Use record box the cheapest. All u need is USB sticks.... unless you terribly need to use 1 tb of music.

Sl2 box run the cdj in hid mode.

Yes you need a powered USB hub..

The sl2 box needs it own USB nothing sharing it

300 for used sl2, 399 for sp1, 50 for Belk in powered hub

Or

2. 32gb USB sticks......

Thank you for the reply Raedonquan.

Thank you for the reply Raedonquan. To be clear, are you saying you suggest not using Serato DJ at all, and instead putting my music on USB sticks and play on the clubs CDJs (without a laptop)?

The cheapest way would be to just use your laptop and an SL2 package.


You dont need the DDJ-SP1 at all for Serato DJ to run, you need the SL2.

The DDJ-SP1 is only used as an extra controller to access some of the functions within Serato DJ, most (if not all) can be accessed with the keyboard on your computer.

Also you would only need 1 USB cable with this setup, connecting the CDJs via HID is not mandatory. You could just run the Serato Noisemap CDs that come with the SL2 instead.

Thanks DJ P Dot! So the SL2 comes with the Serato Noisemap CDs, and I would just put those in the CDJs and connect my computer to the SL2, and the mixer to the SL2?

Thanks!

If I'm not mistaken, the SL2 comes with timecode CD's. So the CD's go in the CDJ's, which you plug the RCA cables into the SL2 box, then take the SL2 and plug it into the input of the mixer and also plug the SL2 box to your laptop via USB, and you should be good to go.

OK here is the way you should go.

Required
Purchase the SL2 (minimum)
2 USB cables
Powered USB HUB (if you have a MacBook Pro)
What the users above this post are suggesting gets you running Serato DJ in DVS mode which pretty much defeats the whole point of having Pioneer CDJ's. What you want to be running is the CDJ's in HID mode. With the CDJ-850, CDJ-900, CDJ-2000 & CDJ-2000Nexus this is possible now. All others you will be forced to use with DVS which is an inferior technology. Luckilly the SL2 comes with everything you need to run DVS anyways though. Many may say that there are issues with DVS & Serato. This was true for SSL but not SDJ as the HID compatibility was redesigned from the ground up and the platter/vibration issue which plagued the CDJ series is non-existant.

That being said what you should consider is purchasing the DDJ-SP1 as you yourself suggested originally. It will VASTLY change your SDJ experience by adding performance pads which have become more or less a staple in a current DJ setup.


So:
around $500 - SL2 with timecode
for about $50 more (USB Hub & 2 USB cables) you run SL2 with DVS (if the CDJ's are compatible.

If you have an extra $360 you can get the SP1 which again will literally change your entire DJ experience. There is a little something extra that only someone who owns both a Pioneer controller & Pioneer CDJ setups can tell you............ without the SP1 you will feel like you took a HUGE step backwards when moving to CDJ setups. You gain the Pioneer FX (if the mixer is Pioneer) but you lose all the performance pad capabilities which have proven to be invaluable.

buy the sl2 box cause you never know when the opportunity to use it comes up.

you can have both..... an serato dj library and a recordbox library

in recordbox you choose which song you want to load into the usb sticks..


what if you get a gig and the owner tells you ... you cant touch the setup. what do you do now..

so getting comfortable with a cdj setup should be a good thing and most clubs have pioneer cdjs

yes there is amazing thing you can do with the sp1.... but does it really make a whole difference... to me no not really...

nothing wrong with basic mixing.....that maybe the difference between you and the next knob tweeker that plays right after you.


now if you come across a setup that has it already for you and all you have to do is plug in your laptop and your sp1 .....i would do it in a heartbeat.

but different clubs have different stuff and different rules.

wouldnt it be nice to roll up to anyspot that has any kind of stuff and just play. cause you know how to play on it.


after i bought my sx i bought. cdj 850's cause i was like hmm the sx platter are like cdjs then i shouldnt have a problem playing on them.

now i use a controller if i want .... use recordbox and even traktor if need be.


my next upgrade will be some cdj 900 nexus only when hid support in SDJ comes out.

AKAtrap and Deejdave, thank you for the input. I have a much clearer picture of what my next steps will be.

Did y'all who have/play on CDJs buy them to start practicing on them? Or was there another way that you got acclimated before having to play on them at a club. I know the functionality is similar to how the DDJ-SX and SZ work, but there are differences. Even after I get the SL2 box and USB hubs (and probably the SP1) I'd like to practice on the actual set-up but it's tough to try and drop $2,000 minimum on a comparable used CDJ/Mixer combo.

I had CDJ's from the start. I started with CDJ-1000MK3's then went to CDJ-900's then CDJ-2000Nexus's.

I then went to controllers as a way of not hauling my main rigs to smaller gigs & family/friend functions. The best part of having Pioneer controllers Vs. other manufacturers are the similarities in layout & function. The Pioneer controller layout is much close to the real thing than any other brand.

Lastly TBH a CDJ setup can be found at $2,000 but not a comparable one. The functions found in the SX/SZ are so rich & advanced that a comparable CDj setup will cost you upwards of $3,000 or more.

Haha, yeah I think your right. I think I was wishfully low-balling :)

And yeah, I've heard that before about Pioneer which is why I went with the DDJSX over something like an S4. It felt closer to a proper CDJ.

In your opinion, what CDJ/Mixer setup would be suitable for practice in preparation for DJing on a higher end club setup? (Like a CDJ 2000 Nexus/DJM900 setup?)

This is actually becoming standard practice even for avid Traktor users. Even they are starting to choose native Serato gear as Serato interfaces/controllers are superior to N.I. gear.

I would say for me CDJ-900 or above. If the 900Nexus was supported by SDJ this would be ideal. Some get by with the 850 thought which may work for you. DO NOT however (even if I get flamed) go for CDJ-400 or CDJ-350. While they are great players they will not helo your situation at all.