Would you find a guide to using CDJs & "pro" gear useful?

you can practise and practise but nothing will prepare you for the difference in volume the first time you playout in a proper booth. especially using the monitor and cue and also how different music sounds very loud.

these things you cant practise.

Coming from the other side and went digital later I can say: If you actually CAN mix properly on a controller and are able to beatmatch etc. then you should have no difficulty DJing on CDJs (theoretically).

However the thing why most that started digital fail IMHO is the simple fact that CDJs and full blown DJ mixers look a lot more intimidating. Especially if you have high-end gear in the booth, say CDJ 2ks and god forbid a DJM 2000 and you will have no clue what to touch and what not. Even a DDJ cannot prepare you for that experience. To be honest, I do not see how a guide can prepare you for this overwhelming experience, if you do not have at least gear 2 notches below that to train on, which is a major investment. But then I have been proven wrong before hehe

Then there is the thing that many new clubs invest in different things, I know there have been times when every club that had a decent name had the standard CDJs at least and the bigger ones added Technics for the the vinyl guys. However these days I have been playing lately in one club that does not even have any CDJ, they have mostly controller DJs and they expect you to bring your laptop and controller and plug it into their PA. Another club has a SSL setup there, they expect you to show up with a laptop with a matching Serato library or your own setup, another has only cheap CDJ wannabes and a crap mixer for those that do not bring a controller etc. etc. etc. I don’t know about your end of the world but here in central europe that seems to be a trend in clubs, not really easy for a DJ…

Although this could be useful, I imagine that people would much prefer a basic article on what a turntable is and how it works. Things like what a headshell and cartridge are, and how you know where to put the needle. Whereas most controllers are like CDJs in that it is a non-motorized platter, faders, and one song on each side, turntables are a little more difficult to understand if you’ve never used them before.

as much as the guide will be a good idea and a good starting point, I think its one of those things you have to stumble through. the first time you get in that booth and play three records you would have learnt more than you have in the entire time you have been dj’ing, even if you fuck it all up.

YES! this would be exactly what I’m looking for. I am currently a controlerist, but i have a CDDJ and a vinyl set that i really want to learn how to use. unfortunately, i don’t know where to start. all my friends who DJ use controllers, so i really don’t have anyone to teach me. If you made a guide on this, it would hopefully be what i need to educate me, as well as others, and help us further our DJing skills. Thanks!

-DJCC

Phil if you could get a hold of a 2x CDJ 400 + DJM400 setup and compare that to the DDJ-S1 that should make for a pretty straight comparison. You can even run the 400s as midi controllers to control software.

I think 2x CDJ1000 + DJM 800 is a much more “real world scenario” though.

I think it could be useful, but not in the way people are thinking of. A CDJ-2000 and DJM-2000 setup is not a complicated thing to use in any way, shape, or form, and most people could easily get to grips with the overwhelming majority of useable options in a few seconds. CDJs aren’t hard to use, you dont have to beatmatch by instinct or ear or whatever, there aren’t any massive rituals you have to go through to play on them, and there are no secret modes or options you have to go through to do the extent of their ability. Literally every single useful feature, from deck to master out, is very clearly labeled on the unit.

The problem most “out of water” DJs have is thinking that it’s going to be a task to switch over, that they’re going to have to beatmatch blind and read a manual while they’re playing. Thus, a very simple explanation that transport and browse controls are universal, a basic run-through of the 2 different CDJ screens (“HOW I GO BACK TO TRACK?!” “Press the button that was glowing before…”), and a massive banner that reads “DOWNLOAD REKORDBOX AND USE IT OR STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT THE WAVEFORMS,” accompanied by a high resolution picture of a CDJ-2000/900 and DJM-2000/900, would be quite a comprehensive guide.