Is quality gear really required for use with Traktor pro 2?

Im a bit of a newbie so bear with me, but i am in the process of buying some gear to go along with traktor pro 2 and i got a dilemma. Do i buy quality gear that may sound like **** and have tons of features/buttons or top quality with little features? Most of the gear will be used for mapping traktor so is quality really necessary?

i am lucky enough to have been handed down a A&H xone:22 mixer but now I am doubting if its a fitting mixer to use with traktor. it is very basic but has excellent build quality (same as all of the other A&H products) but is this quality really going to shine when all it is doing is being the puppet master to traktor pro? am i missing out on a lot of the other features that traktor has due to the mixer's simplicity? would a lower quality mixer with more features have been more suitable?

i was looking into getting the xone:1D so i can map a few more effects and looping options; would that be wise? can i get by with something else?

as for cdjs/turntables, are they necessary? i do not have the biggest budget and these are the make or brake of my endeavor. can i get by with some cheapo stantons or do i really need pioneers? i know that pioneers have excellent pitch accuracy but does it really matter when you can just hit sync (please leave arguments concerning this issue elsewhere, this is not the topic at hand).

i want to emphasize that i do not plan to dj at clubs or make it big. i've always been a fan of electronic music and now, as an adult, i have the time and means, to experiment and have a little fun with the music. i want a setup that is versatile, cheap, and functions well with traktor but at the same time, i would like it to mimic the experience of "DJing" so I want to steer away from all inclusive packages such as Kontrol S4 and similar midi controllers (they're just not fun to look at).

all comments are welcomed

 

The mixer will do fine. Maybe you should look into a controller to bring cost down. I just picked up a APC40 for 125$. That thing basicly allows me to controller every aspect of traktor.

 

! where in the hell did you get the apc40 for that cheap? i have been watching some akais on ebay and mpd are the only thing i can get in that price range, a lot less to work with. although, it is reassuring you suggested going the same route that i was thinking of doing.

thanks for the input.

 

Ha ! I sold my APC20 for... 120$. You got an awesome deal.