input/thoughts/comments on DJ gear

[sami_]

so im getting back into my djing after 3-4 years of not mixing. last week i purchased a pair of 1210's and a djm600. technics1210 headphones are on the way aswell.

need some input/thoughts/comments on the following items;

traktor vs serato

iv used serato before and i like it. clean and simple. bit pricey tho
never used traktor. alot cheaper than serato

studio monitors vs portable PA

im either gonna grab a pair of yamaha 8" studio monitors or a portable PA system which is also 8" but comes with external mixer which has an ipod dock built in. both are same price, both are awesome. im leaning more towards portable PA only because it will be usefull for parties, get-togethers etc

heres some links;
http://www.onlinemusicstore.com.au/index.php?page=showProduct&id=SAXP308I
http://www.onlinemusicstore.com.au/index.php?page=showProduct&id=YAHS80M

im also open to other suggestions on software/speakers.




cheers for any input

sami

[MMM]

serato

monitors if your just planning on playing at home (They have a lot better sound quality than larger pa speakers

Pa speakers if you plan on djing parties. get minimum 12inch woofer tho any smaller and you might as well just use your monitors.

[Anaru]

I use serato and love it. It's a great program if you don't like programs and just prefer to focus on the basic 1's and 2's

I would go portable pa, prob mackie.
to be honest, studio monitors ain't going to do shit unless you want to master your tracks (for some obscure reason) through your decks or intent on playing loss'less format tracks

[evil.e30]

serato for me,
prefer it overall to traktor.
also get some novation dicers,to strap to you're technics.
they are awesome lil midi controllers that control hot cues, loops, and loop rolls.

as for speakers, for home use, studio monitors,
maybe a cheap set of these $390- free delivery too
http://www.djwarehouse.com.au/sound/studio-monitors/all-monitors/reloop-adm5-dj-monitor-speakers.html

even if you decide to buy big p.a speakers, you wont want to use them mixing at home.

also sign up to www.ausdjforums.com
you will find lots of help on there

[cem1790]

Stuff software, just go pure with vinyl and your ears, the way its meant to be! haha :P But sadly, vinyl ain't cheap.

I'm used to using my ears, so I found Serato to be laggy, I can't speak for Traktor as I have never used it.

I do recall watching a video with Q-Bert comparing scratching on Traktor vs Serato. IIRC I think Serato just came out on top. If you're planning on turntablism they both are pretty much the same.

Kind of a useless post lol, but I hope that helps anyway

[Anaru]

Stuff software, just go pure with vinyl and your ears, the way its meant to be! haha :P But sadly, vinyl ain't cheap.

I'm used to using my ears, so I found Serato to be laggy, I can't speak for Traktor as I have never used it.

I do recall watching a video with Q-Bert comparing scratching on Traktor vs Serato. IIRC I think Serato just came out on top. If you're planning on turntablism they both are pretty much the same.

Traktor actually came out on top with that 'test' but Q-bert didn't have serato configured properly :P


Vinyl is dead if you want to keep things fresh

Sad but true. It's all well and good if you want to mix pre 2008 stuff but as of late, hardly any new tracks are getting released on vinyl, if any. I think the D&B scene is hanging on its last threads with the majority of new vinyl being released in that genre, but even so it's dying. Hell; even CDs are dying out.

Everything is going digital, turntablisim itself will never die out but mixing in clubs and bars on strictly vinyl for your average DJ has. DVS software, if you like it or not, is keeping turntables alive.

and you can always turn the waveform off in serato if you want to mix with just 'your ears, the way its meant to be'

:)



even if you decide to buy big p.a speakers, you wont want to use them mixing at home.


Why not? i do all the time and have no problem?

[sami_]

thanks for comments guys.

i watched that video on youtube with qbert (or craze or whoever it was) and they're pretty much same/same.. traktor came out on top only because "slow scratching" on serato was a bit laggy, in saying that, turntablism is not for me, my application will be purely beatmixing.

think im gonna go with serato. sucks about the huge pricetag tho!

still deciding about speakers. going to kosmics tomorrow so ill let you guys know what i end up with.

cheers guys

edit. hate to say it but yes, vinyl is dieing out. the digital age has killed it =[
when i think about DJ's and DJing i think of someone behind a pair of turntables and a few crates of vinyl (the way it should be!).. sadly, its not like that anymore. even the art of turntablism has gone digital.. which is very sad.

[sethor]

I use Traktor & love it, but I think it mainly comes down to preference both are pretty much the same. Both have scratch versions which allow you to mix using CDJ's or turntable with a time coded CD/record. Pricing is pretty close $500 http://www.storedj.com.au/products/NI-TRKSPRO vs $719 http://www.storedj.com.au/products/RAN-SERATO (scratch versions). Maybe have a go with each one and see which one you prefer? I currently use Traktor Pro with a Numark Omni Control http://www.storedj.com.au/products/NUM-OMNICONTROL but I am keen to try out the NI Kontrol S4 http://www.storedj.com.au/products/NI-KNTRLS4

If your mainly going to DJ at home invest in some decent studio monitors, PA speakers sound like shit at any volume. If you have a home theater system or some awesome PC speakers like the Logitec Z-5500's use them over a PA speakers at home. Those 8" PA speakers are just a waste of money get some 12" or 15" speakers which will give you some decent low end without a sub. If these parties are not going to be frequent just hire PA speakers when you need them.

[stefan]

Dubplates

[Deke]

i used traktor also and i recon its pretty good, but i switched back to just using cdjs i hate that auto beat match shit and beeing able to see the wave form its not beat machine like its suppose to be, but to be honest why by vynals if your gonna use a program should of just got cdj's , oh and go the studio monitors i recon 8" pa speakers wont be enough even if you decide to take them outa the bedroom.

[sami_]

went to kosmics on saturday and everyone there talked me into buying the portable PA. i went with the 10" instead of the 8". got home, set it all up and pretty happy with it. decent low end and good highs and mids.

also, couldnt wait for the technics headphones (1 week wait from eastern states. dj factory and kosmics had sold out) so i bought a pair sennheisers for $180. awesome headphones!

heres what it all looks like;

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j200/tricksta_2006/IMG_0419.jpg

[stefan]

serato.

if you really plan on using software then use this. im not a fan of mixing software but used this and i'm looking to get it myself for house parties. its the easiest thing i've used. if you're paying that extra 100 / 150 over tracktor for simplicity id do it

[sami_]

traktor is on sale for 299. serato is still 500-600 ffs..

[Rich]

What did the PAs set you back?

[sethor]

traktor is on sale for 299. serato is still 500-600 ffs..

Have you had a play with them? Pretty sure there is a free trial version of Traktor which has limited features & shuts down after 1 hour of continual use(you can restart it). But I don't think you will like it if you don't have a controller or have the scratch version to use thru your CDJ's or turntables.

[sami_]

PA's were $1300

never used traktor

[2LMILK]

i just bought myself
pair denon dns1200
vestax pmc280
tracktor pro scratch with audio 8 sound card interface. this price tag on the software+soundcard are 1299 from dj factory.

I am trying to sync it with win 7 64bit, the software etc is brand new and only just reg in my name 2 days ago.

Also saving to get a pair of KRK 8" monitors, as i already have a 12" active sub