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Which CDJ package do I go for?

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  • October 6, 2015 at 9:20 am #2267291
    bob6397
    Participant

    Erm.. None of the above.. Most (on this forum at least) would consider CDJ’s a set back from any controller, especially if you can’t get CDJ2000’s and either a DJM900 or 2000 Nexus mixer.

    Apart from the Nexus systems (XDJ1000, CDJ2000), I wouldn’t bother personally buying any CDJ’s. And as the cost of a set like that is going to be at least £3000, I simply wouldn’t bother at all..

    Proviso though – If you are really set on getting a pair of CDJ’s – make sure you get ones which A) Take a USB stick. This lets you pre-prep tracks through Recordbox – which is a good thing. All Club CDJ’s will have a USB socket now. (If they don’t, maybe you don’t want to be playing on them and take your controller?) and B) Have a USB socket. This will let you use them as controllers further down the line when you realise the limitations of not using a laptop in the mix…

    bob6397

    October 6, 2015 at 10:20 am #2267311
    Marco Solo
    Participant

    If you really want to get an all in one system, consider something like an XDJ-RX instead of a CDJ setup. It works with the same USB sticks you’ll use if you get to play on CDJ’s. Plus, you get a lot more for your money. But even this is a step back in terms of capabilities from a controller. Don’t let the build quality argument fool you either, Pioneer CDJ’s are mostly plastic. If you still want CDJ’s, consider the ones made by Denon. They are actually built well and cost a lot less. Again, you get more for your money.
    I play regularly on my DDJ-SR and on CDJ2000’s owned by a local venue. I have no problem going from one to the other. Even though I use Traktor on my controller. If you can beatmatch manually and know what the CDJ’s can do you’ll have no problem either.

    October 6, 2015 at 1:34 pm #2267501
    Chris Omotosho
    Participant

    Thanks guys. I think I need to re-consider whether I should buy a CDJs set up at all. Maybe the answer is to hire so I can get an understanding of the software and hardware, that way I can be prepped if I’m lucky enough to get gigs. This has partially come about because I have managed to get booked a 4 hour set at a venue that has CDJ 2000 Nexus’ and a DJM2000 in house. But I don’t know how to use them, so I have to take my laptop and controller along – this is a little embarrassing! And pretty much every club I go to has a similar set up, so my thinking was that I needed similar gear at home in order to be able to use club equipment well. I’m gonna hold fire for a bit, methinks…

    October 6, 2015 at 4:14 pm #2267711
    Ronnie EmJay
    Participant

    Buying them to practise for one gig is crazy 😛 Hire them or go around a friend’s place.. or ask if you can go early. If you’re worried, run your music through RekordBoxand you can sync if you get lost and there are seconds left to transition.

    October 6, 2015 at 7:37 pm #2267791
    Chris Omotosho
    Participant

    So I’ve decided the XDJ_RX controller is the way to go! That way, I keep controller functionality, but I learn how to DJ sans laptop at the same time and I can get used to Rekordbox. And it’s way cheaper than a CDJ option! Thanks for the advice!

    October 7, 2015 at 10:45 am #2268191
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    Hire them on the downtime. Usually this stuff is rented out friday through saturday/sunday and sits in a rental warehouse doing nothing the rest of the week. Go to the rental company and explain that you will use it for (in-home) practice and not for commercial purposes (i.e. not using it to do a pro gig with). Ask them for the price from monday morning to thursday. Most likely you’ll get a really good deal.

    I had one friend who was so strapped for cash he couldn’t even match what was a generous offer. So he said “how about I come and practice in your warehouse for a few hours, providing free entrainment for your warehouse staff. They probably felt sorry for him and he got to play with the gear for a solid 4 hours. Plenty of time to figure out what the differences are to your normal controller setup (very few) and that it really doesn’t make all that much difference playing on “club gear”, other than perhaps missing a few buttons (less cue points, no performance pads, no FX buttons – FX are on the mixer). He also tested using the CDJs as controllers for his DJ software. All that in 4 hours at 0 cost.

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