My 2c - As someone who has previously in their life had pioneer CDJs, Pioneer controllers and now a Numark Mixstream Pro Go (Engine DJ) - no the software doesn't really matter . As someone mentioned above, setting cue points, beat grids etc takes a bit of time so you don't want to have to be re-doing that often. Get the best controller you can afford and have fun.

Any DJ controller is not "locked" for any software, it is more ready for specific software.

As getting close to your dad age, if not equally old, i would advise the Numark Mixtrack pro fx, just for the long pitch faders. Mixing with ear is usually things we did in vinyl and CD time.

Also, added to that, the Serato software is not perfect but has for me the best overal sound, what i mean with that it that it sound very close to the original sound, which is far the case of rekordbox, Mixvibes, Mixxx,Djay, Virtual DJ has also a close sound to the original but not as much as serato.

Mixtrack pro fx is compatible with Djay, Virtual DJ, Serato and probably Traktor but you need to map everything :(

There's very little benefit to running more than 1 piece of software...it's both your library management, setting up playlist, cue points, loops etc AND runs the show when playing on the controller...why would you want to have to maintain TWO or more libraries? All the work you do in one doesn't auto-translate over to the other.

Most people opt for Pioneer/Rekordbox because longer term, that's the ONLY software you must have to export your files to USB to play them on CDJs or XDJ all in one setups.

If you're remotely serious about it, don't cheap out on the FLX2, it's insanely restrictive/crap and you'll outgrow it in a month. Save a few extra bob, get the FLX4...you can then try out both Serato and Rekordbox and see which you prefer in regards to day to day library management and mixing, but bare in mind if you stick with Serato, that cannot export your playlists to USB

Don’t get the FLX-2 or the party mix. Those barely qualify as controllers and you’ll outgrow them in a month. The Numark Mixtrack Pro FX 2 would be the better option here if you can’t swing the standard FLX-4 or equivalent.

It’s not software locked as far as I know. It’s a Serato controller but it appears to be supported in Virtual DJ and probably others as well. https://virtualdj.com/manuals/hardware/numark/mixtrackprofx.html

The software is important but you’ll be learning and employing the same skills regardless of what you use.

I like the idea of the open source nature of Mixx but I haven’t used it so I can’t comment. I’m a Virtual DJ user and a controller license is only $99 which is a lot cheaper than most of the other software which has gone largely subscription based. At least Rekordbox comes free with Pioneer controllers and is “industry standard” even though I really don’t care for it and think it’s a bloated, confused mess.

I recommend controller. Ive hosted karaoke for right at 10 years. Started w/ MacBook Pro, Karafun SW, and couple of mics provided from bar. Bought a used controller a month in, added speakers/lights/etc and djed first wedding 3 months later. Host karaoke at one bar and DJ at another once a week for past 9 years.

I use a Pioneer RX3 and route karaoke through aux output on controller. Use Rekordbox to play music in between people singing. Run mics through mic outputs on rx3 with wireless transmitters. Works very well.

Kj?

For me, a basic one like the Pioneer DDJ FLX 4 worked pretty well. I now switched to a more elaborate set, but it had essentially all the necessities to start learning to mix. They are not too expensive, especially 2nd hand

The CDJ 400 is just a CD player. It isn't a controller If you mean a ddj 400 I think that still unlocks rekordbox The software the party mix uses for "free" is terrible. It's serato lite. And it's just free. Not free with the controller, just free.

Serato pro is my favorite program personally, but lite is extremely bare bones It's the only program I'm more opposed to than rekordbox

Check Numark and Hercules controllers

Don’t cheap out at first. I would suggest pioneer. It’s better to spend a little bit more and have a good starting controller than spending a bit less and wanting to change controllers a few months down the road.

If you want to play in clubs, getting familiar with the pioneer environment is the way to go

One tip is to buy decent second hand gear.

That way as/when you’re ready you can sell it again for not too much difference.

What are you looking for in a new controller?

hercules t7

I would recommend the flx 4 if you want to experiment with different software since it's compatible with Serato, rekordbox, virtual DJ, and djay pro

Also the flx 4 is just an updated ddj400

I bought the FLX4 as my first controller about a year ago and it has been a blast. As someone already said the FLX4 is just the new version of the 400. I have had zero regrets going with the FLX4. I cannot really speak on the remaining two of course, but I was in the same position as you before starting. Based on my experience it’s a solid choice.

If you eventually want to DJ in clubs then go for Pioneer gear and learn Rekordbox. The FLX-4

Numark mixtrack platinum fx is a great controller for beginners.

This gets asked daily brother. Just search the sub for the hundreds of posts and have a read of the comments there.

Honestly I’ve got no recommendations regarding gear in that price bracket. But I wouldn’t stress about sticking with pioneer for your first controller.

What I would be putting some thought into is what DJ software you anticipate you’ll be using going forward.

If pioneer maintain market dominance in clubs and festivals, potentially Rekordbox is the software that you should be leaning more towards. Maybe they shit the bed and NI bring out some dope hardware and take the market. Who knows, conversation for another time.

But in the price bracket you’re in, I’d worry more about the software the kit will push you towards. As in my opinion, most entry level controllers will offer a very very similar feature set and build quality as their competitors.

Buy used. I got a Numark MT3 Pro for $90 on Facebook marketplace. An older controller but imo plenty comparable to the FLX4, and if you do want to land in Pioneer/AT territory there are used FLX4s and similar out there for less than retail.

Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3

Realistically, your looking at the DDJ-FLX4. If you're looking at starting to use Rekordbox, Pioneer/AlphaTheta gear is the route you have to go. Hercules Inpulse 500 is a solid piece of gear that is probably the most comparable, but it is not supported by RB (you need to use Serato or DJuced, Hercules' proprietary software). The only real difference between the two would be the dedicated FX knob on the FLX4

What is it that make it not fun? For me 30 year in on playing around with music. I still find it fun to play on a 2-channel mixer. And 2 audio sources. No fx no hotcues no eq.

It is the music that makes it fun.

I don’t claim to know your mind. But consider what the boring part actually is, before spending more money.

I see a lot of these posts and from my experience I think the answer is anything you don’t already have. Mix the shit out of it until you know it inside out and on with the next. As long as you can mix with it you’ll learn something.

save up and get an all in one. the rx’s and the xz are all fun as fuck. haven’t tried the az yet but it’s a bit pricey for me. for like 600 more europe dollars you can get the rr

If that's your budget, then I would suggest the FLX2. It's $180 and has a lot of features that other controllers in the price range don't, like three EQ knobs.

I started with a tiny Hercules Inpulse 200 for about 100 bucks and it got me hooked on DJing. Starting small isn't a problem.

Get something used with potentiometers for

• ⁠3 band eq • ⁠gain • ⁠mix

Some of the cheapest models lack these. Then you probably also want 8 effect pads per channel. I think Numark has quite a few affordable models that cover this, like the Mixtrack Pro FX. Or perhaps a Hercules Inpulse 300. Try to find a good deal for a lightly used one.

I just for a used flx4 for 200$

I started on a used Traktor Kontrol S4 I got for $200. It's a great controller, and not one that you'd outgrow quickly at all (4 channels, modern features, good build quality, etc.)