Getting into CD players, need some advice

[novadnb]

I'm not new to DJing but have been using vinyl/torq. I'd like to get out of the bedroom and try to start playing clubs, and from what I've seen most places have CD players. So I'm looking into picking up a set and a new mixer, the main idea being that whatever I want to buy I want to be able to transition well to what most clubs are going to have. Mixer won't matter too much I guess, but I have the feeling Pioneer CDJs is what I would likely run into "in the field". I'm wondering if the CDJ400 is still a solid platform to re-learn beatmatching on non-vinyl, or if I should step up to something like the 850 if that's going to have features closer to what the decks in most clubs will have. Not looking to spend CDJ2000 kinda money:teef: Open to suggestions for decks and a solid no bells and whistles mixer.

Thanks!

[Hausgeist]

I'm wondering if the CDJ400 is still a solid platform to re-learn beatmatching on non-vinyl

Yes. :teef:

[Buszaj]

Any of the Pioneer CDJs will do. Their layouts overlap on all of their models. So even if you start on a 400 or even 200, if you walk up to a 2000, you'll be fine (even though there are way more features).

Between the 400 and 850/800 though, I'd opt for the latter. Reason for this is the larger platter. Will be a bit easier transitioning from turntables, and when you do get into a club with the flagship players, it will feel the same.

And if you can beatmatch fine on turntables, it shouldn't take you any time to "re-learn" it on CD players.

[novadnb]

I guess the 800 is an old model, I can only find the 850, but about $797 on Amazon doesn't seem bad. How about a mixer? Will 2 channel work, if do I need 3 if I want to add an FX processor in later?

[Nicadraus]

The CDJ400 is fine but USB reading is kinda slow for for memories 4gb and higher. As a standard CD player, it should fit you well. As for the mixer, there are many to choose from. Ecler Nuo 2.0/3.0, Pioneer DJM250, A&H xone22, etc. :)

[Buszaj]

I guess the 800 is an old model, I can only find the 850, but about $797 on Amazon doesn't seem bad. How about a mixer? Will 2 channel work, if do I need 3 if I want to add an FX processor in later?

The 800 (mk2) is the predecessor to the 850.

Many 2 channel mixers have a built in assignable effects section, so you don't need a third channel. If you want to get an external effects unit later on, then you'll either need the mixer to have a send/return line, or a third channel.

[novadnb]

Found a deal locally for 2 CDJ800 Mk2's and a DJX70 for 1100. Any major changes from the 800 Mk2 to the 850? Thanks everyone for the help :)

[Buszaj]

Found a deal locally for 2 CDJ800 Mk2's and a DJX70 for 1100. Any major changes from the 800 Mk2 to the 850? Thanks everyone for the help :)

Main changes are an updated display with scroll wheel (for going through tracks/folders on a disc), and a USB port for flash drives.

[Irrational_Fear]

As Buszaj said, those are the main differences. The lack of usb port would be the biggie for me- means having to burn all your music to cds, obviously this is personal preference but I like being able to plug in a flashdrive/external hard drive.

In addition;

-The 850 has a 6% pitch range (as well as 10, 16, and 100), the 800mk2 only goes down to 10%. This means a 0.02% resolution on the 850 vs 0.05% (i think) on the 800mk2- this was one of the criticisms of the 800mk2. This means tighter mixing on the 850, the 800mk2 may need more jogwheel attention when in the mix.

-The 850 is Rekordbox compatible, but doesn't have any of the quantising that the 900/2000 has, neither does it have the half/frame looping accuracy of those models, so the looping/auto looper etc will still be largely identical to that on the 800mk2.

-The 800mk2 has a digital out, which the newer 850 bizarely does not. This shouldn't be much of an issue though.

-The 850 has a usb out to connect to a PC, I'm certain the 800mk2 does not. Only an issue if you are controlling software with them.

-The 850 displays a waveform once tracks have been analysed (either by rekordbox if mp3, or played a cd) the 800mk2 has no waveform.

I'm not certain but the 850s may support more music formats than the 800mk2s, not a problem if you are only using wav/mp3.

:)

[Ness]

Love my 400s, but if you can afford it, I'd go with the 850s. Wanting to step my game up to 850s myself, but i'm a brokeass student XD. Would seriously love the waveform feature though, helps so much in structuring transitions.

[Irrational_Fear]

Love my 400s, but if you can afford it, I'd go with the 850s. Wanting to step my game up to 850s myself, but i'm a brokeass student XD. Would seriously love the waveform feature though, helps so much in structuring transitions.


I'm really not sure I'd swap the 400s for the 850s- I have a real hard time accepting the price on the 850s (even by Pioneers standards!). When you compare it to almost any other full-size player it really is barren in terms of features. I know the 900s are a couple hundred more expensive but you can almost see where the cost is going on those- with D Link, Quantised looping, half frame accuracy, slip mode, direct Rekordbox linking, 100% pitch range across all formats (not just cd), improved screen, digital out etc.

The fact the 850s have less than half the features for nearly 4/5 of the price just make them seem a bit of a white elephant to me. In the end I stumped up the extra cash and got the 900s, but if this really isn't possible I'd be saving cash and looking at the DNS 3700 / Reloop RMP 2.5 / 3 (very under-rated in my opinion) or even a second hand pair of CDJ 1000mk3s at a push? At least with the 1000mk3s you'll be getting something that feels like £800 worth of CDJs (the 850s & 900s are pretty lightweight/pasticky).

Or if you arn't desperate for the bigger jog wheel, I'd keep the 400s and save a bit more to get 900s / second hand 1000mk3s.

That's just my personal opinion mind :)

However I did spend fooking ages (2 months) researching every possibilty in great deal!

[Windows 95]

Found a deal locally for 2 CDJ800 Mk2's and a DJX70 for 1100.$550 each for used Pioneer CDJ-800 CD players sounds a little on the high side to me. (The Behringer DJX700 isn't worth anything.)

You might want to look around a little more, you may find a better price.

[novadnb]

Buszaj and Irrational_Fear, thanks for the replies! I'm not quite ready to drop CDJ1000 type money so for the price I think the 800s I found have the features I need. Waveform/USB would be nice, but I think 1100 for the tables and mixer vs 1600 for tables only (new 850s) makes more sense. Also comes with a NI interface I think to not need to burn CDs?

EDIT: Windows 95 - they looked brand new, there are also a pair of 1000Mk3s for 1700 but that leaves me with no mixer...

[Irrational_Fear]

Yeah if it's just to get some CDJ experience I'd go for the 800s & mixer and save the money- any disadvantages from the poorer pitch accuracy and lack of waveform you will quickly overcome, and then when you do play on better CDJs you will find it a walk in the park. :tup:

[DJ Nutty]

Personally Id look at getting the Rekordbox compatible players. 350,850,900 etc.. Burning CD's becomes tiresome really quick.

[Buszaj]

You'll be more than fine with the 800mk2s. I've had them for almost 3 years now. Pretty much plain and simple, reliable, and an excellent platform to learn on with respect to CD players in general (and the higher model CDJs in clubs).

And as mentioned, you will need to play with the jogwheel more. But I love that. Gets me more involved in the mix, and teaches you to pay careful attention!