Dubstepforum.com

Hey guys I've been lurking on this forum and XLR8R for awhile now but have never posted. I started my dubstep obsession about a year ago and since then I've just collected digi-tracks and new releases as well as listened to dubstep.fm fanatically (big ups to dopelabs and all the fam!) and I finally just recently decided I wanted to get myself some vinyl decks and start learning to mix. I have a numark-TT1 and a TT-2 for decks (both used but in decent condition I picked up from someone local who was moving away) plus a Stanton SMX-301 mixer. Now I know my rig isn't top of the line in any way shape or form but that's not why I'm here. I've come to a snag in my plans. The problem is that there are just no decent record shops around here and even if there were they most likely wouldn't have any dubstep to speak of. Anyways here's my question: Is it practical to buy Serato or Traktor and mix simply using the digis I have stocked on my computer or does that defeat the whole purpose of what I'm trying to do? Should I buy all my vinyl online instead? My worry is that if I go with the latter it could become a far more expensive choice than just buying the program + the control vinyl.

TL;DR: For someone new to vinyl mixing in this day and age is it smarter to go with control vinyl and buy Serato or should I go 'old school' and buy individual vinyl wherever I can find them?

Hey, I can't answer your question but welcome to the forum!:)
Dubstep.fm is pretty wild at five in the morning, eh?

Buy releases you like on vinyl to have a physical copy/add to your collection, and get serato to mix digitally exclusive tunes and save money.

upstateface wrote:Buy releases you like on vinyl to have a physical copy/add to your collection, and get serato to mix digitally exclusive tunes and save money.

I used to be vinyl only for so long, but have recently adopted this attitude as well. Haven't got into serato or tractor yet but have begun integrating ableton into my set up. It's fun and like upstate said, there's just some tunes you can't get on wax these days... Kingodm - fogs for example

Go for it

yeah just get your vinyl online. even with international shipping the price is similar to what you would pay in a shop.

at the end of the day the biggest advantage of vinyl is that you won't loose it in a hard drive crash. and mixing is a lot more engaging when you're not looking at a waveform. and the aesthetics...

Buying all your records on vinyl is insanly expensive. On the other side you will probably appreciate your tunes more and therefor
learn to mix them better.

I'd go with Traktor or Serato though. I own Traktor, it's not working atm so I mix with a mpd24 but timecode is great.

I'v got Serato... Its amazing simple as. You get most tunes Digitally as wel now then stuff thats vinyl only you can buy/ship at the same time. Sampw81 Deep medi etc!

You could start with a traktor certified mixer (they have the soundcard in mixer)and a few control vinyl $ave$ Then move into wax as u go along

prism wrote:You could start with a traktor certified mixer (they have the soundcard in mixer)and a few control vinyl $ave$ Then move into wax as u go along

Original poster here, are you saying that without a Traktor certified mixer Traktor won't work for me, or is it just the optimal mixer to use? Just checking to clarify.

i had the same dilemma.
i took the hit and bought serato but its the best thing since sliced bread!
that way you can buy vinyl only tunes and play it along with your digi releases.
i think its really nice to build up a vinyl collection, especially when you get an absolute banger which wont get repressed.

also, stuff that youve been sent by mp3 or your own tunes are available at your disposal.

finally, try looking for serato on ebay or get it second hand. its a damn sight cheaper and if u dont like it, you can flog it off at around the same price

hope that helps

kwun-tings wrote:i had the same dilemma.
i took the hit and bought serato but its the best thing since sliced bread!
that way you can buy vinyl only tunes and play it along with your digi releases.
i think its really nice to build up a vinyl collection, especially when you get an absolute banger which wont get repressed.

also, stuff that youve been sent by mp3 or your own tunes are available at your disposal.

finally, try looking for serato on ebay or get it second hand. its a damn sight cheaper and if u dont like it, you can flog it off at around the same price

hope that helps

Great advice thanks! I'm actually starting to lean more towards Traktor at this point just because I've had some previous experience with Native Instruments Massive program and enjoyed it alot. Has anyone had any experience with Traktor Scratch Duo? Yay or nay?

Corred wrote:

prism wrote:You could start with a traktor certified mixer (they have the soundcard in mixer)and a few control vinyl $ave$ Then move into wax as u go along

Original poster here, are you saying that without a Traktor certified mixer Traktor won't work for me, or is it just the optimal mixer to use? Just checking to clarify.

Traktor / Serato etc works with any mixer

The AUDIO 8 DJ interface comes with traktor scratch pro , and a mixer like the Korg Zero 4 has it inbuilt for round the same price. Serato has the same thing with some Rane mixers too

My plan, as I am also starting to learn to mix, is to start on vinyl only. Got a cheap pair of decks of a mate and buying a fairly cheap 2 channel mixer and a boat load of vinyl and just going to see where it takes me. Much prefer vinyl over digital as I can't stand not having something physical, I'll have that music forever that way. How else will I teach my kids about one of my favourite styles of music ever if they are all lost on a computer somewhere!

Still, if I really pick up mixing. I'd consider Serato or Traktor, purely because of digital only releases (also thinking about Kingdom - Fogs and a lot of the FTW cat) but then again, I don't have a laptop so could be a pain. Vinyl all the way for me atm, I want to learn from the ground up.

apmje wrote:My plan, as I am also starting to learn to mix, is to start on vinyl only. Got a cheap pair of decks of a mate and buying a fairly cheap 2 channel mixer and a boat load of vinyl and just going to see where it takes me. Much prefer vinyl over digital as I can't stand not having something physical, I'll have that music forever that way. How else will I teach my kids about one of my favourite styles of music ever if they are all lost on a computer somewhere!

Still, if I really pick up mixing. I'd consider Serato or Traktor, purely because of digital only releases (also thinking about Kingdom - Fogs and a lot of the FTW cat) but then again, I don't have a laptop so could be a pain. Vinyl all the way for me atm, I want to learn from the ground up.

Word.

I went backwards from DVS to only vinyl now , only use traktor rarley

Traktor >/ Serato.

Do what you can afford.

danoldboy wrote:Do what you can afford.

I can afford either or, it just comes down to which is more useful in the long run. Something that can play any song I currently have right away or something unavailable in my area that would take alot of time and expensive shipping costs to aquire :/

Phyalow wrote:Traktor >/ Serato.

no it doesnt.

i would suggest saving up and buying some 1210's for starters.

Corred wrote:My worry is that if I go with the latter it could become a far more expensive choice than just buying the program + the control vinyl.

don't worry about that, it will be, without a doubt. Once you get into collecting vinyl it never ends

apmje wrote:My plan, as I am also starting to learn to mix, is to start on vinyl only. Got a cheap pair of decks of a mate and buying a fairly cheap 2 channel mixer and a boat load of vinyl and just going to see where it takes me. Much prefer vinyl over digital as I can't stand not having something physical, I'll have that music forever that way. How else will I teach my kids about one of my favourite styles of music ever if they are all lost on a computer somewhere!

Still, if I really pick up mixing. I'd consider Serato or Traktor, purely because of digital only releases (also thinking about Kingdom - Fogs and a lot of the FTW cat) but then again, I don't have a laptop so could be a pain. Vinyl all the way for me atm, I want to learn from the ground up.

im selling a complete beginner vinyl set up if u want?
2x vinyl turntables, a behringer 3 channel mixer and speakers.

looking for £150 without p&p but will negotiate