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Topic: Let the debate begin (or continue). CDJ or midi controller???? - Page: 1

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I listened to this debate over the holiday weekend. I just wanted to get you guys to tell me what you think. For a mobile DJ who does a variety of things like weddings, proms, corporate events, birthday parties, is it better to have a large road ready case with 2 CDJs and a mixer or a simple set up with a midi controller? Let me know what you think and why. BTW the weddings are usually $800 - $1500 depending upon what they want. (uplighting, video, gobo lighting etc.)
 
Posted Mon 09 Jul 12 @ 10:43 am
It's a hard question to answer as it's probably different for everyone. For visual appeal obviously cdj's win hands down but i'm not sure joe average at a private party would really mind either way.

A good quality coffin housing a good mixer and 2 x cdjs will set you back alot more but also hold it's value long into the future whereas midi controllers come and go all the time.

What do you use currently?
 
Hey Icefather,

If you have a controller that also can be used as stand alone mixer, why bother taking the CDJ's. Your laptop will play any CD, can rip on the fly if needed. And with a little creativity you might be able to map some buttons on your midi controller to control your lights.

 
I currently use the coffin with CDJ's.
 
Is it better? Well what do you mean by "better"? And better for who - you or the client?

I personally use a large coffin case with the traditional "two decks and a mixer" layout.

Reasons: The decks are all-in-one self contained players. I don't need a computer. The mixer is a top brand with functions that simply aren't available on USB controllers. I feel more comfortable using this setup as it's more "hands on" and from the client's POV it does actually look like I'm a DJ - my equipment is pro, not just a little plastic box and a laptop, and they can clearly see me "performing" with it.

This last aspect is important for the bar where I DJ. The boss told me the customers like to see the DJ working, and I know from direct experience that the setup does draw attention. They regularly come for a look and/or ask me about it, or even from a distance I can see people talking about it.
 
Good point Groovindj. For most people perception is reality. When people pay $1500 they want to see a lot of things. When I made that point the counter was using a large facade to cover things up!
 
groovindj wrote :
I feel more comfortable using this setup as it's more "hands on" and from the client's POV it does actually look like I'm a DJ - my equipment is pro, not just a little plastic box and a laptop, and they can clearly see me "performing" with it.


As stated this is "Strictly HIS opinion". I look like a DJ with my Laptop and NS6 controller in a Odyssey case. The box is not plastic neither is the controller, and they can see me performing with my setup as well. My stuff is just as professional as the next mobile Dj. Image is part of success with being a DJ. I have had people that couldn't tell beat from beat and if the mixing was perfect, good, or crap that hired me because my setup was nice and I had good equipment.

Now I'm not saying that if you go buy a iDJ from BestBuy or somewhere that it will give the same image. GOOD Professional equipment is seeable to the eye whether or not its CDJ's, Turntables, Professional Controller, etc. People know what high quality stuff looks like whether they know anything about music or not.

As for the debate, it depends on YOU. What do you like and what I like and feel comfortable with is different. If you feel more comfortable with CDJ's then by all means you should have that setup. I know guys that still use turntables/NS7 almost exculsively because its what they grew up with and are most comfortable with.

To me my Laptop is more flexible. My controller is a stand alone mixer and still can use laptop. Like stated above Rip CD's on the fly, NetSearch, Rhapsody, iTunes, and My Library all in one place. Its the best option for ME, but again its opinion.
 
I use CDJ's as well for one simple reason: backup. If I am using a laptop and a midi controller or all-in-one type thing and the computer crashes, I would need a second, identical computer to take it's place with the least amount of down time. With CDJ's and an analog or stand alone mixer, as well as some creative wiring, I have my cdj's running through an external sound card to use the timecode function in VDJ. I also have the cdj's direct wired into the mixer itself. One flip of a switch and I am playing audio from a cd or usb thumbdrive directly through the mixer and out to the PA.

Now granted, with a little grace, both situations could be overcome. That said, flipping a switch and and advancing from the timecode track to a music track takes seconds, vs minutes to swap out an entire pc. The other option would be to have two laptops up and running at the same time. This would mean unplugging the midi controller from the dead laptop to the backup. Again, seconds to make the switch, but extra wear on the backup by having it up and running for the entire gig.

The one thing I DO know for sure is it isn't a matter of IF your laptop will crash, it's a matter of when. It used to be with analog gear, buttons and faders would normally start acting a little goofy before ceasing to function. It didn't always happen, but for the most part a fader got a little static'y or a button got a little sticky. Now with computers, many times when they decide to go kaput, they go kaput.
 
pskeens wrote :
I look like a DJ with my Laptop and NS6 controller in a Odyssey case. The box is not plastic neither is the controller, and they can see me performing with my setup as well. My stuff is just as professional


Well then obviously what I said doesn't apply to you!

You've got a pro end controller, in a flight case. It's a big step up from having a cheap little plastic controller and a laptop on a table.
 
People are still using CDJs??? That's so 2005 lol.
 


i don't use cdj because all my music is on either mackboock pro or iMac
because where i live its so hard to find the kind of music i like (goa/psy trance)
 
Using a CDJ doesnt mean you are playing CD's. Many djs like using them with time codes and they feel comfortable mixing on them because of the size. What ever deck or midi controller makes you feel more comfortable while your mixing, buy it. I like using a bigger setup because i like playing in clubs and i want the same feel in a private party. I do have a Pioneer DDJ S1 and i use it for small easy gigs.
 
If you're the only DJ at a house party and/or venue, and you're not intending to play professionally, then a MIDI controller is fine. I started with a MIDI controller and found it had a number of drawbacks.

1. If you are performing at a night with multiple DJ's, it's highly likely that one or more of those DJ's doesn't play on MIDI and/or laptop. You have to be able to accommodate them. Learning to play on a CDJ setup without your laptop is a valuable skill.

2. Most bars and clubs have their own CDJ's (usually a pair of Pioneers), and so you need to be prepared to be able to rock up and plug your laptop into their equipment. Experience of using CDJs (whether using them as Timecodes or as MIDI controllers) will stand you in good stead in future.

3. What do you do if your laptop (Windows?) fails? CDs provide a crucial backup (even if they're a year or 2 old). A club/bar owner will understand if their own equipment fails, but will be less accepting if your own equipment fails. Especially if you are unable to use their (working) equipment.

Simply put, being able to mix on CDJs (especially Pioneer CDJs) will prepare you for 90% of commercial environments, and you can still continue to use your laptop VirtualDJ setup. Other DJ's will respect your ability to play on a wider range of equipment, and it is easier to adapt to other equipment when you have learned how to do it on CD than if you just learned from your own MIDI controller.

So if you're serious about DJ-ing professionally, get some CDJs that (optionally) provide MIDI controller functions too. It's expensive at first, but worth it in the long run.

For the record, I use a pair of Pioneer CDJ-400's and they have never failed me.
 
I think it all comes down to what you want, portability or wow factor. If a client is paying me a lot of money I always take the bigger gear... CDJs or 1200s depending on my mod. I actually find that playing with 1200s still gets more attention from the crowd but damn those things are heavy so I don't use them as often any more. I only bring out MIDI controllers for small parties, even though I love MIDI controllers and would prefer to use them exclusively for all events. I just want to make sure the client feels like they are getting their money's worth. I also think a CDJ is safer since you can always go from MIDI mode to CD if your computer decides to take a crap on you.

But I also think the higher end MIDI controllers like Numark NS7, NS6, Pioneer DDJ, DN-MC6000 can still give you the pro look but just keep your fingers crossed that your laptop doesn't fail you.
 
MAGAGAR80 wrote :
fingers crossed that your laptop doesn't fail you.


This is why I think there should be more crossover controllers, that are able to function as standalone players (not just the mixer section) if/when the computer is not available.

So many USB controllers are completely useless without a computer - even the really expensive ones.

A few have a pass-through input connection (usually very limited) for an external source, and there are some which have a fairly well endowed mixer section - but very few actually allow you to play back media from the decks without a computer.

Give them an SD card slot, a USB flash drive slot or something that allows them to function without relying 100% on a computer.
 
I Have 2 CDJ\'s and midi controllers in to Flight cases
heavy but compact

I know I use Traktor in this image but I like it better for regular club nights. I use VDJ at smaller parties and for Karaoke but I don't do video.

I can easily go anywhere taking only the flight case with VMS and laptop and still look professional. I got the Radius 3000 because I wanted to have the option to DJ from only CD or USB if I wanted to or laptop dies.

And the CDJ's just have a much nicer feel the a controller
 
I use midi controller with dn MC6000 4500 for all types of events dj mobil
 
dizzyrocks2001 wrote :
People are still using CDJs??? That's so 2005 lol.


+1
 
i have a denon dn-x1600 and 2 dn-s3700's the 1600 is midi/sound card and a normal mixer this IMO is one of the best setups for redundancy
because when not if my laptop screws up i have the CDJ's ready with usb keys and CD's and there is no need to rewire the RCA's a few buttons pushed and and knobs turned and ready to go

i started with a Rmx and still have it for the kit in a bag for house parties i go too
 
Using timecode CDs with CDJs is redundant. There are many CDJ style MIDI controllers that will allow you to still keep the feel of CDJs without the redundancy of timecode CDs and an external sound card. And for all of you who are using CDs as a back up in case your software crashes... there are other forms of backup. I personally keep the line out from my MacBook connected to a spare line on my mixer so if my software crashes (which it never does because I use primarily Serato ITCH these days) then at least I can play all of the music in my collection through iTunes and I don't have to be limited to whatever stuff I've burnt to CD (and I don't have to carry around a wallet of CDs). Plus I have a spare back up MacBook which is identical to my main MacBook. You do realize that timecode CDs were a "workaround" for allowing DJs to play music from a laptop but now timecode CDs aren't necessary anymore with the development of awesome MIDI controllers which are not only mapped one-to-one with your DJ software of choice, but you also have many more features at your fingertips. If you're still using timecode vinyl than you get a pass because nothing replaces the feel of vinyl, but if you're still hooking up an SL1 box to CDJs then you're missing out on the advantages of using MIDI compatible decks... and for what, so you can play CDs?? I haven't used a CD in years!

I should mention that I use Numark V7s and I love them! I get the vinyl feel AND all the features of a MIDI controller as well. But I'm also planning to get a NS6 for smaller gigs where I may not be cutting it up as much and don't necessarily need the vinyl feel. CDJs in my opinion are archaic and not necessary in this day and age.
 
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