Same boat .. while a touchscreen is probably OK to run things, I prefer the tactile controls of the mixer section and crossfader and certainly the physical pause/play button.
shopping for new controller
- Thread starter DJKLEEN
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I have been pretty happy with my numark mixdeck express, it's a bit less than 1 k but has great sound and features.
Do what you feel comfortable with, and enjoy doing the most.
I essentially just got tired of bringing my controller out, and setting it up, tearing it down. Also, most weddings seem to need more of a 8 - 10 channel audio mixer these days, and using a controller plus a mixer seems to crowd the table for me. Especially if I want to set up 2 Laptops on the table.
I'm certainly more inclined to use the mini controllers like a DJ2GO2 or a Party Mix if I were to go back to a controller at gigs. Speaking of the Party Mix, that is a pretty cool controller for $99. Bought my son one, and have played on it a little. It does everything I would ever need a controller to do.
I have been considering going to a 27 inch touch screen thin desktop so it's like a life size controller on the screen, but the only thing holding me back is the portability, and finding a durable case for it. Would be similar to using the Emulator...Only much, much more affordable, and less set up time I assume.
Are you on a quest to do things the absolute cheapest way possible?
Are you on a quest to do things the absolute cheapest way possible?
Absolutely! Less Expenses means more profits!
If I were doing things the cheapest way possible, I would be more like some other DJs I know.
...Kept my original speakers I started with that were from the 80s, still use amplifiers, only purchase VHF Gemini microphones, Never paid for a DJ program, and just acquire a cracked version illegally. Kept my old radio shack mixer that I started with all these years as my main mixer. Never bought bags for my gear, and just either kept that stuff in original boxes they came in...Yeah there are lots of ways I could be a DJ for much cheaper
...My wife tells me I spend too much money on DJ Gear with what I buy now, I don't think I would want to feel the wrath of her reaction if a Pioneer DDJ-RZX showed up on our door step or if I came home from Guitar Center with one lol.
I can sympathize with not getting a $2K controller .. but a Party Mix ????????????????? One needs "adequate" capabilities and reliable capabilities .. generally can't do that on a shoestring budget.Absolutely! Less Expenses means more profits!
If I were doing things the cheapest way possible, I would be more like some other DJs I know.
...Kept my original speakers I started with that were from the 80s, still use amplifiers, only purchase VHF Gemini microphones, Never paid for a DJ program, and just acquire a cracked version illegally. Kept my old radio shack mixer that I started with all these years as my main mixer. Never bought bags for my gear, and just either kept that stuff in original boxes they came in...Yeah there are lots of ways I could be a DJ for much cheaper
...My wife tells me I spend too much money on DJ Gear with what I buy now, I don't think I would want to feel the wrath of her reaction if a Pioneer DDJ-RZX showed up on our door step or if I came home from Guitar Center with one lol.
I have a 23.5” AIO PC with touch screen. I didn’t specifically want it for the touch screen, but it had one, so what the heck. It’s actually larger than my Denon MC6000MK2 (17”x10”); the AIO screen is 21”x12” not including the frame. The AIO weighs less than a controller, but you’d wanna have it connected to a professional sound card, so maybe a good 10 channel mixer (like my Allen & Heath ZED10 FX) If I could get used to not having effects knobs and a cross-fader, perhaps that configuration could work.
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I can't speak to the reliability to the Party Mix. My son has had some weird things happen with it...Like it just stopped working while he was using it a couple of times. Had to exit out of VDJ, and replug it back in.
But, it has all the features and options I would have used when I had my Mixdeck Express, and it's very compact. I have fun playing around with it. It even has a small light effect which could be used for throwing some light on a table top facade even!
2 USBs has two main functions.
1) Switchovers - in a club, you often have multiple DJs perform in the same night. Before dual USB devices, this required unplugging the CDJs or turntables from the Serato box, and plugging the new one in. It's always been a big headache. 2 USB ports means you can swap DJs very, very easily.
2) Backup - you can have a second laptop hooked up that is already hot. If you had an issue on your primary, you can cut over very fast to a new source.
This debate is mostly feel over function. The mixing you're doing can be done on any device. You want something that is going to feel good when you're working with it.
The Roland and Denon are both very competent controllers, but the layouts feel too cramped to me. To make them smaller, they compressed the functions. For that reason alone, I'd buy the SX3 that you're looking at. But I also own A LOT of Pioneer gear these days...
The Roland and Denon are both very competent controllers, but the layouts feel too cramped to me. To make them smaller, they compressed the functions. For that reason alone, I'd buy the SX3 that you're looking at. But I also own A LOT of Pioneer gear these days...
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Around here they feel industry standard too lolThey are a "club" standard .. let's not make them the industry standard yet ...
Around here too- everyone is using Pioneer. The layout is the reason it is better than the Denon.
The Denon is too squished and several buttons are in the "wrong" place when compared to any other deck I have seen.
Around here, clubs are still only using turntables. I almost never see controllers.
The Denon is too squished and several buttons are in the "wrong" place when compared to any other deck I have seen.
Around here, clubs are still only using turntables. I almost never see controllers.
Most spots here have gone to CDJs. But there are a few spots where there are DJs part of ownership/management, and most of them still have good 1200s.