Hi everyone, Great site and some nice discussions going on in the forums, which is why I decided to sign up and get involved! I really like deep house music and would finally like to get involved in the more practical side of DJing. I have never DJ'd before, but am very, very close to getting a Denon DN MC6000 - getting used to that and then getting a pair of Turntables once I know the ins and outs (I've had a go on a few of my friends' controllers, by the way) The reason why I like this controller is that it can function as a standalone mixer. This is important to me because while I don't mind buying new deep house tracks on beatport, 90s Chicago house (which I love) is a kind of music I wouldn't really like to download and I would like to have the original vinyls for. The problem is, that you need an Audio Interface if you want to use Traktor Scratch, and that costs so much money. I was thinking that ideally, the FINAL setup would involve a controller which can be used with Traktor Scratch, but which also can double up as a standalone mixer for real vinyl. Does such a controller exist? One which doesn't need an Audio Interface (e.g. the S4) but one which can function as a complete, standalone analogue mixer? (like the MC6000. The S4 can't do this). Am I better off getting a standard mixer, (not a controller), and just using that for Traktor Scratch for the newer tunes, and the original vinyls for the older ones? In that case, what about effects/loops etc - I don't know standalone mixer which can do these things... Sorry for the essay, and many thanks in advance! Peace
Look at the mixers. I believe some of them can also be used as the sound interface. http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=traktorready&L=1 Look for the ones that say "TRAKTOR SCRATCH CERTIFIED". All you have to do then is seek out the timecode.
Thank you D-Jam and Vinny Blanc for your quick responses and suggestions. I didn't know there was a list of mixers that are Scratch certified (or even that Scratch certified means you don't need an Audio Interface) After looking at the link, I have decided that the Denon X1600 ticks absolutely every box. It's sturdy, it (obviously) functions as an analogue mixer, and doesn't need an Audio Interface for use with Traktor Scratch. The only other option is the Allen and Heath Xone 4D but that price is just ridiculous! I can get the Denon from America for £600 ($1000), which is cheaper than the price of an S4 here in England and much, much cheaper than the A+H. I wonder what the stance is on whether a first set up should be so advanced... Although the X1600 is expensive, it is fantastic value for money given how bloody flexible it is... Does its mapping "fit" well to Traktor though?
The question really comes down to if you need to use timecode. I personally see it now as a luxury. I mean, you have to shell out $500-$1000 for two turntables, more for the needles, and you have to buy the timecode. A $500-$1000 midi control can give you more bang for your buck. The Denon midi controller IMHO is all you need. I know many love the "mystique" of the DJ on turntables, but more and more I am seeing that sentiment fall into just DJs...as crowds really more see laptops and controllers are the norm. Plus I'm personally a big fan of simple and easy. You show up with your laptop and control, play, and leave. No having to deal with resident DJs who frown on you unhooking their setups to put yours in. Plus you're also then not a slave to the venue's gear. One huge reason I got off vinyl was simply because every venue I walked into, the turntables were broken or having problems due to poor maintenance and abuse. I personally think you should just go midi, learn the ropes, then if you're making money and decide you want to go timecode, go for it. Even then though I'd tell you to spend the money on a very high end controller like the S4. You should buy according to your usage needs. Forget about appearances and image.
I can speak to both options you are looking at... I use an MC6000 for most of my shows and *love* the unit, but I wanted something a little more flexible for my studio, so I got an X1600 and two SC2000s. It gives me the same workflow that I love on my 6000, but with a full featured (and absolutely beautiful sounding) mixer that I can hook my old CD decks, turntables, Ableton controller, or pretty much anything else I could come up with to... It’s also given me some unexpected flexibility as I can now just bring one or two of the SC2000’s if I’m working somewhere with a cramped booth but a solid mixer. All of that said, I agree with D-Jam, turntables are a giant pain in the ass - I haven’t had mine set up in over 5 years now. So really think through what you will want and need and then start shopping based on that. Good luck!
Only time I'm hooking up my 12's nowadays is to convert vinyl to digital. I love even how I have my desk back at home instead of it being taken up with gear all the time.
Just curious but Why invest in the 1600 when you can use the 2000 with the 6000 (this was my set up up until this past week when I order the ns6) total control 4 decks with 4 line fader + individual fx for each deck
I wanted a flexible setup with a full featured mixer for my studio. The mixer on the 6000 works well, but it is very basic – no extras at all. The 1600 on the other hand – packed full.
