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Serato DJ?
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You'll have to move Serato DJ. All your crates etc will move over.
Here is a list of all the controllers that work with Serato DJ.
http://serato.com/dj/hardware/controllers
Some are "upgrade ready" which means you need to buy the Serato DJ software, others are "enabled" just just like a Serato SL box, it acts like a dongle.
Some are "DVS Ready" which means you need to purchase the DVS expansion to use DVS as extra decks. And there are some which are "enabled".
Take a look, I can recommend the Denon MC6000 mk2 and the DDJ SX2.
The SZ has a Serato compatible DVS sound card and it should accept Serato control vinyl through the unit for Serato DJ w/ the DVS expansion pack. Here is the site that explains it: http://serato.com/dj/expansion-packs/dvs
Try downgrading actually. I found 1.3 the most stable of the last few releases of DJ.
You can install multiple instances of the software simultaneously. Just go here for the archive: http://serato.com/dj/downloads/archive and instructions for installing multiple versions on the same computer:
http://serato.com/dj/support/16841/how-to-install-multiple-versions-of-serato-dj/rane
Did you try to use it with SSL or SDJ? As far as I know you need any kind of SSL box or SDJ certified controller to activate the software. After that you can use pretty much any MIDI controller for additional control. But without a box or certified controller/mixer you won't be able to even start serato. At least not on a legal way. But you said you have had the software for ages: how do you usually run it?
Once you got there: http://serato.com/scratchlive/support/1929/midi-in-scratch-live-101 http://serato.com/dj/support/15413/midi-101-a-how-to-guide-for-serato-dj-users/numark
Finally a proper competitor to the Numark NS6.
Initial look this thing seems beastly. I'm afraid of what Pioneer's gonna charge though...
Here's the official video: http://serato.com/dj/pioneer-ddj-sx
I wouldn't recommend buying a celeron processor better go for an i-series bc. the celerons are outdated. Well anyway according to:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/midlow_range_cpus.html
This processor has roughly the same performance as an intelcore i3 at 1.30GHz:
Intel Core i3-4010Y @ 1.30GHz 1,822(performance benchmark value)
Intel Celeron N2940 @ 1.83GHz 1,811
And http://serato.com/dj/downloads#min-specs
states that a 'i3 at 1.07 GHz' is the minimum required to run SDJ. So you should be able to run serato with this setup, though it is sorta a close call and I probably wouldn't recommend it. Hope this helps
(Disclaimer: I'm not too familiar with serato)
The MPD32 is definetly overkill for just using it to launch samples, doesn't matter if traktor or serato. First you should decide which features you want, form the top of my head I'd say number of knobs/faders (for volume control) and number of buttons (for smaple launch) are the most important. Best bang for the buck in terms of numbers of buttons will be the launchpad mini, also there exist tons of mappings for it so you wouldn't even have to do one by yourself (I recommend it, though), if you don't need that many buttons but rather have some more knobs you should look into the LPD8 (if you find it has too less buttons consider buying two of it, also the buttons are velocity sensitive afaik), another controller worth looking into is the behringer CMD LC1/DC1 (yes i know behringer but these cmd controllers actually aren't bad, especially for the price). The akai APC mini has many buttons and faders, too (may be even better than the launchpad because of the faders).
Now for the software configuration, you won't have any problem with traktor at all, there are tons of mappings out there (google [insert controller name] traktor mapping). With traktor any feature can be mapped to any controller. Also traktor is capable of 64 smaples per remix deck.
I'm not too familiar with serato but I've read somewhere that it is now possible to map some controls to a third party controller, but I don't know to which extend (about halfway down the page). The serato guys around here will have more answers on this one.
It's wayyyy easier to learn now. When I started it cost thousands of dollars in gear and you could only really learn from someone who was willing to teach you.
Get a cheap DJ controller that's compatible with Serato, like one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Musical-Instruments-DJ-Controllers/zgbs/musical-instruments/5524094011
Then get a pair of DJ headphones and an external powered monitor. Pretty much anything will work -- hell, I sold all my expensive gear and now I use Reloop RHP-10 headphones and a Beats Pill as my monitor. Doesn't have to be fancy.
Then get Serato DJ Intro, it's the free version of the one true DJ software: http://serato.com/dj-intro/downloads
For songs, you can use whatever, but Beatport Pro is a great way to see what's popular: https://pro.beatport.com
There are a million youtube videos on how to beatmatch. Watch them. Start training your ear to hear BPM and key. Practice practice practice.
Then the most important part: Go out to local club nights where the style of music you like is being played and make some friends. Or alternatively, join online communities and do it that way. Like any hobby, having people around you who inspire you and show you new things is going to hugely improve your experience.
There you go. Hopefully now you know where to start.
I just double checked and I actually have 1.4ghz of CPU but I'm sure that is still low. would upgrading CPU be more difficult to install than RAM? here is the actual specs on my laptop and here are the spec requirements on my software. where would you say I should be at in terms of CPU and RAM?
http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/detailed_specs/satellite_C55D-A5381.pdf
Are you using Serato with Windows? I had some issues previously with it not recognising my Mixtrack Pro 2 a while back. Following these steps solved the issue: http://serato.com/dj-intro/support/10597/why-does-my-serato-dj-intro-controller-not-connect-on-windows
Edit: Also, like everyone said, headphones should be plugged into the SX, and speakers should also be plugged into the SX. No sound should come from your computer when the SX is hooked up.
Serato DJ has Braker and Echo Brake in its Wolf Pack effects (free) http://serato.com/dj/expansion-packs/fx
The looping thing was actually a bug from 1.6.1 only. 1.6.2 should fix this so that moving the loop will actually move the play head too.
This tutorial is for Serato, but it's pretty much the same method for VirtualDJ. You might run into problems with latency delays though. For the future, I'd invest in a decent set of speakers (even a 2.1 set for a bedroom would work), it's much easier to hear the small nuances of your music when it's louder and you have a subwoofer.
You could do something like this, but it's a hack. You may have to deal with shit like large delays and interference.
My advice would be to get some proper speakers. I'm using speakers/amp from a cheap old stereo tower that I picked up at a garage sale for 15 bucks, and while they're nothing like studio monitors they still blow laptop and built in PC speakers out of the water. The built in stuff performs especially poorly on the low frequencies, which are quite important not to miss out on.
Ableton Live has great adjustable time stretching algorithms built-in to its playback features. Serato DJ also has a fairly convincing one if you can figure out how to resample it.
The AMX is just a MIDI controller. I can't imagine it's going to use any more CPU than without one. If Serato DJ is stable on your computer you should be fine.
I can still run SSL on an SL1 with an MPD18 on my old 2006 Macbook Intel Core 2 Duo with 2 GB of ram and very low latency. OS X is rock solid and that old laptop won't die.
I can't speak for Windows but theoretically if you have Windows stripped down for performance and all background processes closed I don't see why it would struggle on an i3 processor. The system requirements for Serato DJ say it can run on an i3 or even a mega old 2 ghz Core 2 Duo.
When you say you worry about the audio dropout warning, are you saying that you see it often? Have you experienced it or are you nervous you might see it?
Oh for sure, minimal interface. The hardest part about switching to Serato is if you relied on UI before, it's far more reading off of your controller when you use Serato. Also mate, the Numark Mixtrack Pro II is made for Serato, a lot of the features on the controller are quite hard to use with other software, you should seriously give it a try! I don't use half the interface either, there is a lot going on but I prefer it to the others now :)
Their main site has a demo. if you want to try it! Good luck :)
I do not know about other software so much, but I know with serato you need a soundcard.
Edit, I'm also pretty sure the cdj350 is not supported HID by Serato DJ.
But it is supported with Serato Scratch Live.
Serato DJ accessories; http://serato.com/dj/hardware/accessories
Serato Scratch Live accessories; http://serato.com/scratchlive/hardware
Difference being, SSL (Scratch live) is older unsupported software, still great mind.
Serato is and always has been free. They make their money by licensing the software to be exclusively used on specific hardware only. The DDJ-SR is one such piece of hardware.
Don't believe me? Download it and see for yourself. Upon detecting your DDJ it will unlock and be fully-functional.
Edit: You don't have to use it, but for the sake of troubleshooting purposes can you at least test it out?
It's mainly for Mac...or Mac OS systems. Seems a lot of plugins list "Intel Processor" in the requirements section for Mac's. Fabfilter Plugins, Serato DJ to name 2 off the top of my head. For zero worry over compatibility, with Mac's in particular, make sure it's an intel. If your building a "Hackintosh" make sure you put an Intel processor in it if it's for music production.
http://serato.com/dj/support/8901/problems-with-pcs-using-amd-processors
Had a gig last weekend with a new 8.1 notebook running Serato DJ 1.6.1 with a Rane SL3. No problems. The Serato site specifically notes support for Windows 8.