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A question for Digital Deejays!

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pimpcat
Posts: 858 - Karma: 321
I was wondering if anyone could provide some feedback on the American Audio VMS4 with Traktor MIDI controller? I'm looking at buying a MIDI controller in hopes that I will be able to become proficient using it this summer and be able to dj when I go back to school. I was wondering if this mid-level deck would be sufficient? All help is much appreciated! If you are familiar with any MIDI controllers or software that you use, please tell me if you would purchase it again and why. Thanks in advance.

-Nick
May 19 2011 3:34PM
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I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,353
It's sick bro
May 19 2011 3:41PM
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pimpcat
Posts: 858 - Karma: 321
Can you elaborate? Or are you fucking with me?
May 19 2011 3:42PM
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yuck
Posts: 8384 - Karma: 2,090
I have a tascam MKII

i bought it basically because it was dirt cheap, and its really versatile in terms of recording stuff not using MIDI. it has 2 XLR inputs and 2 quarter inch inputs, so its really good for recording acoustic stuff and adding vocals and whatnot. i also bought 2 behringer (no hate please) condenser mics for a really good price. all in all, it works well together.

and i got the 2 mics and the interface for roughly $400, which was a sick deal.
May 19 2011 3:47PM
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Poikenz
Posts: 1484 - Karma: 3,808
I guess it depends on why you want to dj and if you are actually considering it as more than just a hobby kind of thing. I know it's expensive but it's really all or nothing when it comes to this stuff. CDJ - thats what I would be getting, it also works with virtual dj if you really want to use that and it's kind of the standard. You can buy them used for a couple thousand. Then you need a mixer which you will probably want to buy new because thats just what everyone does.

But you really want to do a lot research to make the right choice for what you want/ need.
May 19 2011 3:52PM
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pimpcat
Posts: 858 - Karma: 321
Used for a couple thousand? That seems super expensive for a CDJ setup. The MIDI controllers I'm looking at don't need an additional mixer as they already have them built in. I have VDJ LE now and I'm not really a fan of the interface that it has. That's why I'm interested in hearing about Traktor.
May 19 2011 4:03PM
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laserbeamz
Posts: 117 - Karma: 16
sorrry i don't know anything about the setup your talking of cause ive never used it.

I have a BCD2000 wich came with traktor and it works really well and its was cheap if your just getting into dj'ing i would recomend this setup.
But in saying that i use ableton live 8 with this BCD2000 controler now and its a killer setup because you can fully customise the way you use ableton, its midi routable, wich means you assign the knobs and faders to do what ever you wan't, like abletons custom effects and all that. Ableton is also great for recording your mixes, and you can us ableton a bunch of different ways eg to record bands or samples.... it took a while to figure out proply though.

Note i also have pioneer cdjs and stanton decks but you want to spend a fair bit of cash to buy a good setup, its not worth it if you don't.

So if your just starting out the BCD2000 would be good for you, its portable so it great for parties and that coz you just through it in ya back pack with ya lappy and your away.
Look it up on you tube there heaps of demo vids and other vid of different way ppl u
May 19 2011 4:37PM
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panojibber
Posts: 3382 - Karma: 216
I suggest starting small, thats a fucking nice controller and it'll probably leave you lost. Just get a basic midi controller, like a lower end numark or something. Master that first, then move up. You don't need the nicest gear to make great music. Rusko does it on an ancient computer and with pirated software. You can DJ with a mouse and keyboard alone if you want to. The higher end controllers ARE much better, but they're also much more complex.Also, using a nice controller means a lot more gear involved, such as audio interfaces, which will cost you even more.

Just go with a simple USB controller, they work great. I know someone using this:
http://www.numark.com/totalcontrol
Along with traktor pro, and he can mix perfectly well.
May 19 2011 4:54PM
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pimpcat
Posts: 858 - Karma: 321
Traktor vs VDJ. Anyone have both and prefer one? Can you tell me why?
May 19 2011 6:02PM
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laserbeamz
Posts: 117 - Karma: 16
Traktor is Best i think. Remember they have the traktor scratch control vinyl/cd thing goin so if you get decks later on you'll already know the program and could get that setup goin. hepas of pro djs use traktor.
May 19 2011 8:59PM
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Proze
Posts: 1094 - Karma: 7
Neither to be honest both lag and glitch out and vdj sucks at beat mapping on vinyl.. get a used SL1 for like 300 -400 and rock serato like a G
May 19 2011 9:33PM
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pimpcat
Posts: 858 - Karma: 321
Okay, I'm confused. When I google SL1, I'm not seeing any sort of turntables. What is it? Is this what you're talking about (http://cgi.ebay.com/Rane-Serato-Scratch-Live-SL1-Mint-Condition-Vynls-BOX-/120724838524?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1bc2d87c#ht_1074wt_1139.)?
May 19 2011 11:48PM
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Poikenz
Posts: 1484 - Karma: 3,808
again, what do you want to do with this stuff? If you plan on actually playing for people it is expensive, if it's just a hobby I guess you could go cheap but if you want to do more you will be limited.

Thats all.

oh and the SL1 = the pioneer DDJ- S1 I am pretty sure. I think the guy meant that anyways.

But yeah if you don't want to get the higher class CDJs you could pick up some cheaper Denons or something like that, so like $300 each for their better ones and about $300 for a mixer puts you at $1000. Just for a thought. I know you probably don't want to spend that much but if you really want to get into it and you know that it is something that you want to do- as in more than a hobby then I would say that it's worth it.
May 20 2011 9:30PM
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laserbeamz
Posts: 117 - Karma: 16
What everyone is saying, is if your going to take djing seriously get cdj turntables like pioneer or stanton, hence the reason all the clubs have them. If you just mainly wan't to dj using your computer and don't wana spend to much, i recomend getting the Behringer BCD2000 setup, it comes with traktor...
May 23 2011 3:37AM
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pimpcat
Posts: 858 - Karma: 321
I would like to play shows. But I have to start somewhere. I was lucky (or not) because at school my buddy let me DJ using his NS7. Obviously I don't want to commit right off the bat and spend 1400 but I would like a pretty solid controller that I will be able to do small shows with. House parties for example.
May 23 2011 2:19PM
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doobiebrotha
Posts: 760 - Karma: 8
yep..... serato
May 23 2011 2:24PM
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pimpcat
Posts: 858 - Karma: 321
I'm not really looking to spend over a thousand dollars right now. This would be my first controller so I was thinking of working my way up. I doubt im going to use vinyls and would prefer to stay strictly digital.
May 23 2011 3:38PM
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Poikenz
Posts: 1484 - Karma: 3,808
yeah but if you spend the money on something expensive you won't have to upgrade thus saving you more money, but it is a risk if you choose to not continue or that you don't like it.

and cdj, sure vinyl is alright but you don't need to be some sort of "OMG RETRO STUFF IS THE BEST" kind of guy.
May 23 2011 4:44PM
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BMB
Posts: 3138 - Karma: 232
i'm in the same boat as OP, but since I have been taking lessons on VDJ, I will buy a Numark Mixtrack Pro which comes w/ VDJ. good luck OP in your DJ endeavors
May 23 2011 4:46PM
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pimpcat
Posts: 858 - Karma: 321
Thanks man, you too! Out of curiosity, where are you taking lessons?
May 23 2011 4:56PM
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Poikenz
Posts: 1484 - Karma: 3,808
if you are learning VDJ would you not already have it (there is no point in re-buying it)? Or do you just go to some kids house for a hour and he shows you how to use it?
May 23 2011 4:56PM
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Kitzrow
Posts: 574 - Karma: 94
SL1= Serato Scratch Live 1
May 23 2011 5:09PM
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Poikenz
Posts: 1484 - Karma: 3,808
Yeah I realized that right after I posted, but I don't like to double post so I just messaged the other guy about it.
May 23 2011 5:15PM
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BMB
Posts: 3138 - Karma: 232
I am taking lessons from a DJ at my school (St. Olaf).
May 23 2011 7:11PM
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