As an experienced vinyl Dj, which dj-controller and soft do you recommend?

[J-909]

What's up guys,

Don't know if there's many professional djs around the forum but I was thinking of buying one of those dj controllers and software to get inside my setup. I've always been a vinyl DJ (and CDJ too) but never really got into the software-controller stuff. I wanted to know your opinions/experience both on the piece of gear itself and the soft behind. Especially if you come from the traditional vinyl-cdj world.

I play very pitched-up stuff (sometimes I get to around +25%) so I've discarded some controllers like DDJ RB for such a small pitch fader (or shouldn't I?). Syncing tracks is not a problem for me (tanned on that already ) so no need for all that automatic syncing shit. I would appreciate comments on how it behaves in a "pro" environment.
And of course, there's the universal price issue..

Cheers

[Tux]

I'm an old school vinyl DJ who also uses a controller at home for space and convenience purposes. I did DJ out with it once and found it OK but I prefer vinyl just the same as I prefer to drive cars with a manual gearbox.

I think that you'll find that most clubs cater for the Pioneer CDJ crowd and expect you to turn up with a USB stick with a bunch of Rekord box ready files on it. With this being the case you might want to go for one of the high end Pioneer DJ controllers that borrow many features from their CDJ siblings.

With regards to software the standard appears to be Serato. Native Instruments Tracktor was a popular second choice but it seems to have gone off the boil since they introduced their platter-less controller. However it can still be used with regular DJ controllers or digital turntable set up if you have them.

Virtual DJ (which is what I use) is really easy to get to grips with and is compatible with most DJ controllers on the market and seems to be filling the void left by Tracktor.

Then there's Pioneer's Rekord Box, which has gone from a library system into full blown controller software that seems to be aiming at Serato, which up until now had been the de-facto software on the majority of the Pioneer Controllers.

One controller you might want to take a close look at if you're also a producer is Roland's DJ 808. This uses Serato's software for control and was built in conjunction with them so the integration is as tight as can be.

The best place to go for more info is http://www.digitaldjtips.com where they also have tons of reviews tips and advice and cater for vinyl DJ's making the transition to the digital world.

[J-909]

I'm an old school vinyl DJ who also uses a controller at home for space and convenience purposes. I did DJ out with it once and found it OK but I prefer vinyl just the same as I prefer to drive cars with a manual gearbox.

I think that you'll find that most clubs cater for the Pioneer CDJ crowd and expect you to turn up with a USB stick with a bunch of Rekord box ready files on it. With this being the case you might want to go for one of the high end Pioneer DJ controllers that borrow many features from their CDJ siblings.

With regards to software the standard appears to be Serato. Native Instruments Tracktor was a popular second choice but it seems to have gone off the boil since they introduced their platter-less controller. However it can still be used with regular DJ controllers or digital turntable set up if you have them.

Virtual DJ (which is what I use) is really easy to get to grips with and is compatible with most DJ controllers on the market and seems to be filling the void left by Tracktor.

Then there's Pioneer's Rekord Box, which has gone from a library system into full blown controller software that seems to be aiming at Serato, which up until now had been the de-facto software on the majority of the Pioneer Controllers.

One controller you might want to take a close look at if you're also a producer is Roland's DJ 808. This uses Serato's software for control and was built in conjunction with them so the integration is as tight as can be.

The best place to go for more info is http://www.digitaldjtips.com where they also have tons of reviews tips and advice and cater for vinyl DJ's making the transition to the digital world.

Great general review mate, cheers for that
I like Roland DJ 808 (specially the X0X sequencer integrated) but it just goes out of my budget , I was thinking more of a lower class controller (sort of DDJ RB or SB).
Have you tried Recordbox dj? If so, how does it compare from your point of view to Serato?

[Tux]

I haven't tried Rekord Box DJ myself but I've seen some reviews online. It has a similar appearance to Serato which I suppose is for constancy. I hear that Pioneer users have been dropping Serato in droves in favour of Rekord Box DJ, which would suggest that it's more than capable of doing the job.

[DJ Warmonger]

I haven't tried Rekord Box DJ myself but I've seen some reviews online. It has a similar appearance to Serato which I suppose is for constancy. I hear that Pioneer users have been dropping Serato in droves in favour of Rekord Box DJ, which would suggest that it's more than capable of doing the job.

As far as I know, Serato is mainly DJing app for laptops, controlled via, well... controller. Rekordbox can do the same, but I use it only for tracklist management and cuepoints. Laptop DJin is not quite that dope, the standard are CDJs which read Rekordbox tracklists but are operated as more traditional gear.

Apart from that, I don't think I can give any advice to vinyl DJ. These are completely different worlds. It's like using a DAW vs 4-track recorder

[bungle]

It depends how much space you have, what you need it for and do you need club compatability.
If you already have vinyl then use DVS, if you need to downsize but retain club compatability then something that supports record box (pioneer) so that you can just turn up with your drive.

With the little info you gave it is hard to recommend anything.

[J-909]

I haven't tried Rekord Box DJ myself but I've seen some reviews online. It has a similar appearance to Serato which I suppose is for constancy. I hear that Pioneer users have been dropping Serato in droves in favour of Rekord Box DJ, which would suggest that it's more than capable of doing the job.

As far as I know, Serato is mainly DJing app for laptops, controlled via, well... controller. Rekordbox can do the same, but I use it only for tracklist management and cuepoints. Laptop DJin is not quite that dope, the standard are CDJs which read Rekordbox tracklists but are operated as more traditional gear.

Apart from that, I don't think I can give any advice to vinyl DJ. These are completely different worlds. It's like using a DAW vs 4-track recorder

Yeah, defo totally different worlds. But I've dj'd both with vinyl and CDJ so not lost on that. In fact I'm fine with something that could replicate traditional CDJ behaviour. As Tux said, Recordbox could be the option.

[J-909]

It depends how much space you have, what you need it for and do you need club compatability.
If you already have vinyl then use DVS, if you need to downsize but retain club compatability then something that supports record box (pioneer) so that you can just turn up with your drive.

With the little info you gave it is hard to recommend anything.

Ok you're right. I am not willing to play at any club (at the moment), I quit that time ago. My intention is to get back to djing after a few years out of it. The reason why I quit was actually not having access to vinyl records anymore.
It is for home setup without space issues.. BUT: the lowest price I've seen for a serious option lies around 400-700€, now that I spend money I would go for something I could eventually use in a club setup. I'm thinking of Denon MC4000, the cheapest with long pitch faders (essential for my style), but I'm considering saving a bit more and going for a Pioneer DDJ RX.
BTW: I need a fast/efficient workflow, the way I mix imposes quick track syncing and long time simultaneous playing.
Was that it?