Xone 3D Vs 4D Vs DX

ironclaw

Hi Folks,

Been looking at CDJ's for awhile but lately I've been getting into Ableton, Traktor and the other software based packages. When I first started out a number of years ago, they were fairly rubbish but lately they seem to have come on alot.

I've been looking at the Xone range as frankly if I'm going to buy a controller I want top quality. The Xone 4D and 3D have been grabbing my attention as the 3D especially has dropped quite abit in price, about €950 if I'm lucky which isn't alot more than the DX. The 3D however would give me an option to link any CDJ / Turntables through the system as its an analogue / digital combo (Have I read that right?)

Just wondering does anyone have any of the fore mentioned? And what do they think of them? I know the Kontrol S4 is in the same price range but I just feel the Xone units are more sturdy. Or I could be wrong!

Any ideas?

ironclaw.

copeyhagen

i had a xone:3d, was a serious piece of kit.

only really got it full mapped for traktor a few weeks before i sold it.

reason i got rid of it was there wasnt much of a hands on feel to it. i was using it with traktor pro only, and i felt it was too easy if ya get me!

the 2 wheels on the front of them units can only be used for navigating folders and such, they aint jogwheels.

would you consider this alternative

denon dn sc2000 x 2
xone:42

ironclaw

copeyhagen wrote: »

i had a xone:3d, was a serious piece of kit.

only really got it full mapped for traktor a few weeks before i sold it.

reason i got rid of it was there wasnt much of a hands on feel to it. i was using it with traktor pro only, and i felt it was too easy if ya get me!

the 2 wheels on the front of them units can only be used for navigating folders and such, they aint jogwheels.

would you consider this alternative

denon dn sc2000 x 2
xone:42

I agree about the Jog wheels. They are very small but at most I'd be bending the track and not scratching.

I like the Xone's due to the inbuilt soundcard as well. It just seems like less hassle as opposed to controller, mixer and sound card as seperate units.

The DN SC2000 looks very neat I have to say. First time I've come across it.

electrogrimey

Main thing you have to think about is how it feels to use. I've abandoned my Traktor/2 x Kontrol X1/Mixer set-up, because I really don't like using it now after using CDs for the last few months.

Wouldn't mind having a go of something like a VCI or something with decent jog wheels, then I could sell the X1s and get one of those as a backup set-up.

But yeah, if you're coming from CDs, make sure you like the feel of DJing without the hands of feel, and try mixing in a track that's not beatgridded properly, that's one of the things I really didn't like, without any kind of wheel it's impossible to get in time.

Out of those listed, I'd say the 3D though.

ironclaw

electrogrimey wrote: »

Main thing you have to think about is how it feels to use. I've abandoned my Traktor/2 x Kontrol X1/Mixer set-up, because I really don't like using it now after using CDs for the last few months.

Wouldn't mind having a go of something like a VCI or something with decent jog wheels, then I could sell the X1s and get one of those as a backup set-up.

But yeah, if you're coming from CDs, make sure you like the feel of DJing without the hands of feel, and try mixing in a track that's not beatgridded properly, that's one of the things I really didn't like, without any kind of wheel it's impossible to get in time.

Out of those listed, I'd say the 3D though.

I have to agree with the whole jog wheel thing. I like the feel of the jog wheels, it just feels right when cueing up. As you said controllers might be abit sterile. The Denon you suggested looks like it would fit the bill however it doesn't have a sound card, so the set up is getting bigger. Hmm!

EDIT: Theres a question, what controller has the biggest jog wheels (Standalone and complete units)?

electrogrimey

Soundcards aren't that much hassle. An Audio 2 DJ takes up no space, and takes about 40 seconds to set-up, also means you don't have to worry about a controller with poor sound quality.

Michal_W

Hi,
I've had e 3D for about 2.5 years now. Overall it's a great controller,it's built like a tank,very reliable. The only thing that is a bit annoying is that the built in soundcard seems a bit noisy (at least that's the impression I got after comparing it with NI Kontrol 1 interface). I don't see it as a huge problem but just wanted to let you know (apparently the soundcard in 4D is higher quality - 24bit 96kHz, don't know about the s/n ratio though).
Other than this 3D is a fantastic bit of kit.
Cheers

YOP1992

electrogrimey wrote: »

Main thing you have to think about is how it feels to use. I've abandoned my Traktor/2 x Kontrol X1/Mixer set-up, because I really don't like using it now after using CDs for the last few months.

Wouldn't mind having a go of something like a VCI or something with decent jog wheels, then I could sell the X1s and get one of those as a backup set-up.

But yeah, if you're coming from CDs, make sure you like the feel of DJing without the hands of feel, and try mixing in a track that's not beatgridded properly, that's one of the things I really didn't like, without any kind of wheel it's impossible to get in time.

Out of those listed, I'd say the 3D though.

i'm selling/swapping a vci100 frankie ?! :P

copeyhagen

yeh my 3ds sound sometimes seemed bad, i found the solution though, if i left the unit on and let my laptop go into sleepmode, it messed up the soundcard for some reason.

disabling sleep on the laptop sorted it out (it had been set to like 4 hours inactive btw, not like 15 mins)

but if you like the more hands on approach, ie, jogwheels then i would deffo go for something like the denon controller i mentioned.

it has a button on it to control both decks, so theoretically its possible to use one unit.

this is what im pickin up over xmas

denon dn sc200 (1 for now, will probably buy another after xmas)
ni audio2dj or mixvibes umix 44 (somethin like that) soundcard
m-audio pro mixer usb controller thingy!!

im too lazy to google all them now! but the denon = 200, soundcard = 100. mixer = 100.

400 = half the price you will pay for a xone 3d, now i know the a&h's mixer ROCKS, but its a big ass unit too.

was.deevey

the Denon mc6000 is another one thats just been released and getting pretty rave reviews, its basically 2x2000's + more buttons and Mixer soundcard .. http://www.denondj.com/DN-MC6000-P125.aspx

NI S4 too is a beast .. both come in at around the same price as a 3D, but newer technology... no matter how you look at it the 3D, while a great piece of kit is now 5 years behind the times...

I'm sure it wont be too long before we start seeing USB 3.0 controllers/soundcards as standard the 3d is still using 1.0

scott.s

I can advise not to get an S4 unless you have a Mac, as there are lots of Windows issues with the current drivers.

Elevator

at the risk of being slated here id advise taking a look at the akai apc40 b4 blowing the price of an alright 2nd motor on a mixer!

I had the monies back in apr/may for a xone3d but after trying out a mates akai controller I saved myself €1200!!

honestly the best €400 I ever spent

YOP1992

Elevator wrote: »

at the risk of being slated here id advise taking a look at the akai apc40 b4 blowing the price of an alright 2nd motor on a mixer!

I had the monies back in apr/may for a xone3d but after trying out a mates akai controller I saved myself €1200!!

honestly the best €400 I ever spent

do you use it for dj'ing? if so with ableton or traktor or what?

was.deevey

I can advise not to get an S4 unless you have a Mac, as there are lots of Windows issues with the current drivers.

I've got a mac .. whats a driver again jk

I guess its down to workflow, and how many knobs n things you want / need. I for one want an individual knob / button for every function, none of this layering or "soft takeover" nonsense. 3d / 4d would suit me down to the ground.

On another note, what about a 1D and a 2D and a half decent mixer ?

copeyhagen

was.deevey wrote: »

the Denon mc6000 is another one thats just been released

just had a look at it, 768 euro.

it looks like 2 smaller versions of the denon 2000 alright. doesnt look great to me, the jogwheel is much smaller looking and the buttons seem clustered around it. looks like they tried to squeeze everything into a small unit. the 2000 is more like a smallish cd deck.

think il lstick with my orginal plan

Elevator

YOP1992 wrote: »

do you use it for dj'ing? if so with ableton or traktor or what?

yes i use it for playing out with ableton 8

not a bad piece of kit for €400 like!!

I have an Allen and Heath mixwizard at home so I do like their gear but as i said after using the akai i couldn't justify blowing €1600 on a 3d.

YOP1992

Elevator wrote: »

yes i use it for playing out with ableton 8

not a bad piece of kit for €400 like!!

I have an Allen and Heath mixwizard at home so I do like their gear but as i said after using the akai i couldn't justify blowing €1600 on a 3d.

how do you find it? whats it like to use? was thinking of getting one myself

Elevator

YOP1992 wrote: »

how do you find it? whats it like to use? was thinking of getting one myself

to be honest it will never fully beat vinyl but in an era where technics have ceased the production of their turntables and everybody wants to spend massive amounts of cash on overpriced cdjs and mixers then the akai and ableton is the job!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed the comfort of not having to burn anymore cds and having access to all your tracks thru your harddrive and an endless amount of effects at your fingertips it's a no brainer!

I couldn't go back to CDs or vinyl now that's for sure!!!!!

best €400 you could spend

copeyhagen

whats the crack with ableton these days, do ya still have to warp every track or does it do it automatically now?

Elevator

copeyhagen wrote: »

whats the crack with ableton these days, do ya still have to warp every track or does it do it automatically now?

yes you still have to warp them alright, it only takes a few seconds unless you're trying to warp an mp3 that was ripped from vinyl (ie if the deck has a fluctuation in the pitch it will absolutely wreck your head trying to warp it!!)

if your mp3's are solid is a piece of pish and ya only have to warp once so how bad!?

copeyhagen

well it is a pain in the arse to be honest.