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Interesting topic.
I can say that i am an active user of iPad mini 2+djay 2 app+Pioneer Wego3. i am using this setup since Wego3 was released, before that I was using iPad mini 2+djay 2 app or Traktor DJ app+Traktor kontrol Z1. But! I must mention that the music and the events where i was using this setup, not always required active mixing or remixing. Sometimes there were an events where the mixing was required and I must say that using iPad+djay 2 app+Wego3 for basic mixing (or even with some effects) is very comfy. I am still using this setup (with Wego3) and I think its great option if: 1) you dont have to play all night long; 2) you do not do remixes on the fly; 3) event is a one-or-two-genre-event.
The disadvantages (IMHO):
1) The costs. iPad cost some money, djay app cost some money, controller will cost some money.
2) Storage is limited. I have a 32gb device, its quite enough for me. But i`m thinking about 128gb option.
3) If youre not using itunes, you will have to start. MediaMonkey Gold is another option, but sometimes djay app cant read the track, uploaded by MediaMonkey. Thats because the file name. Need to keep that in mind using MediaMonkey.
I cannot tell anything about using Android tablets or Windows tablets.

And interesting thoughts about Traktor DJ and variable beat tracks…i am using Traktor Dj with a laptop and i thought that if you using a dj software, you will have to deal with live drums by your ears =) Dj Vintage, is there any examples (video tutorials or maybe articles) that Cross DJ from Mixvibes is doing better with live drums that Traktor?

-IN-
A DJ mixer (right now a DDJ-WEGO3) = 2 channels (line/stereo)
A microphone or two (one is a condenser) = 2 channels (mic preamp)
A guitar or another instrument = 1 channel (instrument in)
A computer = USB or 2 channels (line/stereo)
A phone (Android, OnePlus 2) = 2 channels (line/stereo)

Grand total of 7-9 channels. Rules out the AG06, MIX5, MIX8, 402 and the Vestax, well it’s more of a videomixer than it is an audio mixer and the company is bust. So not a good choice,

-OUT-
Monitors (assuming stereo) = 2 output buses (AUX?)
A recorder (M-AUDIO Microtrack 24/96) = 2 output buses PRE-MASTER!
PA = 2 output buses
Computer (USB) – really no sense using anything else here
Headset = headphones = phone output, pretty much standard on any mixer

This still leaves 4 output buses + record out stereo. And that is a big issue. It’s really uncommon to find even one aux bus on a small channel mixer and you’d need at least 2 (stereo) just to hook up the monitors. Also it’s very unpractical because you would have to set levels for each aux channel seperately. There are some units that will combine booth out with headphones. All in all you have quite a lot of demands for the range of mixers you are looking at.

You can consider one of the newer digital mixers, but they will clearly be in a different price bracket. I have a Mackie DL1608 which offers 16 input channels (all identical, thus preamps) and 8 output channels. All those channels can be configured to your needs. You can manage it with an iPad that you can even make wireless.

The AG-series by Yamaha is really ment to be a desktop unit to use in close cooperation with your computer (it;s branded as a webcast mixer). While it comes somewhat close(ish) to what you want there are some drawbacks. With so many different sources I would suggest looking at something a bit bigger. Something like the USB version of the MG10 or the likes. Plenty of inputs, monitor output (shared with headphones so one volume control for both – if the headphones plugged in don’t disable the monitor speakers), drawback though … no recording output.

In short, it’s a hard choice that also highly depends on the amount of money you want to spend. If you are willing to record on a laptop, a USB mixer is probably a good choice as it let’s you play from your computer without sacrificing input channels and it let’s you record stuff without a record out on your table. Most usb-mixer will allow you to at least record the master bus signal, pre-fader.

Hope that helps some

Which is no wonder (400-series for a low price) as they go back to 2007 or so LOL.

As for controllers for iPad, I personally don’t like the WeGo because of the layout that is far from “regular” layouts. I am sure you can get used to it, but switching to other platforms will most likely have you looking for the right buttons. Just me of course.

I have had the iDJ Pro (Numark) which still has the best physical iPad integration around I think, the iPad slots into the actual controller. Bar the lack of a channel fader (rotary knob instead) it has everything and more and the iPad sits firmly and safely inside.

My money currently would be on the BeatPad 2, works both as midi controller and with iPad, has all the knobs and buttons you’d expect. Things like good and pretty big jog wheels, filter buttons, gain buttons and 8 performance pads per channel and long tempo sliders make that this controller will be with you way past starting level and well into playing out.

I would take a look at either the wego 3 with the Ipad running Djay 2, or the Pioneer DDJ SB2 with a laptop running Serato DJ, you can get a decent laptop on ebay that will run Serato for under £200.

Or if you want to ditch the laptop and go the CDJ route, then the CDJ 400 & DJM 400 are worth a look.

I’ve seen this package go for £400-£450 on ebay.

Or you could go for the all in one XDJ RX which is going for £400 on ebay…

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XDJ-R1-Pioneer-Controller-/111969728503?hash=item1a11ea77f7:g:uxsAAOSwzvlW8-Ca

I would highly recommend sticking to a laptop. If you are in college you can get one for school and mixing. If you really want to avoid the laptop, definitely get an iPad like DJ Vintage suggested. I’ve done both but find it way easier to use a laptop. I’m spoiled and can choose from a few combinations of rigs, unlike you (though I’d trade being a poor college kid for a middleclass 40-year-old on most days). I had a wego3 and liked it. I used it with a laptop and with my iOS devices and it sounded great. I think the Beatpad2 is a wego3 on steroids so I’d grab that. Problem is, once you have one of those controllers, and an iPad, you’ve spent $1000-$1200.

Do you get sound out of the headphones plugged into the Wego? That’ll tell you if there’s a problem with the sound card in the controller.

And do you have anything else you can try plugging into the speakers to test them?

Try and isolate exactly where the problem is: laptop / controller output / speakers and that’ll make your fault finding easier!

And you have updated your version of Serato right? I think the newer versions play nicely with El Capitan now, but older versions did NOT. I’m still holding off on the upgrade myself 🙂

Hi Magnus, welcome to the forums.

I moved your post here, because it was more of a DJ Gear question than it was an introduction.

While I understand your motivation to have spotify integration in your DJ Software. Truth be told is that DJ Pro only runs on Mac (so unless you have one that will last for a while, that is an expensive extra piece of gear) and it is “young” software. People I have talked to do comment that is has potential, but is definitely not there yet.

DJay 2 and DJay Pro on iPad are more solid, especially DJay 2 which has been around for quite a while. Both with spotify integration and running on iPad (duh).

If you want to use a non-iPad ready controller, you’ll be looking at a Camera Connection Kit, maybe some mapping issues and powering the iPad while playing might be an issue.

Going with iPad, there are controllers like the iDJ Pro (getting a bit old but a great iPad integration), BeatPad 2 or WeGo3 (be aware this has a rather different lay-out). The latter two can be used as controllers for PC as well.

I don’t share the popular opinion that Pioneer is the best around. They make good products, some better than others and their budget line isn’t any better than some of the other brands. Denon’s MC2000 to name one is at the same quality level, imho.

However, buying a new controller is about your workflow and shouldn’t be down to money. Money is important, so you have to buy within your budget. But only after you determined your (desired) workflow. That will lead to the software that will fit your workflow most closely. Then you set your budget and finally you end up with a shortlist of 2 or 3 controllers that fit your workflow, your software of choice and your budget.

I would seriously advise against using an S2 for anything but a Traktor environment. Use it with other software (including DJay Pro) at your own risk :-).

My only gripe with the Mixtrack Pro 3 is that there is a lot of empty space, i.e. bigger than it needs to be. Otherwise a solid starter controller.
Nothing wrong with the SB2 either. Solid performer.
The Reloop Beatmix 2 should be on your list to consider too.
Depending on how important performance pads are to you (workflow!), the MC2000 is also a must consider, imho.