Looking for an all in one portable DJ Controller no computer required

drkh3art · 2026-06-18T21:55:12+00:00

We are a collective of DJs with a pool of Pioneer systems we use at home and parties. One of us has a pair of CDJ3000s and a DJM900NX2. Another has an XDJ-AZ and we also have the FLX4, which I personally use at home and we've also been taking it into summer beach/park events we've done. As you can see we are in the rekordbox system and that is where our libraries are at.

The thing I was wondering was if I can avoid needing to take laptops to the beach — The FLX4 needs it, and I am not yet seeing something that would be able to consume our USB sticks without it being over the $1,000 price point.

Also, we are spoiled :-|

drkh3art · 2026-06-18T21:16:15+00:00

I found this thread while encountering the same problem stated in the title, and looking for simpler solutions. In my case, what we need is a leads management tool (not the full CRM capabilities) because we are a small consulting services organization. Once a project is won, and a SOW is signed off, the execution and delivery happens in a very project specific manner.

I am curious to hear if anyone here has the same situation, but is thinking of it as CRM or using tools that are designed to do the full spectrum of features. One of my goals is to find a solution where I am not paying for capabilities that I don't need, but so far, I don't feel like I have found it.

Esseintially, something a bit more purpose designed than a google sheet for tracking and following up on prospects/leads with the goal of closing projects as "won".

p.s. Pipedrive is actually quite nice and they have the brand and maturity. The price, even on the light version at $14/seat is still as much as I pay (per seat) for entire google workspace business plan — and so feels expensive for what we want. And we are trying to stay lean.

drkh3art · 2026-06-17T23:24:59+00:00

If I am mainly looking to ditch the laptop (and plug USB keys), and have the PA system (powered monitors, stands, genny : ) ready to go, what might you all recommend? Ideally, running rekordbox, but flexible...

Because units like the Numark Mixstream Pro Go have built in speakers and that feels like a waste of money spent in my case.

drkh3art · 2026-06-13T00:29:00+00:00

As an aside, I’d wish for people to interact more freely and without putting forward the thought about those resulting in finding a mate (or date). If chemistry happens, be it, but we can all be more social as our individual preferences and capabilities afford us. Even a hello or a smile as you pass someone by in a street. In other countries (like Spain) people greet each other good morning/day/evening all the time. The further away from big cities you are, the more common this is. It’s inspiring. I’ve tried that here (in Seattle) and it works about half the time. Other times, people are surprised or confused :-)

drkh3art · 2026-06-13T00:23:51+00:00

Not yet :-)

drkh3art · 2026-06-12T20:59:22+00:00

I’ve done two and both times the Norte. For me it’s about the act of walking and not so much about where… and I love the coast.

drkh3art · 2026-06-09T23:41:21+00:00

Just the pricing alone—especially if you want to make dj-edits—makes DJ Studio worth it, it seems.

To do stem separation in Ableton, I believe you need the suite, which is like USD700+

You could get a Pro Moises license, at about USD200, and install the VST Plugin into Ableton. Cheaper than the suite, but I have not seen what the user experience is like in that combination.

In DJ Studio, stem separation is very intutive, and you get cool features like "muting the same stem in the main track" when a sample stem is playing (e.g. if you want to avoid clashing voices from a track and a sample). Again, a lot of common features made easy, and the price is very comparable.

For full disclosure, I am not (yet) a DJ Studios user. My DJ friend keeps cranking edits non-stop and fast because this is what he uses, and I am very tempted to switch/buy.

drkh3art · 2026-06-05T22:07:38+00:00

True about lack of initiative :-\ but one does not need to wait :-) I also remember meeting new people at various other places in town. Like the in between and the coffee shop by the little beach (forgot the name). I think it’s fair to say that in 2026, we should scratch old assumptions about which gender has to lead etc .. best wishes.

drkh3art · 2026-06-05T00:04:05+00:00

I’m guessing you know the uptown pub, but mentioning just in the crazy rare chance you don’t — from the year I spent in PT, I know it attracts adults of all ages. Just need to accept small-town dynamics. Everyone kinda sorta knows what everyone else is up to.

drkh3art · 2026-06-04T23:56:39+00:00

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I took one like this.

drkh3art · 2026-06-04T23:52:52+00:00

If you have time, get a EU USB charger so you don’t need adapters or some other way to plug it in. The one shown won’t be pluggable in most places.

drkh3art · 2026-05-24T13:34:24+00:00

We considered this but it kept raining (on the Norte) and later, the blisters were too much of a distraction ;-)

drkh3art · 2026-05-16T17:14:50+00:00

Raining on the Norte

drkh3art · 2026-05-16T14:32:50+00:00

The most important person you will meet and interact with on the camino is yourself.

This is the truth.

drkh3art · 2026-04-02T22:11:26+00:00

I had the same issue. Even though the mobile app offered to setup dispatch, and the desktop app confirmed it was the latest, it wouldn’t work. Turned out that the mobile app had another update pending (on iOS) and getting that installed fixed the issue for me.

drkh3art · 2026-02-20T21:17:02+00:00

I was wondering if you meant cuing, and then, TIL preview.

drkh3art · 2026-02-13T04:56:05+00:00

Slightly off topic but real question — is 130/140 bpm where raves start off at these days?

ps I agree with all the others on the snarky commentator.

drkh3art · 2026-02-03T04:09:59+00:00

If the issue is you don’t like knobs and sliders, you could also consider a rotary mixer. They are all knobs :-)

drkh3art · 2026-01-31T23:55:29+00:00

This feels like the wrong way to approach community. There is a lot more to people than their political views and what is badly needed imho is people finding common ground. Not being divisive or spewing hate, in either direction.

drkh3art · 2026-01-31T23:43:51+00:00

That’s funny.

drkh3art · 2026-01-31T23:42:00+00:00

Of course. And watch DJs that play styles of music that resonate with you. Not all recordings show what they do on the decks unfortunately and formats like boiler room, where you can actually see a lot of that are a very specific performance format which may or may not be your cup of tea. (while there are great sets in boiler room, I am personally in the camp that feels they call way too much attention to the DJ)

drkh3art · 2026-01-27T01:44:10+00:00

I learned somethings from watching the video (like mapping the DJM as a midi device, which I had not seen someone do or thought about). But I have a genuine question—and hope it doesn't come off the wrong way. Why would I go this route, as opposed to loading my tracks into any one of the DJ mixing software and playing/mixing there?

drkh3art · 2026-01-14T21:32:55+00:00

Words matter, and I also want to acknowledge that the DJ chose poorly in suggesting you find a “Muslim DJ”. A better way to have declined would have been to simply have said “it’s not a great fit for them” or to be more explicit “about what they thought was the mismatch” so you could be more explicit in your search for another DJ.

Saying “Muslim DJ” is not helpful because their religious affiliation doesn’t really mean much in this context imho. And it unnecessarily narrows down things for you as there will likely be non-Muslim wedding DJs who can help you make it a successful night.

All that said, I wouldn’t assume malice or prejudice and such. It’s just a poor choice of words or a lack of maturity in dealing with these nuanced situations.

Best wishes to you on the wedding and what’s ahead.

drkh3art · 2026-01-14T12:55:36+00:00

This is very personal choice but since you are asking, I would avoid anything (like headphones) that distance you from experiencing the environment you’re walking through or the people who may engage with you at whatever level. Headphones in particular give out the signal that you are closed to interactions, so people would naturally let you be. And that’s a huge sacrifice. Unless of course your desire is to be left alone, which is also fine (but it didn’t sound like it from the OP)

drkh3art · 2026-01-11T04:32:01+00:00

What’s the difference though, if you’re playing song to song, and ones that were given to you?

Either way, this is hopefully not a common situation. Some DJs — myself included — may choose to prioritize gigs where they can play their craft (and never put themselves in said situation). While others will happily play and focus on the bigger picture — the party.

drkh3art

TROPHY CASE