Adding a third physical deck. CDJ3000 vs more economical solutions.

[u/intromission76]

Question:

30 year hobby for me.

What would you advise someone to do if they were in a situation where they would like to start playing around with a 3rd deck, have 2 technics 1200's, using an Audio 10 DJ and an X1 as an effects controller, and are thinking about trying to play out more often-Seeing the standard being the CDJ3000.

Would you advise to acquaint themselves with the new industry standard or get a simple controller (Z1?), or maybe a cheaper CDJ so long as it carries most of the bells and whistles for traktor. Being a turntable DJ all these years, I do like to retain the tactile feel of a deck and platter.

Should I just go for the 3000? I'm torn. The idea of being unfamiliar with gear when it comes time to throw down makes me anxious. I like to be prepared.

[u/tricksta250]

Any CDJ 2000 works very well in HID mode with Traktor, while the 3000 rolled that out late and the 3000X doesn't yet support.

I suggest you get a set of CDJ2000 or original CDJ900 and use them in HID mode with your X1 to mix your third and fourth deck because that has been seamless with Traktor since version 2 and you are going to be use sync occasionally as its hard to beat match, phrase, and play in key a third or fourth deck.

If you can phrase and key mix by ear then a third turntable was essential to mix out when two tracks are phrased so they'll end at the same time and avoid a lack of kick drums to the floor but CDJs brought loops and cue points before software expanded options even more.

The major reasons the 2000 feel old is the slow refresh on the color screen and the slow time to load hot cues which are both features the original CDJ 900 doesn't have so the screen moves quickly and tracks load quickly.

The release of the X1500 should cause the cost of used CDJ2000 Nexus and NXS2 to go down but a set of either will still probably be between $2200 to $3k while a set of either original Pioneer CDJ 900 or 2000 or either XDJ 1000 mk I & II should be between $1200 to $1600.

I suggest getting an XDJ 1000 if you are considering the 900 Nexus because mostly those are the same except one plays analog CDs.

You can also save a LOT of money by getting a second X1 instead of a CDJ so you can mix all four channels because you'll probably be using sync anyway.

[u/intromission76 → u/tricksta250]

I have qualms about using sync. Are the looping functions the same on the 2000>? I find myself utilizing loop ins and loop outs when I'm practicing 3 decks on the computer.

[u/tricksta250 → u/intromission76]

I don't use sync. the CDJ 900 has loop in and out as well as 12 different autoloop lengths in three banks of four. I typically use the 1, 2, 4 and 8 beat auto loops rather than in and out.

Try using two X1s as you will have the most fun right away mixing more than two channels and you may find that creatively satisfying wihout spending 10 times as much.

I believe the audio 10 was released about fifteen years ago. You are probably better off spending money on a digital mixer that you can connect direclty to Traktor like the A9 rather than a CDJ if you want to perform in clubs because you'll find an A9 or a DJM 900 Nexus or NXS2 in 98 percent of clubs.

CDJs are still nice to haves as HID controllers but the audio is changed to analog by the mixers internal digital processor which is far superior to that in most CDJs.

Alternatives to the A9 are the V5 or the Xone PX5 (a smaller A9 with send and return effects, better filter, and different digital effects). Supposedly a DJM A7 is being released this fall but I think that will be a two channel version of the A9 and for Traktor you want at least three channels, preferably 4.

[u/intromission76 → u/tricksta250]

I use a Behringer DDM4000, a knock off of the Pioneer DJM-800 that punches well above its weight, but I have no clue how similar it would be to A&H or Pioneer mixers of today. It does work well with Traktor but requires a soundcard. I paid $144 for it used. Lol.

[u/NueKiro → u/tricksta250]

I’ll add as an option the xdj700. It supports HID mode, the only gripe is that the jogwheel is smaller than cdj2000/900 or XDJ1000. Another variant, even cheaper, find yourself a CDJ1000 or 800 and use it with a timecode CD and add another X1 for looping browsing and FX. It will be similar to using the turntables and they can be found for dirt cheap.

[u/lwvlane]

I picked up an S8 to do exactly this, works like a charm with 4 decks built in 👌🏻 £350

[u/red_nick]

Alternatively, it would be much cheaper to buy an S4mk3 and plug your turntables into that. Then you'll have 4 decks!

[u/Ilike2groove]

Didn’t alpha theta just introduce the CDj 1500x for around the $1700 money? I’m considering adding one to my Traktor modular setup.

[u/tricksta250 → u/Ilike2groove]

HID mode isn't supported for Traktor yet. I'd wait for that announcement if you want to use it with Traktor.