Miguel

Its going to be a bit of a stupid answer, but still an answer:-)

The DDJ SR is a two channel controller (mixer part) so you can mix from one “source” to an other, but it can control all the effects, has loop rolls, slicer, sample etc (You’ll get to know them very quickly) so almost all you can hope for. It is for Serato, but I guess it will be compatible with the Pioneer DJ software too so you can at least try it out for 30 days for free.

Like I said earlier I use and love Traktor. Its in my mind (and I know not all share this thought) easy to use and the Remix decks + the new Stems system are awesome (specially the Remix decks). Serato has their Sample decks, but personally I do not like them, but there are people that do like them so maybe someone who likes to use them could comment.

In both case if you really want to operate and play around with the Remix decks or Serato sample decks its easier with one extra bit: in Traktors case its the F1 and with Serato the DDJ SP1 controller. You do not need them right now, but I can bet a lot of money that you will want them in about one month time:-) it especially true with the Traktor Remix decks.

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/traktor/dj-controllers/traktor-kontrol-f1/
http://www.pioneerdj.com/en/product/controller/ddj-sp1/black/overview

The S4 is four channel controller + you can plug turntables or CDJs to it later if you feel so (that you can not do with the DDJ SR) . Its a really good controller and now that the S5 is out you will probably find the S4 2nd hand for a reasonable price (your budget). Better get the S4 Mk2 then (its the newer version). So just that you understand there is S4 and S4MK2 just like there is S2 and S2Mk2. The MK2 stands for new version. The S2 is a comparable controller with the DDJ SR since it has a two channel mixer. With both controllers you get the full Traktor Pro software. Just to make things a bit unclearer; if you want to use turntables with it you need the Traktor Scratch Pro software which costs a bit but its just an upgrade. For the moment do not worry about that, just get the system you want and start DJing. I promise either way you go you will not go wrong.

You know. Toss a coin and choose:-). I recommend Traktor, but Serato is super cool also its just a bit different in general approach. Between those two controllers DDJ SR and S4Mk2 the later is definitely the winner by far. The Pioneer that is comparable with the S4MK2 is the DDJ SX2.

DJWYLD1 gave a really good description of VDJ. Like I said I now very little about it.

Oh one thing: with the S2 and S4 (MK2s) you can also control the Traktor DJ for IOS so iPhone or iPad and thats really cool. The app costs a few euros and you can shine in parties with just the controller + iPhone + speakers.

Miguel

Well Grant,

you are where I was a few months ago.

I can really relate to your situation; the information “out there” is overwhelming and usually skips the basics so you don’t even understand what you dont understand..:-)

I will try to be as brief as I can:
1. There are three main softwares that you can use for Djing; Traktor, Serato and Virtual DJ. Now there is also Pioneers new Rekordbox (+ few others) that is also a full DJ software and not just a preparation software like it was before. It will probably be very good but they just started with it a few days ago so you dont even have any good reviews about it yet. So for the moment stick to those three first ones…
http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/traktor/dj-software/traktor-pro-2/
https://serato.com/dj
http://www.virtualdj.com/
https://www.rekordbox.com/en/
2. those softwares work with certain hardwares (controllers etc) and the basic rule is that Traktor works best with its own gear, Serato only works with certified hardware (it is mentioned on the gear) and Virtual DJ works with whatever they list on their pages. The controller controlls the software so when you play music you “play it” with that controller. Its that simple:-). You can use Traktor even straight from your laptop, but its easier and more fun with the controller.
3. You can of course map this and that hardware to work with certain softwares but in the beginning its easiest to stick to those rules that I just mentioned…maybe even later too. With your budget its wisest to get a good controller (+software) and then once you learn more start piling up the gear:-)
4. Serato is mainly about classical DJing with very good visuals to look at, Traktor is more producer oriented, because they add Remix decks and Stems to their system (I use Traktor and also have Serato) and Virtual DJs main thing is that you get to use their music collection…to be honest I do not know too much about VDJ, but hopefully someone can explain better.
5. If you buy f.ex Traktors S2/S4 MK2 controllers you get their full DJ software included. Same goes for Serato controllers, but you just need to make sure they come with the full Serato DJ software and not for example Serato DJ intro which you will eventually want to upgrade quite soon. Same goes with Traktor (Traktor Pro software vs Traktor LE2 software). When you buy 2nd hand just make sure the sellers also gives the software serial numbers to you and also lets go of his rights to that software. That is done through the manufacturers webpage.

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/traktor/dj-controllers/
https://serato.com/hardware/all/controllers
http://www.virtualdj.com/
http://www.pioneerdj.com/en/product/controller

6. you need a decent computer (mac is better, but PC works too) and a set of headphones + speakers and your good to go. You can use your computers soundcard (if the controller does not have one) to hear what you play.

So first decide the software Serato/Traktor/VDJ/Pioneer/other
Then look for the controller that comes with the top software
Get your laptop ready and make sure its “as fast as you want it to be”
Get the headphones + almost any speakers (active) and thats it

The rest you will figure out as you start doing it. The manuals in both Serato and Traktor are very good and easy to follow.

DDJT has a very good catalogue about different controllers so pick that up and you’ll know more.

I buy all my music from Beatport, DJ tunes & Itunes. The good thing about buying your music is of course that you support the people that make that music, but also since you need to pay for it you also need to think about it which is a very good thing once you start planning your sets… You will eventually find your own genre and hopefully people will appreciate that once you play live…

Hope this helps a bit.

Happy DJing,

M

ps. of course you can just get two turntables (for vinyl or CDJ) and a 2 channel mixer, but I guess thats not what you are looking for…

Hey LMP,

don’t stress so much about the Stems. They are still work in progress so I suppose within 12months they will start to pick up more and more.

I have two D2s’ and I think they are awesome so I suppose the S8 must be equally cool.

Start experimenting with the Remix decks and take advantage of all the other possibilities the controller offers and you will have lots of fun + its the music that matters after all.

Don’t let the S8 dust any longer:-)

Take care.

M