CDJ's

[safdiscos]

Sooo I've been spending the afternoon playing with some pioneers CDJ's, think they were 2000's?? which ever is the REALLY expensive ones, anyway after pondering for a few weeks if I want to buy a midi controller or an all in one cd/mp3/midi thing, or some CDJ's and a mixer (with mp3) I've totally decided on CDJ's, however I havent got thousands and thousands to spend, any recommendations?? what do you guys use?? Thanks!



Il be totally honest.... the fact two CDJ's with a big mixer really look the part, is a big part of the appeal!, also I do mix although I'm still learning, and for whatever reason i just prefer the CDJ's (dunno why)

[TONYTIGER]

Sooo I've been spending the afternoon playing with some pioneers CDJ's, think they were 2000's?? which ever is the REALLY expensive ones, anyway after pondering for a few weeks if I want to buy a midi controller or an all in one cd/mp3/midi thing, or some CDJ's and a mixer (with mp3) I've totally decided on CDJ's, however I havent got thousands and thousands to spend, any recommendations?? what do you guys use?? Thanks!



Il be totally honest.... the fact two CDJ's with a big mixer really look the part, is a big part of the appeal!, also I do mix although I'm still learning, and for whatever reason i just prefer the CDJ's (dunno why)

Pioneer MEP 7000 ideal for mobiles who want to do a bit of mixing 2000s would be jumping in at the deep end just my opinion.

[safdiscos]

oh yeah I'd never buy the 2000's coz i havent got that cash sadly, but I spent the day playing with them at a freinds house learning how to mix, and realised i need some CDJ's in my arsenal, but whenever i mention brands such as american audio and numark (the ones i can afford) people say no!! but surely they cant be that bad??

[Dynamic Entertainment]

CDJ800 and 1000s (mk 2 or 3) can be picked up cheap enough second hand. If you like the convenience of Mp3 storage then look at a DVS (Digital Vinyl System) such as Serato Scratch Live.

Quick look on ebay and a pair of 800mk2 and Serato SL1 is coming in at less than 800 quid....then all you need is a laptop to run it. the Serato software isnt a resources hog either so it doesnt need to be all singing all dancing.

[TONYTIGER]

If you can not afford the cdjs have a look at some decks from Denon sort of next best,as with the MEP 7000 you are really getting a pair of cdjs 400 in a 19" rack.And you do not need a laptop.

[DJ Jules]

If you can not afford the cdjs have a look at some decks from Denon sort of next best,as with the MEP 7000 you are really getting a pair of cdjs 400 in a 19" rack.And you do not need a laptop.

I looked hard at the MEP7000 a few years ago, but without the big box it's just a dumb MIDI controller and you might as well have spent the money (better) on an all in one like the Denon MC6000 or MC3000 or even a HC4500 (which gives the same level of functionality). With the big box the MEP7000 is expensive and stupidly heavy, I'm pretty sure they've just rammed a full PC into a steel 19" chassis with a pair of CD drawers.

If you want a bit of the CDJ feel for less money in an all in one, I'm using the Numark Mixdeck express (though I'd recommend the Quad if you can stretch to it) as you get the CD drawers, the MIDI controller, the USB/HD playback and the mixer all in one package. I've done my fair bit of sneering at Numark in the past, but I now use a Mixtrack Pro and a Mixdeck Express and while both are quite plasticy (the Quad isn't - hence the recommendation) they do the job very well.

Gemini also do a good range of both all in one and CDJ lookalike CD Decks/controllers but at considerably lower prices. Again, I wouldn't have touched Gemini with a bargepole in the past, but since they seem to have given up on the Cortex brand and developed the Gemini products the decks have got a lot better.

I've also been told by some people not to touch American Audio, but again it's another cheaper option that gives similar functionality to Pioneer, and I've played with a few of their decks and with what I can learn in an hour of use, they seem to do the job well.

There's lots of alternatives to the CDJ's around now - it's worth having a good shop around.

Julian

[Adam_F]

If you want the quality feeling Pioneer CDJs, have a look at the Pioneer XDJ Aero, you can use it as a MIDI controller, or just plug a USB HDD into it and use it standalone. You can use a smart phone or tablet as your viewing screen for your HDD, or you can stream tracks directly over a wifi network with either rekordbox on a pc/mac/tablet or smart phone.

This is the next stage up from the MEP, as now the MEP is a dead product, with no future updates, and can't be made compatible with rekordbox.

[TONYTIGER]

Rather two strange posts regarding the MEP 7000 do you really know the product or ever used it i never give any advice on any equipment i have not used which is the forums recommendations we are also Pioneer stockist .The MEP 7000 is a full stand alone midi player as i said it is the only one out there that has real quality mixing turntables 2 x CDJ 400
with full effects ,you can also run with no laptop and have the facility to hook up 2 portable hard dives with wireless key board large display screen with video out to a monitor will even play CDG if you want to do karaoke team it up with the DM 5000 mixer and you have the perfect mobile set up.As for the Aero far inferior product cant shift them and are being heavily
discounted ,Numark is good value for money (we are also stockist) and i recommended to a recent member of the forum we also sell the MC 600 little bit cramped for my liking but none of the latter really give you the feel of the quality of cdjs which the Pioneer does ,if you want to use a laptop with it it will function with any of the current software out there.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Rather two strange posts regarding the MEP 7000 do you really know the product or ever used it i never give any advice on any equipment i have not used which is the forums recommendations

Tony you crack me up.

Adam has worked for and with Pioneer as a beta tester and helping develop new products as well as representing them at trade shows.

Oh yes, he has used Pioneer products once or twice...so I think he knows what he's talking about.

[TONYTIGER]

Tony you crack me up.

Adam has worked for and with Pioneer as a beta tester and helping develop new products as well as representing them at trade shows.

Oh yes, he has used Pioneer products once or twice...so I think he knows what he's talking about.

And i am supposed to know that i don't have a crystal ball unlike you Mystic Meg and as i said in my post this is my opinion as a end user and stockist and his comments led me to believe he was not conversant with the MEP 7000 and you well know i always try to give good honest advice take it or leave it.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

And i am supposed to know that i don't have a crystal ball unlike you Mystic Meg and as i said in my post this is my opinion as a end user and stockist and his comments led me to believe he was not conversant with the MEP 7000 and you well know i always try to give good honest advice take it or leave it.

Yes and you have a certain way of wording things Tony....lol.

[TONYTIGER]

Yes and you have a certain way of wording things Tony....lol.

God ! talk about the pot calling the kettle black :zip:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

God ! talk about the pot calling the kettle black :zip:

Are you trying to pick a silly fight Tony? We weren't talking about me, we were talking about you. I suggest you leave it there now. It was good humoured until this point.

[bangbang]

I've been using the pioneer mep 7000 and love it it's just easy ,I also recently purchased the xdj aero which I don't like at all mainly because of no fader start but it's still early days and il persevere with for a little longer

[TONYTIGER]

I've been using the pioneer mep 7000 and love it it's just easy ,I also recently purchased the xdj aero which I don't like at all mainly because of no fader start but it's still early days and il persevere with for a little longer

I agree the Aero is not really suited for mobile use more of a club party thing i could not see many mobile jocks just going out with just this single unit ,only one mic Chanel and poor EQ,where the MEP 7000 is really designed for the mobile industry there is a new firmware update available for 2012 so not quite a dead product .

[bangbang]

Thats good to here there's another firmware update planned

[cauthers]

I wouldn't throw loads of hard earned cash in to this if it's something new to you. If you're wanting cdj style players with midi for software control I'd look at Numark NDX800, American Audio Radius 1000 or if you're set on Pioneer you might be able to get a decent set of CDJ400's second hand.

[SamV]

The good thing about CDJs (I own a pair of 1000mk3, and 2 pairs of 2000 and 1 pair of 2000Nexus) is that they hire themselves out if you're that way inclined. I have at least 3 pairs out each weekend for £130 incl mixer.

That said if you don't need all the features, or don't have a rider to meet, the CDJ350s/400s etc are all tidy pieces of kit.