Pioneer CDJ-350

[csmith5888]

So i havent been dj'ing for too long....but i am fully obsessed. Its bad to say the least....

I have a VCI-100 Arcade with the NI audio 2 and I love it. I would like to add some CDJ's to the setup. I would love to find some CDJ-900's but i dont want to dive into something so expensive without even knowing if i will like them. I found some CDJ-350's for $250/each lightly used....Would love to hear some thoughts on both the gear and the price.

Also, im assuming that will mean i need at least a 2 channel mixer? Correct me if im wrong (which is very likely because I am very new to all this) but i cant use my vci-100 as the mixer for the cdj's right? With the assumption that i cant use the vci-100 as the mixer, i found a DJM-600 for like $500 used. Im going to try and buy it for like $300-$350 max. Thoughts on the pricing?? Is this mixer outdated?

Again, i apologize if some questions are stupid but im not trying to just throw away money without knowing what i am getting myself into. Any and all help is much appreciated. Thanks.

[escapemcp]

So i havent been dj'ing for too long....but i am fully obsessed. Its bad to say the least....

I have a VCI-100 Arcade with the NI audio 2 and I love it. I would like to add some CDJ's to the setup. I would love to find some CDJ-900's but i dont want to dive into something so expensive without even knowing if i will like them. I found some CDJ-350's for $250/each lightly used....Would love to hear some thoughts on both the gear and the price.

Also, im assuming that will mean i need at least a 2 channel mixer? Correct me if im wrong (which is very likely because I am very new to all this) but i cant use my vci-100 as the mixer for the cdj's right? With the assumption that i cant use the vci-100 as the mixer, i found a DJM-600 for like $500 used. Im going to try and buy it for like $300-$350 max. Thoughts on the pricing?? Is this mixer outdated?

Again, i apologize if some questions are stupid but im not trying to just throw away money without knowing what i am getting myself into. Any and all help is much appreciated. Thanks.

CDJ350 for $250 = cheap - too cheap... $250, really?
DJM600 for $500 = average

What U using the cdj's for?? To control traktor, or to play CDs with (without Traktor). If using the CDJs to control Traktor (via HID or Timecode CDs), then you could conceivably use the Vestax as your mixer (it's all down to how you map the controller). If using as a standalone, then yeah, you'll need a mixer (the Vestax is a midi controller).

Saying that, you could even buy the CDJs, route the audio into traktor (I think the VCI100 will allow you to do this) and then mix inside traktor using the "External Input" on 2 decks. You won't see any nice waveforms on the "Enternal Input" decks (which your CDJs run into), but you could then use decks A+B for traktor, and C+D for your CDJ's... half the fun is working out what you want to do and how to do it!!

escapemcp

[csmith5888]

CDJ350 for $250 = cheap - too cheap... $250, really?
DJM600 for $500 = average

What U using the cdj's for?? To control traktor, or to play CDs with (without Traktor). If using the CDJs to control Traktor (via HID or Timecode CDs), then you could conceivably use the Vestax as your mixer (it's all down to how you map the controller). If using as a standalone, then yeah, you'll need a mixer (the Vestax is a midi controller).

Saying that, you could even buy the CDJs, route the audio into traktor (I think the VCI100 will allow you to do this) and then mix inside traktor using the "External Input" on 2 decks. You won't see any nice waveforms on the "Enternal Input" decks (which your CDJs run into), but you could then use decks A+B for traktor, and C+D for your CDJ's... half the fun is working out what you want to do and how to do it!!

escapemcp

I thought that price for the cdj-350 was a steal. But I just found a brand new cdj-900 for $850 so thats almost even more tempting...

I plan on using the cdj's to control traktor. I would like them to be the main focus of the setup and have the vci as another component...if the vci could act as my mixer thats even better. Any mappings using cdj's and the vci anyone can recommend?

[login]

IMO using cdj's with software is pointless, the whole price for cdj's is for the choice of not using a computer in my perspective.

I am pretty sure you could use cdj's, for transport controls, and vci to control traktor internal mixer and too use its audio output. But at that point you will be using a very expensive controller (cdj's).

I would prefer to get cdj 350, 850 or 9000, which ever get your preference a long a very good mixer that offer you quite good posibilites like the xone db2, or the evo 4, or denon dx 1600, etc.

Cdj's now can read usb stick, you organize your music in record box and are ready to go.

[csmith5888]

IMO using cdj's with software is pointless, the whole price for cdj's is for the choice of not using a computer in my perspective.

I am pretty sure you could use cdj's, for transport controls, and vci to control traktor internal mixer and too use its audio output. But at that point you will be using a very expensive controller (cdj's).

I would prefer to get cdj 350, 850 or 9000, which ever get your preference a long a very good mixer that offer you quite good posibilites like the xone db2, or the evo 4, or denon dx 1600, etc.

Cdj's now can read usb stick, you organize your music in record box and are ready to go.

And one of the main reasons i am getting the 350 is because it does have the usb stick capability. So you are probably right in regards to the traktor use being pointless for the cdj's. I think escapemcp had the idea of what i need. I will use traktor to control deck A&B and cdj's for C&D or vice versa.

[Nicadraus]

IMO using cdj's with software is pointless, the whole price for cdj's is for the choice of not using a computer in my perspective.

I would rather use CDJs with traktor than use MIDI controllers. It's all down to personal preference because I still find MIDI controllers very toyish. Well that's me but I'm sure it's not just me.

[Bassline Brine]

Honestly, just get what you'll think you'll be happy with for a long time.

It really depends on your mixing style and what you want out of it. Using CDJ's solely as MIDI controllers is a bit of overkill... but that's what a lot of people do. It's solid practice for hooking up to a club's system I would imagine. Just using the CDJ's and your soundcard and laptop (maybe an additional controller like the X1 or whatever).

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I also think you'd probably benefit much more from a mixer like the DDM-4000 rather than an older model pioneer mixer. The DDM4000 is pretty beast, and MIDI mappable as well. And within your price range. Otherwise, there's something to be said for keeping it simple with a well built 2 channel mixer (looking at Rane or Vestax here).

[space monkey]

Numark NDX800 are great CDJs that are awesome midi controllers as well. just a thought if you really want to use a setup like that. You won't get set back too much either.

[Ryan Leo]

Buy em and then sell em to me I'd say.

IF you think its a steal then get it.

Definitely not a bank breaker if you change your mind

[AndrewFuse]

I would rather use CDJs with traktor than use MIDI controllers. It's all down to personal preference because I still find MIDI controllers very toyish. Well that's me but I'm sure it's not just me.

+1