Looking for Controller recommendations (based on actual experience,)

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What is the "stove top" model?
I definitely don't want the Rane Performer (which is as big as a stove top.)
That's a joke about me putting my controller on the stove to test it out because there's no other place we could test out the controller.
 
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Ive had the 707 for almost a year, very good controller, and a good replacement for the MC6000, the only thing I don't like, or just haven gotten a handle on is the built in Drum Machine. The lack of cases is an issue, there are a handful of cased for other controllers or universal ones that will work, I am currently am using one my MC6000 cases that I modified but its not something I want to keep using.

NLFX did a case for it earlier in the year
 
It will arrive this week and I'll start working on a case design. I don't want a slide rack, and I don't want the PC directly in front of me. I'll probably have a turn-style shelf that rotates left for a PC to sit on. The lid will attach to the right to create another shelf/work surface. There will also be at 2RU rack beneath it.
 
The only con right now is that NOBODY makes a case for it. Not even a soft case. NLFX made their own batch of slider cases for it, but I heard that there were problems with it (the DJ707m is about a half-inch taller than most controllers, so any shelf above it needs extra clearance or it's not going to work for transport). Pro-X is supposedly bringing back their discontinued case soon... maybe just a week or two from now.
It arrived yesterday, and the sweet part is I can simply modify my existing case for this controller and it will be 5-6 Lbs lighter to boot. Not as thrilled about it's plastic enclosure, but at least it will be well protected.

If you want a slide case you can just give the needed interior dimensions to any case maker and they could easily make one. A stock case for a specific DJ product isn't a sure thing. The market isn't that large and a lot of DJ gear buyers don't use cases at all.
 
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It arrived yesterday, and the sweet part is I can simply modify my existing case for this controller and it will be 5-6 Lbs lighter to boot. Not as thrilled about it's plastic enclosure, but at least it will be well protected.

If you want a slide case you can just give the needed interior dimensions to any case maker and they could easily make one. A stock case for a specific DJ product isn't a sure thing. The market isn't that large and a lot of DJ gear buyers don't uses cases at all.
What are your thoughts on the new controller? Have you used it yet?
 
What are your thoughts on the new controller? Have you used it yet?
I haven't been using Serato so I'll have to check my license status, and I also have to get it set for other software as well, so that will take some time. I've had 2 gigs already this week, will be in the theater today, and an AV gig on Sunday. I also want to add a new PC. August looks slower, and I don't have any significant DJ gigs in the short term so I hope to get it fully squared away by the end of August.

First case refit is done, and it's also 8 Lbs lighter now, so that's a plus. I'm also going to make a black aluminum base plate with detachable pipe ad PC mount that can slide under the base and hold the PC to my left. The cover can also be mounted left or right and hold a PC or other materials.

I will stay with 1 of each system until I know the new one is setup properly and fully operational with any PCs & software that I use. I also have the older Denon + 1U DJ mixer racked in a small case as a temporary backup. I'll sell both of them by the end of the year. As I look at these I realize there was once a dual CD drive in the lower rack, and that these cases where originally built in the mid 90's. They first held the Denon 2500 Dual CD, followed by the Denon HC4500 dual CD/PC. Time really does f** fly!

Pics of both racks:

New Console 1.jpg DSC09372.JPG Front View.jpg DSC09375.JPG
 
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If that is the 707m you don’t need a separate serato dj pro license. The controller unlocks serato dj pro for you.
Sweet! Thanks for the heads up.

I think I would need the license if I wanted to just use Serato for playback from the PC sans controller, correct?
A lot of times I want to use the PC and software, but not for a party so I don't need the controller rack.
 
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I will say something I found out about that controller that's a big plus. It has 2 ports to hookup 2 laptops to it. That way if one laptop fails you can quickly switch to the other laptop. That's if you have 2 laptops at an event setup ready to use.
 
That's typically for change-over to another DJ or a different content source (i.e. audio laptop versus video laptop.)

I would not rely on that as a backup, because if the controller (MIDI) section is the thing that hiccups or fails the second PC may also be rendered inaccessible, even if just for a re-boot.

If I have another laptop feeding a downstream matrix then I can continue playing not only when a the main laptop crashes, but also if the controller/mixer itself were to fail.
 
That's typically for change-over to another DJ or a different content source (i.e. audio laptop versus video laptop.)

I would not rely on that as a backup, because if the controller (MIDI) section is the thing that hiccups or fails the second PC may also be rendered inaccessible, even if just for a re-boot.

If I have another laptop feeding a downstream matrix then I can continue playing not only when a the main laptop crashes, but also if the controller/mixer itself were to fail.
Nothing is unfailable. Yet that's why it's suggested that you buy high quality equipment so it's less likely to fail.