Marvin The Martian

I cannot suggest the wide range of controllers, but I can share my experience of using few of them. but I think the main task is to choose a software (there is Recordbox DJ, by the way):

-My first was Traktor Z1 – works great with Traktor Pro 2 and Traktor DJ on iOS. On that time, fully satisfied my need – i used to travel a lot and a compact setup was needed. But the sound quality is mediocre and Z1 works perfectly only with NI software.

-Next one was Pioneer WEGO3 – I would suggest WEGO4 as a entry level contoller, but only for a complete beginners. Sound quality was good, a full support of djay 2 iOS app also a benefit, but, since I was using Traktor Pro 2 at that time, it was not perfect combination for me.

-After there was a combination of Z1 and X1, using Z1 as an audio interface. I think, its a really nice combination to play electronic music – Z1+X1+Traktor Pro 2 were totally fine for me, except the sound quality of Z1 and the fact that there was 2 USB ports taken on my laptop. After some time I’ve started to play at weddings and I understand that NI devices without jog wheels not really suitable for me playing that kind of events.

-Now I have Numark NVII. It works with Serato DJ, changing software for me was not easy and I found Traktor interface better than Serato.
Advantages of NVII:
1) It has screens – you don’t have to staring at your laptop
2) 4 decks
3) touch controls
4) XLR outputs
5) Price is ok for a 4 deck controller with full Serato DJ.

Disadvantages:
1) Works only with Serato DJ – for me its ok, but for someone might be a disadvantage.
2) Library navigation using screens and controller not perfect for me
3) There is 4 decks, but i don’t feel comfortable to use all of them on that controller
4) Don’t like how the fader works…

ASIO can be found on asio4all.com website. I agree with Terry – I have the same controller, bought in November 2016. I’ve used it with my previous Windows laptop with Windows 10 Pro on it and with ASIO installed and it was working good (actually, even better than now with Macbook). When controller was bought, I did all the steps like manual and Numark website recommends to do.

But I’m not sure about upgrading to Win 10 in your case – 4gb of ram may not be enough for Win 10 and Serato DJ.

Also on Numark website you can find Troubleshooting Connection Issues on Windows.

test

I’m facing the same problems in my country. My country have the worst economy in the EU, unpredictable tax system and big demographic crisis – more and more people are leaving the country and this affects to the all kind of business. Its hard to stay afloat for mobile DJ now, cause everyone who have a laptop and a top-40 playlisyt can call himself a DJ and sell himself. I’ve heard from a lot of people, that they don’t need a DJ on their event – the Spotify will do the job or “My friend have a laptop and he will play some music”. More and more people think, that DJs, as an act, as a special person, as an entertainer, is not something special anymore. They just can’t understand the difference between a DJ and a Spotify. I’m talking mostly about weddings, birthdays, corporate events, cause I’m (still) working as a wedding DJ. I can say, that I dont like most of the music that i play. But I understand, that there is no demand for music that i like and want to play =) I will get zero events with that, cause 1) its specific 2)there are few other DJs who play that kind of music for years 3) the market is too small. I can try to educate the crowd, but this will be my next challenge, I think. So, I’m trying to adope my musical taste. After all, its not about me, its about the people who came to dance. If they want to dance to a Justin Bieber – no problem for me, I will play “Sorry” for a 5 times during the night, if they want. As for requests, I still don’t know how to deal with them. The good side of the requests – they sometimes can help to understand the audience. But I’ve had a wedding when a bride sent me a preferred playlist for a wedding and it was full of a “Lean On”-like pop songs (except “Lean On”) and some indie pop-rock. It was a tricky situation, cause the bride was unhappy if I was playing something that is not included in the provided playlist, but the guests were unhappy with the brides playlist. And for both sides it was me who to blame for. =) Still don’t know and learning how to handle that kind of situations. On my last event I’ve faced a real aggression from one guest and I wasn’t polite in the response, which is wrong, I think, cause agression will produce more agression and so on… But I really don’t know how to deal with drunk dude who promisse to kill you if you will not play “that youtube clip with penguin dance song” (wtf???!)

Traktor forces you to beatmatch by ear while playing some old disco and funk =) And you will get it only for 99 Eur =))

Im a Traktor user and have a full NI harware setup, but now Im seriously thinking to try Serato or MixVibes Cross because of flexible beatgrids and Recordbox sync. Just cannot deside which hardware to buy to use with both.