Wedding DJ Software Suggestions.

Hi, My vista laptop needs replacing along with my old PCDJ program and controller which will not run on windows 7. I am looking for a simple solution to replace this lot - i do not use effects etc.
I have 2 x Denon DNS1200 controllers and an Allen and Heath mixer which i would like to keep. If i can get the controllers to work with the program i end up with it will be a bonus.

I have shortlisted the X1 controller package which comes with free software, to get me started. Three questions-

>Will this package be suitable? (Albeit overkill)
>How many software downloads do i get in this package? I understand i can download the software once i have supplied proof of purchase of the X1.
> Will my MAYA44 sound card be compatible?

Many thanks.

 

HI,

I use to use 2 cdj 1000 + djm 800 + sound card for my gigs. I have bought a dn mc6000 and now this is my set up, just the mixer controller + laptop (still on vista) which is working flawless. I can carry everything in a small case.
Hope this helps.

 

Thanks Kokidmx.

 

I´ve changed from CDJs to traktor.
S4 as controler, a laptop.....and I´m done.

never again the "normal wedding DJ issues" like searching the hell for a wished song...worries about enought room to be able to search and place CDs...setup is done within seconds.
balanced out to active speakers -> done.

the S4 is in my point of view perfect as:

- perfect integration into traktor software
- good soundcard
- full version of traktor included (consider about this, in case of the denon 6000 you have to calculate additional money for an upgrade, therefore same price!)
- much bigger than the denon (can be a con for DJs who carries the stuff into small DJ both...for a wedding DJ a plus! very good to handle as the knobs are not so tight as on the denon)
- filter knobs! (like the xone!)
- perfect sample deck integration

 

+1

 

Heltino, how do you find the mic channel? Any issues?

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I new to DJing and would like to learn more about traktor.

 

no issues so far, but I don´t use it very much.
it is just for a wireless mic for the guest with their "cool" games or if somebody likes to have a speach.

I don´t do moderation on a gig.
---

good news: the traktor demo has no limitations in the functions...it just stops working after 30 minutes, therefore you can test it as you need

bad news: in my opinion traktor makes only sense with a controller what makes it hard to test it just due to a download of the demo

I did the following:

I`ve downloaded the demo to get used to the functions and understand the software,
after this I went to a store and tested the S4, the denon and the american audio

conclusion for me was:

denon:
pro: build quality, faders, soundcard, both out
con: for me to tight, the integration of the sample decks is not good, no filter knob, no line level display

american audio:
pro: price, faders, build quality
con: soundcard, integration of traktor has room for improvement

S4:
pro: integration, perfect sample decks, filter knob, status displays, sound card
con: no XLR out (but balanced jack), no both out, mic integration is total basic, looks not so solid as the denon (plastics)

at the end of the day I can say: did nothing wrong

1. the collection is real good to handle, saves time in case of music wishes.
2. the cruise mode is perfect for the normal dinner phase...just create a playlist and let it run
3. as wedding DJ you are normaly not so good as for example the house or club DJs in mixing. these guys are better in beatmatching (faster). BUT: with the S4 you can cover that. just beatgrid the tracks and be creative. for me a big plus as traktor does the beatmatching and you can do other stuff. some guys call this cheating...but WTF: a wedding DJ needs other qualities! you have to watch the growd and make a party work. that is not easy! a club DJ can prepare a set, has less issues with music wishes and does normaly not mixe up 25 different genres. I can life with the fact that I´m not the perfect beatmatchmixingwhatever guy and I depend sometimes a little on the sync feature. the S4 opens both worlds for me. I can be a wedding DJ that is able to make some club mixing in a good quality as the party requires it. dot.

by the way: I was total against it. classical style with CDJs was for me the law....but after the first gig I changed my mind by 180 degrees.

on the last gig was a "club DJ" as guest...he told me some bullshit like: cheating....total DJing for children....

I offered him the mixer for one hour. he surrendered after 20 minutes. he was not able to cover the job. he learned very hard that "wedding DJ" and "club DJ" is a total different job. he agreed that our job is MUCH harder as we can´t prepare a gig as he does. therefore: don´t listen to the old school guys who tries to tell you, that every laptop DJing is no DJing. they have not a clou about a wedding job

 

Thanks for your help. The reason i want to keep using my Allen and Heath mixer is:
> Good sound quality
> 2 x mic inputs (important for certain events)
> Plenty of channels - i can plug bands mixers into this unit as well as my 1200's when i do jazzy afternoon sessions in pubs etc.

As for the Denon DNS1200's, i want to keep these because i don't trust laptops and i am not going to carry a spare one with me. I have witnessed events whereby laptops have crashed and the night is ruined. CD's are a good backup and don't take that much room up - if i can use the Denons as controllers as well it'll be a bonus as already mentioned. Regarding floor space if i was to decide to go compact i would concentrate on my sound system and light show first - it takes me an hour to set up however hold it's own in large venues. I used to club dj with vinyl back in the eighties and nineties and loved it. Obviously dj software has many advantages for what i do now but i rarely mix and quite frankly that's not the market i am in. Getting the music right is the most important bit and as long as the phone keeps ringing i'll stay in the game. All i am looking for is a simple solution - i am not a wannabe producer or anything but instead somebody who takes the time to provide quality sound and music created by others who know what they are doing. My original question was asking about the X1 controller - if i don't get anywhere with this i might go for the PCDJ program which will work with my Denons. I like the look of the Traktor software so i thought it would be good to explore this option first. Thanks again for your comments even though it is not necessarily the way i'll go. Laptops are great alongside other kit - call me old school but i like my back up solutions!

 

I understand that and can agree to the most points. I was also not trusting laptops and carried CDJs as backup with me. I stopped this after 5 gigs.

1. I had in the last 10 years often issues with skipping CDs. so they are also not 100% liable
2. even a secondary laptop would be more compact as backup AND cheaper


but...as said: I can understand you. go the way with redundant stuff, I did also.
I would not wounder if you change your mind after a few gigs, when you notice that the system is stable and the CDJs was never touched during the whole gig. after that you become lazy with transporting this ****

little tipp:
as you like to keep the mixer and the denons:
go for a NI audio interface. sounds perfect.
go for an additional X1 to controll effects and sample decks, as the denons are good as deck controll, but not for the other, more detailed, functions.

I´m talking with experience as I`ve used, before my S4, a denon DN-HD2500 who is quiet similar with the interface of the 1200 denons
deck controll works...but using effects, cues, samples or other stuff sucks


at the moment (hurry up, think it is just until 31th of August) you can buy a X1 with a FREE update to TP2.

means: 179euro for the X1 AND the software.

unbeatable price and will meet exactly what you are searching for!

 

I am ready for the new challenge! By next week I will be purchasing my equipments!

 

cool!

keep us updated how it works.