Help make up my mind on Budget controller!

funkyouup

Right im gone past the stage of wanting/affording a proper set of decks and a mixer and seen as ill probably only mess around in the bedroom ive decided to pick up one of the entry level controllers. Ive a budget of around 200 and have narrowed it down to either a Numark Mixtrack Pro or a Hercules DJ Console RMX.
They both look good to me, maybe leaning towards the Hercules on build quality according to what ive read so far. It will pretty much be used for mixing house/techno etc, not looking for somthing to scratch.
Would love to hear from some users instead of reading articles and watching kids on youtube:D

milltown

I can't comment on the Numark but I had an RMX for a while. Comparing the two on Thomann I'd still be more inclined to recommend the RMX. It gives you the extra flexibility of running CDJs or turntables through it as inputs. I can vouch for the sound quality. I'd be hard pushed to separate it from the NI Audio2dj I'm using now and it's certainly ample for playing at home. Build quality is also very good. Plenty of good mappings available too for Traktor or VDJ. I actually miss the convenience of the one box solution, just plugging in USB and speaker cables. Good value now too, I think it was north of €300 when I bought mine.

Enjoy whatever you get!

eeloe

I set up a mixtrack for a mate a few weeks ago, had a little play around with it.

It's very light, the mixer controls don't feel like they could take much of a hammering, and it's got a very cheap horrible plastic feel to it.

I haven't used a Hercules so can't really compare them.

Have you considered picking up a vci-100 and an external soundcard? To be honest I'm sorry I ever sold mine, great little controller, and for about 300 you'll get the vci second hand on adverts ad a soundcard too. Much better than a mixtrack and if you progress enough it's a great set up for playing out in clubs!

eeloe

If I'm not mistaken Milltown is actually selling a vci 100 on adverts?

funkyouup

Hmmm hadnt even considered the vci-100 due to seeing the price of a new one! I really dont wanna spend much more than 200 on something that ill just play around with at home, if i start thinking about spending 300 on that ill only end convincing myself i need an s4 too:)

Really going off the mixtrack, really dont like the sound of all that plastic.

milltown

eeloe wrote: »

If I'm not mistaken Milltown is actually selling a vci 100 on adverts?

Yup!

http://www.adverts.ie/620113

Didn't mention it as it's over the budget you mentioned and you'll need a 2 channel sound card too. 1 channel for output and 1 for monitoring. Otherwise, it's what I upgraded from the Hercules for so, if you believe in buying once and buying right, it'd be money well spent.

funkyouup

Ah right, got the impression from the ad that it was sold when i say it earlier. For arguments sake, what kinda money would a good external sound card cost. Are there bands i should stay away from?

milltown

Sadly no.
The only "offer" I have is from Belgium, and I am skeptical about the guy's motives.

Sound card-wise, I'd imagine if you keep an eye on adverts.ie and donedeal, buyandsell et al, you should land one for €50ish. WRT brands, Native Instruments Audio 2/4/8 and Numark DJIO are probably the top two. Maya seem to have good rep too. This is for USB sound cards. If you're working from a desktop PC I'd be amazed if Creative and others don't do a suitable PCI card which would broaden your options greatly.

eeloe

I'd say save up for another couple of weeks and buy this vci.

Honestly, with a deadly mapping they are soooo much fun.

funkyouup

Will definetely look into the soundcards. Ive got a semi decent pci one here but if i was to go for the vci-100 id want an external one so i could use it on the laptop too.

milltown

If you're genuinely interested, I'm in no mad hurry to sell so let me know and I've no problem holding onto it for a few weeks. I'd rather see it go to somebody who'll continue to contribute to this forum than (potentially) to some scammer in Belgium.

funkyouup

Thats sound thanks. Im not gonna say hold it mate cos i really havent made up my mind yet, and ill need to find a decent soundcard for pennies:)
Will know more after the weekend though.

funkyouup

How would that controller cope with just being plugged into a laptop using its onboard sound?

milltown

I'll try it today and report back.

ED E

Cwn vouch for the DJ IO, its only about sixty quid if you shop around and works well, only issue i've had has been with dell wifi minicards interfering.

I have a total control too, and i can see how people wouldnt like them
(Numarks)after cdjs but they'r good little starters. That sid the rmx is a tasty little package too. Prsonally Im looking to step up to a VMS4/similar now, but for a neebie either shoulddo well.

The vci destroys both of them, but is that bit more. Dont forget to get decent headphones too

Digitalism

Vestax Vci 100.

Sennheiser HD 205 Headphones

NI Audio 2 DJ Soundcard.


Done.

milltown

Right. Had a bit of a play this evening just using the VCI and the laptop's sound. Obviously it's far from ideal but basically the options are:

For practicing, use the lappy sound for the master out (or for monitor and leave the mix halfway) and leave the crossfader in the middle and just get a feel for what goes together and when to mix etc.

If you must...Spend plenty of practice time learning your tunes and getting your beatgrids spot on, then for performing or recording mixes set the snap and quantize to on and use the sync button. (Just don't admit it on here!). If you know your tunes well and get your beatgridding right, to be honest the sync button negates the need to monitor most of the time. Takes a lot of the fun out though, IMO.

PremierDJ

I have the RMX OP, mainly use it at home and for doing gigs in venues with installed PA's, it is very easy to use and very reliable, I haven't had a single problem with it and I can't find a single user review on the net that says they have had a problem with it. I had the DJIO before that but hated DJ'ing without a proper controller. The RMX is built well and is extremely reliable, and sounds fine, if you decide not to save up for the vestax it is an excellent alternative. I have seen them used for between €180-€200, and would recommend it if you can get one around that price, streets ahead of the Numark stuff.

funkyouup

Cheers for all the info lads, ill be going with the RMX, seems the best all round option for me.