New Here, Mixer Help

[Dvious34]

Hey all, i have been looking into DJing for months now, and i havent rushed into buying anything at the moment, because 1. im not sure what i need, and i dont have HUGE amounts for buying anything either...

I have some questions, i just want to get into mixing beats from both PC in MP3 format and of CD's if i get to that stage, im assuming for now all i will need is a mixer to get me started? What am i looking at, will something like a Pio DJM400 be enough for now or do i need the CD decks to make it work?

Any help would be awesome, but as i said, i just want something nice to get me going... Budget is around 700 max give or take..

Thanks

[DJMitchNMatch]

If you want to use the djm 400, you will need cdjs. If price is a concern, the best bet will be to go with a software controller such as the Numark total control, which can control software on your computer and play mp3s. If you want a cheap option for cdjs, look for a pair of cdj 100's they are pretty basic, but a good unit to learn on.

[Dvious34]

Do you mean something like this?

http://www.storedj.com.au/products/product.php?id=1754

So with a DJM 400 i cannot run the mixer without the two CDjs? What im trying to understand is, will i have to go with something like a software controller, or can i buy a mixer which is compatible for both CD and mp3, hope that makes sense?

[DJMitchNMatch]

Oh right, well you will need a mixer that has midi, they tend to be pricey though, and you will probably need to buy software as well.

I think you should just buy some cheap cdjs and a mixer, its the best way to learn imo

[ChevChelios]

You can do it with the 400, but it wouldn't be midi mapped and you will need a decent sound card, stereo out from your computer into left and right channels on your mixer, then too speakers or back into your soundcard, im not too sure on the detail because I havent done it myself, but Im sure there is a youtube vid or something

[Dvious34]

Yeah im leaning towards a CDjs system now coming to think about it, because all good DJ's have that type of system, so what should i be looking at for an entry level system, i dont mind second hand, any help would be awesome!

[CBG]

search and you'll find about 5 threads giving you roughly the same answer lol.

[Dvious34]

Ok ive been doing more research, and im looking at starting with two CDJ100's and a DJM400 for the mixer...

Should this be a nice little unit to get me started, it seems the DJM400 is very nice, so even in the future i might only need to upgrade the CDJ's...

I dont have a laptop so for parties etc il have to burn all my stuff to CD which is perfect for this setup, BUT, for a home setup with my current PC, can this type of system work.... if not il be burning everything!

Last question, does the CDJ's and DJM's come with everything i need to get me started, e.g cables etc etc...

[ChevChelios]

You will have to be burning everything if you get 100s unless your planning on getting serato or traktor, and also be warned if you get 100s you wont be able to get your wickidy wickedy scratch miester on because they dont have that function

[Dvious34]

Well i have Traktor atm, just been playing around with that for a while now, im pretty sold on the DJM400 or the Xone22 and il make my decision very shortly, so ive got my mixer worked out..

Until i work out what CDJ's im after, can i use the mixer with Traktor for the time being? Just to play around with, or does it only work with CDJ's... i think i saw a youtube video with someone using the Mixer with Traktor...

Thanks

[ChevChelios]

Well if you have traktor and the soundcard it would work fine, and then use time code CDs or vinyl depending on what you get

[CBG]

Any mixer will work with traktor, if you have the hardware. The timecode cds will sit in the CD players.

[ruggs]

i used to use my mixer with virtual dj (sigh) lol all i did was run the speaker cable out from the laptop then split it into two channels (RCA'S) and plugged them in then ran speakers out the back of the mixer...worked well

[Dvious34]

Yeah for now i think this will be the best method, because a cousins cousin i remember followed a similar approach, he had a mixer connected to his laptop and played them through some computer speakers, what sorta sound card should i be looking at?

And what does timecode mean!

[Cupe]

And what does timecode mean!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_code

[CBG]

Timecode CD/Vinyl acts as a controlling device for the software on the pc. I.e you spin the platter back on the turntable, then the song will scroll back on the pc.

[Cupe]

oh lol, i didn't read enough of the thread

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_emulation_software

Vinyl emulation software allows the user to physically manipulate the playback of digital audio files on a computer using the turntables as an interface, thus preserving the hands-on 'feel' of deejaying with vinyl while allowing playback of audio recordings not available in phonograph form. This allows DJs to scratch, beatmatch, and perform other turntablism that would be impossible with a conventional keyboard-and-mouse computer interface.