Upgrading controller

[Andy P]

I currently use a Hercules RMX as my DJ controller, it can be used stand alone or with a mixing desk (which is my normal choice).

I've been upgrading all my kit since the start of the year and was wondering if a more professional quality controller would offer me anything staggeringly better? Ive looked around at other 200-300 quid controllers and none seem to out strip it for features. Its been golden since I got it and never let me down (although it hates getting plugged in a different usb port).

Im not a huge fan of the smaller deck wheels but if that is the only reason to upgrade i'll probably not.

Thoughts

[Nakatomi]

ask yourself whether you actually need the features an 'upgrade' will get you & whether the software you use will support them well.

I'm looking at the Denon MC6000 or ADJ Vms 4.1 because it'd be nice to be independent of a mixer & just go straight into the pa. Why can't I do that with my mc2000? Two reasons. 1: no eq on the mike channel. 2. Only unbalanced outputs.

I don't scratch ( I can't) so I only ever use the jogwheels for music navigation. Hotcues & loops, I use to death. I can cut 'Happy' down to about 30 seconds & can play full 12" versions of songs, editing out boring sections :-D

I don't use effects though, but mostly because Mixxx doesn't have em. No great loss.

I went to Maplin & saw all the hercules controllers they had after buying my MC2000. All struck me as being awful plastic toys & not all that cheap for it.

What extra money gets you from ADJ & Denon at least, is way better build quality than cheap Nomark & Herc models. I can't speak for Pioneer controllers since I ignored them on account of their weird button layout on the WeGo series.

[Andy P]

Enter the RMX, one piece brushed aluminium with lit buttons. Much of the hercules range is tat however. This is a nice unit which set me back around £300 with a lot of good features.

Like you I dont use it dry as the mic channel is pants and I prefer balanced outputs and mic inputs.

I think you do answer the question tho -

[Benny Smyth]

Buy it now, thank me later. (https://www.djkit.com/native-instruments/traktor-kontrol-s2-mk2.html)

;)

[Nakatomi]

Enter the RMX, one piece brushed aluminium with lit buttons. Much of the hercules range is tat however. This is a nice unit which set me back around £300 with a lot of good features.

Like you I dont use it dry as the mic channel is pants and I prefer balanced outputs and mic inputs.

I think you do answer the question tho -

Why spend money you don't need to?

I could modify my controller to give it XLR outputs, Mic on off switch & EQs, but I want to be independent of an external mixer without going to all that trouble :-)

[Andy P]

by answer I meant i'll probably just stick with it till I need to upgrade - when I do benny Ill take a look at this fella

[yourdj]

Why spend money you don't need to?

I could modify my controller to give it XLR outputs, Mic on off switch & EQs, but I want to be independent of an external mixer without going to all that trouble :-)

I wouldn't - your better upgrading and getting a better second hand one made of metal. They are not very expensive. :)
Controller failure is not fun mid gig ;)

I still use a VCI 300 mk 2 - solid!! I had a Denon 6000 mk2 for free but sold it as the 300 is just what i need! :)

[Andy P]

I wouldn't - your better upgrading and getting a better second hand one made of metal. They are not very expensive. :)
Controller failure is not fun mid gig ;)

I still use a VCI 300 mk 2 - solid!! I had a Denon 6000 mk2 for free but sold it as the 300 is just what i need! :)

ive got big jog envy - its the real reason I want an upgrade

[Nakatomi]

I said I could modify my controller to add features, not that I'm going to. The mc2000 will be relegated to being a spare when I upgrade. I'm now thinking that eliminating the external mixer is a bad idea. Even with a VMS 4 it might not be a good idea to be totally reliant on a controller for output even with a spare nearby.

[Imagine]

OK - got a bit of cash to spend and actually need a new controller since I broke my backup at the weekend (don't ask.....I'm never buying another plastic controller again).

I currently use the VMS4.1 - which as Peter will attest is a mighty fine piece of kit. I absolutely love it and am tempted to get another one so that I have identical main and backup controllers.

However, it's got me thinking (and Goooooogling)....it would be nice for a couple of extra bits on the controller. I'm a party DJ so not interested in all the wiggy-wiggy scratching stuff. The jog wheels are for cueing up the track and that's it in my world.

But, it'd be nice if I could find something similar to the VMS4.1 which has the addition of:
* Voice ducking (handy for things like kids parties where I'm out in front of the rig most of the time)
* A very basic effects section (things like reverb) on the mic for the occasional karaoke gig that I do
* More than one USB input so that I could connect a backup iPad or laptop to it

It must also run on VDJ (I don't get on with Serato).

So....any ideas/recommendations?

Budget-wise - I'm fairly flexible (but would prefer not to go above £500 if possible....I know some of those things are thousands.....I've drooled over them in my "local"-ish dealer showroom)

[ukpartydj]

OK - got a bit of cash to spend and actually need a new controller since I broke my backup at the weekend (don't ask.....I'm never buying another plastic controller again).

I currently use the VMS4.1 - which as Peter will attest is a mighty fine piece of kit. I absolutely love it and am tempted to get another one so that I have identical main and backup controllers.

However, it's got me thinking (and Goooooogling)....it would be nice for a couple of extra bits on the controller. I'm a party DJ so not interested in all the wiggy-wiggy scratching stuff. The jog wheels are for cueing up the track and that's it in my world.

But, it'd be nice if I could find something similar to the VMS4.1 which has the addition of:
* Voice ducking (handy for things like kids parties where I'm out in front of the rig most of the time)
* A very basic effects section (things like reverb) on the mic for the occasional karaoke gig that I do
* More than one USB input so that I could connect a backup iPad or laptop to it

It must also run on VDJ (I don't get on with Serato).

So....any ideas/recommendations?

Budget-wise - I'm fairly flexible (but would prefer not to go above £500 if possible....I know some of those things are thousands.....I've drooled over them in my "local"-ish dealer showroom)

Mc6000 is the only controller I know with voice ducking.
Has echo on the mic which is similar to reverb I guess.
Don't need usb, I have a headphone jack to phono lead plugged into channel 4 and laptop always with 4 very different tracks cued up incase it the other laptop has issues which whilst rare it has happened.

My opinion is none of the controllers are anywhere near perfect for me! The " mobile DJ" style controllers lack in quality and the club controllers lack useful stuff like more than one mic input or xlr outputs!

[DJ Jules]

Mc6000 is the only controller I know with voice ducking.

DDJ-SX :D


Has echo on the mic which is similar to reverb I guess.

Yeah, got me there. MC4000 or MC6000 as far as I know?


My opinion is none of the controllers are anywhere near perfect for me! The " mobile DJ" style controllers lack in quality and the club controllers lack useful stuff like more than one mic input or xlr outputs!

DDJ-SX :D Two Mic inputs and XLR outputs. Quite a few quid though. No effects for Karaoke though so I usually take a smaller controller (DDJ-SB2) and a Mackie Mixer.

Julian

[Excalibur]

. Even with a VMS 4 it might not be a good idea to be totally reliant on a controller for output even with a spare nearby.
In the event of a laptop/usb failure, the hardware mixer is still live. Have a tablet or similar on a third channel, and that's a help.



But, it'd be nice if I could find something similar to the VMS4.1 which has the addition of:
* Voice ducking (handy for things like kids parties where I'm out in front of the rig most of the time)
* A very basic effects section (things like reverb) on the mic for the occasional karaoke gig that I do
* More than one USB input so that I could connect a backup iPad or laptop to it

It must also run on VDJ (I don't get on with Serato).

So....any ideas/recommendations?


These lads are getting more outings than the Red Arrows lately!
:fp::fp::fp:

[Imagine]

These lads are getting more outings than the Red Arrows lately!
:fp::fp::fp:

After loads of searching last night.....I'm beginning to see why :(

[Nakatomi]

DDJ-SX :D



Yeah, got me there. MC4000 or MC6000 as far as I know?



DDJ-SX :D Two Mic inputs and XLR outputs. Quite a few quid though. No effects for Karaoke though so I usually take a smaller controller (DDJ-SB2) and a Mackie Mixer.

Julian
Isn't the SX a bit big though?

I think I'm going to have to have a play with an MC6000 mk2.

I really would like four decks, just so I can stack tracks up but my concern is controlling the wrong deck by mistake. Right now I use the samplers in Mixxx as extra decks but the snag there is a lack of physical faders.

In my club days I might have a long running mix going & spin an acappella over the top. I miss being able to do stuff like that.

Mind I also miss having awesome effects at my disposal like I had when I DJd with Ableton & a BCR 2000. Not that I get too involved in mixing these days.

[Benny Smyth]

Isn't the SX a bit big though?

Yes and no. Big for a controller, but still smaller than two CDJs and a mixer.


I really would like four decks, just so I can stack tracks up but my concern is controlling the wrong deck by mistake.

You'll be surprised how quick you'll pick that up. Controllers and their respective software give you a lot of feedback. You can get the Traktor Kontrol S4 MKII for £409, and it'll come with the Traktor software. This is what I use, and for the mobile jock who likes to get creative, there's no better, in my opinion.

[ukpartydj]

Yes and no. Big for a controller, but still smaller than two CDJs and a mixer.
You'll be surprised how quick you'll pick that up. Controllers and their respective software give you a lot of feedback. You can get the Traktor Kontrol S4 MKII for £409, and it'll come with the Traktor software. This is what I use, and for the mobile jock who likes to get creative, there's no better, in my opinion.

Do you have a Jack to XLR adapter on the back?

I want a DDJ-SX. The size is my main issue. I still think I'd get one if the price was right though :)
I reckon I'd use 4 decks far more often than I do on my MC6000
Where is the talk over ducking feature on the DDJ-SX though ... I've googled and it says there is one but where is the button for it?

[Benny Smyth]

Do you have a Jack to XLR adapter on the back?

The leads I use are Jack to XLR. No need for an adapter.

[ukpartydj]

The leads I use are Jack to XLR. No need for an adapter.

Mind Blowing stuff right there!

[DJ Jules]

Where is the talk over ducking feature on the DDJ-SX though ... I've googled and it says there is one but where is the button for it?

It's not a dedicated button. When you have one or more channels switched to Mic, pressing the Cue button disables the fader and switches to a talk over mode. When it senses a signal through one of the Mic channels it attenuates out the main mix. The bit you have to be careful with is it disables the fader, so you have to have the gain set so that the levels are right with the fader pushed right up, otherwise pressing that Cue button will result in a whole load of feedback :)

I've got to be honest, I don't use it. Isn't that what faders are for anyway? ;)

Julian

[DeckstarDeluxe]

MC6000 is a nice bit of kit, got a mk1 and recently a mk2.

The mk1 does have an issue on one of the mic channels where it's far too sensitive but the mk2 is golden. You can plug in various devices into the aux phono input if required

[Imagine]

I've got to be honest, I don't use it. Isn't that what faders are for anyway? ;)

Julian

It is....and that's how I roll on adult parties at the moment. However, I do a lot of kids parties where I'm out the front of the booth explaining a game with incidental music going in the background.....and whilst you're out front, you can't reach the faders unless you're Mr Tickle :p

Anybody got any idea what the mappings are like for the MC6000 on VDJ8? The VMS4.1 I currently use has problems on deck 4 if you're in 4 deck mode (i.e....it doesn't work).