Marco Solo
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Marco Solo
ParticipantI own Traktor, Serato and Cross. I use them in that order and I’ll give you the pro’s each has over Cross and what edges Cross has over the others. I have played with Virtual DJ, but that was a while ago and I never found a reason to return. I do agree that it deserves more love.
Traktor has the most mapping, EQ, filter and sample options. You can choose different EQ’s and filters, map almost every function imaginable (although it takes time to learn to map, it’s very much worth it) and the remix decks are almost as versatile as the drum rack in Ableton. The effects are very good with a wide variety of them. The layout is a little hate it or love it with very detailed waveforms. If you like the basics you can alter it precisely to your liking. Native Instruments makes modular controllers with very cool features that will only work as good in Traktor, because they use HID instead of Midi for the special functions (check out the Kontrol X1 Mk2).
Serato has quite good EQ’s and filters, although you can’t choose them. The effects are also very good, although in my opinion not as original as Traktor’s. But there are effect packs available, so maybe they have something cool coming up in the future. The waveforms are very detailed and there are enough layout options to rip out or add sections to your liking. You can’t map Serato controllers, but you can add controllers next to the main Serato unit. Those will not be very properly mappable though. For instance, you won’t be able to map anything useful to the touchstrip on an X1 Mk2.
Cross has two edges over both Traktor and Serato in my opinion: the price (like you mentioned) and a link to Soundcloud. Before I decide to add a track to my collection I often listen to it via Soundcloud in Cross and try it in a mix. I LOVE this function, even though I would never use it in a live situation.
I agree that even though you can choose different EQ’s, they are a bit meh. Filters are somewhat ok, but much better on the others. For me this is almost a complete dealbreaker as I EQ and filter a lot. The effects are very limited and quite underwhelming. You can use any midi device with Cross but the mapping functions themselves leave me longing for just a few more options. The layout is good, but can do with a few more options in the way of Traktor. In Traktor you can choose what info is shown where. It’s so simple, but really handy.Concluding, I think Cross has its place. It’s not as mature as the other two, but the potential definitely shows. Maybe this explains the difference in price as well. Remember that the other two have been going at it for much longer than Mixvibes. I’m sure future versions will make the gap considerably smaller.
August 2, 2014 at 1:21 pm in reply to: Cubase and a 2-deck digital dj device recommendation #2047591ParticipantI assumed the OP wanted to do something with the mix in cubase, so I thought it would be easier to use a midi clock. But yeah, it is a bit of a pain to set up, I’ll give you that. I saw an interview with Richie Hawtin and he stepped away from using midi clocks altogether. This is a guy who employs people to do the sound setup for him!
August 1, 2014 at 10:58 pm in reply to: Cubase and a 2-deck digital dj device recommendation #2047566ParticipantI’ve now posted this for the third time, maybe it gets through this time. This forum has some serious issues. You can also use traktor and use the midi clock.
ParticipantIt’s a great controller and $300 is a great price. It comes with a slicer, has touchstrips, good jogwheels and a proper build quality like pretty much all vestax units. It’s old in the same way a Ferrari 355 is old. It may not be this years new toy, but it still gives newer products a proper run for their money. I was looking at one (the 380, not the 355 :P) myself when I upgraded. I didn’t go for it because I liked my current choice better and the price was a little steep where I live.
ParticipantLOL
ParticipantTry putting it in the middle, that should be the most linear.
ParticipantIf you look in the setup under mixer, you can set the upfader curve to your liking.
ParticipantNobody is born with knowledge of mapping. It’s not something you just can or can’t do.
Just looking at one site (which I will not mention or my post will be deleted), there are 5 mappings for Traktor for the RMX. The X1 has a mapping that comes with it, you don’t need to build that yourself.
I do really recommend learning to map yourself. Watch some videos on youtube about it, I can even give you some. It’s really not that hard once you get the idea. I was able to make my own after a few weeks and found it to be very satisfying. And if you want to map something and you don’t know how, just ask!
Knowing how to make your own mappings will make you almost unrestricted when it comes to gear. I’m using a Serato controller for Traktor. That’s fine, because I’m able to map it the way that I want. I’m not limited to gear from Native Instruments.ParticipantWhat I see in venues (especially the more techno ones) is that platters are getting smaller or go out of the picture all together. Look at setups that Chris Liebing, Dubfire and Richie Hawtin are using. There are no platters at all. I’ve seen open air events where they provide a Xone 4D with some CDJ’s and the guys only bring their laptop with some modular controllers and never even turn on the CDJ’s.
Going CDJ because clubs use them is becoming less and less of an argument to use them. I like the idea of Vintage to just rent some for a midweek and see them for yourself. That will probably cure your curiosity for CDJ’s, they are not that different from what you’re doing now.But if you really want something, by all means go for it. It’s your money 😉
By the way, Vintage, the turntables all look exactly like 1200’s because the ARE exactly like 1200’s. Including the Pioneer by the looks of things. Look up the term ‘super OEM’.
ParticipantYou can use them both at the same time. You can even assign the same function to multiple buttons (Play for instance) or map multiple commands to one single button (called a macro).
ParticipantFrom what I’ve heard there is a bug in the firmware of the vci that creates problems with Traktor. Going back to a lower firmware version will fix it. I don’t know which version though, look around on the internet. It’s a known problem, but it can be fixed.
ParticipantIt has to be said, any midi device will work with Cross. But the ones Vintage listed are nice controllers for a beginner.
ParticipantOr you could use your Hercules. In any case you don’t need the audio 2.
Traktor is all about mappings. If you can find or build the mapping, you’re set. That’s the nice thing about Traktor, you can use any midi device you want with it.ParticipantWhat you’re referring to only goes for DVS, where you’re using a specific signal to control digital music with analogue gear. What you’re doing is simply using digital gear, so no ‘special’ soundcard needed.
And Vintage, the X1 is made for effects and loops, not for remix decks. You can use it for remix decks, but it sucks. You need an F1 for that. I know, because I own both 😉
No more than two channels for output are needed. You could fire up four remix decks with four samples each at once and it’ll use only two sound channels, plus of course two for your headphones. That’s the beauty of digital 🙂ParticipantI’ve seen it a few times. A forum bug maybe?
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