For Beginner DJ: Vestax Spin vs Vestax Typhoon vs American Audio VMS4 vs Others

Hey guys. I'm a complete beginner to DJing and I want a budget digital setup. First of all, what is the difference between the Spin and Typhoon? Second of all: I really like the VMS4 (its like a mini NS7FX which is my dream setup), but is it worth the extra dough? Does anyone else have suggestions for budget all-in-one controllers? All help is appreciated.

Thanks guys,
DJ C-Squared

 

While I have nothing against the Numarx motorized controllers, your dream setup should consist of s-arm turntables with styluses. Vinyl is where it's at. Even if it has to be virtual vinyl instead of traditional vinyl.

 

I know vinyl is the "best", but I thought that since everything is moving to digital, that the NS7 is the closest to real vinyl without buying turntables.

 

Depends on how you look at it. The closest thing to vinyl is timecoded vinyl and being that this is a Native Instruments forum you would be looking at getting professional vinyl turntables with Traktor Scratch or Traktor Scratch Pro (I don't know the difference since I don't use either). Some Digital Vinyl Systems allow you to output video that is in sync with your audio. Some of them allow you to connect additional MIDI controllers to pump effects into your mix such as beat delays, loops, and triggers which the Traktor Scratch can support. Take a look at some of the NI videos for the DJ section. Some DJ's that I've seen either on Y'Tube or elsewhere use both CD-DJ turntables AND vinyl turntables, in essence having 4 decks to play music simultaneously. The CD-DJ options I'm talking about are similar to the Numark 7-inch vinyl controllers that are standalone turntables which require a mixer to be attached. If you get the original NS7 the mixer is built in but breaking your equipment down into components makes it easier to carry and less heavy. Take a look at Pioneer's selection of all-digital turntables. Technics used to have a digital turntable but I heard they stopped making it because it had a lot of bugs. They still make the best pro vinyl turntable though.
---
And keep in mind the reason you would want to use a traditional turntable has to do with cueing. Cue points are not always stable with digital turntables but they are ALWAYS on point with vinyl turntables since the stylus is a physical cue pointer.

 

I'm not looking for a pro rig right now, I just want a setup to learn how to DJ on. I don't have the budget for pioneers or anything like that right now, since I don't even know if I really want to DJ. Thanks for your help though.

 

You did mention thoughts of a "dream setup" which is what I was giving you insight on. Glad to help.
---
One last bit of tiddly, if you really want to learn how to dj you should be looking at motorized controllers . . . DJ devices where the platter is a direct drive (or belt drive) system instead of MIDI controllers where you have to push the jog wheel. Any time you'd enter a gig situation you might encounter someone else's controllers or turntables and if they're motorized and you haven't worked with anything like that before then it might be hard for you to cue music or blend music. Blending is also much easier with motorized controllers where you have control over the pitch/tempo of the song.

 

So do you know of any cheap spinning controllers systems that are good? I can't spend that much at all. If not, I guess I will just have to get two turntables and a mixer. I have Traktor already, so I would just buy the Traktor vinyl and use that. The only thing I don't like with a traditional setup and Traktor is that you can't do things like hot cues, loops, and effects without manipulating the computer. . Thanks again for your help.

 

I don't know of anything inexpensive off hand. The computer is one of the costiliest additions that has become part of the dj setup. I do know that certain mixers which are certified to work with DVS spftware will be able to control effects from the mixer so you won't have to touch the computer.

 

Hi Flameguitar85. I understand exactly where you're coming from and those are all good controllers but there are crucial differences. I can point you to a review of four new controllers, including the three you mention, highlighting the differences and making recommendations. It's posted on my blog here: http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2010/06/four-new-budget-dj-controllers-for-2010/

Good luck, please let me know how you get on or ask any further questions via the blog, I'd be happy to help.

 

Thanks Phil. I actually have just ordered the Mixtrack from musicians friend and the DJ I/O from Amazon. I think that's the best bang for your buck. It does pretty much everything you need that the VMS4 does without a billion extra buttons. Is this is a good setup in your opinion? My only concern is that there are no reviews out there for it and I'm wondering if the quality will be crap for $150. Also, do you or anyone else know how I can remap the kill switches to be hot cues in Traktor? Thanks for your help.

 

Instead of the Numark DJ I/O, you might wanna look at the Native Instruments Audio2DJ as the audio interface

 

I've already ordered it. But anyway, what's the difference besides the price?

 

I was using a Numark DJ/IO. I guess the main difference beside the price is also the size, the NI audio2 is alot smaller comparing with Numark DJ/IO.

 

I think that's a fine first setup. My advice now is, when you get it, forget your kit for the next year or two and start enjoying the music and learning to DJ! When I first DJed I had 2 rubbish belt-drive turntables and a $20 Tandy mixer, a setup which lasted me 3 years - I didn't know what I was doing at the beginning, but was a good enough DJ to be playing regularly for money in clubs by the end of it. Good luck, and stay in touch on Twitter if you want to ask anything or chat http://twitter.com/digitaldjtips

 

I find the "Audio 2 DJ" has better sound quality than the "DJ I/O".