European/UK version of Sweetwater/DJ Warehouse/Store DJ (for re-stocking studio O/S)?

[samtastic]

hi all,

Im thinking of relocating to Europe next May/June/July (from Melbourne, Australia).

I'm not totally sure which part I'll end up in, but Berlin sounds pretty interesting. I think I'll do some traveling with my ladyfriend first, to checkout parts of the EU, and make sure Berlin is really the place for me (I don't handle the cold that well... so that's my only real concern with Berlin - their winter!. Otherwise, it sounds amazing).

Anyway, at somepoint I'd like to set-up my studio and continue with my exploration of sound : )


So my question is:

what are the EU/UK equivalents of Sweetwater (US) (or, as we have locally, DJ Warehouse, Store DJ - AUS)? I'd like to find a place to gauge prices on production gear in the EU. And preferably a place that communicates well in English (as that's my first language), has an online store and a physical shop and show-room (for trying-out gear).


I'll be starting off scouring the second-hand market (cause I'm generally pretty strapped for cash), but I'm sure there will be a few key pieces that I can't find second-hand, in a reasonable amount of time.


I'll be in the market for midi controllers mainly, as I'll be keeping my rack-mounted soundcard, patchbay, synth and outboard FX/processing. But I might also be up for another Elektron Monomachine (though I may decide to keep my MK1).

Specifically, I think I'll be looking for:

1 Novation Remote 25SL MKII
1 Akai MPK61
1 Behringer BCF2000
1 Behringer BCR2000

and, if I decide that it'll be too expensive to ship the following, possibly:

1 Vestax VCM600 (cause it's heavy - but I've gone to so much care to label mine!)
1 Elektron Monomachine (perhaps bought directly from Elektron? And only if I can find a sure-fire way of transferring my custom kits/patterns, whihc should be straight-forward)
1 Novation Xio25 (maybe)




anyway, I'm not sure if the gear details are really important, but it might help explain what exactly I'll be in the market for... and I figured there must be some fellow EU/UK Slutz who are savvy on the best EU/UK dealer in such items (a professional company with a strong reputation and good customer-service, like the afore-mentioned local DJ Warehouse/Store DJ businesses).



regards,
Sam : )

[samtastic]

edit:

I'll also be in the market for a Mac Pro (most-likely second-hand or refurbed... either quad-core or 8-core. I'm spoiled with an 8-core now - found it really cheap locally - but a quad would probably do).

These thread seems to have some good leads on UK dealers for Mac Pros:

Anyone know of any good websites/stores to buy Mac Pro in UK?

[flextone]

thomann.de in germnay

[tomlee]

dv247.com

[jackaleks]

DV247 have their main warehouse/showroom in East London, and being an Australian the drive from Berlin to London should be a piece of cake for you

but yeah, Thomann have a massive stock list and good prices.

[samtastic]

Originally Posted by jackaleks

...and being an Australian the drive from Berlin to London should be a piece of cake for you
...

haha yeah true. the distances between places are epic. we drove for about 16 hours (each way) last festival season, to get to a very particular festival (and it was worth it!).

Think we drove about 3000km in two weeks (we'd been another out-door festival the week before).



thanks for the tips guys : )


will keep this thread in mind when I make the big move

[Franc]

I think there is a place with videos on the web in Frankfurt. It is a big music or keyboard store and they have a web site. The guy demos all sorts of synths on YouTube and his English is great.

You don't like cold weather? Berlin in the winter? Good luck mate.

[mixcha]

Hi Sam,

Originally Posted by tomlee

dv247.com

+1 - DV247 will look after you, they know their stuff i.e they're enthusiasts...and they'll price-match anyone in Europe
Good luck with the move!

Cheers