CDJ 850 vs 900 (Need Advice)

[hoff]

leave the DJ hero controller to the bedrooms.

you should check out this article http://djworx.com/opinion-dj-gear-hate-it-has-to-stop/

[mostapha]

I would start with CDJs and a mixer, and worry about SSL later. It's not exactly a necessity. If your main goal is to be "club-ready," then you're on the right path.

With CDJs, I think it's explicitly counterproductive. I'd use SSL with CDJs in a club, but that's because I use turntables at home.

First of all, S2 > cdj's will not be an upgrade...

Yes, it is. And I don't even like Pioneer. All in one controllers suck compared to real gear, even with all their "capabilities." I put that in quotes because >90% of the time, it translates into thoughtlessly mashing up tracks and throwing effects over everything for no reason.

This is my opinion. If you are going to buy cdjs to simply use them to control a DVS, don't bother.

Also, if you're going to use SSL, get the 850. The control structure is basically the same, and the quantization and stuff that Rekordbox gives you is irrelevant if you're just using timecode or HID. Frankly, everything on it is irrelevant, so don't buy that…find some used CDJ-1000s. They're better decks and less wasteful.

you should check out this article http://djworx.com/opinion-dj-gear-hate-it-has-to-stop/

There's a difference between ideologically supporting controllers and actually fighting the uphill battle to get them in clubs, especially when the club already has gear with a longer, more proven track record that cost a lot more. Maybe you can get away with it. Maybe he can't. Whatever. Controllers are not always better than real gear. And I honestly believe that most of the time, they're worse.

[hoff]

There's a difference between ideologically supporting controllers and actually fighting the uphill battle to get them in clubs, especially when the club already has gear with a longer, more proven track record that cost a lot more. Maybe you can get away with it. Maybe he can't. Whatever. Controllers are not always better than real gear. And I honestly believe that most of the time, they're worse.

I'm not saying controllers are always better. I have a real $2000 mixer for a reason. It's a whole different ballgame with a real mixer vs. the faders and everything you find in controllers. All I was saying is you don't HAVE to spend all that money to be 'club ready'.

As for the upgrade thing..
I owned CDJ-850's for a while and got rid of them because I felt very limited in what I could do. They also felt like shitty plastic toys - I was surprised that they were considered industry standard.. you could feel the gears in the platter, the pitch slider was grainy feeling, not smooth by any means, and the overall construction felt like cheap plastic. I sold them and was able to afford an Audio 10 soundcard, kontrol X1 and maschine and still have cash left over. In terms of track modification, music management and construction (depending on the controller you're comparing) they felt like a downgrade to me.

So I'm not biased or trying to fight an uphill battle, I've been on both ends of the gear spectrum.. I was just offering an alternate opinion

[Blueprint]

I use cdj1000s with traktor scratch duo - it's amazing, works flawlessly and most importantly, i don't have to burn cds anymore. then again, i don't have access to a thumb drive on my cdjs.

[prODucer]

With CDJs, I think it's explicitly counterproductive. I'd use SSL with CDJs in a club, but that's because I use turntables at home.

Yes, it is. And I don't even like Pioneer. All in one controllers suck compared to real gear, even with all their "capabilities." I put that in quotes because >90% of the time, it translates into thoughtlessly mashing up tracks and throwing effects over everything for no reason.



Also, if you're going to use SSL, get the 850. The control structure is basically the same, and the quantization and stuff that Rekordbox gives you is irrelevant if you're just using timecode or HID. Frankly, everything on it is irrelevant, so don't buy that…find some used CDJ-1000s. They're better decks and less wasteful.



There's a difference between ideologically supporting controllers and actually fighting the uphill battle to get them in clubs, especially when the club already has gear with a longer, more proven track record that cost a lot more. Maybe you can get away with it. Maybe he can't. Whatever. Controllers are not always better than real gear. And I honestly believe that most of the time, they're worse.

All I'm saying is that I'd buy a gorgeous pair of custom tech 12s and a pair of dice to control a DVS any day, over using cdjs to control one. Just my opinion. Or yes, find a pair of 1000 mk3s for half the price I guess.

I am in the process of getting my dj "booth" built with enough area that I can fit my 1200s and my cdjs together. Then I'll have the option to use either at any time I want. For now, the 12s had to find a home in the basement to make room for the cdjs.

[Irrational_Fear]

This is my opinion. If you are going to buy cdjs to simply use them to control a DVS, don't bother. I bought my cdj900s to get away from serato and so far I have no regrets. I will probably never play in a club and honestly don't care if pioneer is the industry standard. In fact, for years I despised anything pioneer! Something about the 850s and 900s really appealed to me so I decided to give them a go. I probably could have sufficed with the 850s but I has the money so I went with the 900s. I love that I have one deck hooked to an external drive which is then linked to my other deck! My entire music library is at my fingertips and rekordbox is so easy to use when making playlists or folders of similar tunes!

I also believe that you could find a way better mixer than the djm700 for the same or even less money but that's just my opinion.

^^This was very much my take on it too.

Having used a controller for a fair while I was getting tired of looking at computer screen- as I sit in front of one all day at work as well I've decided to go back to CDJs with the only laptop involved stashed away under the desk for recording purposes.

No doubting the amount of stuff you can do on controllers vs CDJs but for me, it was starting lose some of the 'fun factor' that I had with even my archaic CD decks. As someone that DJs purely for enjoyment this meant time to go back to a computer-less setup. I just need one of my cars to sell now for some financial redistribution!

All the research I've done into them suggests the 900s are well worth the extra over the 850s if you've got it. Quantise/Link/Slip mode/100% pitch range on all formats not just cd. But as said, if you are using Serato anyway the Pio CDJs are an expensive way of doing it. Turntables, sure. But for me, CDJs = no laptop.

[sephi]

I am about to upgrade from a Traktor Kontrol S2 to CDJ's and a DJM mixer, but need some advice. I initially decided to go with the CDJ 850s and DJM 700, but started noticing some reviews saying to go for the 900 instead because of the loop quantization and LINK feature. Do those feature alone warrant me dropping around an extra $600 for the 900s? The main reason I am upgrading to this gear is to get used to the industry standard gear so I am good to go in club gigs, I won't be taking this gear around to gigs.

Also, if I do go with the 850s and DJM 700, what all would I need to get Serato running? Will both the CDJs and Mixer work fine with the software out of the box?

I appreciate the help.

Those features don't warrant the substantial cost increase. That stuff is made redundant or simply pointless by Traktor or Scratch Live. If you are using a DVS, you could be on 800MK2s or some iteration of 1000s for all it matters (and those are still "club standard" kit). Both the 850 and 900 have HID, which is the one cool thing that they bring to a DVS setup.

I strongly suggest buying a better mixer for the money than the 700. I'd take an A&H, Ecler, Rane, etc. over a Pioneer any day. Going from a Xone at home to an 800/900/whatever at the club will not throw you for a loop, trust me.

To get Scratch Live running, all you need is a $250 used SL1, which you plug in between the CD decks and the mixer. There are higher end SL boxes, but most of them are essentially just the SL1 with a few extras - some of which may matter to you, most of which probably won't. In any case, the cost of SL will be less than the cost of going up to high end CD decks whose features will just be made redundant by SL's features.

Link to the other thread: http://www.djforums.com/forums/showt...pgrade-in-gear

The CD decks will be an upgrade, if for no other reason than that they make a more fault-tolerant setup than an all-in-one controller. I've watched people bow out of gigs and even be tossed off stage due to controller problems (if anything on your controller borks, it's not like you can switch out the offending deck without switching out the entire controller). On the other hand, with either set of CD decks you have the options of playing even if the computer pukes on itself, playing even if your CDs or USB drives are jacked up, and switching out decks or the mixer if a component fails. You have multiple layers of fallback plans. That is nigh priceless.

[Gnozis]

You guys have been a great help. I am going to go with the 900's and not worry about running software, just have one USB drive and use LINK. Also, getting the DJM 700 with them scored me a really good deal from Pro Audio star, so I am going to go with that set up.

[Irrational_Fear]

You guys have been a great help. I am going to go with the 900's and not worry about running software, just have one USB drive and use LINK. Also, getting the DJM 700 with them scored me a really good deal from Pro Audio star, so I am going to go with that set up.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on with this once you've got them up and running- I've found a great deal on this exact setup too. Looking to get them in the next few weeks

[prODucer]

You guys have been a great help. I am going to go with the 900's and not worry about running software, just have one USB drive and use LINK. Also, getting the DJM 700 with them scored me a really good deal from Pro Audio star, so I am going to go with that set up.

Cool man! Let us know what u think! I recently divorced my wife and married my cdj900s so I'm pretty certain you will like em!

Just kidding, still happily married to my wife whom actually lets me buy all these expensive toys!