What would be right for me?

[Conor Noble]

Hey Guys :),

Just a quick question, i have been doing mixes for a while now and im getting more experience as i go along but i do these on Numark Cue DJ software on a laptop, i now want to get my own sort of decks that i can scratch and mix on but to use that instead of using the laptop. I want something fairly cheap as im only a beginner and want to progress.

Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks
Conor

[Ryu]

Are you talking about Vinyl playing decks? If so, there is one obvious industry standard (Technics 1210's)...as for the rest, go for Direct drive decks as belt drive ones are hard to work with, you should be able to pick up a twin deck and mixer package fairly easily. If your looking for a practice set, almost any budget set up (Numarks, Gemini's etc) will do what you need. You may want to consider the type of cartridges you use, and depending what type of mixing you do, the type of mixer that would suit your best (EQing, Crossfading, Scratching etc)

If you are talking CDs, then, sorry, no idea!

[Rowleys]

The VDJ software on the PC/laptop is really easy to use just 1 click beat match

Getting decks will be much harder then it looks

EG

dropping tunes on beat
pitch each deck
&
keeping tracks locked on

also vinyl is really top price to buy

your talking about £7 each vinyl.

if you buying decks to got 1210's 0r 1200's there both the same just 1200's are silver

i have had load of different decks and all was rubbish in there own way

hope this help

[Ryu]

Numark Cue/VDJ = Same thing, bar the title...it is literally the same interface.

I agree its much easier on a laptop than on actual decks, but, to my mind, to be able to mix on decks is a worthwhile skill to have...to be excellent on decks takes a lot of practice, but when your good, you are very good!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Numark Cue/VDJ = Same thing, bar the title...it is literally the same interface.



I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Cue and PCDJ VJ aren't being sold anymore now?

[BeerFunk]

Scratching and mixing, as in beatmixing, are optional for mobile DJing. You should spend time researching music from different decades and genres, if you want to become a mobile DJ.

[Ryu]

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Cue and PCDJ VJ aren't being sold anymore now?

Not sure, I always assumed Numark Cue was just an adapted version that was shipped with Numark hardware...pretty sure/hope Virtual DJ is still available though?? (Runs off to check website...Yep Phew!!)

[DJ Jules]

Hey Guys :),

Just a quick question, i have been doing mixes for a while now and im getting more experience as i go along but i do these on Numark Cue DJ software on a laptop, i now want to get my own sort of decks that i can scratch and mix on but to use that instead of using the laptop. I want something fairly cheap as im only a beginner and want to progress.

I think what you buy depends on what you want to achieve - I started off on Cue/Virtual DJ on a laptop with Numark's Total Control and found it to be too unstable to trust for a complete set, so I bought a Cortex HDC3000 (approx £340) which still uses MP3's from Hard disk or USB stick, but is designed for the job. This rig was great for me (with a reasonable quality mixer which cost £140) because I wanted to stick with my existing MP3 collection (but it can also play CD's). Other alternatives which do the same thing are the Denon HD2500 (£600?), Numark DDS (£439), and a couple of other variations of the Cortex (between £200). Don't think you can scratch on any of these, the jog wheels are good for cueing, but that's about it (unless anyone has found any different?)

If you want to go with CD's, then Pioneer's set the standard, but cost ££'s depending what you buy (but the higher models will also play MP3's from USB/HDD and you can actually scratch on them). A lot of people start off on a Numark CDN or Denon/Kam equivalent which will cost you under £200 and is basically a twin CD player - again, don't try and scratch with one of these!

If you're going for Vinyl, then Ryu's advice is good - Technics are the standard.

Hope that helps, I'm sure other people have opinions on the subject as there's alot of years of experience here on this forum :)

Julian

[Conor Noble]

Thank you very much, that has helped me gain an idea, yeah i am into club music so i would use it as i would numark cue but i will feel comfortable doing it with hardware thats more reliable.

Thanks again

[thex-faders]

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Cue and PCDJ VJ aren't being sold anymore now?

This is true, PCDJ are dropping VJ in terms of updating it from now on. Thy are concentrating on the newer version like red mobile, dex etc


In regards to orinigal post, maybe you should look at cdj's with midi support or just a normal midi controller.

[Charlie Brown]

Yeah, maybe if you should be a bit more specific Conor as to what you actually need? :)

[DJ James Lake]

You could use timecoded cd's or timecoded vinyl and decks to control cue all you need is a suitable soundcard and you have the best of both worlds.

[Adam_F]

Right, my thoughts.......

If it is turntables, then believe me, don't waste your money on Technics, they are discontinued, and parts will be a nightmare. Only buy them if your going to keep them in mint condition with all original cables, manuals and boxes, in about 10/20 years they'll be worth loads.

Stanton have the market sewn up with turntables now, with the T60/62 being the biggest selling deck in Europe. The STR8-150 has far more features than Technics and out performs to. An OEM of this is the Kam DDX 5000, an outstanding deck for less than £200 each!! If your going to buy turntables, this is the one!! No doubt about it, it's fact!

If its CD decks you want, theres loads about, depends what features you want really. For a beginner, I'd say take a look at the American Audio CDI 300's. Will play MP3s off CDs with ID3 display, vinyl emulation, 3 hot cues/sample banks, loops and 4, 8, 16 & 100% pitch. Pioneers they aren't, but for someone learning, they're perfect!

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Thank you very much, that has helped me gain an idea, yeah i am into club music so i would use it as i would numark cue but i will feel comfortable doing it with hardware thats more reliable.

Thanks again

Conor trust me stay away from turntables unless you really really want to use vinyl. CDJ1000's are in 99% of all clubs and bars so seems the right path for you if your into "club music". Plus digital files are alot cheaper than vinyl!

[Javlingames]

Right, my thoughts.......

If it is turntables, then believe me, don't waste your money on Technics, they are discontinued, and parts will be a nightmare. Only buy them if your going to keep them in mint condition with all original cables, manuals and boxes, in about 10/20 years they'll be worth loads.

Stanton have the market sewn up with turntables now, with the T60/62 being the biggest selling deck in Europe. The STR8-150 has far more features than Technics and out performs to. An OEM of this is the Kam DDX 5000, an outstanding deck for less than £200 each!! If your going to buy turntables, this is the one!! No doubt about it, it's fact!

If its CD decks you want, theres loads about, depends what features you want really. For a beginner, I'd say take a look at the American Audio CDI 300's. Will play MP3s off CDs with ID3 display, vinyl emulation, 3 hot cues/sample banks, loops and 4, 8, 16 & 100% pitch. Pioneers they aren't, but for someone learning, they're perfect!


I got some brand new SL1200's a few weeks ago?

[Adam_F]

I got some brand new SL1200's a few weeks ago?

:confused:

and????


Stores still have stock, I've not said you can't buy them, just they are now discontinued.

The brand name "Technics" is no longer, Panasonic have dropped it.

You'll notice that the iconic DMC championships are no longer sponsored by them, as a result, which has led the event to be opened up to more creative decks such as Vestax and Stanton. Last year, if you competed in a DMC event, SL1200/10 were only allowed.

[Javlingames]

:confused:

and????


Stores still have stock, I've not said you can't buy them, just they are now discontinued.

The brand name "Technics" is no longer, Panasonic have dropped it.

You'll notice that the iconic DMC championships are no longer sponsored by them, as a result, which has led the event to be opened up to more creative decks such as Vestax and Stanton. Last year, if you competed in a DMC event, SL1200/10 were only allowed.

So when do you think Technics will be totally unavailable? when stocks run out? What about their mk5 versions, have they been stopped as well?

[Adam_F]

So when do you think Technics will be totally unavailable? when stocks run out?


When components run out at the factory.



What about their mk5 versions, have they been stopped as well?


Every Technics product will be.

Rumour has it they'll produce a MK6 for the Japanese market only. Then its gone.

Way back last year this article was published http://www.skratchworx.com/news3/comments.php?id=956 and more info can be found on there. I can't be bothered to sift through, as I already know the info, and it's not really relevant to this thread.

[Javlingames]

Wow, im shocked!

Still it wouldnt put me off buying a set, i had mine for 10 years until they got pinched in dec 08, they had a lot of use too and they were in perfect condition.

[Conor Noble]

Hi Guys :) I'm still getting to grips with the forum so, sorry for the delay.

No, no I understand turn tables are out the question, but the Pioneer CDJ 1000 are just so expensive for my budget! I will have a look at all the ones you have surgested and get back to you. I will try and eliminate the one's I don't want. Thank's again :) Conor

[Adam_F]

No, no I understand turn tables are out the question, but the Pioneer CDJ 1000 are just so expensive for my budget! I will have a look at all the ones you have surgested and get back to you. I will try and eliminate the one's I don't want. Thank's again :) Conor


When you've looked at the range, and want any info, just ask. I have experience and daily access to all current DJ CD player, and can give my honest opinion on each.

[flatliners]

you could maybe get a second hand numark cdn 88 or cdn 90 seen a couple on ebay and they wernt bad units .
if it a cheap pc controller i think ion do 1

[DJMaxG]

Hey Guys :),

Just a quick question, i have been doing mixes for a while now and im getting more experience as i go along but i do these on Numark Cue DJ software on a laptop, i now want to get my own sort of decks that i can scratch and mix on but to use that instead of using the laptop. I want something fairly cheap as im only a beginner and want to progress.

Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks
Conor

You can either get all in one Midi Controllers, such as the Hercules RMX, or CD Decks that have Midi on them, such as the Denon 1200, Pioneer 400.

Hercules RMX - £285
Pioneer 400 - £390 - £630 Each (Check on Google)
Denon 1200 - £400 - £450 Each (Phase One)

Numark and Rane do all in one various Midi controllers, but come at a price.