Thoughts on Cd mixing equipment?

[teckn0666]

Hi,

I am looking to set up a couple of cd units and mixer for home. I need the ability to hook my computer up via rca connections to the system.

A friend has suggested the following kit list:

Pioneer Kit

Mixer DJM300
Cd Units CDJ100's

I am seeking thoughts on the following;

1. Alternative kit suggestions?
2. Is the price variation between brands worth sacrificing functionality?

Other citeria
Portable

Thanks

[zoltar]

teckn0666,

Yep pioneer make good gear.... but they make you pay for it.

Are you buying new or secondhand? the CDJ100s is almost the standard for CDJ's, depending on how much cash you have. If your loaded go for the CDJ1000's. There are alternatives out there too.

In terms of mixer... shop around and if ya want to run a third channel (ie 2 CDJ's and laptop) The DJM300 may not have enough for ya - > don't think it has a third line input .....

[gromit7]

hey tec

Am i right in thinking you want to hook up the laptop for the purposes of recording mixes?

if this is the case then I can help you out with a DJM300 mixer (there's another thread on here but for brevity its silver, 14 months old, never left home, perfect condition and negotiable price starting at $600.) :-)

i'll check the line out situation when I get home tonight but I think you are OK with this mixer.

Cheers

Gromit

Oh P.S. i was gonna say that I have 2 x CDJ500, they are sturdy and I got them from lightsounds for $999 ea new. They have looping which is cool. But the CDJ 100 are also very good and they have some pretty snazzy effects on them. I like the fact that the Pioneer CDJs work with their mixers so well with the cross-fader start etc. Makes looping and sampling really easy. 8-)

[djbc]

yeah pioneer cdj range are great... i'd say get one CDJ500 & one CDJ100 so you have the loop function on one and the cheeszy but great FX on the other!

depends tho' what you'd like to be able to do. I have 2cdj100 &wish one of them was a 500 or 1000 with loop.

there's a pioneer mixer that seems to be pretty common these days too.. dunno what model it is but the little fx button at the bottom right is great for dropping delays'nstuff

cheers
bc

i love people shopping for new gear:-D :-D 8-) :lol: !!!!!!

[zoltar]

Played on a set of CDJ1000's on the weekend. They are awsome. If you have the bux go for these (bout twice the price). the 100's & 500's dont even compare...

Gromit7 - if teckn0666 wants a third chanel for the laptop, I rekon it might be for inputting, not recording. You use the recording out for recorning ur sets.... even basic 2 channel mixers have these. :)

[teckn0666]

People thanks for the thoughts.

I am curious if there is an alternative good set of equipment to the pioneer gear.

I am seeking to hook my laptop/pc to the system for both input and output.

I am also unsure as to new or used. Cash is a concern but not the driving factor. I want good quality sound and the ability to grow with the system (as i practice).

[gromit7]

TecK

You might want to give Black Express a call, they sell their ex-hire Pioneer CDJ500s periodically for $750 ea which is less than half RRP.

You would have to prolly service them - check the laser is aligned correctly and the buttons all work properly. But even with that they are cheap. I seriously considered this option till Lightsounds had their sale.

CDJ1000s are so cool but they are mega-expensive.

I've not heard anything about the new Numark ones, have used the American DJ ones when I hired them a few times. They were OK but not sure about how robust they are comp to Pioneer. I guess as always you get what u pay for. Pioneer are the industry standard used in clubs so I guess that has to tell u something....

I'm going to show my ignorance here, but how can u use a line-in from your laptop? I didn't think u could use mp3s etc unless u had serious gadgetry eg Final Scratch to make it work.

I'm intrigued.

Gromit 8-)

[gromit7]

teckn0666

i looked at the back of my Pioneer DJM300 to see what lines it has. I discovered that besides the 2 CD inputs (one on each channel) the phono inputs can be switched to line inputs simply by flicking a switch. So in fact you can have 2 extra line ins apart from the CD players. And there are 2 line out as well (one for monitoring the other for recording if you like)

PM me if you are interested in it.

Cheers Gromit 8-)

[justin596061]

If you wanna be a real DJ, use turntables.

Anyone can mix on CD's.:lol:

[teckn0666]

thanks for the input

[djcz]

Originally posted by justin596061
If you wanna be a real DJ, use turntables.

Anyone can mix on CD's.:lol:

:-0 Wo, where have we heard that before ;)

[Spitchen]

Originally posted by justin596061
If you wanna be a real DJ, use turntables.

Anyone can mix on CD's.:lol:

DJ Justin596061? mmm... dont remember ever seeing that name around before! ;)

[oldfart]

I use Pioneer 500s, a mate uses Pioneer 1000s, another American DJ copy of the Pioneer 100s, I also have some Tascam CD302s from a year or two back.

Ok for bread and butter work, the 500s are great. Simple to use, they basically are just a turntable with loop.

The 1000s, just got the hang of them last weekend in fact and they are awesome. But if cost is the factor, forget it. $1700-1800 each might be on the high side.

American DJ/Pioneer 100s - why not just pay the extra tiny bit and get the 500s. The idea in the post above about getting one of these for the effects is an OK idea but I feel that if you want effects buy a seperate unit that does just that job. Either way?

Tascams. The first ones I learned on and not bad. Hated the play and cue keys. sometimes they stick momentarily. Also they had a software problem early on but they were fixed free.

Second hand gear. I don't know. I wouln't buy 500s second hand, punters get slap happy on the doors and they break. It's never happened to mine because of that reason, they're mine and I look after them. Punters who hire shit don't give a **** so beware.

I've used Denons and wouldn't even use them as an anchor for my row boat. I hate the small tempo slides among other things, but then a good tradesman doesn't blame his tools does he?

I've noticed in these forums from people more knowledgable than me thatb there is a feeling that American DJ copy the Pioneers but use crap components.

My tip. Pioneer, if you can afford them, the 1000s, I haven't used the 3000s but they're up there too in price I think. Then the 500s then I reckon you're in the realm of the bargain hunter. You get what you play for.

Good luck.

[zionisis]

I have a DJM500 and a Pioneer CMX5000 dual cd deck - it rowks. It's all in a sexy custome built road case. Was quite expensive though.

[Psycho_182]

My cousins got CDJ1000's and i can safely say that thay are phat!!
But you dont even have to mix, theres some function that auto beat mixes and tunes up the trax with each other. Which isn't always a good thing.
im a turn table man, always will be
but the CDJ1000's are a wikid piece of machinery:)

[Deekz]

cdj1000's are definately the way to go.. hefty price tag though.. if you're just starting out, i'd go a pair of cdj100s and a djm300s mixer.. if you can afford it all, hell.. get 2x cdj1000s and a djm600 :)

[groovaholic]

i don't know if this has alredy been mentined, i couldn't be stuffed reading all the replies. but anyway the DJM300 only has the 2 inputs. you would be better getting a DJM500, you can have 4 inputs on it and the benifits of the effects unit. if you have the dosh i would go for the DJM600 with the very handy beat sampler, worth the investment!

have it large folks!

[Dj Logik]

Or, Alternatively... you people could all go and start mixing on real equipment.. Technics Decks and a Allen + Heath mixer. that is, if you have a *spare* $5000 :)

Happy Mixing :)

Andrew

[teckn0666]

Thanks Logik,

I understand some people have feelings of loyalty for their old turntable equipment. Myself being a bit of a technologist rather then turntablist would rather set up for the future than be hamstrung by the past.

Next you will tell me vinyl sounds and feels better ;D


heheheheh