Discussion
ive got an S4 as well, although a mate of mine just got the numark 4trak which is better/worse in each way. both use Traktor. the S4 has built in timecode so you canplug in a set of 1210's and use them to control 2 decks to scratch etc.
just for home use, a GOOD controller is as fun as cdj's. traktor/serato dj offer great libraries and some great features you still just dont get with cdj's.
pioneer have just released a very good looking new controller the ddi-sx which uses the new software serato dj.
on a lower budget (all those 3 are £700+) id look at the NI kontrol S2 which is a 2 channel version of the S4. on a lower budget the numark mixtrack and an NI control X1 is a good combo. the only downfall with the mixtrack is the awful pitch faders, which mean people end up syncing
just for home use, a GOOD controller is as fun as cdj's. traktor/serato dj offer great libraries and some great features you still just dont get with cdj's.
pioneer have just released a very good looking new controller the ddi-sx which uses the new software serato dj.
on a lower budget (all those 3 are £700+) id look at the NI kontrol S2 which is a 2 channel version of the S4. on a lower budget the numark mixtrack and an NI control X1 is a good combo. the only downfall with the mixtrack is the awful pitch faders, which mean people end up syncing
Funnily enough I had my cdj's since around 2008 maybe a bit earlier, refreshing getting 75% off rrp back after neay 5 years and I didn't even have to try hard. If you spend time on the S4 its a really capable controler. Although closest thing to vinyls would be the cdj's playing from audio cds
After learning the basics on some truly archaic CD players & a vinyl turntable about 10 years ago I finally upgraded to some decent CDJs back at the start of the year.
I got 2 x Pioneer CDJ900s and a Denon Dn-X1600 4 channel mixer- it wasn't cheap but as I had just sold my DC2 ITR it didn't feel like I was really spending anything!
I have to say though, the Pioneer CDJs are overpriced for what you get- no doubt about it. In much the same way as Apple, they charge a premium because they are the default choice for clubs & most DJs. This is fine if like the big clubs and DJs you can afford their flagship models, as you get access to all the features. However, if you are buying any of their 'lesser' models in the range you are paying a crazy premium and missing out on features that most CD decks at half the price offer- under the guise of 'product differentiation'...
Don't get me wrong, I loved my CDJ900s but having had a couple of demos on other high end CD decks (in particular the Denon SC2900) it made me realise how poorly equipped the 900s really are- and dont even get me started on the spartan CDJ850!
So after around 9months I traded in my CDJ900s for a pair of brand new Denon SC2900s- the 'new' price on the CDJ900s being £1,049 each with the Denons at £799 each meaning I effectively got a straight swap.
The SC2900s have exactly the same layout as the Pioneer CDJs and function in exactly the same way- however they have all the features that the non-flagship model Pioneers don't have, along with a better, smoother jog wheel and a noticably lower price. The build quality is no better or worse, and to be honest anybody expecting weighty construction from any new high-end CDJs will be disappointed! (The old CDJ 800 & 1000 make all the new CDJs feel like toys!)
They will never replace the Pioneers in clubs (in much the way that the excellent Vestax TTs never replaced the Technics 1210s) but for bedroom/party/home use the Denons are a more than worthy alternative.
At an even lower price point than the Denons, I would also suggest checking out the Reloop RMP-2.5 & RMP-3 players along with their RMX-40 4 channel mixer. A friend has recently picked up a set of these (2x RMP-3 players and an RMX-40 mixer)- in white!- for around £750 second hand. These ae excellent value for money and again have all the features you could ever want.
At anything below that I would probably be tempted to go down the controller route as you get much more bang (and build quality) for your buck. There are considerably cheaper CD decks out there but I personally feel you would be much better off getting a mid-high end controller for the same price as bargain basement CD decks!
Wow, appologies for the long post!
I got 2 x Pioneer CDJ900s and a Denon Dn-X1600 4 channel mixer- it wasn't cheap but as I had just sold my DC2 ITR it didn't feel like I was really spending anything!
I have to say though, the Pioneer CDJs are overpriced for what you get- no doubt about it. In much the same way as Apple, they charge a premium because they are the default choice for clubs & most DJs. This is fine if like the big clubs and DJs you can afford their flagship models, as you get access to all the features. However, if you are buying any of their 'lesser' models in the range you are paying a crazy premium and missing out on features that most CD decks at half the price offer- under the guise of 'product differentiation'...
Don't get me wrong, I loved my CDJ900s but having had a couple of demos on other high end CD decks (in particular the Denon SC2900) it made me realise how poorly equipped the 900s really are- and dont even get me started on the spartan CDJ850!
So after around 9months I traded in my CDJ900s for a pair of brand new Denon SC2900s- the 'new' price on the CDJ900s being £1,049 each with the Denons at £799 each meaning I effectively got a straight swap.
The SC2900s have exactly the same layout as the Pioneer CDJs and function in exactly the same way- however they have all the features that the non-flagship model Pioneers don't have, along with a better, smoother jog wheel and a noticably lower price. The build quality is no better or worse, and to be honest anybody expecting weighty construction from any new high-end CDJs will be disappointed! (The old CDJ 800 & 1000 make all the new CDJs feel like toys!)
They will never replace the Pioneers in clubs (in much the way that the excellent Vestax TTs never replaced the Technics 1210s) but for bedroom/party/home use the Denons are a more than worthy alternative.
At an even lower price point than the Denons, I would also suggest checking out the Reloop RMP-2.5 & RMP-3 players along with their RMX-40 4 channel mixer. A friend has recently picked up a set of these (2x RMP-3 players and an RMX-40 mixer)- in white!- for around £750 second hand. These ae excellent value for money and again have all the features you could ever want.
At anything below that I would probably be tempted to go down the controller route as you get much more bang (and build quality) for your buck. There are considerably cheaper CD decks out there but I personally feel you would be much better off getting a mid-high end controller for the same price as bargain basement CD decks!
Wow, appologies for the long post!
Oh and as for setups, we have a lounge setup as me & my housemate have quite a few parties, pre-night out gatherings etc round here.
This was my setup with my two CDJs, 4 channel mixer, and pair of Vestax PDX2000mk2 turntables on a custom stand I put together from various Ikea bits! (It uses an Expedit bookcase as the main stand for holding my vinyl, with a tabletop mounted on brackets on the top to bring it up to work-top hight)
The CDJ-only setup;
And with the new Denon SC2900 decks;
This was my setup with my two CDJs, 4 channel mixer, and pair of Vestax PDX2000mk2 turntables on a custom stand I put together from various Ikea bits! (It uses an Expedit bookcase as the main stand for holding my vinyl, with a tabletop mounted on brackets on the top to bring it up to work-top hight)
The CDJ-only setup;
And with the new Denon SC2900 decks;
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