hi all
i have been saving for a digital dj setup for while now and have about £1200 to spend (could spend more). im looking at getting software + decks or cdjs/controllers i would need i have been looking at tracktor and serato for software but want to get your opinions on them. i have read some posts on other forums about tracktor being unstable and crashing a lot so im leaning towards serato which also has the collab with ableton (my daw), also which do you think is best type of hardware to use with them vinyl decks/ cdjs / dedicated controllers.
i use tracktor, with the vinyl system, when i was using it on a mac i had no troubles with it at all, was very confident taking it out to pubs and stuff, nice lot of effects, also the kontrol x1 looks promising. however now using it on a PC very unstable, im running 3ghz dual core and 4gb of ram and it struggles a lot, although i have a feeling it could be my laptop im really not sure. if you are using ableton serato my be a good option with that bridge feature they have, although when i looked at that i didnt think it would be something i would use
Go with Serrato.
Get Technic 1200’s. No CDJ’s b/c you already will be using Ableton for WAV/MP3’s. I would get an APC40 to mangle and launch clips. I prefer it over the Launchpad because of the knobs.
I would suggest to go more with Tracktor and CD Djs . Tracktor has some issues but the latest version fixed many patches that used to have when you try to use many Plug ins etc…
one of the reason that i tell you to go CD Djsis because 80% of the Djs out there prefer CD DJs over controllers or Turntables , for example you might want to Rent your Cd Djs or maybe you just trow a party . and because of that CDdjs are more flexible than Turntables . also remember you can run tracktor from there . and seriusly the new Traktor controller that just came out looks awesome( pretty much means you dont need other sequencer or Dj software to dj ) pretty convinient .
the thing is you have to think of is what you have come from before, if your used to vinyl, stay with vinyl, if ya used to cdj stick with them i have found it hard using cds to start with and then found it to easy, then again my mate finds it well hard using my vinyl system and has started o pick up
Exactly what is said here, if you are used to cdjs, stick with them, if you’ve used vinyl, go for vinyl.
If you haven’t used either, why not just get tracktor and use it on your laptop without the “scratch” element, as Richie Hawtin does. Or purchase an APC and use ableton for djing, similar to Sasha.
Point being, if you don’t already own cdjs/decks I think its really pointless buying them.
I have tracktor scratch, with technics and it works spot on. I went with this option a few years back because the features on traktor were alot better than serato at the time. I wouldn’t go with serato just for the “bridge” element, doesn’t look that impressive from what I’ve seen in promotion vids so far.
[quote]liamdorts (12/02/2010)[hr]Exactly what is said here, if you are used to cdjs, stick with them, if you’ve used vinyl, go for vinyl.
If you haven’t used either, why not just get tracktor and use it on your laptop without the “scratch” element, as Richie Hawtin does. Or purchase an APC and use ableton for djing, similar to Sasha.
.[/quote]
everyone got an opinion but sincerely if you want to travel and Dj you might need to learn how to use CD djs . the majority of Headliners usually Dj with CD Djs and sometimes it can be a hasle when you Dj out there ( water spilling on your laptop , Drunken people touching your **** bla bla )I had experiences where i went to Big Night Clubs and it was hard to set up my laptop and Midi controllers .being able to play CD djs will help you tons since you just can carry your CDs and Dj anywhere and whenever you want , with out the hasle of setting your equipment or having other issues.
but if you want to Dj for Fun Midi controllers is the way to go .
this is just my opinion .
[quote]liamdorts (12/02/2010)[hr]Exactly what is said here, if you are used to cdjs, stick with them, if you’ve used vinyl, go for vinyl.
If you haven’t used either, why not just get tracktor and use it on your laptop without the “scratch” element, as Richie Hawtin does. Or purchase an APC and use ableton for djing, similar to Sasha.
Point being, if you don’t already own cdjs/decks I think its really pointless buying them.
I have tracktor scratch, with technics and it works spot on. I went with this option a few years back because the features on traktor were alot better than serato at the time. I wouldn’t go with serato just for the “bridge” element, doesn’t look that impressive from what I’ve seen in promotion vids so far.[/quote]
thanks for all the advice guys been a big help
taking the above advice i have been looking at the allen and heath xone dx DJ Equipment for Sale | DJ Shop | Disco Equipment Packages
it comes bundled with full itch software and soundcard built in seems like good deal the software and hardware. ticks a lot of boxes for me would be great to get your opinions on it before i order one! + do you think controllers like this maybe look set to replace cdjs in clubs in the future???
If it were me, I wouldn’t go for this type of setup, basically because if you do go to dj in a club, your controls are built into your mixer so you would have to be able to integrate your mixer with their setup. It would work better if you had your software controls seperate.
You can buy traktor pro for £165. put that together with one of these DJ Equipment for Sale | DJ Shop | Disco Equipment Packages and a basic mixer and you’d be sorted.
If I have traktor and an MPD 24 can’t I use it same way as a Kontrol X1, Just through mapping to knobs/faders. I’ve already done it but just want to know what I get with Kontrol X1 that an MPD24 cant do.
I use traktor and the x1. Thats it. No need for CDJ’s or 1210’s. I must point out that I have 1210 mk2 from years ago but never use them theses day, never used CDJ’s.
DJ’ed in a few clubs, never been an issues to set up, I use the stanton uberstand which fits under the decks allowing me to have my laptop above whatever is already there and the x1 is small and fits beside the mixer.
Gotta love the X1 
Hey gofunk, are you on laptop or mac? I’m thinking of going tracktor and x1 but money is tight. U can get a core 2 duo laptop with 2 gig ram off ebay for around 200quid, I can install Windows 7 myself.
I dunno if I should do this or save up for a better laptop. Argh!
[quote]Kieran Mach (27/08/2010)[hr]I dunno if I should do this or save up for a better laptop. Argh![/quote]
Save up for a better laptop! You will regret getting a cheap one
i’m using serato in clubs a lot, but recently got the traktor scratch pro system.
i just like the fx and handling of traktor more. the serato system on the other hand is more common in clubs, at least where i live.
that means if there’s more than one dj, beeing able to just switch laptops instead of rewiring the whole system is kind of win. depends on what system your “co-workers” use of course. this shouldn’t be the deciding factor when choosing your system, but u should keep that in mind if you know you will dj a lot side by side with other djs…
about stability: both traktor and serato work just perfectly on a mac, at least in my experience (i’m using both regularly). i’ve heard both serato and traktor users saying their system crashed once or twice, so i guess that shouldn’t decide the race, although i too heard, that serato is a bit more stable on a pc. on a mac (my weapon of choice) both just run…and run…and run…
about the x1 controller alot of people talk about… it’s really that great and just a lot of fun to use. it will work on both serato and traktor though. on a serato system u will just need to map the controls manually to each knob one time and on a mac (if i’m not mistaken) you need a little extra program to get it to work with the serato software. when using it with traktor the mapping is done automatically for you. but in the end it works for both just fine.
cds or vinyl? whatever floats your boat. most clubs will have both, so no problem there… i spent more money on my cdjs and still got a 1200 and some cheap reloop thing that i can use if need be, so i’m covered.
in the end, it’s just a matter of taste, wether to use a traktor, serato or ableton live setup. just go for the one your most comfortable with.
sry for the wall of text 
edit: and what ted said: don’t be cheap when it comes to your laptop… you’ll definitively regret it! i did…
[quote]Kieran Mach (27/08/2010)[hr]Hey gofunk, are you on laptop or mac? I’m thinking of going tracktor and x1 but money is tight.U can geta core 2 duo laptop with 2 gig ramoff ebay for around 200quid, I can install Windows 7 myself.
I dunno if I should do this or save up for a better laptop. Argh![/quote]
Using a laptop I got in 2006, its only core 2 duo with 2 gig DDR2 and windows vista. I have no issues what so ever with it running traktor pro at all. Never crashed on me or anything. Stable as can be as long as I do regular maintance etc.
I am gonna buy a new lap top soon tho, just because I can notice the general speed differents after building a new desktop when loading programs etc. Its not to good for ableton, but then I dont like using ableton on laptops at all due to limted screen resolutions, screen size, and the fact you can only have 1 screen.
But you can get pretty good laptop brand new for about £330+ (GBP) so I would spend a bit more personally as it will last the test of time.
How many tracks can you play simultaneous in each of them??
M.
depends on whether you want the feel of vinyl or not.
Just curious, I have no plans to change from CDs at this stage.
So, do you need a controller per channel? Or could you effectively say run 4 channels using only one turntable/CD? ie switching the control source across?
W.
Traktor vote from me, Serato always seemed pointless to me and didn’t really think much to it when i used it.