Would you consider this a good upgrade in gear?

[Gnozis]

I made a thread about specifically the CDJ's I am looking at in the CD player section, but wanted to make a thread here about my situation as a whole to get some feedback/advice. I currently use a Traktor Kontrol S2 and a Midi Fighter. I have been spinning for nearly three years now and feel I am ready for club gigs. However, I have absolutely no experience on CDJ's and would have no idea how to use them and the DJM mixer if I was to get a gig. Also, I don't want to use controllers at a gig as I would not feel very professional and would much rather use the clubs gear.

Right now I am looking to purchase either the CDJ 850's or the CDJ 900's and a DJM 700 mixer. My question first is, I have noticed a lot of reviews saying to get the 900's over the 850's if you can afford to do so because of loop quantization (sp?) and the LINK feature. Would you consider the 900's worth the extra money? My second question is, would it be worth it to even upgrade to this equipment? I realize that I could get cheaper mixers etc from other brands for cheaper, but money is not an issue and I would like to have experience playing on industry standard gear. I heard the MIDI on the 850's and 900's blow, how accurate is that?

I appreciate any and all advice.

[sephi]

For the money, I would much rather have a Rane or Ecler or Allen & Heath mixer. IMHO, the last great mixers Pioneer made were the 707 and 909.

If you have no idea how to use the gear, start small but high quality. Save your money and time/effort and just get a Xone:22 or something similar. You're not mixing on four decks at once; a four channel mixer is 200% of what you will actually use. Get what you know how to use or can quickly master; get something that will keep its value; get something high quality. Going from something like the Xone to something like a DJM-800 is not going to throw you for a loop; the faders, EQ, etc. are pretty much the same, and you shouldn't rely on weird features of any mixer if you expect to have to play on other peoples'/clubs' gear.

If you will be using Traktor or Scratch Live, the DVS's cues, looping, etc. will make most of the CDJs' features - and some of the mixer's features - redundant. I use the play/stop, brake adjustment, and pitch controls on my decks - that's it. I don't think you would miss much of anything by going with the 850 versus the 900, or even the 2000. If you want the "club standard", prices be damned, go all the way up to the 2000. In your situation, I would either go 100% to the 2000s or go all the way down to the 850s - or even lower to NDX400s or a pair of good used 800s or 1000s.

If you have tons of money and absolutely want exactly what the typical club has regardless of actual utility, get a DJM-[biggest number you can get] and a pair of CDJ-2000s.

That said, if despite having the budget for the above, you're just going to blend house tracks together (anything similarly simple - and that is not a judgment of talent, just a judgment of what features are needed), I implore you to get a two-channel mixer with good effects and sound quality, and a decent/good CD deck like a Numark NDX400 or CDJ850, then donate the difference to a charity of your choice.

Finally, gear is very personal. The setup I and my usual partner use would probably turn off a lot of other people, but it's perfect for us. Spend a day at the local Guitar Center playing on the gear you're curious about, and that will tell you so much more than we can about the gear.

[Gnozis]

Awesome reply, thanks sephi, repped. In my other thread one of the mods (forget which) made a pretty good case of why I would want the 900 to the 850, so right now I am confident I will go that route. My biggest thing is I would like to get gear that I will be happy with for years to come so I won't have to drop any more money on gear and I feel that the 900's and DJM 700 would keep me pretty satisfied from what I have read. I don't have quite enough cash to drop on a pair of 2000's, but feel the 900's might be right for me. I do think I will head to Guitar Center and demo some gear, thanks for the idea.

[mantis]

if you can afford it get the 900 and the djm mixer. I know what you mean u want to stay up to date with the standard club setups. if you practice at home using standard gear then you will be comfortable at the club. If you can, its better to get a djm 800- maybe even a second hand one

[Spar]

i use a behringer djx700 its not great by anymeans but fine for home....

the controlls are almost identicle to a djm700 so if you can use a djx700 you can use a djm tried and tested man

[mostapha]

I said part of this in your other thread on the same topic, but……

If you're using a DVS, don't get 900s. The extra cost gives you nothing. If you're not using a DVS, just look at the feature sheet and see if you think it's worth it.

Yes, it's absolutely an upgrade.

And Pioneer mixers suck. Almost anything else in the price range is probably better.

[sephi]

If you're using a DVS, don't get 900s. The extra cost gives you nothing. If you're not using a DVS, just look at the feature sheet and see if you think it's worth it.

Pioneer mixers suck. Almost anything else in the price range is probably better.

This. All of this.

Rane, A&H, and Ecler will blow away whatever Pioneer brings to the table, and they will likely as not do it for less dosh.

The wacky features on $1000-ish CD decks are pointless when the DVS does the same stuff, and probably does it all better. I use little $200 decks with my $2000 Rane monster mixer; having anything better would be silly.

[mantis]

but his goal is to get used to a standard club setup. If you are into complicated effects, i guess you'd need to familiarize yourself with the pioneer layout and way?
but as mostapha said. the cdj900s are beasts on their own. no need for a dvs when you have them

[Buddy McKarthur]

I really know nothing about this kind of stuff, but I'd say that if you have the time, money and the desire, then why not upgrade your equipment? Obviously, as you said, using a midi controller at a club would be very unprofessional and would also look a bit silly, so I would recommend upgrading and taking some time to learn and get used to cdj's or turntables or whatever you feel is best for you. Sorry, can't answer your questions about the specific brands, as I said I am not too familiar with this subject. And also, how does using Traktor software and a Traktor controller work out for you? I have briefly tried out Traktor and it does not at all meet my needs...it's way too complicated and I just don't need all the features it offers. In my opinion it would work better for someone who mixes DJ'ing and audio production...hmm. Anyways, I wish you the best of luck with your career!

[lovecitydjs]

99% of the touring djs you will see will be playing on Pioneer mixers.. they sound great and are industry standard. found in almost any club all over the globe. seems like most of the folks that knock the Pioneer mixers have never heard their rig on a BIG system or played in a large club. no offense to those guys, and everyone is welcome to have their own opinion. it is my opinion however, that you'll be pretty happy with your 700 (like i am with my 800). the DJM700 is very similar to the 800 and a great way to familiarize yourself with what you'll find in the club. and even though i prefer my Rane 62, on a big professional system, youd be hard pressed to hear the difference. id pay much more attention to the bitrate of your files if i were you!