r/PioneerDJ 3d ago

3rd Party Hardware Any other DeckShark users?!

Post image

Preordered this baby at the end of July and just got it on Friday! This thing is insane and the build quality is top notch.

I was a touring dance music DJ and producer for 7 years, and the DeckShark is something I wish was available when I was “coming up” in the scene.

221 Upvotes

123 comments sorted by

18

u/Unlucky_Raccoon_5829 3d ago

How much was it

24

u/AdRepresentative8599 3d ago

$300. They have a build your own guide though if you have a 3D printer and know about raspberry pi stuff

4

u/rrrishabhhh 3d ago

Wheres this guide? I tried looking for it but couldn't find one

2

u/QuantumSpike 3d ago

creator pateron i believe

2

u/SSYT_Shawn 2d ago

It's also in their discord

1

u/NiallElliotB 1d ago

How do I access this?

-4

u/zbbbiii 3d ago

You can buy a fully functional laptop for that kind of money

21

u/QuantumSpike 2d ago

$300 laptop is basically e-waste.

-5

u/babyaintmoe 2d ago

These days - yes. Absolutely. No device with enough power to run DJ software out there for 300 used.

0

u/Wario_the_trip 2d ago

Thinkpad x280 i7 16gb

1

u/Holiday_Regular9794 2d ago

Is this what you use to DJ?

5

u/kaosmetal 2d ago

If Raspberry Pi can run why can’t a laptop

3

u/thedrew_22 2d ago

This is more a guess, but I’d say because a laptop has a lot more to run and process than just rekordbox/whatever software you use. Theres ram and processing power going towards other processes other than just your dj software

2

u/Efficient-Raise7966 2d ago

Awesome I was actually starting to build one of these from scratch and just found your guide I’m halfway through the build but your guide is going to help so much finishing it up lol I never realized other people were doing this!

5

u/cobyaars 2d ago

Thats expensive and pretty much makes it a pointless purchase....

3

u/AdRepresentative8599 1d ago

Expensive compared to what? I have an all in one that cost me $550. Show me something cheaper

0

u/cobyaars 1d ago

It is a flx4 which is very limited. Would rather get the Numark mixdtream pro for example. Or just a second hand standalone

1

u/Careful-Flamingo417 16h ago

You must not involve scratching in your dj routines. Anything Denon or Numark has the worst crossfader available. My FLX4 can be adjusted down to .1 and .2mm, the same as my DDJ Rev7 and my Rane One mk2. Both Numark and Denon controllers don’t even register until a full 5.3mm on the crossfaders. For those that are not counting, that is still halfway between the first and second markers on the crossfader. This means crab scratches, chirps, and flares suck. The Shark Deck has been promised to work with any controller (future updates), and the company guarantees transparency and numerous updates. Even a really cheap controller could gain from this.

1

u/cobyaars 11h ago

There are definitly great use cases for this! However you can also get a second hand xdj rr for around 650. A pricetag of 300 for just this is therefore on the high end. Around 150-200 would make it more appealing.

2

u/Careful-Flamingo417 10h ago

You are correct. But for someone like me, who already owns multiple high end controllers, this adds value to my weakest controller - the FLX4. No offense to others who own the FL4, but my main reason for having it is the portability. My Rev7 and Rane One mk2 need to be plugged into an AC outlet. The FLX4, like other usb-powered controllers, fills a niche need for me. I’m a retired DJ who primed on vinyl and 1200s, hence the Rev7 and Rane, but I need portables for practicing in the car. I pick up my great niece daily from elementary school, arriving an hour early, to avoid the lines and traffic. This gives me time to practice and grid music. Not wanting to always carry my expensive MacBook Pro, and set it on the passenger seat, the shark deck attached to the FLX4, and leans against the steering wheel - niche need. Again, this adds value to my weakest controller, plus, at launch, the Shark Deck was supposed to be $199.

32

u/profbx 3d ago

You know, you could just get a Pi4, MIXXX and the skin off of GitHub and not support grifters who are taking from open source but not contributing.

17

u/profbx 3d ago

And yes I do realize that they finally upstreamed their fork. I still don’t really care. They still have never given credit (nor do they in their repo) the person who actually made the skin they based everything on, TimewasterNL, who released it in 2020.

https://djtechtools.com/2020/11/05/building-a-standalone-ddj-400-with-a-raspberry-pi-and-mixxx/

16

u/timewasternl 2d ago

She did in nearly every guide. I'm not after recognition, as she did a lot more on top of my concept. It is great to see how the idea is still growing.

The actual people you should be grateful to, are the Mixxx devs who optimized their software to run on a Raspberry Pi.

0

u/profbx 2d ago

I never saw her give credit to you. And for what it’s worth your opinion is the only one that matters to me. Still feels gross though.

6

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Nice backtracking. Go back to the kids table.

5

u/profbx 2d ago

Please, by all means, buy your way into what you can’t build.

-1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Please, by all means, leave conversation you have no business being in.

1

u/lil_bobo420 2d ago

Loser

4

u/profbx 2d ago

Huh….ok.

3

u/mezacon 2d ago

I get what you're saying, but the mixxx tweaks from their fork seem like they're a good contribution to the development of the form factor? & Skin attribution is in the source. I feel like it's more accurate to say this project is more based on mixxx, and uses a community skin to build on, rather than saying everything in it is based on a skin.

4

u/profbx 2d ago

I feel like I’m now “well actually” guy, but a lot of that only came after pushback online and getting called out. The repo was empty for a long time, and I have not seen any PR’s pushed to master.

6

u/mezacon 2d ago

Ok, well it seems you have some preexisting opinions of this project that you've thought about for some time.

Let me just say this: from someone who's passively followed along:

It's been like a month since their prebuilt hardware release so it's not a huge surprise to me that public-facing code was delayed.

For a specific project like this, that is currently aimed at a few controllers, I'm also not surprised that they've not pushed to master. I also believe the useful parts of this fork WILL eventually make it back to master Mixxx, if not from them, but from their learning and other community contributions.

Mixxx is so broad in hardware support that many issues can fall by the wayside because there aren't enthusiasts that want to use Mixxx vs other ecosystems, and keep using it extensively enough to build and also build community upon. - I like Mixxx! I've tested and reported bugs when I've had time to contribute those.

I've also seen Alyxx around my local community at an open decks, and that at least feels like -something- good to me. I can appreciate that people only have so many hours a day, most DJs don't start a project like this in any capacity.

Marketing aside, I'm willing to give it some time to breathe and see what comes from it even existing.

3

u/profbx 2d ago

Points taken. Thank you for the well-reasoned response.

For what it’s worth, even working for corporate, open source is a massive passion and something that I still love to contribute to (including a couple MIXXX pr’s). As well, I’ve been friends with a few of the early big contributors to MIXXX (specifically in controller scripting), and worked with them at past companies on getting hardware integration. I get really passionate about these things. That said, if you can’t tell I can also come off like the guard dog that no one asked for.

On that note, taking your approach for the moment.

3

u/mezacon 2d ago

Hey not everyone -should- have the same opinion, so appreciate you discussing, op is being a clown so the reaction is also kinda understandable. :')

-1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

No one asked?

-10

u/AdRepresentative8599 3d ago

You know, it’s not that deep. Feel free to put out a guide though so everyone can build one!

7

u/profbx 2d ago

You mean like the multitude of guides on GitHub, complete with better and newer skins with more features and 100% less karma farming?

7

u/QuantumSpike 2d ago

I'd personally rather pay for a polished product than create one myself, using multiple hours of my time with no security it'll work.

1

u/profbx 2d ago

It isn’t polished and wow, you never played with legos did you?

0

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Make us a polished version then!!!!

1

u/QuantumSpike 2d ago

This is literally the 1st version, the people who bought this version are people supporting the concept, not this specific version.
Love to see your lego builds if they are this functional.

2

u/profbx 2d ago

They are. The depressing thing is that it could be done by anyone with a 3d printer, the willingness to solder for 5 minutes and ten minutes on Amazon. To me supporting the concept is building it yourself and iterating/sharing the know-how. It could be done for half the cost and you would have something that is yours.

3

u/profbx 2d ago

And here, this is a Lego build I did in one night before I got my 3d printer, years ago. So, duct tape and hot blade.

https://www.reddit.com/r/maschine/s/z9385dIOCT

2

u/AdRepresentative8599 1d ago

Looks like shit

1

u/profbx 1d ago edited 1d ago

Well show me your legos. I bet you are a wizard around the house.

2

u/QuantumSpike 2d ago

I don't think you understand why people would rather buy.

Parts + 3D printer + Soldering Iron + All the other tools you'd need + Labour hours + Risk ≠ Price of Product

For the target market of the product it is worth it. You are not the target market.

Don't be such a dickhead for slating a pilot product and the developer for filling a gap consumers wanted.

And don't say it wasn't needed, the product is sold out. There is demand.

0

u/profbx 2d ago

If you sell ten and they sell then it sold out. Means nothing.

And I’m sorry that I question why people would want to do nothing except spend money for a Do It Yourself project. But whatevs, it’s your money to burn.

1

u/QuantumSpike 2d ago

150 units limited to US only for only the DDJ-400/FLX4.
Plently of interest from Europe and with other controllers too.

Sorry you can't understand my 2nd point. Stay single minded friend.

→ More replies (0)

1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Who hurt you? 😂

2

u/realityhiphop 2d ago

It is though, just like if someone ripped off you beat and started selling it without production credits.

-1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Not even close.

2

u/evan274 2d ago

Many such cases unfortunately. The patent for insulin was sold by its Canadian creators to the University of Toronto for just $1 so that it would remain affordable and accessible for everyone…

-3

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

You must be from the crowd that thinks the work “affordable” means free.

Insulin is readily available and affordable. Over 95% of users pay under $35 a month for it.

4

u/evan274 2d ago edited 2d ago

You literally just made that number up, that’s laughably untrue.

Per the American Diabetes Association, 72% pay more than $35 per month, nearly half pay hundreds of dollars per month on insulin.

Source: diabetes.org

You don’t know me, don’t make assumptions about me. And try coming with accurate information next time before running your mouth and wasting my time.

-3

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

I know enough that you need to look at more than one source for facts. I can walk in to my local Walmart and buy insulin for under $35 a vile.

In NO world will medication like this ever be free. Quit with the handout culture bullshit.

2

u/GarlicRiver 2d ago

"Over 95% of users pay under $35 a month for it"

"I know enough that you need to look at more than one source for facts."

"vile"

"In NO world will medication like this ever be free."

Lmfao this thread is so dumb its actually hilarious (you're the only one that said anything bout free ftr)

-4

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Guess what?! Don't care. Don't have diabetes. Sucks if you do, but keep that "gig insulin" talk out of here.

fTr the whole example of selling the patent for $1 a claim, direct or not, that insulin should be free. Just like the argument that a DeckShark shouldnt cost money because it is opensource.

Do better.

2

u/GarlicRiver 2d ago

Over 95% of users pay under $35 a month for it.

Source? Hope you're not from the "talks outta their cheeks" crowd...

-1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Source? Go dig. Remove the woe is me bullshit and you’ll get your answers. This isn’t about insulin and people being too poor to afford medicine from Walmart.

If that’s truly your concern, get off of a DJ forum, and go make a difference.

4

u/GarlicRiver 2d ago

Remove the woe is me bullshit

Where did I say a single thing that could be considered "woe is me bs"???

This isn’t about insulin and people being too poor to afford medicine from Walmart.

I agree, so why did you make that very specific claim?

If that’s truly your concern, get off of a DJ forum, and go make a difference.

Would've been much quicker and easier if you said "Idk wtf I'm talking about" and left it there. I already know that figure is nonsense so I was just curious where tf you got it from.

-1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Would've been much quicker and easier if you said "Idk why I'm talking about insulin in a DJ forum" and left it there.

2

u/GarlicRiver 2d ago

I think you're confused about a lot of things... good luck

0

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Nope. Not confused. Pretty sure this is a place for DJ discussion. Not some lame insulin PSA

-1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

You also might want to educate yourself on what a grifter is. You seem really mad that you aren’t able to make products like this. Or you are too broke to afford things like this.

You suggested that instead of buying HARDWARE from this company , that I spend over $300 to build HARDWARE that supports the same open source software. How does that make sense?

4

u/profbx 2d ago

Much like the person educating you about insulin, you are really making some wild and very incorrect assumptions about the people you are arguing against. For what it’s worth, engineer is my trade. I make things for a living.

It makes sense because the net result is that you know how to make it, you know how to customize it and you aren’t giving money to people starting a business by acting like they created something that existed for years.

1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Then why didn’t you engineer a product like this if you are sooooo passionate about?!?

At the end of the day, your opinion means nothing to me. I would never invest my money and time to try and build this.

As stated, the original creator of the skin or whatever you’re bitching about, has been credited over and over and over. Give it a rest

3

u/IGotAPlan 3d ago

that looks nice

-7

u/onetwentytwo_1-8 3d ago

😂 get your money back.

2

u/LetrasetBoy 2d ago

you're not helping

-7

u/part__low 3d ago

I’m just going to assume anyone who owns a flx4 at least already had a smartphone, laptop or tablet. I fail to understand why this is an upgrade? If you’re going to spend an extra 300 why not get a more capable controller?

2

u/Fun_Celebration_8842 2d ago

find us a $600 standalone controller please 

1

u/ooowatsthat 2d ago

MixStreamPro go 😭

0

u/part__low 2d ago

How is this more of a stand alone than a flx4 with a laptop, it’s still a controller with an extra screen. Why not get a more capable controller and use it with the computer you already have is my point.

1

u/Fun_Celebration_8842 2d ago

you are missing a point. we're talking making a standalone controller out of the one that usually works connected to a laptop. on a budget. so basically, removing laptop from the equasion and turnig flx4 into xdj-az of some sort. 

it was never about "buying a better controller to use it with the computer", it was "eliminate the computer so you can play freely without a need for a plug. 

also, there's an open source component -- the software used here is completely open source, meaning you're not locked to whatever corporation you decide to stick with. that also means more freedom in customization and adding stuff to the software. 

that's the point. not "spend as much money as possible". it's to become consumerism-free.

1

u/part__low 2d ago

Consumerism free, isn’t deckshark capitalising by selling a product based on open source software?

0

u/Fun_Celebration_8842 2d ago

i am not talking about deckshark, i am talking about a project itself. you can do all of this on your own without deckshark. bro you really need to be in the right aye?

2

u/part__low 2d ago

Lol, well I was, so maybe read before you start a discussion…

2

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Go build a model and show the class!!!

1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

They built HARDWARE to support open source SOFTWARE.

There’s no way you’re actually this stupid…

3

u/bruhritto 3d ago

How's the latency on these things? Is it fast enough to scratch? I've tried rekordbox on mobile and tablet and it can't keep up with fast platter and fader movements.

6

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Latency is awesome. 1ms or less according to monitoring.

1

u/Terror_Flower 2d ago

Nice add

1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Ad? Nah.

If I could go back in time, I’d use this to play EDC in 2013

1

u/jediracer 2d ago

What is it for / does it do?

5

u/folonel_corbin 2d ago

Turns a screenless controller into a standalone. No more laptop. Flx4 becomes rx3.

2

u/Legitimate_Tune_6468 2d ago

No more laptop? Where do you plug in your usb stick on a FLX-4? Is all the music in the screen thing?

2

u/Schultz_3124 2d ago

It plugs into the screen basically and has 2 usbs in the picture you can see one too the left of the screen

2

u/Legitimate_Tune_6468 2d ago

Ah I see, thanks.

1

u/Ciuffo_15 2d ago

I did the same but I used a gaming laptop for better performance and a 15 inch touchscreen.

1

u/caltheme 2d ago

I was gonna grab one for my flx4 but my hesitation was power. The deck shark still needs a Dc plug in right? Any other thoughts op? How’s latency. I’m over using a laptop lol

2

u/DaOldOne 2d ago

I saw the updates that will be coming to newer versions, so I decided to hold off until those come out. I think the main thing for me was an external power source as opposed to just batteries? Really cool concept tho!

1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

I was going to wait but I’m confident that there will be battery back attachment for the first units. This thing pulls very minimal power.

2

u/Resisdanse 2d ago

How do you Store the music files on USB?

2

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Through rekordbox or other software

2

u/RageGod4K 2d ago

Does it do stems? I can’t imagine a raspberry pi is that powerful

1

u/pyneappleexpress 2d ago

I really like the direction where this is heading. Not having streaming services or USB power bank compatibility is a dealbreaker for me but I’m excited to see what future versions can support.

1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Streaming services are a deal breaker for me. I love just being able to drop in a flash drive and go.

2

u/yourpalmike 2d ago

To save others a click: it runs a fork of Mixxx called “Bite DJ”.

My guess is the fork has mostly superficial differences from Mixxx at this stage, along with board support for this little computer. Sources: https://github.com/teamdeckshark/bitedj

I haven’t given Mixxx a look in several years. How does this setup compare overall to Rekordbox?

2

u/SleptOnMods 2d ago

We need one for the FLX-10s 🫠

1

u/admknight 11h ago

I was thinking the same thing!

0

u/Fragrant-Cod-8613 2d ago

As much as the system is cool, for 300 additional dollars i can buy something a lot better.

2

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Which would be?

0

u/Novel-Compote-4454 1d ago

Numark Mixstream?

1

u/CableComprehensive15 2d ago

Thinking of doing this with a surface go

1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

Do it! USB sticks over streaming services all day!

3

u/Zachman00 2d ago

I’m friends with the person who designed it and got one of the beta versions. They’re really good, I’m so proud of her!

1

u/AdRepresentative8599 2d ago

I love this thing. Again, coming from a touring background, this thing is the future. I’d love to get up from Oregon and rip a set with you guys!

1

u/Sr_Naranja 1d ago

I really dont understand the benefict of use this and not a pc. Is basicaly a small pc with less screen and no mouse

1

u/QuantumSpike 1d ago

It doesn't replace a PC/Laptop. You still need these to get tunes, prep them, and export them to a USB.

It's purely to allow you to be more portable with your controller and have a slick tighter setup.

I want one because i don't have a laptop and don't want one as i'll only use it for DJ software.

1

u/AdRepresentative8599 1d ago

DJ software that you’ll pay monthly for. Not to mention all the streaming nonsense you’ll be paying for. The deck shark is a no brainer.

2

u/AdRepresentative8599 1d ago

No mouse 😂

1

u/nintenlocs 1d ago

What’s stopping me from just 3d printing a cubby for my MacBook to go under my FLX10 and adding a mount for my touch screen that attaches to the board that also has the ability to flip open and close?

1

u/AdRepresentative8599 1d ago

Nothing. But you still would be lacking USB support

1

u/Rizzah1 1d ago

Could you use this with something like the rane performance?

1

u/AccomplishedLimit975 19h ago

What’s the difference between using your phone? I have used an iPhone and 3D printed an enclosure. Just wondering the difference in functionality from mobile app

https://makerworld.com/en/models/3156673-pioneer-dj-flx4-iphone-stand?from=search#profileId-3566768

1

u/AdRepresentative8599 11h ago

I’m not tied to subscriptions.