Price: $405
What’s in the mix?
Ever since sound was invented, battles have
raged for control of the world’s house parties. Denon’s compact MC2000 has all
you could want for a back-to-mine shindig. Hook it up to your laptop via USB
and you can mix up your hard drive’s tunes via the faders and scratch platters,
while the audio interface gives you the essential headphone monitor output and
extras such as effects and audio inputs. Serato’s DJ Intro software is
included, with all of its features mapped straight on to the Denon’s buttons
and knobs.
Serato’s
DJ Intro software is included, with all of its features mapped straight on to
the Denon’s buttons and knobs.
Up to scratch?
While other affordable DJ controllers cut
corners, the Denon follows through meticulously on everything you need to bang
out a perfect set. Help with beat matching makes it easy for beginners to get
stuck in, while experienced jocks can scratch and tweak like a flea-infested
tomcat. Sure, it’s aimed at beginners, but there’s no reason you couldn’t use
this to play a set to rival a pro DJ. You’ll need to keep your ears peeled
though, as beat detection isn’t perfect and will need a nudge every now and
then. It’s possible to map the MC2000 to work with other DJ software, but as a
two-deck mixer it works just fine with the bundled software.
Simply plug and play for domestic DJ
debauchery.
It’s
possible to map the MC2000 to work with other DJ software, but as a two-deck
mixer it works just fine with the bundled software.
Alternatively
Algoriddim djay
Price: $20.9
Platform: iPhone, iPad, Mac
Mixing like a pro is pretty simple with
djay, thanks to auto beat-matching. Go ‘commando’ and mix in stereo without
using headphones, or play it safe with a cable splitter and cans.
How to mix like a pro
Teach your ears to hear: Learn the sound of one track playing
faster or slower than the other. For all the help you get these days it’s still
an essential skill, because tracks will drift – and you’ll need to know
instantly which needs a little push or pull.
Phrase matching: When you cue your next track, don’t
just match any two beats. Listen for the start of a new section and drop it over
the track you’re playing when that one switches to a new phrase often every 32,
64 or 128 beats.
Let the music sing: Unless you’re amazingly talented,
extensive and continued use of effects, scratching and loops is more likely to
annoy your audience than impress them. If you need to work your tracks that
hard it’s time for new ones.
PIONEER RMX-1000
Price: $900
What’s in the mix?
DJing with today’s technology is so easy
you could do it with one hand. Fortunately Pioneer has made work for idle hands
(or hand), with this irresistible DJ effects processor. You can either wire it
up between your mixer and speakers, or install a virtual instrument plug-in on
to your laptop and control it from the RMX-1000. Either way you get the same
features, including auto beat-detection, filters and isolators for taking out
bass, midrange or treble frequencies, a mini drum machine and a whole bunch of
roof-raising effects.
Fortunately
Pioneer has made work for idle hands (or hand), with this irresistible DJ
effects processor.
Up to scratch?
The drum machine is the only part of the
RMX-1000 that isn’t completely idiot proof. Otherwise design is almost faultless,
as is the output. Automatic tempo detection works amazingly well, chopping up
and looping beats is simple, and the effects bang the nail squarely on the
head. Want to ditch the effects and strip it back to your main track again? A
flick of the ‘release’ switch cuts the chaos and masks the transition with a
vinyl spin-back, an echo or a simulated turntable pause. You can also add your
own sounds via SD card. The RMX-100 isn’t cheap – but there’s nothing quite
like it in terms of usability and pure satisfaction.
A dangerously addictive gadget to have in
the DJ booth.
The
RMX-100 isn’t cheap – but there’s nothing quite like it in terms of usability
and pure satisfaction.
Alternatively
Dub Siren DX
Price: $3.7
Platform: iPhone, iPad
Reggae and dub step DJs will love this
radio tuner combined with an old-school siren and bank of sound effects to drop
over your tunes.
How to hype up your DJ set
Pick your moment: Unless you’re playing super-minimal tunes, remember that your tracks
are already the finished article. Get to know your tunes inside out and find
chances to add drama: maybe during a long intro or as you crossfade.
Stay on top of timing: The RMX-1000 makes it almost impossible to mess up your timing but
it’s easily done with other effects boxes. Stay on the beat and keep your
bearings within the track, fitting tweaks around its builds and drops.
What and when: Time your effects. Try using a filter to roll a track down to a
booming bass line, then cut back to the original just as a cymbal crash and
bass drum kick off a new section.
