CDJ 2000 or a midi controller? Choose wisely...

[tuurrtles]

My DJ mentor who has been at it for 15 years has talked me out of getting CDJs.

His exact words were "Buying CDJs right now is like buying a horseshoe factory in 1905."

He actually owns some himself, but he's selling them (only because he doesn't deejay much anymore.)

CDJs are so autmated now it is scary. I mean, it makes life a lot easier and really adds room for the deejay to add affects and really play with songs and mash them up. However, with how technology keeps advancing, it almost seems like everything but the improvised affects and stuff will soon be automated. You can just throw songs in a playlist, and some software will arrange them all harmonically and even mix them for you. That's my 2 cents, not his.

But he did say this: Vinyl will always be there. Plus, it's more fun and tactile.

So actually, even instead of getting vinyl, he said I should just stick to controllers for now. I currently use the Vestax VCI 300, which he said (but I disagree with) is arguably the best controller out there, however old it might be.

But being that controllers are probably the most bang for your buck, especially if you incoroporate Traktor, I am leaning towards moving to a new controller and using Traktor, at least for the time being. I want to save money for now, plus I don't want my CDJs to be a thing of the past in 3 years.

Now, my question is this -- how legit is it to walk into a gig and use a controller? I've always heard that industry standard is CDJ2000. So, if you walk into a reputable place, they will have CDJ2000's for you to use. But sometimes they dont, sometimes they have other equipment or the first deejay is using vinyl, et cetera.

I figure, if I have a nice compact controller, I can just walk up and plug into the mixer and be done with it. No need to worry about knowing all different types of equipment (CDJ, Vinyl, Serato, Traktor).

To me, controllers make the most sense. They offer some great capabilities at a fraction of the price. They just don't look as cool.

So, midi controller, or CDJ2000? And if CDJ, CDJ2000 or CDJ2000 Nexus?



That being said,

[frandomeda]

One thing you ALWAYS have to keep in mind is that that equipment costs A LOT of money. My rule is I bring my big equipment when the gig pays well and I am visible to others (in a stage or something). If the club/promoter is cheap then Ill just bring my S4 and thats it. Most major clubs I have played at also have a DJM900 and CDJs and I just bring my laptop. Ive seen a BUNCH of kids who bring out 2000s to sports bars and 4 hours $100 gigs and I feel sorry for them being ripped off.

[tuurrtles]

Great points. I would definitely just bring my VCI 300 to house parties and gigs like sports bars. I know exactly what you're saying.

I was going to post a different thread, but I'll ask here. I have never played at a club or used CDJs. I must admit, i would love to own a pair of the 2000 Nexus.

That being said, do you think that the clubs will upgrade to Nexus systems? I mean, it has the built in quantize function, so I don't want to become dependant upon that when the club expects me to use plain old 2000's, which I'm pretty sure don't quantize automatically.

My next question is, how feasible is it to use your own gear at a club? If they have 2000's already hooked up, but I want to use my Nexus's, can I move everything and plug my setup in?

My last question is, how do you transition from one deejay to the next? Does it have to be seemless? In other words, is there even time to spend switching out equipment and having a gap between sets, or is one expected to use the same equipment as the openning deejay and just mix in seemlessly.

I'm just thinking ahead to the future. While I'm going to only start playing small gigs and using my VCI300, I would really truly love to get some Nexus and start learning them now. But if I won't be able to use them (even if I start playing at more legit venues) I don't want to waste the money.

[DJNR]

Not to offend you, but your DJ tutor sounds a little too opinionated on some things and it makes him sound ridiculous.

What it comes down to honestly is your personal preference. The VCI 300 is a great controller and it it fits your needs, then great. The issues you run into typically when bringing a controller to a club are:

1. You face gear discrimination. (People judge you for what you use)
2. The club won't house you for space reasons.

If you're okay with that, then there shouldn't be an issue. However, when if those were potential issues for you, there's always a work around. CDJs are really intuitive and generally don't need to be used extensively to get the gist of them. To avoid having to drop some significant cash on a pair, I would just watch some videos on how they work and then play on them when you visit the club. In essence, it's just like spinning on your controller. You could practice at home, burn a flash drive, and take it to the club.

Another thing you could do is use the CDJs on HID mode when you're playing at the club. That way, if you're scared of not having your laptop or waveforms for example, you can control Traktor (assuming the CDJs have the latest firmware) or Serato seamlessly.

If you were to buy a pair of CDJ 2000 Nexus, I would advise you don't take them to the club for the following reasons:
1. Clubs are sleezy and may call the gear their own.
2. Clubs are usually a pretty dangerous environment for gear so they could get wrecked.
3. That's $4000 you're carrying in gear with you.
4. The club may not want you moving their setup to accommodate yours. They aren't small players.

And similarly:
5. If you get used to the features of the Nexus, it may be hard when you're
forced to play on a CDJ 2000.

Most clubs around here are just getting CDJ 2000s, so I don't see them upgrading to the Nexus any time soon, especially because the Nexus isn't that much greater than the MK1 for general usage. They also aren't as stable.

Regarding switching DJs: it's generally advised that there is no dead air at any time during the night, so yes, DJs need to switch seamlessly. For this reason, controllers are generally frowned upon.

[frandomeda]

In my experience clubs that I have found good gear are clubs where the music is mostly EDM. In latin clubs you might find some older gear and/or a really nice mixer and OK CD players because most DJ just stick to Serato or bring their own gear, but usually latin gigs pay abit more than top 40 gigs.

Anyways. Another thing is keep in mind if you bring expensive gear to clubs is that the resident dj or guest DJ might want to borrow your stuff. I am one of those DJs... If the gear is decent you bet I will be using your stuff if you let me.

Is it recommended to buy that expensive gear? Doesnt matter if you own it. What matters is that you could use it. Reputable gigs/promoters/clubs will provide good gear for you. Buy equipment you are comfortable with. CDJs are like any luxury, you do not really need them, but you dont regret having them. If you can afford it then why not?

[Phil Noize]

It's true that decks go out of date fairly swiftly. You should have the basic skills to use whatever CDJs are installed in a club, otherwise it can leave you looking like a noob.

I use a Traktor controller quite a lot now, but I'm still quite at home on my old CDJ1000 Mk2s. Having said that I learned to use CDs on an old Denon DN2000f ... not the greatest of decks, but its 's all about learning the basics. If you can use really basic kit, then you'll always be okay.

[Era 7]

that's a decision we can't really make for you. i personally don't like playing on controllers. many of them feel cramped. i prefer the full setup i.e. CDJs + mixer but the next person might prefer a controller. you might wanna try it out first.

[tuurrtles]

So, it sounds like I ought to get me some cheaper Pioneer CDJs (900s, 1000s) and start using them at home, just to get the feel for them and just to get proficient on the software.

If I can get proficient on a CDJ 900 or 1000 + Traktor, does that mean it'll be pretty intuitive to use better CDJs, like the 2000s? Also, it seems like the opposite is true of using and practicing on 2000s, as I would become spoiled by some of the features, features which might not be available on the club's in-house gear.

The thing I liked about the 2000s and Nexus's is that you can really play well on them without a laptop. However, this doesn't seem to be the case with the 1000s or 900s, or am I wrong? They seem to best do their job when working with Scratch Live or Traktor...right? In other words, theyre just glorified jog wheels with some cue buttons, et cetera? I don't mean to dis on anyone's gear, but this is just my uneducated impression of any CDJs less than 2000s.

Bottom line is, I better get proficient on as many platforms as possible, starting with CDJs and software. I already have a midi controller that I will use from time to time in the future for certain gigs, but since I want to get proficient on software (namely Traktor), would it be worth it to buy some cheaper pioneer CDJs and a mixer, just to get used to the feel? Learn one, know them all type thing?

I definitely don't want the hassle of being judged for using a controller. And even more than that, I don't want to create any dead air during the night.

So if I were to go to a gig, and theres a deejay playing on CDJs and using Serato, what would the process be to get me plugged in and ready to mix in using my own laptop with Traktor? Or should I post a different thread for this question...

[Defiance]

I will never purchase CDJs or anything that expensive, it is absurd to me (in my experience and market) to ever have to use something like that. I will never be playing, on a consistent basis, gigs that I could even afford those, let alone replace one if it got damaged.

If someone else has some CDJs for me to play on, sure I will use them but I just have to think to myself, (especially people using the 2000s with serato instead of standalone w/o a laptop) what a waste of money.

[KLH]

Even though my primary device is a controller, there are reasons to have a CDJ-based setup. First and foremost, CDJs are found in most clubs. As such, if you wish to perform in clubs then you must be comfortable performing on CDJs without a computer. It's the last part that will keep CDJs in clubs for a long time.

CDJs are tenacious DJ devices; they keep adapting to remain relevant. Modern CDJs can play from CDs, DVDs, hard drives, and flash drives - practically the same sources computers use! Not only that, CDJs can also provide the same features that DVS/DJ apps give - keylock, cues, loops, effects, BPM, waveform display, track info, and even sync. In short, think of CDJs as CD players with a computer built-in.

Controllers, on the other hand, are entirely reliant on a computer (usually a laptop) to do anything. Controllers are simply input devices (like a computer keyboard) with an embedded sound interface.

So which should you buy? If money were no object, I think that most DJF members would recommend buying CDJs, TTs, a great mixer, and a DVS. Since money isn't infinite for most DJF members, each of us decide to buy either a controller-based setup with a DJ app, or a CDJ/TT-based setup with a DVS.

-KLH