crem brule

Here’s a link to Carl Coxs latest set for DJsounds, its done split screen with an overhead cam on the decks and mixer, really good to see how Mr Cox works up close. Should provide some ideas but probably more inspiration/

Good selection is the most important thing.

All other factors/skills follow selection. If you play the wrong tunes for the environment/crowd or you choices don’t flow due to key,tempo, energy etc you can forget all the scratches and tricks as they wont help you hold a dance floor

DJ Vintage I am pretty sure I did not need to create an aggregate device on my MBP for my cdj 900s , as I use a DJM 850 (which is what the OP says is available) it acts as the sound card not the CDJs so why aggregate their soundcards?, the players are just control devices.

As the sound is being routed through the DJM850 the output from the Traktor decks are assigned to the mixer channels via Pioneer Setup Utility and within Traktors input/ouput routings.

As the OP mentioned CDJ 2000s not just 850s there are two slightly different methods as far as I can see. The 2000s are advanced HIDs so when you hit the link button the player asks you which Traktor deck you would like to control from it so that is how the Mac knows which deck is controlled by the different players.The mapping is loaded automatically unless you want something that has been remapped for additional Traktor features.

There is a different procedure for the CDJ 850s as shown in Terry’s link, I presume down to the fact they aren’t Advanced HIDs and therefore need the TSI files loading in manually.

Which is why I suggested the OP find out what was available before going down this route as the work involved in setting up the CDJ850s is longer winded.

I don’t buy this Terry I am afraid. Do you think clubs will ever move away from having CDJs (or whatever the next iteration of this is) together with external mixer set ups installed?

Having a industry standard style set up ensures that whatever DJ turns up to play they can jump on the clubs installation with minimal fuss. If every DJ has to brings their own kit, sets up in between slots, things will end up going t*ts up at some stage.

That’s why the current Pioneer system suits pretty well if the DJ uses Audio CDs that is fine, If they use Record Box that’s fine also, If they use Traktor that can be catered for and even Serato with the SL box is doable. Even someone turning up with iToys can link up in some way.

Now not every club is going to have the newest whizz bang Pioneer set up so if a DJ turns up to play and they are au fait with the the CDJ workflow and they have the appropriate media with them (Audio CD, USB drive etc) happy days play on!

To say this is the stone age seems a bit odd as it covers all eventualities, something a club business should be doing.

To the OP the minimum CDJ for HID contol is the CDJ900 , mixer wise you could take your pick if you run through an NI Audio 6 (or above) or a DJM 850 as a minimum with a sound card built in.

Personally I would take a look at the XDJ-R1, it does Audio CD, does USB and works with Traktor, the main thing with it though is it emulates the CDJ work flow without the expense and more complex setup.

cough Traktor!

I have moved from VDJ to Traktor and currently like it better. However when VDJ 8 comes out I will give it a try.

I cannot comment on Serator as I have never used it.

I have just managed to do away with an Audio 6 in my set up, cannot see the point in having an extra link in the chain if its not really needed. The soundcard in the S4 should be man enough for your requirments.

oh btw dont get me wrong the Audio 6 is a great piece of kit and did eveything I needed but it has just been superceeded by a scratch certified mixer.