Ableton Forum

Hi there

Im wanting to get into Djing with Live ..was wondering what people recommend for controllers?
Something portable and versatile.
I'll be using a RME fireface uc audio interface .

Is the apc 20 a good choice for djing with ?

I would check out the Vestax VCM600. Widely regarded as one of the best 'DJ' controllers for Live

once the bridge is released, I'd go with a Xone:DX and a Launchpad, I feel like that would be an amazing DJ setup for live

x session pro, motu ultralite, any club mixer with at least 2 free channels.

For several years I have mix inside the box. I now prefer to mix on a hardware mixer, and that is my current setup.

If i add anything else it would be a launchpad. But first it will probably be a piece of hardware for playing live with my current DJ sets.

Johbremat wrote:I'd suggest you try the Vestax VCM-600. Fantastic build quality and just...functions.


When 'Live' and 'DJing' are used in the same sentence, the Akai APC20 wouldn't be the first thing to comes to my mind, for the lack of a crossfader and no section for controlling device parameters. If you've no need for a crossfader, I'd be so bold as to suggest an array of Korg nanoKontrol & nanoPads would meet your needs.


Otherwise, consider the Novation ZeRO SL M II & Nocturn, Behringer DDM4000 or Behringer BCF2000 & BCR2000.

+1 on the vcm600 thing, i love my two xone 1ds though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdJ5XYwYGeo

try the bcr200 breakbot seems to make some impressive mixes with the bcr 2000/ would anyone know how to dj with this? i dont lol

jonesonyou wrote:x session pro, motu ultralite, any club mixer with at least 2 free channels.

For several years I have mix inside the box. I now prefer to mix on a hardware mixer, and that is my current setup.

If i add anything else it would be a launchpad. But first it will probably be a piece of hardware for playing live with my current DJ sets.

Can you explain exactly how to route this setup in live and also where I need to connect wires from the motu into the dj mixer? I want to try this setup but can't figure this out. Also, do you cue through the motu or through the dj mixer? Thanks.

I think you can DJ with all kinds of MIDI-controllers, I used to dj with my roland keyboard, it worked great Its how you set it up that makes the difference! You should try out something cheap first and see what you really need...

Mellow wrote:I think you can DJ with all kinds of MIDI-controllers, I used to dj with my roland keyboard, it worked great Its how you set it up that makes the difference! You should try out something cheap first and see what you really need...

exactly, its not what controller you have its how you use it.

There are two of us and we use one laptop with two launchpads, a BCR2000, Pad Kontrol and nocturn running out four sound sources into a standard two channel mixer.

Mixing between decks A & B gets done on the two physical channels of any mixer - the four sound sources (tracks A & B, beats, samples) gets effected independently and then sent out to either channel A or B on the mixer through a Native Instruments DJ 2.

That gives a massive amount of control possibilities - with the BCR2000, launchpad and Kontrol acting more like controllerism controllers. They can be removed for a more basic DJ set.

It really is how you use the stuff I suppose - the routing of audio and implementation of MIDI is quite complicated in our live set and is always evolving.

I really believe that the truest answer is - It all depends on how YOU want to DJ.
My set up includes

BCD2000 (I know, I know, but to mine ears and the places I've played the sound quality is just fine)
APC40
Korg Nano Series (Kontrol, Pad, Key <--- dont buy that one)
Rockband Guitar and 2 Rockband2 Drumkits

I should note that this set up is ran on two laptops. If I'm just jukebox dj'n I bring only the BCD2000 and one laptop.

if you just want to DJ I think it may be the computer since you can do more precise launching with the mousepad... if you want to have control over efx and use the power of live for other things than its the akai