Struis

Hi Vintage,

Wow, now that is a comprehensive answer all right 🙂

1) Read up on the many, many posts on these forums about picking your first controller. In essence it looks something like this:
* Decide on your (intended) workflow
* Pick software that most closely matches that workflow
* Set a budget (really important or you might still end up spending more than you intended)
* Make a shortlist of 2, max. 3 controllers that match your workflow, software and budget
* Get some hands-on time with those controllers
* Take your pick

I have no idea what my workflow will be. I play lots of different music, but my favorite stuff really is dance (progressive mostly) and 80’s. Really don’t know whether it’ll be more than a hobby either. But I’ve been playing with music for so long..
The budget is interesting. Do you start small and simple and see whether you like it, or go for the one you think will fit the best..
So far for small budget I like the DDJ-RB or a second hand DDJ-SR, and for my max budget, something like a XDJ-RX or Denon MCX8000. Being able to play stand alone really does appeal..
And find a store in Drenthe somewhere. Since it’s not farm equipment, that’s going to be a challenge 🙂

2) Get a used unit, Marktplaats is a great place in The Netherlands and you can find almost any controller you like on there. The good news is that people that bought starter controllers usually used them primarily in the privacy of their home and if they decided to continue DJ-ing they would upgrade after a year or so. If the decided they DIDN’T like DJ-ing after all, the thing might sit in a corner for 2 years and then get sold or get sold right away. In all cases you can get a used controller at a real discount. Just be sure you get any software license that it came with. Even if it’s only an LE/Intro version, it’s worth to have.

That’s interesting. I also thought about that. A DDJ-SX or similar is available at far nicer prices 🙂 And I agree, a license can always be a good thing. Even if you don’t use it for too long now..

3) Spend some of your budget on dustcover (Decksaver for example), a good set of headphones (plenty of posts here and reviews on the site), some good furniture to set things up ergonomically (so you do the best you can for shoulders/back) and perhaps a decent set of DJ monitor speakers or small PA speakers. And of course you will be spending some of your budget on buying … tatattaataaa … MUSIC!

Yep, always used dust covers on computers, it helps a lot. Headphones (good ones) probably when I know this is really what I want. For now the Sennheiser HD201 works 🙂 I use an Ikea hight adjustable desk to set up on, and for now, probably my midi set for speakers. But you’re right, the moment I go out to play somewhere, that’s the first thing to look at. Fortunately, with 300+ CD’s, 700+ singles (vinyl mostly), 700+ LP’s and 2.1 TB of music files, that’s not an immediate issue 🙂

4) Get enrolled in the How To Digital DJ Fast course. In about 6 weeks you will be comfortable with whatever software/gear you got and you will be practicing the right things the right way. It’s not a very expensive course and it comes with full money back guarantee. It’s a great way to get to the fun part quickly without too much stress/frustration and without having to spend a lot of time browsing and watching Youtube films, maybe learning things the wrong way only to unlearn it and replace with the right way.

Interesting. I thought about that. Must look into it indeed!

And DanceFair sounds really cool, so Utrecht, here I come! Fun to be back in the city I lived and studied in for years 🙂

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. There are a number of reasons I was thinking about the XDJ-RX:

– It’s a really good standalone
– It will still work with Rekordbox DJ and Virtual DJ (my brother in law uses Virtual DJ and was more enthousiastic about it than Serato DJ, even though stuff like that IS a personal preference of course). So I COULD get the rest of the functions if I need them later on.
– Most of the people I know use Pioneer / Rekordbox. Even though I don’t really want to use that as a good reason.

But.. The MCX8000 is also standalone (and I’m sure Engine will be further developed), has better software (today anyway) and will also run Virtual DJ. And, many people are really enthousiastic about it.

I will probably take Diskjokk’s advice though, and start with a cheap(ish) controller first. See whether I like it, and not prefer CDJ/DJM/SL1200 after all.. Probably a DDJ-RB since it has a full version of Rekordbox DJ delivered with it, and is cheap and cheerful to start out with.

Then again… Buying a XDJ-RX right away, and if I don’t like it after all, sell it for 300 euros less after a year of intense learning, that sounds pretty good as well.

Difficult choices, all this stuff 🙂

Oh, I am a computer geek really. I’ve used huge amounts of software, also on different platforms (MacOS, Amiga, Linux and Windows), and earned my money looking after professional applications at a veterenary faculty at our university. For me, after looking at the different DJ software options, they really are quite similar. So similar in fact, it would probably be quite easy to switch between them really.. That makes the software choice easier 🙂

Oh, perhaps interesting, I’m currently thinking about the Pioneer DDJ-RX, XDJ-RX (as it is a standalone system) and the Denon MCX8000 (since people are very enthousiastic about it). Even though Engine would need some thorough updates to be competitive for me…