greetinx.

The only question I would have for you is why the desire to switch to Traktor from Serato. And if you think Traktor is the thing for you, why bother first getting the hang of another DJ software?

It almost sound like you have place it in a ranking with Traktor being lonely at the top with Serato trailing behind somewhere. This certainly is not the case. All of the 4 mentioned DJ software packages have their own particular following based on their individual qualities, benefits and drawbacks.

Any kind of headsets would do, until the moment YOU feel they are no longer sufficient. I personally wouldn’t be bothered with things like noise cancellation though in a DJ setting. I’d try without it if it is something you can switch off. A good alternative would be Zomo HD-1200s. Available for about 80 bucks.

As far as cables go, you’ll need to hook up the RCA connectors on the MC2000 to whatever speakers you’ll be using. Be aware that you shouldn’t be running very long cables of the unbalanced RCA type. About 3 meters is what I’d call max.

Other than that, I’d say get cooking!

Greetinx.

Do you need speakers? Technically no, as Weaver says there are ways to do it with just headphones, but … harder to do. I have been at this game a long time and I can do it, but only if I really must. My controller (Denon MC6000 mk2 to be bought soon after I just sold the mk1 I had since 2011) has split cue function which at least let’s you hear master in one ear, cue signal in the other. Lower end controllers (including the 2000) don’t usually have that. They will allow you to balance the signal in your headphones between cue and master, but … in both ears, not in a left ear/right ear split. I used that this weekend on my backup controller since my MC6000 is sold and I am waiting to buy my new MC6000 next week 😀 . I really hated it. YIKES! Next time I will hook up a booth monitor to the extra RCA master out.

To answer Weaver: Yes, you can set your DJ software to through the master sound out through the speakers. Unfortunately, if you plug in headphones, those will shut off the sound and master signal will now come through your cans. No cueing most likely (I have seen it done with a 7.1 laptop, but that’s an exception).

Finally, on the topic of speakers. KRK Rokit 5s will set you back about 300, not a thousand. And those are generally considered very fine monitors, for less than a 100 more a set you get 6″ KRKs that have a little more bass if you need it. Alternatively, especially if you plan on playing out occassionally with your speakers (house parties and such), you can get some 8″-10″ PA speakers in the same price brackets. The sound quality won’t be as true as the KRKs, but they will sound a bit more like club sound and are most definitely qualified to take to the road.

Personally I like good sound, it enhances the pleasure I have in what I am doing. Doing all the hard mixing work and then listening to the result on some shabby “as long as some kind of sound comes out” speakers takes away a lot of the fun.

So while I agree with the premise that you shouldn’t dive in head over heels and spend a fortune on something you don’t know for sure you are gonna be enjoying doing for the next 10 years or more (I still love it after 35+), I would say that buy spending a little money wisely you can increase the fun and enjoyment factor by a lot.

Hope that helps.

Greetinx.

update….. we need an update….. let us know how it’s all working out for you, and how you like the MC2000. Welcome to DDJT!

+1 on the updates