I used to DJ with turntables and then switched to the Traktor S4 but sold it a few years back and not really DJ'd in that time. I'm now thinking of getting back into it but don't wanna go in heavy handed and expensive in case it's just a bedroom hobby for me now and I really have lost interest in live DJing.

I'm quite liking the look of Rekordbox, as it obviously comes with the perk of being ready for most live venue setups if needed.

For a controller, I've been looking at the basic DDJ-RB or, at a push, the DDJ-RR. Anybody use these here or got any thoughts/advice on using Rekordbox?

 

Last edited: Jan 30, 2018

How is that even possible?

 

i have a friend who still DJs (i used to DJ with him), we used to use old serato sratch live, before itch/serato dj came out. he uses rekordbox from time to time depending on who he is djing with/ venue but as much as he likes it, he still says he likes serato more. maybe rekordbox isn't as good, or maybe old habits die hard.
either way all these software options are all too good. you can't go wrong- even the shittiest hardware controller/ software combo nowadays is a walk in the park compared to the beloved 12" days.

[rant]
NO KIDS YOU'RE NOT REAL DJS
YOU'RE ONLY ALLOWED A SELF SYNCING PLESS PLAY DJ CONTROLLER
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY LEARNT TO MIX PROPERLY
[/rant]

ps. bunford that wasn't aimed at you, that was just a general old mannish rant

 

I think you only need one or the other. If you have Serato I don't see why you would need Rekordbox. Serato can do anything Rekordbox can do an then some. It's been years since I've used either, but I remember prefering Serato much more.

I haven't used either controller, but aesthetically I don't really care for either. Way too many buttons and knobs. I'm old skool too. Just give me eq's, a crossfader and a pitch control.

If I had to choose one I'm leaning towards the RR since it has a touch strip and the controls look good for handling software.

 

Last edited: Oct 9, 2016

Pahaha. Only just noticed this

I started DJing using crappy Numark belt driven turntables in the mid-90s. Not even direct drive! I actually remember starting out and owning only 3 vinyls, being David Bowie's Heroes album, Leftfield's Leftism album and Chemical Brothers' Exit Planet Dust album when I was about 15! I think I earned my stripes

 

this was the JAM

 

I think I'm taking the plunge back into DJing. Got a feeling I'll get more success from it the making my own music

Have decided to go with Serato though I think. Also noticed they've just released a new Serato DJ Pro , which is essential Serato DJ v2.0. Looks like a decent update too.

How many venue generally allow you to use controllers and your own DJing software etc nowadays? I know there used to be "house 'tables" that everyone would use unless you were Fatboy Slim or something

 

Although, I seriously doubt that you will get any serious gigs with no production in your portfolio (maybe corporate events with proper advertising), here's the facts: Any decent venue have a Pioneer setup: a pair (or 3x) CDJ-2000 NEXUS and the latest generation DJM/A&H mixer. Typically they have 1-2 laptop stands already installed. Your best bet with a controller is if the size of it is not too much over the size of a single CDJ - so they can temporarily remove the third player from the booth so you can install your thing. Sometimes the venues also have turntables installed. IF they still have the plastic lids and IF the lids are not rounded, you may use one to place your controller. Too many if's though...

Normally there are two solutions, both plug & play, for maximum "DJ compatibility": either use a controller that supports rekordbox at home (so you can practice and organize library) then bring the laptop/USB Drive to the venue and connect their setup to your rekordbox, either use a software that supports Pioneer's HID mode and essentially you connect those players via USB to your laptop and have them into your software as soundcards and controllers.

Unless there is a good reason for a custom rig (you do a really advanced dj act or you need a keyboard to play live), using a dedicated controller (like NI or other all-in-one toys) are regarded as amateurish in the scene and it's a matter of hit & miss if you can or can't properly install it at a given venue.

You have to think that you will play after a dj and someone will play after you and is expected that everyone will have to plug a laptop - so you have your laptop, two power outlets busy, one usb cable laptop-controller, one stereo line cable controller-venue mixer, the following DJ will need a power outlet and a network cable to CDJ-s network hub -- he has to set up his cables on your last set track and you must unplug all your stuff during his first track -- a lot of sh!t can go wrong.

Do everyone a favour, educate about current "digital dj" etiquette and prepare accordingly. Good luck!

 

Cheers for this.All good info in your post!

My aim with a controller is because it is primarily more cost effective for home rehearsals, plus I'm not 100% I want to get out onto playing live yet, but just wanted an idea on the 'latest' position out there in the wild, if that makes sense. This answered a lot of it, and most places I'd be looking to play would mostly be local bars/clubs in Cardiff, Wales or the nearby areas. You'd have thought that by now someone would have come up with a neat solution for a raising/falling tray part of the desk of some sort that the CDJs and mixer sit on that can be raised and lowered with a covering 'table top' that can go over them for a controller, especially with some serious Pioneer controllers out there now like the new DDJ1000. Granted, would be an absolute 'mare to swap over between two DJ;'s, which probably explains why it doesn't exist

I find this bonkers considering how long dedicated controllers have been around for now, especially with some serious ones like I mentioned above now on the market.

I get all this, but I think a lot of it is venues making it more difficult than it needs to be. For example, all I would need (theoretically) is a power cable to laptop, power cable to controller, USB from controller to laptop, and a stereo output from my controller master out into one of the house mixers channels, which could be the 4th unused channel if they only have 2 or 3 CDJs hooked up. Swap over to another DJ would be easy then with them able to use the CDJs and just fade my controllers channel out and take over using the other 3 channels as they normally would. All I need to disconnect is two power cables and the stereo out from the back of my controller and leave. I would have thought it is more risky making someone use gear they have maybe never used before in the CDJs and DJM mixer in terms of both the performance whilst DJing and the following tear down of their gear to disconnect from unfamiliar setup.

The controller I am eyeing up is probably something like the Pioneer DDJ-RX/SX, for the CDJ-like playing decks, with CDJ2000 sized jogs and displays, and the DJM-900 style 4 channel mixer. However, I'ma dubious about RekordBox cos I'm still hearing of people experiencing instability and crashes on the performance side of it and the dodgy track analysis by the track preparation side of the software.

 

I sh!t you not. The clubs are basically a Pioneer monopoly. The rest do not matter. Given the price of a pair of cdj's+djm is triple the price of the most advanced all-in-one controller - they're gimmics for bedroom producers, the amateur market exploded in the last years. Carl Cox used a controller then renounced when Pioneer caught up. Sasha uses one but for Ableton Live. Some DJ's use the narrow Traktor controllers - they're way easy to fit than any all-in-one. Noir used a NI big one, switched to Pioneer. etc. etc.

You don't get it: 99% of the world clubs equipment is Pioneer, either top of the line either inferior series in smaller venues that have regular DJ events (900s?) and Allen & heath xone:92 on request of the dj. Everyone knows Pioneers like the back of their hand. I never ever met any big or small dj that ever said he can't use a Pioneer setup. Is like a turntable DJ would say "oh man, I don't know how to spin these 1200s".

Rekordbox is OK. Any slight grid alignment issues (rarely happens with newest versions) can be manually corrected. Never crashes. Also, you don't go and analyze your music collection while DJ-ing live.

As I told you: the simplest method is to use rekordbox. Any venue has rekordbox-compatible hardware. Simple as that.

 

I do get it. My point is, if someone has never used them before, how can you expect someone to "just know" how to use them. For example, if a 15 year old kid wants to get into DJing now they are more likely to get into controllers as they are much more affordable. Even those who do have CDJs are likely going to be priced out by Pioneer CDJ2000 prices so going to maybe be used to performing with their own gear.

I have DJ'd live in the past, but used vinyls some 15 to 20 years ago. I bypassed CDJs and bought a Kontrol S4 Mk1 when released. I sold it some years ago though and not done much since and just getting interested again. I don't get how someone could expect someone in that position to just know how a CDJ work or how RekordBox is integrated etc? Yes, I could download RekordBox, prep my tracks and export to a USB, but I wouldn't have a clue what to do with that USB with a set of CDJs and DJM or how I would select and load tracks etc. I mean, some people won't be familiar with even the basics, nevermind be comfortable enough to perform to their full with them.

I know it's a Pioneer monopoly and it is what it is and you either accept and learn or don't get involved, but I find it insane. It's like having a live music venue but making every band use the same drum kit, guitars, amps and FX. Yes, maybe use other bands can use them, but they won't be as good or comfortable as they would with their own gear and would likely sound totally different. Imagine if Rammstein turned up to a venue and had to use the Dixie Chicks' gear for example, or vice versa

 

You're becoming absurd. A DJ is not a band, a DJ have a (usually) tiny booth, not a stage. Also, a club night can have several DJ's in a lineup, a live concert just a band. A band does hours of soundcheck in the afternoon, a DJ just arrives one hour before it's designed time slot.

Remember Technics SL-1200. They were industry standard until 15 years ago (joined by CDJ-1000 since years 2000s). As a DJ it was mandatory to know how to operate the 1200s. Maybe you had vestax at home or stanton. But the venue always had 1200s. Then some clubs had rotary mixers other had linear faders. As a pro you had to learn to work with both. Including broken faders, faders without plastic caps and so on.

DJ-ing is not for beginners. As a venue owner I give exactly 0 fuqs that you have no clue how to use a standard setup. You must behave as a professional and learn THE BASIC REQUIREMENT of working with proper pro equipment - rent a Pioneer setup, go to your music shop that have demo units installed or find a small venue that lets you "warm up" from 8pm so you can practice, get friend with a wedding dj, there are so many ways you can find these setups and practice.

Nothing personal OP but: if a person that uses whatever all-in-one controller with jog wheels and manual beatmatching can't learn to use Pioneers from gig to gig, then that person sucks really bad at DJ-ing.

Well, first of all it's illegal for a 15YO to play music at night in a venue where alcohol is served. Second, how is that an excuse to avoid the industry standard? 15 YO or 50 YO, a venue owes you nothing.

 

Exactly what I was going to say. It's not rocket science, if you used to be a 1210 DJ and did that for a while, just rent out 2 cdjs for a weekend and you've got it. I would even advise you not to bring your laptop to the gig. Prepare your sets in recordbox at home (or traktor and then export it to rekordbox), export it to your thumb drive, and walk into the venue gracefully and with dignity instead of schlepping 15 kg of vinyl and sweating like a pig. Look forward to your first gig and the moment when you first wonder what to do with all that time between transitions and whether shaping a heart with your fingers would be a good idea. There's a faderpro Roger Sanchez DJ "masterclass" on the sister site that covers every aspect of rekordbox and cdjs exhaustively. Watch that, rent those cdjs, and you're good to go.

 

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