DJ USB Midi Controller
Discussion
Hi, was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a USB MIDI controller for a bedroom DJ.
I've transferred all my vinyl to MP3 and will be no doubt putting the 1210's in the attic.
I've read a few reviews and the Numark Mixtrack Pro seems to get decent reviews, I'm not wanting a top of the range unit, just something middle half decent (£150/£200) as its more of a hobby.
Cheers
I've transferred all my vinyl to MP3 and will be no doubt putting the 1210's in the attic.
I've read a few reviews and the Numark Mixtrack Pro seems to get decent reviews, I'm not wanting a top of the range unit, just something middle half decent (£150/£200) as its more of a hobby.
Cheers
Basically, you get some specials records and hook your decks up to the computer. The records play a coded signal which software on your computer reads and picks up on any changes to speed etc and maps that to the digital file you're playing.
Essentially you DJ as normal except you select the song on the computer rather then actually replacing the record on the turntable.
Some generic info on the wiki page and some of the software that supports it here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_emulation_softw...
Essentially you DJ as normal except you select the song on the computer rather then actually replacing the record on the turntable.
Some generic info on the wiki page and some of the software that supports it here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_emulation_softw...
The mix track gets good reviews everywhere. Have a look at digitaldjtips.com and look around the forum. Also try mucking around with virtual do home edition before taking the plunge, you can get a cheap (£10) USB sound card and outpu the headphone through the laptop and amp from the sound card. I just bought a mid range controller but it turned up without software so I had to hook up two laptops through an old mixer I had. Worked out really well and I could have four tracks mixing at once (sounded s
t though). I'm sending the mid range controller back and getting a mix track pro now. Mixing digitally is much easier however, you can do so much more so there are lots of new challenges.
t though). I'm sending the mid range controller back and getting a mix track pro now. Mixing digitally is much easier however, you can do so much more so there are lots of new challenges.You cant beat Numark stuff and as you've mentioned the Mixtrack is a good bit of kit, however you haven't mentioned what software you want to use the controller with. Three main choices, Traktor, Serato Itch or Virtual DJ. Beware Traktor and Serato need quite a meaty PC/laptop with a quick hard disk to run freely.
Thanks folks, I'd probably be using Virtual DJ or FutureDecks Pro having got these two programs on my PC already.
It's more of a hobby really so doesn't need to be what the pros use, been mixing for around 15 years on the 1210's but got to move with the times, Edging towards the mixtrack pro now.
The timecoded vinyl looks good but the space I can save by loosing the 1210's and mixer will be good.They're probably past their best too.
It's more of a hobby really so doesn't need to be what the pros use, been mixing for around 15 years on the 1210's but got to move with the times, Edging towards the mixtrack pro now.
The timecoded vinyl looks good but the space I can save by loosing the 1210's and mixer will be good.They're probably past their best too.
OP - This is about the only thread on PH i'm qualified to talk about as i play out most weekends in bars / clubs - i'm playing anything from Dubstep to a bit of Motown & Funk!
I can't really scratch but my mixing is pretty good!
I started using a pair of 1210's & Vinyls.
This evolved 3/4 years back to this: http://www.rane.com/scratch.html essentially, it's a box, you plug your turntables into, you plug it into your mixer & your laptop & you can play your MP3's through it via a specail time encoded vinyl. For me it's still the best thing yet.
I've stepped it up a touch & deciced to use add this to my arsenal for FX & a bit of light sample dropping: http://www.djkit.com/denon/denon-dnhc1000s.html
If you want to go the CD route, these are the latest bad ass things out! - I've never gotten on with CD'S & use them very much as a last resort: http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/products/44/106/462/CDJ-2...
I have however just puchased one of these: http://www.dv247.com/dj-equipment/numark-ns6-dj-co...
If i'm in a club environment i'm still guna be hitting up the 1210's my Denon & Scratch live, i just love the feel of vinyl & you'd be surprised how many people come up & say how nice it is to see people still using turntables.
If i'm playing out in the bar i'll be using the Numark Ns6 though, space is a premium & the equipmen is pants down there, so i'll just bring my own!
I can't really scratch but my mixing is pretty good!
I started using a pair of 1210's & Vinyls.
This evolved 3/4 years back to this: http://www.rane.com/scratch.html essentially, it's a box, you plug your turntables into, you plug it into your mixer & your laptop & you can play your MP3's through it via a specail time encoded vinyl. For me it's still the best thing yet.
I've stepped it up a touch & deciced to use add this to my arsenal for FX & a bit of light sample dropping: http://www.djkit.com/denon/denon-dnhc1000s.html
If you want to go the CD route, these are the latest bad ass things out! - I've never gotten on with CD'S & use them very much as a last resort: http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/products/44/106/462/CDJ-2...
I have however just puchased one of these: http://www.dv247.com/dj-equipment/numark-ns6-dj-co...
If i'm in a club environment i'm still guna be hitting up the 1210's my Denon & Scratch live, i just love the feel of vinyl & you'd be surprised how many people come up & say how nice it is to see people still using turntables.
If i'm playing out in the bar i'll be using the Numark Ns6 though, space is a premium & the equipmen is pants down there, so i'll just bring my own!
If you have Serato and turntables you can't go wrong. Buying some Technics all those years ago and then an SL1 box many years later were two of my best spends/decisions musically. I can't praise Rane/Serato highly enough. They don't have all the bells and whistles of say Traktor but for reliability nothing beats it IMHO.
Appologies if I'm a bit late to the party...
I was in exactly the same position a couple of years ago- having vinyl & cd decks I fancied trying one of the Midi USB controllers due to the decreased space they take up.
I wanted to try one of the more budget ones as I wasn't sure if I'd really gel with it so picked up one of the Behringer BCD3000 with Traktor LE included for a smidge over £100.
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/BCD3000.aspx
I have to say it's been absolutely fantastic for the price and has definately sold me on mp3 DJ-ing. A bonus for me is that it also has two external RCA inputs & a grounding point to hook up cd/vinyl decks into the built in mixer (with channel switches to select between them).
It has a lot of features for a budget unit (loop functions, multiple cues, sound effects, full EQ's/kill switches) so if your not looking to spend much it could well be worth a look.
A friend of mine also uses one running Virtual DJ (instead of Traktor) with a Midi keyboard etc and loves it.
Saying that, in the time it's been out there are now loads of options at pretty much any price point so budget will likely be the deciding factor!
I was in exactly the same position a couple of years ago- having vinyl & cd decks I fancied trying one of the Midi USB controllers due to the decreased space they take up.
I wanted to try one of the more budget ones as I wasn't sure if I'd really gel with it so picked up one of the Behringer BCD3000 with Traktor LE included for a smidge over £100.
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/BCD3000.aspx
I have to say it's been absolutely fantastic for the price and has definately sold me on mp3 DJ-ing. A bonus for me is that it also has two external RCA inputs & a grounding point to hook up cd/vinyl decks into the built in mixer (with channel switches to select between them).
It has a lot of features for a budget unit (loop functions, multiple cues, sound effects, full EQ's/kill switches) so if your not looking to spend much it could well be worth a look.
A friend of mine also uses one running Virtual DJ (instead of Traktor) with a Midi keyboard etc and loves it.
Saying that, in the time it's been out there are now loads of options at pretty much any price point so budget will likely be the deciding factor!
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