Peter Lindqvist

Thanks for sharing. I’m pretty much set as a DJ and have my gigs, and have had for many years, but recently I participated in the BURN contest. Just for fun, because I’m probably at least 15 years too old to get a chance to compete in the rest of this competition. I ended up getting quite a lot of votes, more than a couple of the national finalists, which of course gave me a boost and that’s not all. The competition took place on MixCloud (Normally a bad place to get your music heard unless you’re already known to the public), and this competition gave me more followers in a few weeks than I’ve gotten in several years. Still now, several weeks later, I get new followers more than I ever did before.

The exposure in competitions is more than i ever expected. I joined because I could play the kind of house music I love but rarely get to play in public gigs. The rest is just a bonus. I’d recommend any DJ out there that think you’ve got what it takes, but hasn’t got a break yet, to join as many competitions as possible. It’s fun and you make more connections with other serious DJ’s than you can do anywhere else. Worst case scenario is you ending up with a couple of hundreds of new followers. That’s not too bad, is it 😉 .

Here we go again… I’m using the digital stand-alone option since ever, which for now is the NXS2 setup. I live in Sweden so there be some differences to how things work in other countries.

IF you have bunch of CD’s still waiting to be played (who hasn’t) I recommend getting them ripped as fast as you can for use with Rekordbox. A couple of weekends work should get you what you need the most from your collection of CD’s.

Then go for the XDJ-1000Mk2’s if you are on a limited budget. They have all the bells and whistles as the NXS2’s minus a few buttons. If you’re into some fancy button-playing you can add the DDJ-SP1 to get the physical hot cue buttons. If you are sure you will need to play CD’s, go for a couple of used CDJ-800Mk2’s and use the alongside your XDJs.

The CDJ-800Mk2’s sell for £100-£200 for the pair in Sweden in good used condition. Can’t be much more anywhere else. You don’t need to worry about not knowing your gear when you get in to the Pio echo system. Once you’re into these players you can use them all. The learning curve to go from one to another is extremely short if any.

I wouldn’t go for any other player than the CDJ-2000Nexus/NXS2 or the XDJ-series. 1. These all have the the same basic functions like Hot Cues, Small & Big moving wave form, Accept almost any number of tracks on media (The 850 does not) and have the power to use them. Even the 2000Nexus is slower than any XDJ in this case, and this is one of the reasons I need to bring my own gear when there’s older gear in place. I use external SSD’s with 10 000 tracks on each well sorted in about 100 folders exported from Rekordbox. I can use them on the original 2000’s but I will get an occasional ”WAIT” when I change folder/playlist. In the newer models everything is instant.

Last but also important to get in the picture. All the Pioneer gear recommended above is fully compatible with the latest software and can be used to control Rekorbox DJ and also Serato and Traktor if that is a choice you will want to make later.

Mr Vintage, I love your insight, but lately you’ve been very contradictory in what you say. Either you go for many options and love software above all and everything and get a controller to use with it. This means that you beside the controller will have to buy a pro laptop that will easily match the price of 1 or maybe even 2 CDJ-2000NXS2. This if you want to have any reliability close to the CDJ’s/XDJ’s. We’re talking new gear so just check what the latest MBP with a 1-2 TB hdd will cost you. Even a 3-5 year old used one will cost you a good 1000 quid.

Or, now the contradiction Mr Vintage. When i pointed out that in comparison to the XDJ-RX, the MCX-8000 only has 3 pretty simple effects to use in stand-alone mode, you said it wasn’t important, because most people don’t need or use more anyway…
Please, I’m not the only one reading your comments, so go for one or the other. I personally only use half of options given on my NXS2 setup, but I know them all, in detail. Perhaps time to actually point out what software actually do more and preferably useful stuff. If you don’t get the latest top notch controllers, you can’t use the latest functions in the software, so what are the sacrifices when you go for a less professional controller. These thing are not often talked about and I think it’s very important. The option to go with other stand-alone gear should also be considered. Like the Denons 3700/3900/2900 and their x1500 which you buy for £5-600, 2 players+mixer, here in Sweden. Very nice starter kit and completely digital if that’s what you want later or alongside in case you want to use CD’s.

Todd Oddity, I may not have the knowledge to express myself clearly in English, but i suspect you wouldn’t prefer I used Swedish. I clearly think it’s a great new player Denon has come out with, but for me, it’s not revolutionary and I have checked the specs and pretty much every article written and every review made online. But I have obviously not used it and I’m looking forward to do that in the near future. I also know every ins and out of the Pioneer NXS2 system. If you found the CDJ-100S in a club, someone obviously didn’t read what the purpose of that player was. Definitely not club environment, but bedroom Dj’s, for which they were fine. Pro gear is called pro gear for a reason. The dual Denons were all Pro gear according to Denon themselves and that’s why I only compare them to Pios alternative Pro series. I agree totally with your opinion about the CDJ-100s, and would never have used it in a public event. Same goes for the CDJ-200 and the CDJ-400. The entry level now is the XDJ-700 but if there’s room enough I’d never go below the XDJ-1000Mk2 which has taken the CDJ-850’s place…

Summary, I didn’t intend to downplay the new SC5000. I’ve made enough eyeopeners for it in several forums. But, as it is not out for us normal people yet, I will not rise it to the skys’ until I have had the chance to test it properly myself. What I value the most is always usability, reliability and durability. I was afraid the’yd put the pads on the 2000NXS2 as the started with the CDJ-RX, and I was very happy they didn’t. I don’t like cramped surfaces where I may accidentally trigger something by mistake. In my opinion. it’s better to get that function with proper sized pads on a unit like the DDJ-SP1. I know I have all that with my Pio gear. You are very welcome to point out the features you think I must have missed or what you think is the revolutionary about them. I could very well have missed something important or misinterpreted any description that would make me go WOW if I got it. I still wait for something done with the new Denons that impress me in a live working situation.

Hey! If it’s a choice strictly between the two, it’s up to you what features you can live without. Feature wise, the XDJ-700 besides that it’s smaller, is comparable with the CDJ-2000 Nexus, and the XDJ-1000Mk2 with the CDJ-2000NXS2. The 700 also lacks the Jog center info display. Other physical attributes that are pros on the 1000Mk2, is digital output and compatibility with the DDJ-SP1 in hardware mode, which means you get the pads to use for all the 8 hot cues. Even more use if you choose to use the DDJ-SP1 in RB DJ mode.

I don’t agree with the statement that the XDJ’s won’t be in the clubs. The large clubs will always go for the top-of-the-line, but I’ve already seen the XDJ’s in smaller clubs ‘n’ pubs. According to rental companies they prefer the XDJ-series because of less buttons. It’s always the buttons that ends up needing replacement that now are on the touchscreen instead, except for the Cue/Play.

Club standard! Yeah… As stated it’s more and more common that you need, or at least can, bring your own gear to the club but make sure you get paid to do that. If they have usable gear you can’t really charge to bring your own gear, but if they have nothing you need to get paid to bring your own. Once you bring it for free, you’ll never get paid for it. Pioneer IS the standard and as they last 4-5 years even in a harsh club environment, don’t expect Denon to become the new standard how ever good they are. Unless you are a mobile DJ who always bring your own equipment, you will want to have what’s in the majority of the clubs. The big name DJ’s who’s ”changed their rider” have been paid to do so and, it’s in the title, rider. When you can send a rider to the clubs you play in, you’ve made it and don’t need to buy anything anyway.

What Denon don’t have, is entry level hardware for people to start and grow within as the needs go up or down. I have both the CDJ-2000 Nexus’s and the CDJ-2000NXS2’s and don’t use everything they can do. I wouldn’t use anything more on the new Denons really, so there’s no reason for me to change, even if I were to bring them to every gig, which I don’t. In 4 years when I’ll be looking for my next replacement gear, I’ll know if it’s gonna be a change for a new brand. That’s when I know if the durability and reliability are on par with the Pioneer DJ’s pro gear. Which ever gear you choose it will be fully compatible with digital DJ:ing and in most cases you will also get the licenses to at least one software for you to use out of the box.

Ok, if you’re a full setup of DJ’s playing, it’s important that everyone understand that you’re all part of something bigger. When there’s a main act that may be the reason people buy the tickets in the first place, it’s important that everyone knows what part of the puzzle they are. The earlier you go, the more minimalistic it will be. It’s good if your slots fits your style so that you can play the best tracks you have and know. Different house sub genres has different energy and rhythmic’s, and it’s important that you work together to get things accelerating towards the main act.

Someone who really love Minimal or Ambient house won’t mind taking an early spot. Even if the people are still lining up to get in, that’s when their music will shine and create that first excitement with the early crowd. The rest of you will have to talk about your sets to figure out the best way to play your slot. If you’re in contact with each other, have a meeting as early as possible, online if not possible otherwise, to have enough time to prepare your sets.

B.t.w, make sure you have a backup of your music, whether it’s a laptop or USB stick, and prepare a couple of more sets outside your own. If any of the other DJ’s can’t make it or anything happens and they don’t have a backup, you could very well be asked to play another slot, or extend your own, if you’re prepared 🙂 .

Good luck and make sure you have fun 🙂 .

Hey! Some clearings about different brands because the answers you got from your friends are typical. Besides being a DJ for many years, I’ve worked with computers in +20 years. I’m not that experienced with the use of DJ software yet, but there’s no different using DJ software than any other software like CAD, Games or any production software that will put stress on your computer. Some important stuff to know and consider:

1. Every brand has models that are/were shit. Usually some common problems are the same in every model that use the any third party hardware that’s of bad quality. All brands use the same CPU’s (AMD, Intel), Graphics (AMD, Nvidia, built-in-cpu), HDD’s (Many brands, very few controller manufacturers), the same goes for memory chipsets etc.. this hardware are nowadays the same for Apple computers, but they tend to stick to the higher spec’d parts. When sometimes a third party chipset doesn’t meet the set requirements, all brands suffer from it in all their models using it.

2. Always add 50% to the recommended specs. Updates and upgraded software tend to require more resources. It’s the only way to ensure that you can use your laptop for 5-6 years hassel free.

3. Dedicated use. Stick to using the new computer for one purpose. As soon the computer is used for more, you’re getting closer to a failure that’s avoidable and unnecessary.

4. Keep your system clean from rubbish. Get some good software, like Ccleaner, and use on regular basis.

5. Use Antivirus and Malware protection but make sure you can turn them off when you’re performing.

6. Optimize your system. Windows has a monumental number of programs and processes started automatically with your boot up and login. Close as many as you can and stop them from autostart. Get help if you’re not familiar with this or it could go quite wrong. At least, don’t do this in a hurry. It’s a bit of a trial and error because every user has different needs.

7. This is a very important part if you use Windows 10. Close down windows update!!!! To do this you will also have to close down the Windows update service and doing that make sure it doesn’t restart when it’s closed down. or it will start again. With Windows 10, Microsoft has taken control over the update process in a absolutely stupid way.

The update service will install updates in the background and by default restart your computer to finish installing them. There used to be a postpone choice, but know you’ll get a 5 min. warning and a countdown. The worst part is that you don’t know how long the restart will be. It could be as long as 45 min with several restarts. This happened to me with a computer running a software controller for steering the lights not long ago. The whole club went completely black for more than 20 minutes and I got the ”Windows Update is completing… Don’t close your computer…) screen. GAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

Another way to avoid this to happen is to close down all your network connections, which is recommended anyway. Problem is that sometimes the Windows update service will spin out of control and will draw 50% of your CPU’s capacity doing so.

In return for doing this, you’ll have a system running flawless for years. B.t.w, everything DJ Vintage said I agree with too. Good luck!

Yes and no! You can’t use it straight away, then nothing will show up on the 2000’s and vice versa. You will have to put USB back in to the computer. Fire up Rekordbox and choose the CDJ’s in the settings. Then you just ”eject” again. It’s during the eject that the library writes to the USB and then you can use it on the 2000’s.

I’d recommend that you keep 2 sets of 2 USB’s if you want to avoid ”messy”. Update them 2 at a time, not all at the same time. If anything goes wrong, believe me when I say it will happen sooner or later, you’ll be very happy to have 2 USB’s you know works, even if you won’t get to play the last tracks you put into Rekordbox.

And yes, 2 of them. If you enter the club, load your 1 USB and discover that someone ”borrowed” the lan cable or if it’s gotten broken, you’r f****d. Even if it’s not your fault, in most cases you’re expected to have the gig under control as long as you have 2 working players. Any excuses why you don’t, won’t do you any good.

Use only good quality high speed USB’s and updating them will only be a few minutes every time. If you’re on your way in to the clubs, this is how you need to prepare, at least. If you have descent laptop with Rekordbox, you can always bring that for either running Rekordbox just to deliver the tracks or in performance mode to control a CDJ-2000/DJM-900Nxs or NXS2 setup.

🙂 As i said, we will have to disagree on this one. Yes, I’m a total nerd and a tech freak when it comes to DJ gear. I definitely prepare my music more than most of my colleagues. Not so much each set, but that’s because i have the 13000 tracks I use, extremely well organized, and keep reorganizing to suite the needs I have for the moment. Sounds a lot? Well, I do everything from Rockabilly, Soul/Funk/disco and Top 40’s to EDM and House events, seldom shorter than 4 hours. I also work for Dj companies on very short notice where I often don’t know what to expect until I arrive 🙂 . Keeps it exiting and fun. Benefit after doing it for a long time.

This weekend I decided to bring my digital collection of low beat up a notch, after being asked if I’m interested in playing just that in a new club once ‘n’ a while. Sure, why not, played a lot of that 99-2007. As a member of Pioneer’s CD Pool I got the Street Beat among others for many years, besides buying a lot of singles. I found 4 CD-singles that I wanted to rip and it shouldn’t have taken more than a few minutes. It took me an hour and a half! Why? They contained videos besides the music and apparently that’s not liked by ripping programs at all. To rip these four singles I ended up using 2 computers and three different programs. In my new computer with Windows 10, many of my older Music programs doesn’t work so I use I-tunes, which usually works perfect.

Not this time. Computer hang and a complete restart required. I fired up my second work computer and booted in to Windows XP where I have my all time favorite program for ripping CD’s, Musicmatch Jukebox Plus. First two CD’s went well, but then the other two took ages and the result was full of errors and artifacts. Back to i-Tunes, and the third CD got through, but not the last one. Now, this is almost brand new CD’s, clean and no dust or finger prints. Back to XP and fired up an even older work horse, Audiograbber, and finally, all 4 CD’s ripped and ready to play. The singles were: Sean Paul – Temperature, Luniz – I got 5 on it, FloRida – Low and IYAZ – Replay.

I work with computers and have several with dual OS’s. Still have access to most of my programs since +20 years and the hardware is rather updated. To me it’s not a question about finding the programs I need. They are all there for me to use, but this took forever anyway. If i had 4-500 singles to rip and this was the start of it, I’d probably stop right there and then. I know this certainly is an extrem situation but still not unusual. Hope someone at least got some tips and knowledge out of this and don’t give up too soon if problem occurs. Most CD’s are possible to rip, even well used ones, unless they’re broken.