Digital DJ Tips reader Joe writes: “I’m looking to get a pair of Gemini CDJ-700s. (I’d love to get some Pioneer 900’s or 2000’s but they are way out of my price range!) I know the CDJ-700s are Midi mappable but I’m not to sure what Midi mappable mixer I should get with them, or what program to use. I know Gemini has the all-in-one unit (the Gemini CDMP-7000) that uses the CDJ-700s, but I’m not a fan of the ‘if something breaks you have to send the whole thing for repair’ deal. I was considering the Denon DN-X600 but wasn’t sure if there may be a slightly cheaper one like the Xone:22. Any help would be fantastic.”
Digital DJ Tips says:
Firstly, the CDJ 700s are good basic CDJs – you can read our Gemini CDJ-700 review here. But we are currently finalising a review of the all-in-one unit you speak of, the Gemini CDMP-7000, and I have to say it’s pretty good. You may want to reconsider that. If you still want to go the separates route, bear in mind that the CDMP-7000 doesn’t actually have a Midi mixer at all – its mixer is pure analogue, and so the unit just Midi controls the decks in DJ software. This isn’t a bad way to go, and so you could consider straight analogue mixers like the Xone:22 you mention or the Pioneer DJM-250.
If you want to do your mixing internally in DJ software you will, as you identify correctly, need a Midi-enabled mixer, and as you’re on a budget your options are a bit limited. I’m a fan of the DJ-Tech X10 (here’s our DJ-Tech X10 review), but also the (as-yet unreviewed here) new MXR series from American Audio can do it. Bear in mind though that the CDJ-700s have built in audio interfaces, as do Midi-enabled DJ mixers, so you’ll have at least one redundant audio interface depending how you set it up. Also bear in mind that set-up will be something you’ll have to spend some time doing, although I know Gemini does have mappings for Traktor and Virtual DJ.
So there’s your software choice – go for either Traktor or Virtual DJ, and you’ll need the Pro version of either package to be able to use mappings.
Good luck, whichever route you choose to take!
Do you have a similar set-up? Do you have some advice to add for Joe? Please post your thoughts in the comments.
Phil Morse
