DJ software and controllers

Want to talk about music hardware or software that doesn't include Reason?
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Jagwah
Posts: 2549
Joined: 16 Jan 2015

03 Apr 2022

If someone is up to date on this stuff it would be great to get some ideas.

We have a new DJ challenge in the Competitions and Challenges sub-forum and others might be interested in a cheap entry level controller and / or software options...

Are there controllers that are just USB? Do many have audio outputs? I would prefer something with two audio outputs myself...

I used Traktor a little quite a while a go and never had an issues with it, any software recommendations?


Cheers! :puf_bigsmile:

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crimsonwarlock
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Joined: 06 Nov 2021
Location: Close to the Edge

03 Apr 2022

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Analog tape ⇒ ESQ1 sequencer board ⇒ Atari/Steinberg Pro24 ⇒ Atari/Cubase ⇒ Cakewalk Sonar ⇒ Orion Pro/Platinum ⇒ Reaper ⇒ Reason DAW.

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Billy+
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Joined: 09 Dec 2016

03 Apr 2022

I haven't played a live set for a good few years but it's good to stay in practice and on occasion I find Traktor DJ on my iPad perfectly capable. I did consider getting a Z1 mixer interface for the iPad but haven't purchased one yet
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rmtcvolte
Posts: 205
Joined: 15 Nov 2018

03 Apr 2022

Free and cross platform software:

https://mixxx.org/

did not check the latest versions, but it was easy to control with midi, timecode vinyl and an audio interface.

Stamatz
Posts: 103
Joined: 24 Jan 2019
Location: NY/USA

04 Apr 2022

I use a Roalnd DJ-202.

What's nice about this deck is it's fairly inexpensive, has a built in drum machine with Roland's famous sounding 707/808/909's whch you can switch between.

16 step sequencer built in as well as audio outputs, mic input, 4 decks, came with Searto DJ Pro and I can map it to the Executioner software rack extension which is really cool.
Nektar P4, Alesis VX49, Roland DJ-202, Korg DS-8, Casio RZ-1, Epiphone Guitar, MOTU M4, Samson BT Monitors. Twin Displays. AMD Ryzen 9 7950x3D, 32 GB Ram, AMD Radeon 6800XT,

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QVprod
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04 Apr 2022

Technically free though supposed to need a license if you use a controller https://www.virtualdj.com/products/virtualdj/price.html

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gullum
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Location: Faroe Islands
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06 Apr 2022

I stopped DJ'ing 5-6 years ago but I've used Traktor, VirtualDJ, Mixvibes Cross DJ, Serato DJ and Rekordbox DJ. Rekordbox and a Pioneer DJ controller was what I liked bests. Pioneer have some cheep controllers that have audio interface built in

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moalla
Posts: 541
Joined: 20 Oct 2017
Location: DDR WEST

07 Apr 2022

Pioneer Stuff and Rekordbox are really good, i used a numark mixtrack first, cheap and good and now i‘m using a Reloop Terminal Mix 8 ( with16bit interface much better for bad youtube mp3 stuff, of it‘s compression!!!) for 4Track setups in Traktor pro 3.

But i got this controller software combo as present and paid only 25€ for a really needed traktor update, cause T2 was totaly unstable.
But for casual DJ needs also the free mixxx software (also linux) together with a 60-120€ hercules or other used cheap semipro controller unit is total enough to have big fun, native hardware stuff are cheap quality. Other people are swear on serato, of it‘s scratch and timeshift algorythms but at all mixxx 2.X are far better than traktor 2 or other older software competitors and at the end i think, the only benefit how could interesting are things like video functions if someone needs this for performances or exbitions etc.

But after my first club visit last saturday i noticed hard the difference between high quality audio files and tracks downloaded from youtube, in the past people used famous sounding analog rodek mixers and LP‘s with expensive needels and now,
digital mixers, overtransparent DA converters and worse Trackquality on better club PA are horrible and stress for musicians ears. So decide yourself what‘s important i think the software is less important at the end main thing the shit runs stable!
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Reason12.5, Yamaha EG112, Ibanez PF10, RhythmWolf, Miniak, Ipad+SparkLE
SE2200t :arrow: VAS micpre MOTO:better repair-mod well made stuff than buy the next crap

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fullforce
Posts: 849
Joined: 18 Aug 2018

12 Apr 2022

Still love my Novation Twitch (with audio outs) and Serato Itch. I got a dedicated laptop for it running Windows 7 that is never connected to the internet.
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Jagwah
Posts: 2549
Joined: 16 Jan 2015

01 May 2022

Thanks for the great input everyone!

The Pioneer CDJ-400 is a good entry level deck, worthwhile learning on as Pioneer is arguably the club standard deck. Also has MP3 flashdrive support.

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Jagwah
Posts: 2549
Joined: 16 Jan 2015

17 May 2022

I got a pair of CDJ 800 MK2s for just under $200 which is a pretty standard price. These guys are built to last a few life times, solid as can be, and I love the way they mimic vinyl, I was able to mix immediately. Wish I had of bought these years ago. No flash drive support but for a cheap entry level deck these are fantastic.

Popey
Competition Winner
Posts: 2062
Joined: 04 Jul 2018

18 May 2022

I have the traktor kontrol s2 but had a few issues with it due to dust in the faders(reminds me I must get some more compressed air to fix it -again). It's a good controller but not sure I would recommend it due to its sensitivity to dust.

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Neo
Posts: 487
Joined: 21 May 2015
Location: Melbourne Australia

18 May 2022

moalla wrote:
07 Apr 2022
Pioneer Stuff and Rekordbox are really good,
Another vote for Rekordbox. Still running CDJ-900s.. Still Solid.
(non sync models)

https://rekordbox.com/en/
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chimp_spanner
Posts: 2908
Joined: 06 Mar 2015

18 May 2022

My partner started out on DDJ-200s and honestly, they're SUPER cool and really fun to use with Rekordbox. Obviously missing more advanced features but you can do all the important stuff on them. She's on DDJ-400s now, but typically uses Nexus 2s when playing out (she'd like a setup like that but...money). So yeah, big +1 for Rekordbox and either 200 if you just want something casual/fun or 400 if you'd like a few more features without breaking the bank. I think there's an 800 too but it's more serious money.

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