Upgrading From Mixtrack Pro

AdamGold, post: 16636, member: 1460 wrote: Hey, currently I own a Mixtrack Pro and it’s pretty nice but limited options. I am looking for an upgrade.
I was thinking about MC6000 or S4, any other suggestions?

Also, I have some questions about compacts with mixers:
1. Is it possible to connect the compacts with Traktor? If so, how and WHY?
2. I am looking for cheap compacts + mixer, which ones should I get?

Thanks!

I’ve just gone through the same myself. Sold my Mixtrack and bought the S4 – love it. This question has been asked before and there is a thread here with the questions you will need to ask yourself.
http://digitaldjtips.com/forum/threads/s4-or-denon-mc6000.2842/

The new VCI 400 is also worth a mention. All three are excellent bits of kit, you and you alone need to make the decision.
It’s down to what YOU want from the controller.

What do you mean about compacts? Behringers new CMD range are fully customisable to your needs and now come with a 3 year warranty for all the doubters.

HTH.

AdamGold, post: 16639, member: 1460 wrote: First of all, thank you very much. I will go to the store near by and will check all three. (hope they sell the VCI 400)

And by compacts I meant cdjs, this is how we call them in my country 🙂 Sorry.

Thanks again!

BTW
I can get second-hand cdj 200 + DDM 4000 in pretty good price. Is this a good equipment?

Yes they are fine. The DDM 4000 is a great mixer for the price (I have 1!).

You need to ask yourself if you’ll use the CDJ’s though. The reason I went digital was space (or lack of it) The CDJs and mixer combo will have a much larger footprint than a traditional controller.
Why would you want / need CDJs?
Would you use them if you had all your tracks ripped as MP3s stored on your computer?
Would you still burn CDs in order to mix from your CD players or would you just use the controller to play MP3s directly from your PC /Laptop?

AdamGold, post: 16641, member: 1460 wrote: Well I think I want to get more into things like beatmatching and stuff with the cdjs, because Traktor (for example) does it all for you..

Anyway, how many times have you performed with your Mixtrack Pro before you sold it?

Just turn off Sync in Traktor and you will have exactly the same control as you would with CDJs.

Don’t think that CDJs are better, or are “an upgrade from controllers, ’cause they aren’t! You can do MUCH more with controllers than you can with any CDJs.

I had my Mixtrack for about 6 – 7 months. I bought it as I was unsure if digital was for me or not and I did not want a big outlay if it wasn’t for me. After not having chance to get on my decks for over 1 year due to my son being born, I ended up getting the bug again after getting the Mixtrack.
Its a great entry level controller, but I needed more buttons and more control so purchased the S4.

AdamGold, post: 16644, member: 1460 wrote: Of course I am not using the sync, but I just set the BPM of the next song to the same BPM as the current song, and move the pitch bend. Only thing I really do is throw the song in, in the right time which is not that hard.. I feel the computer does all the work if you know what I mean..

Did you perform with your Mixtrack Pro? I haven’t, so I really don’t know if I should perform and earn some money before upgrading…

You can do the same with an S4 as you can with an Mixtrack – which is PLENTY! The S4 will allow you to do even more though, as it has more knobs / buttons / faders etc.
The thing with the larger / more expensive controllers is they give you greater flexibility (over software and over connectivity)
You will be fine with the Mixtrack, use it and see. The S4, Denon 6000, VSI 400 allow even more creativity if you need it, however for a beginner (or intermediate), the Mixtrack is plenty good enough.

AdamGold, post: 16680, member: 1460 wrote: Thank you for all your answers. Guess I am gonna go with a controller but not certain yet. Couple of questions:
1. How do you work with your controller? Do you manually beatmatch or just set the bpm equal to the other song without listening and move the pitch bend until it looks right in Traktor?
2. Do you think I should earn some money before upgrading?

1. Personally I beatgrid all my tunes and leave Synch switched on. The reason I do this is because it leaves me free to concentrate on mixing, applying effects, looping ect. However if you are new to DJing it will do you a world of good to leave the synch switched off and learn beatmatching. If, for whatever reason the beat synch does not work one time, at least you will then have the knowledge to know what to do to make it match.
I think there was a section on DDJT about exactly this point and Phil recommended switching off synch and placing a Post It note over the BPM detection so you would not be able to see what BPM it was. You would therefore have no choice than to manually beat match, just as I had to do when I used CDs

2. Its down to you. Like I said in my previous post, the Mixtrack is plenty good enough for DJing. I’d learn it first and gig with it if you feel up to it.

HTH