DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

[kalin]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

I'm not trying to be an assh*le or something, but I suggest you visit dancetrippin.tv and take a look at the dj mix videos very carefully. you'll notice that 99% of the djs featured there who mix on CDJ 1000s like to keep their fingers on the pitch control rather than use the jog weel, and most of them don't play raw pumping techno, on the contrary, it's mostly minimal/tech/house. I used the abovementioned names - Umek, Kanzyani and Cox, just to illustrate my point and, furthermore, because I've seen them do it "live" (as in "I've been there around the DJ booth and I've had a look"), not just because of the genre they used to play once upon a time (those were great times my friend )

cheers!

PS. I also like my transitions longer than the standard, without the annoying "waaay" sound from the forward and backward pushes on the platter or the record, that's why I try to keep them fingers on the pitch and use the EQ to it's fullest potential

PS2. and yeah, pitch riding is genre-less, if you get me

[Shpira]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

It depends on what genre of music u are mixing really. I never ride the pitch...I like my long transitions around 2 min and over playing with the eq...and its real easy to get a perfect mix...at least for me...the only thing thats possibly slightly easier is getting the same with Traktor scratch.

mixing techno its a whole different ball game...

[kalin]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

I don't even consider 'riding the pitch controls' on CDJs to be an option. You definitely cannot ride the pitch like you can with a pair of 1200s.

you should discuss this statement with Valentino Kanzyani, Cox, Umek ... just three of the people I've seen that regularly use "riding the pitch" with CDJ1000s. apparently, when using 3+ decks, some people (especially those that come from vinyl background) don't have the time to do the exact percentage calculations and they just rely on their senses

[ShawnD64]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

I agree with what Jeffrey said, if you're using .06% pitch adjustment you really shouldn't ever have to adjust the speed unless you're making a very long transition (2+ minutes). And if you do need to adjust the pitch, a slight manipulation to the CDJ 1000 platter (which is the best in the series) should be much more accurate than riding the pitch controls imo.

2+mins is long? i usually do most my mixes from 2mins on... what is standard? a lot of locals i notice do like 30/45 secs...

For example:
If I am bringing in a 124bpm track into a mix that is currently at 126 bpm I just know in my head that I need to increase the the track I'm bringing in by +1.62%...I really don't have to do any beatmatching whatsoever! It will then be as close as it can possibly be to 126.00 bpms. The only reason I'd have to adjust the speed now is if I start it a bit too early or late, which can immediately be fixed with a small push or pull of the platter.

But with .06% pitch, once the beats are lined up they're gonna stay lined up for a long time, I rarely find it necessary to touch the pitch adjustments once they're set.

you dont even have to do those calculations. u can just make sure the pitch is on the edge of 2 bpms ie 125.00 if you want a perfect long mix, start there then make some minor adjustments and your done. quite easy mixing on these bad boys... and i am using the 200's (they also go to 6%).

[jeffrey collins]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

go to the bathroom and when you come back the one has finally run out of it's song and the other is going strong. LOL.

[pr0ficient]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

yeah, thank God they put a 6% pitch adjustment on them. I only with they would do a 4% too, as I hardly ever go beyond that point anyway.

And I definitely have no need for a 50% pitch adjustment.
Whew that's a lot of adjusting!

Yes, I only wish that the 800s had pitch adjustments that fine...then they'd be the most cost effective CDJs available imo.

And a 4% adjustment option with .01% increments would be cool too. I think that some of the Denon players have this.

Not really necessary imo since .02% does the trick 99.9% of the time, but .01% would be cool for some really really long layering of tracks.

[jeffrey collins]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

yeah, thank God they put a 6% pitch adjustment on them. I only with they would do a 4% too, as I hardly ever go beyond that point anyway.

And I definitely have no need for a 50% pitch adjustment.
Whew that's a lot of adjusting!

[pr0ficient]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

to the original poster - dude, just learn how to ride the pitch since you have the best pitch levers in the whole CDJ series, and you'll never have to touch the platter again ... it's that simple.

I don't even consider 'riding the pitch controls' on CDJs to be an option. You definitely cannot ride the pitch like you can with a pair of 1200s.

I agree with what Jeffrey said, if you're using .06% pitch adjustment you really shouldn't ever have to adjust the speed unless you're making a very long transition (2+ minutes). And if you do need to adjust the pitch, a slight manipulation to the CDJ 1000 platter (which is the best in the series) should be much more accurate than riding the pitch controls imo.

For example:
If I am bringing in a 124bpm track into a mix that is currently at 126 bpm I just know in my head that I need to increase the the track I'm bringing in by +1.62%...I really don't have to do any beatmatching whatsoever! It will then be as close as it can possibly be to 126.00 bpms. The only reason I'd have to adjust the speed now is if I start it a bit too early or late, which can immediately be fixed with a small push or pull of the platter.

But with .06% pitch, once the beats are lined up they're gonna stay lined up for a long time, I rarely find it necessary to touch the pitch adjustments once they're set.

[jeffrey collins]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

i usually just set the pitch controls at 6% instead of 10% which is usually what I see them at. It gives you more room to really get the decks locked in.

[kalin]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

to the original poster - dude, just learn how to ride the pitch since you have the best pitch levers in the whole CDJ series, and you'll never have to touch the platter again ... it's that simple.

[day_for_night]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

speaking as someone who has the MKIIIs...get them. you honestly wont regret it. just gotta deal hunt. i managed to pick up a pair brand new, with shipping to canada, for $2200. www.avgiant.com (look for their ebay auctions)

you're other alternative to buying them new is to talk to shops that rent them out and see if they'd be willing to sell a pair of rentals. they do this every so often and replace them with new ones. friend of mine got an MK3 that way for $750. they discount the price based on how many hours the cdj has been rented for...

[kassios]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

i think you are taking it wrong mate, i love the 1000's, i for one am just talking cost compared to practicality, and mainly for home use scenario.. since i have access to 1000's when i play out, owning them isnt really necessary

my other thoughts are based on not really seeing how the mkiii's are so much more (when they first came out) than the mkii's.. now the mkii's imo are a lot better than the mki's, but the cost jump to the mkiii's as compared to the supposed upgrades just didnt seem worth it. i dont play mp3's so that was irrelevant to me, the wave form yeah its a bit more detailed but still irrelevant, and the sensitivity adjustment dial i've never used.. like anything you just have to adapt to new gear, it takes time thats all

but they are not perfect, you still have to stay on top of the mix, just because you are mixing cd's doesnt mean you can match the beats and walk away and it will stay on time.. but a little tip.. keep the pitch adjust on the +/- 6

Nice tip Steve!

[Steve Graham]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

i think you are taking it wrong mate, i love the 1000's, i for one am just talking cost compared to practicality, and mainly for home use scenario.. since i have access to 1000's when i play out, owning them isnt really necessary

my other thoughts are based on not really seeing how the mkiii's are so much more (when they first came out) than the mkii's.. now the mkii's imo are a lot better than the mki's, but the cost jump to the mkiii's as compared to the supposed upgrades just didnt seem worth it. i dont play mp3's so that was irrelevant to me, the wave form yeah its a bit more detailed but still irrelevant, and the sensitivity adjustment dial i've never used.. like anything you just have to adapt to new gear, it takes time thats all

but they are not perfect, you still have to stay on top of the mix, just because you are mixing cd's doesnt mean you can match the beats and walk away and it will stay on time.. but a little tip.. keep the pitch adjust on the +/- 6

[chuckc]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

^^Are you not satisfied with the mkII's?

to tell you the truth i havent had too much time to mess with them...been real busy studying every other minute when i am not working...hopefully next year i will have more time on my hands to mess with them.

...i did find it hard to keep a mix together. at times it would be matched perfectly then it would fall out of place. seems like they are real sensitive....but like i said i got a long way to go and i am sure when i really put more time into it everything will fall into place

i am surprised by all the negative reactiion to these...i thought they were top of the line cdjs..... i am sort of confused by this thread

[Steve Graham]

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

^^yeah me too...i guess i really wasted my money getting mkII's....should of just waited and got th 400s

but you got a tremendous deal mate