Behringer DDM 4000 or Hercules ?

Hello guys! I've been hesitating on buying a Behringer DDM 4000 vs. a Hercules RMX.. I am now focusing on the computer side of DJing using software such as Traktor...

I have a lot of questions regarding the Behringer DDM 4000..
Will I be able to fully use Traktor with this mixer, does it have a soundcard like the Hercules RMX ? How can I beatsync with it since on the screenshots I have not seen any SYNC buttons.. I'm currently using a simple M-Audio X-Session mixer to do my mixes.. But now I decided to upgrade and get some more serious equipment.. I'm really amazed about the effects the Behringer has, which Hercules doesn't..
Hercules is just a controler, right ? Unlike the Behringer, it can't be connected to Vinyls or CD's, right ? I'm really not sure what to do. I really need someone's advice on how does the Behringer work compared to the Hercules RMX... I also heard that I needed an Audio 8 DJ to make it work on my laptop correctly... I'm really confused and need someone to clear things up for me.. I'm an intermediate DJ, still need to know a lot about DJing.
I hope someone can help me... Thank you!

 

sounds like you just got a lot more research to do. some basics are:
ddm 4000 will still require a soundcard but will be able to control the buttons, faders and knobs in traktor. depends on how you assign them.

hercules Steel is just a controller - hercules RMX is the same controller with a soundcard

my vote would be a Steel from hercules with an Audio 2 dj soundcard - seen as you said you're focusing on the computer side of djing.

the effects on the behringer will be **** compared to traktors so don't buy it for the fx.

lastly, if you eventually want to use Traktor skratch pro you'll need an audio 8 dj for the control records or cd's. but the cost of the audio 8 is the same as the ddm4000.

long answer short - go for the hercules Steel with a seperate soundcard. it has a more familiar dj layout plus extra buttons for hotcues and knobs for fx.

think about long term goals too - how can you use this gear in the future? or will you be able to sell it when you're ready to get something better.

if you're already doing mixes with teh Xsession pro - you must have a soundcard?
so just get the NI Kontrol X1 ($200). i've used that exact same set up. between the Kontrol X1 and XSession pro, you've got tons of control over 2 decks - even enough for 4 decks really.

good luck.

 

Thanks for the answer!
Why should I get Hercules Steel + an Audio 2 DJ soundcard instead of just the Hercules RMX? Isn't it better having the soundcard with it? Or is it because the sound quality of the Audio 2 is wayy superior than the one Hercules RMX has? I am mixing with M-Audio right now but using my laptops sound card.

I'm also looking for a better sound... And to record also, I want to record higher quality mp3s. Right now I'm forgetting the Behringer because I figured out Traktor Scratch has really great Effects and seems much more simple than having to buy a real mixer along with the Audio 8 [ which is the same price as the behringer and is a bit too expensive for me now.. ]..

For the Hercules, isn't it more simple getting the RMX than two seperate things [controler and the soundcard]?..

Thx!

 

simple in that you only have one thing to carry with you. i guess. but the audio 2 dj soundcard is easy to set up, it's teh size of a deck of cards, comes with traktor LE.
and yes it will sound way better than the build in Hercules card.

you can record your mix internally in Traktor once you upgrade to Traktor Pro.

also, i'm gonna bring up the Kontrol X1 again - get taht and an audio 2 dj for $300 and you'd have a really small, quality set up.

 

If I get the Audio 2 DJ, I like your Idea of Hercules Steel and Audio 2 DJ.. really that might be the best bet. Behringer + Audio 2 DJ, is that possible ?
And, obviously, real DJ equipment with real decks doesn't equal Traktor, right?
It can only equal in features it can do.. The only difference is the sound quality, is that right?

 

audio 2 dj and behringer wouldn't really work - you get two 1/4 inch outputs on the audio 2.

so one is a 1/4 inch to rca as your master out.
the other output is 1/4 inch for your headphones.
i don't think a ddm4000 and a audio 2 is nearly as good of a solution as the herc steel.

 

Will I be able to PFL using the Hercules Steel and Audio 2 DJ?

 

IMHO I have the RMX and the sound quality is not that bad. I also have the X1. Now my laptop only has 2 USB plugs so I thought about this really hard. For me, I think you should go with the RMX, cause it does have a +4 dbu balance 1/4" output besides the regular un-balanced RCA's... Second, the RMX has inputs so you can plug in your cdjs or TT's as an external mixer...

 

It's a good point you got there DJ Markian... I only have 3 usbs in my laptop..
One that I use for my external HDD with the music, one for the mixer would be taken and another for the audio 2 dj.. I think it's better to have the Hercules RMX, all-in-one and also cause I can plug external decks! Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

Sry for the double post, but the Native Instruments Kontrol might be very handy cause I noticed the Hercules doesn't allow me to fully control effects... There's just a button to activate them... I wanted to control everything from an external device without having to touch my laptop... I guess Kontrol is useful..

EDIT:
I was checking out the Numark mixers and I find I can get more control of the Effects, but I can also buy Numark STEALTH + Audio 2 DJ ? Is that a good deal ? Can I also PFL with that ? With that kinda setup I wouldn't be able to plug real decks one day, right ?
My other thought was buying KONTROL + Hercules RMX which may be the best deal... or KONTROL + Hercules STEEL + Audio 2 DJ.. That would make me use all my 3 USBs though... I can get another 4 USB port-PC card for my laptop..

 

you can pair any controller with a fx1.
i paired with a numark mixtrack and it works great.

 

Rushed - my setup is the RMX and X1 and its been flawless with your needs.

 

I use a Stealth and Audio 2 when playing in clubs and it works fine. Sound is great and this is going through big systems for 600 to 1000 people.

 

Don't know if you got anything yet but I use a Numark Omni controller with a DDM 4000. The Omni is the same as the stealth except it has a built in soundcard with 2 sets of stereo outputs. I use Traktor Pro in external mixer mode and use the Omni to control Traktor and use the outputs of the Omni soundcard to go to the DDM 4000. I connect Deck A to channel 1 of my mixer and Deck B to channel 2 of the mixer. So I can use the effects in Tractor Pro and the effects of the DDM 4000. I can bypass the Omni totally and just use the DDM 4000 to control Traktor but I find it easier to use the buttons on the Omni and to just keep the DDM4000 as a regular mixer though I may map some of the buttons on the DDM 4000 to control some functions in Traktor. I have had no problems with this set up and the sound from the DDM 4000 is pretty damn good. I bought the mixer with the mindset of being able to add other gear which I did already with a Numark NDX 800 so if you are thinking about adding other gear in the future I would get the mixer, as far as Im concerned, you can never have too much gear

 

had the DDM4000 for 1 week, then ditched it back for a vestax 004xl. why ? simple... i have a kontrol x1 and traktor pro so i didn't really need the ddm4000 effects. traktor pro's are waaaaay better. quality of sound on the DDM4000 is good... true... but connect a vestax to your speakers and you'll find out that the only next best think that you can do is getting a pioneer or a allen&heath. Vestax sound quality - 3rd best in the market IMHO.
on the DDM4000 - watch out for the rubber buttons getting stuck on one corner... suddenly your filter is in but it cannot come off... pissed me off. other then that, great bargain for the price.
still, i don't regret switching it back for my vestax. also full EQ kill which i value A LOT, and also XLR outputs! the same 4 channels with a lot of connections. anyway, that's all i need from the mixer. Kontrol X1 does the rest...
final statement - Vestax 004xlu - cheaper then the DDM4000 - sound quality - better.