tosatto.michael@gmail.com

Remember that the TM8 is just a TM4 wtih pads instead of buttons. I myself own a TM4 and I absolutely LOVE IT! The jogs are fantastic (Phil even said they’re the best he’s ever seen on a controller apart from the NSS7II), the transport controls are beautiful, the crossfader is LOOSE and the pitch faders are so accuratre; to 0.01 of a BPM. The I/O is great, and it is just great. The TM4 has hard clicky buttons instead of pads (it’s only downfall), but they are fine to use as long as you don’t go finger drumming.

TM8 is highly recommended, but consider a TM4 as well. Remember to scour eBay and whatnot before you buy. My TM4 was $600 new, I got it unopened in it’s box for $400 at an auction on eBay.

I didn’t really know what people meant when they said “choose based on your workflow”, I do now know what it means and basically it means go with what works for you. This isn’t just the interface of the software, even though that is one of the main things, it’s the quality of the effects/EQ/filters, the compatability with hardware you like, and how they price the product. You are obviously new, so I’ll give you my pros and cons of (almost) everything on the market:

NI Traktor
+ Really in depth effects, EQ and filters, highest quality of all
+ Some advanced features such as remix decks (basically a really big sample pad)
+ Really tight integration with NI’s own Kontrol range of controllers,

– As long as you can afford the Kontrol controllers, that is (a Traktor F1 is considerably more than a Launchpad Mini)
– If you want to stray away from NI Kontrollers, there are only a handfull of controllers that tightly integrate with the software, others have a bit of latency
– Although it is $99USD, you have to pay for every new release of Traktor

* I see Traktor as the Apple of DJ software; that is it works really well as long as you have everything Traktor, and once a product (usually the software) is outdated, they leave you in the dark until you buy the latest thing

Serato DJ

+ Serato is arguably the most widespread and diverse software, compatible with most controllers on the market, the Android of software
+ Good FX/EQ (although not as good as Traktor)
+ It just works, flawless at what it does

– Some people argue it looks too Windows 95 with it’s high contrast chunky interface
– You don’t buy everythinbg for your $129USD, there are additional FX expansion packs and a Video plugin, all at extra cost
– Doesn’t work without hardware, so if you don’t have your controller plugged in, you an’t use it

* As mentioned before, if Traktor is Apple, Serato is Android, although it has it’s flaws and simply isn’t as refined as Traktor, it is compatible with arguably most hardware

VirtualDJ

+ The old crappy FXs are now fixed with the recent launch of VDJ8, putting them almost on par with Serato
+ Highly customisable interface, with themes
+ Home version (the free one) is actuallythe full VDJ without controller capability, so you do get to try THE REAL THING, not a half disabled limp program

– Seen as unprofessional by many, mainly because that fully featured home version is free
– Has little bugs such as the virtual decks being oval instead of round on some screens
– And, well, it costs $249USD. Although you do get free upgrades for life, is it really worth it when Cross DJ is $49USD?

* VirtualDJ is expensive, incompatible with a lot of controllers, and buggy. Kinda like a Blackberry.

Cross

+ Amazing interface (in my opinion)
+ Cheap! $49USD for CrossDJ
+ Good effects

– But bad EQs and filters
– Only a humble list of compatible controllers
– 99% of people have never heard of it

* Well, is there really a third phone company I can compare this to? Cross is underrated, cheap and my software of choice (I know Vintage likes it as well).

Ultimately, however it is your choice so try some free versions and watch some YouTube, and take a pick!

Jaycar sells a 4 LED gooseneck light that plugs into an unused XLR mic socket and runs off phantom power. Pretty handy as long as you actually have gear that has an XLR mic input. They’re getting rarer and rarer these days, especially going to compact digital systems!

If you were DJing with a controller, you could use the video features in whatever you use to have visualisations, but I’ve never heard of any visualisation programs that operate standalone.

CDJs are for the rich (a CDJ Nexus is $2500AUD), the famous (Martin Garrix, Calvin Harris, etc), and for clubs who can’t really provide controllers or laptops (software compatability, hardware compatability, difficult to just plug and play, there is no industry standard controller). Imagine if every club had a different controller. What if it wasn’t compatible with your software? What if you don’t want to take a laptop, you’d rather CDs or a USB? What if you’ve never heard of that controller in your life? CDJs are there for an industry standard.