For years now i have had two CDJ-1000s in my dj setup. I have one MKI and one MKII. The thing is that they both have a much different feel as far as using the jog wheel for manual pitch correction. The MKI is so slick that you can manually pitch correct without even being able to hear the brief dip in pitch. However with the MKII the wheel is way more touch no matter what you set the Touch/Brake - Release/Start knobs. When you manually pull back on the jog wheel to slow down the track it's very obvious and you can really hear the dip in pitch...

I have even gone as far as putting the same track on both CDJs and going back and forth until I get their respective responsiveness to matchup to no avail. So basically I have resigned myself to constantly be aware that, "ok you are on the mkII now so be extra careful." Basically my mixing is much weaker on the MKII...lame!!!

Anyone have any thoughts of similar experiences? I am pondering just getting another MKI until I can afford a pair of MKIIIs.

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

like you said get another MKI and you ll be fine :)

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

wow, i actually thought the mk2 was supposed to be better than the 1 but i guess it's all up to personal preference. I've never had a CDJ in my house. I'd love to have some, but I've spun on all three models but only in clubs and at times like that you don't really focus on the intricacies of the decks. I'm now thinking of picking up a MK1 for myself.

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

I think on the MKIII's you can adjust the jog wheels sensitivity if im not wrong....

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

[QUOTE=kassios;669664]I think on the MKIII's you can adjust the jog wheels sensitivity if im not wrong....[/QUOTE]

yes and supports mp3...

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

right now I am scouring the web for a cheap mkI and hopefully I will get rid of my mkII until I can afford a new pair or MKIIIs...

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

get rid of both and get a pair of cdj400's =)

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

[QUOTE=Steve Graham;669858]get rid of both and get a pair of cdj400's =)[/QUOTE]

what is all the hype with 400's about? Please Steve, enlighten me...

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

I just really enjoyed using them a few weeks ago when I played at a club, very sturdy and the platter was so smooth to use

not so much hype, I mean they are just another version of a cdj, but more comparible to the 1000's then they are comparible to the 200's or 800's imo

they play mp3s like the 1000's they have vinyl mode you can plug in a usb and play from an external storage device they have the +/- 6,10,16 and wide they have on board effects and the looping function is that of the cdj 200

so for the price as compared to the 1000's and for home/studio use, thats what i would go with :)

[URL]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k75/Mike_Kamp/CDJ400a.jpg[/URL]

my .02

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

[QUOTE=Steve Graham;669872]I just really enjoyed using them a few weeks ago when I played at a club, very sturdy and the platter was so smooth to use

not so much hype, I mean they are just another version of a cdj, but more comparible to the 1000's then they are comparible to the 200's or 800's imo

they play mp3s like the 1000's they have vinyl mode you can plug in a usb and play from an external storage device they have the +/- 6,10,16 and wide they have on board effects and the looping function is that of the cdj 200

so for the price as compared to the 1000's and for home/studio use, thats what i would go with :)

[URL]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k75/Mike_Kamp/CDJ400a.jpg[/URL]

my .02[/QUOTE]

ok...one more question...how do they perform when you have to manually nudge the platter forward or backward?

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

solid mate, that platter didnt seem to spin at all if you know what i mean.. but i normally glide my hand across it rather than nudge..but it only moved as much as i wanted it to, it didnt feel like it kept going.. i hope im making sense here, lol the mixes just seemed to lock in so nicely.. i would for sure try to find someone that has them to check them out first if i were you.. but i have used all versions of cdj's and to be honest except for not having a wave read out, these have been my fave to use

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

[QUOTE=Steve Graham;669894]solid mate, that platter didnt seem to spin at all if you know what i mean.. but i normally glide my hand across it rather than nudge..but it only moved as much as i wanted it to, it didnt feel like it kept going.. i hope im making sense here, lol the mixes just seemed to lock in so nicely.. i would for sure try to find someone that has them to check them out first if i were you.. but i have used all versions of cdj's and to be honest except for not having a wave read out, these have been my fave to use[/QUOTE]

Thank you Steve! I have had two CDJ1000s for many years now and I swear by them. However they are pricey as hell...I do want to check out the 400s, but in the end I will most likely end up a MKIII and discarding my MKII which I don't like at all...

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

why do you want the mkiii's? what in your opinion makes them better than the mkii's? i honestly don't see the reason for them being more $$ than the others

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

[QUOTE=Steve Graham;670013]why do you want the mkiii's? what in your opinion makes them better than the mkii's? i honestly don't see the reason for them being more $$ than the others[/QUOTE]

How should I explain this? The first thing I use to judge each model of the CDJ1000 series is how well does it work for on-the-fly pitch correction i.e. manually pulling back or pushing forward on the wheel...the MKIIs are WAY too sensitive. When mixing with the MKIIs if you pull back on the wheel you can very easily hear the temporary change in the track's speed...with MKIs and MKIIIs you get much looser feel that I swear to god mixes better...the MKIIs were nice in that they upgraded some features over the MKI, but the core use of it (MIXING) was downgraded in the MKII. I have played extensively on the MKI and MKII and a few times on the MKIII...either way the MKII is crap that's all I can say.

The MKIIIs have a lot of nice upgrades including very nice waveform display, improved looping, fast load time, sturdier feel and of course the mixing on it is very nice. Either way I would rather have a pair of MKI's than a pair of MKII's...

I am surprised that I am only guy on here with this opinion...maybe my MKII is bunk. If I got a chance to play on the 400s and liked them I would LOVE to save some $$$ considering the cost of MKIIIs...but the investment is worth it in my opinion...i hope that rambling answered your question Steve :)

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

no, it did, I was just curious when you adjust are you doing it on cdj or vinyl mode? on vinyl mode it is definitely noticeable.. whereas not so much on cdj

but the upgrades just dont seem to warrant the increase in price in my opinion. but again, for home use I just dont need them.. any where I typically play has 1000's, plus any number of my mates have them that we use when we do our own events

so I am not so much saying I dont like them as much I personally dont have the need :)

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

I did actually try both CDJ and VINYL modes last night and I still could not get them work with the same feel...

I am going to check out the 400s at Guitar Center sometime soon and yes the costs are RIDICULOUS

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

I agree with Steve 100% to be honest. . .I have used the cdj 1000 mkIII and I still went for the 400 even though I could have bought the 1000. I preferred to spend that money on some other stuff and thought that such a steep price increase is simply NOT worth it. The 400 has a smooth plater its (not as sensitive as that seems to be your main concern). I would even say its less sensitive than a CDJ 200! Now I have (in my opinion) an almost perfect setup. . .2xcdj's, 2x1210's a djm 600 (need an Allen & Heath xone 92 really) and my new found love and best investment ever Traktor Scratch...

By the way the 400's can also be used as MIDI controllers with traktor or other software. . . which is also a big bonus Hope that helps. . .

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

thanks for the input. it sounds like the 400 is the real deal and I will certainly be checking them out.

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

thought that the MkII's supposed to be better than the MkI :o: weird...

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

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

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

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

[quote=chuckc;670302]^^yeah me too...i guess i really wasted my money getting mkII's....should of just waited and got th 400s[/quote]

but you got a tremendous deal mate :)

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

[quote=kassios;670312]^^Are you not satisfied with the mkII's?[/quote]

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

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 ;)

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

[quote=Steve Graham;670463]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.. [B][SIZE=3]keep the pitch adjust on the +/- 6[/SIZE][/B] ;)[/quote]

Nice tip Steve! :)

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. [URL="http://www.avgiant.com"]www.avgiant.com[/URL] (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...

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.

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.

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

[QUOTE=kalin;701798]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.[/QUOTE]

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 [B]long[/B] time, I rarely find it necessary to touch the pitch adjustments once they're set.

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!

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

[QUOTE=jeffrey collins;702486]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![/QUOTE]

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.

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.

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

[quote=pr0ficient;702416] 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. [/quote]

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... :what

[quote=pr0ficient;702416] 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 [B]long[/B] time, I rarely find it necessary to touch the pitch adjustments once they're set.[/quote]

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%).

Re: DJing with two different models of CDJ-1000

[quote=pr0ficient;702416]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.[/quote]

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 ;)

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...

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 ;)