Mike Ward

I bought an XDJ-RX specifically because I wanted to feel more confident being able to play on CDJs and DJM mixers. I wanted to be 100% confident to just jump onto a CDJ setup with 2 minutes’ notice and rock out a set from a USB stick in my pocket.
I’ve done that a few times and really enjoyed it – also done some ad-hoc sets when travelling around. There’s definitely some huge pluses to just having a couple of USB keys and being able to DJ well off that.

Where I live, basically everywhere has a Pioneer setup (of varying quality, but nearly always taking USBs), so having that flexibility is something I really enjoy.
I don’t know that it was NECESSARY to go that route – and it is NOT a cheap unit, at all – but it certainly helped me to become more confident. I also do a little teaching and find the XDJ-RX easy from that perspective too. Again, nothing that can’t be done with a controller, but it’s useful. For me, that made it worthwhile.

I’ve also used the XDJ-RX for more ad-hoc type gigs with multiple DJs turning up, and it’s been great to say “just bring a USB, plug in, and we’re away”. It’s been very low hassle for more temporary type setups.

If clubs like the Ministry of Sound are really now expecting people to bring their own gear, but providing CDJ/DJM if requested – that’s a really encouraging switch-up. I hope we see that trickle down in the future! To be clear, I’m no Pioneer fanboy. I also play on a Serato controller. And more recently sometimes vinyl. And for some more technical sets I definitely HAVE to use my controller.

Oliver: Like DJ Vintage says – you gotta find the path right for you. Have you had the chance to get hands-on with these units? Have you played much on CDJs before, if at all? Have you done any/many gigs with your S4?

Definitely don’t feel you “have to” play on CDJs in order to play a club. That’s 100% NOT true – and call people out if they say that. They’re wrong. Get yourself some gigs (if you haven’t already) and rock up with your controller. Play some great sets, make people dance – no one in the crowd cares what you’re playing on 🙂

I played a LOT of gigs with my controller before I decided that it would be valuable for me to get 100% comfortable on CDJs – and that the best route for me was lots of regular practice on my own device. My flatmate started DJing on vinyl, and just learned CDJ mixing by playing at clubs – that’s the path that worked for him.

Anyway, being able to play on loads of different types of gear is definitely valuable – you just got to work out the best way of getting that experience.

Just my two cents.

I don’t know what Wednesday night is like in Chicago, but in most big cities it’s not SUCH a terrible night to DJ. Particularly if you’re doing something a bit ‘different’ which it sounds like you are.

If I were you I’d start by scoping out some venues – small venues to start! Places where you could see your style of music working. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box a little. Then just talk to the staff there, find the manager and see if you can come down and play one night.

In some ways not being free at the weekends is a problem, but you could also look at it as a blessing – it’s much easier to get slots in venues mid-week! You might also find it easier to create a regular night. And in a big city like Chicago, there’s ALWAYS people for who ‘the weekend’ isn’t Saturday and Sunday. People on shift work like yourself who would be psyched to find a cool night running on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
If you can find a few people in that crowd who start coming, who bring their friends… well… soon you can have a nice little night running.

Best of luck! And remember to have fun 🙂

Sorry, just saw your reply 🙂
Thanks for the follow-back.

Yeah, I think the problem with just doing a bass-band sidechain is that it makes it difficult for the kick transient to come through. And that transient is pretty important! I’d experiment doing a full-spectrum sidechain, or also do a sidechain at the frequency of the transient. Remember it can have a very quick release, so it shouldn’t affect your big bass sound too much.

Working on any more tracks?

I, too, was thinking about both of these units recently. In the end I went for the XDJ-RX; just got it last week.

It really is just like playing on Pioneer CDJs and a DJM mixer. The build quality is excellent, and there’s a good array of Pioneer beat and color FX. The screen is decent too – and parallel waveforms are quite the added luxury!

I went for the XDJ-RX because I wanted to get more practice using Pioneer gear – I often DJ on CDJs, and I’m perfectly capable, but I really want to feel a lot more comfortable and confident using them, and also really get my head around the DJM beat FX for interesting transitions. I’m always a little wary to mess around too much when playing out because, well, I hate people who overuse FX 🙂
The places I tend to play all have USB Pioneer decks anyway, so I’m already used to running all my music through Rekordbox.

In terms of a simple “standalone 2 decks and mixer” it’s really great. It’s permanently set up in my living room and just being able to walk in to my apartment, stick my USB drive in and immediately play is really, really nice.

If you decide you want a bit more excitement (extra features on the MCX8000, a 4 channel mixer) and you’re not so fussed about becoming a master on Pioneer gear, then I’d say go for that. It really looks like a great unit at a great price.

I’d echo what Grant says though about backups – I also have a tiny but fun controller I can take with me anywhere (Novation Twitch), plus an Akai AMX (also tiny!) and control vinyl/CDs for Serato. In theory, that covers me for playing just about anywhere… the Twitch, AMX, cabling, laptop and headphones all fit in a small (and surprisingly light) backpack!

Let us know what you decide!

Hi Johnny,

the good mixes I find on soundcloud have that kind of mastered feel to them to bring out as much of the sound as you can

That may be because they’re actually being mastered! I know when I record live mixes (into Ableton) I usually put a mastering rack on my master channel afterwards and just have a little tweak. Nothing major, but a little compression, a touch of EQ perhaps. It can make a difference (particularly for overall loudness, which is often the issue).

For what it’s worth I do record into an audio interface, a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, but I’ve recorded straight into laptop line-in to similar effect – I don’t think an audio interface would have a massive impact on your situation. Best advice is borrow one from a friend if you can and try it out 🙂

Cheers,
Mike

These are the kind of people who have house parties powered by a YouTube free for all, where everyone ends up in the kitchen avoiding the horrible mess that is 45 seconds of EDM, followed by 60 seconds of Hip-Hop, followed by 20 seconds of advert, followed by 30 seconds of Rihanna etc… 🙂

Some people just don’t appreciate the value of what a DJ does.

Personally, I wouldn’t sweat it. Next time just say “Well, you’re entitled to your opinion. When I’m ‘just pressing play’ touring the world ‘just’ DJing, I’ll send you a postcard” 🙂

Hi Seth,

Nice to hear from another DJTT reader in China.
I’m originally from the UK, living in London the past few years – but I moved to Shanghai one month ago!
I’d be very interested to hear some of your experiences in Shanghai, and also in China more generally! And I see you have a residency now in Beijing – I spent a couple of months there a few years back; where’s your residency?

Maybe there’s some things you wouldn’t want to post in an open forum (although, I think others would benefit from reading too!!!), so for those it’d be awesome if you could connect with me 🙂

You can find me at djmikeward.com (VPN) or djmikeward.com/china (no VPN, no SoundCloud and sloooow)
Or hit me up on WeChat, where you’ll find me as therealmikeward.

So far I’m seeing that Shanghai has quite a broad range of places (some super-fancy like you describe in your other article!) but I haven’t really approached anyone for gigs… yet 🙂

Cheers,
Mike