Someone was selling this in one of the forums and to be fair, I only just came across this. DJ controllers are everywhere now and many DJs have at least one controller in their arsenal. his one is no exception. What Numark has done is effectively package a controller, USB soundcard and a pair of headphones as a complete DJ mix-out-of-the-box kit. The controller has no built-in sound card, it has to rely on the supplied USB soundcard
The USB soundcard basically has two 1/4″ phone jacks in the front, one for the supplied headphones and the other for an optional microphone. Outputs at the back presumably for main and record. The Numark site is not very clear on them so I can only presume that is what it is, given the fact that this is what is available on my own controller, which is not a Numark by the way.
The controller itself looks pretty simple. It has all the basic functions with two jogwheels, a crossfader, and EQ knobs all laid-out in a DJ mixer format. The controller comes with Traktor LE so it looks like it is all ready to install in your computer and get rocking!
Will I get this? Probably not. There are other offerings from Numark and this looks like a very basic set. For the up-and-coming DJ that needs a set of tools for Digital DJ-ing, this would probably suit them fine.
I saw this in use in a club a few days back. I must say that it looks pretty sturdy. This Reloop controller comes with Traktor LE and it can work with Virtual DJ with a TPI mapped file. There are quite a few controllers that have the robustness of the Traktor S4 and S2, as well as the Denon MC3000 and this one feels like it can. It is pretty small, and can fit in a backpack with ease. The only issue, unlike my Hercules, is that it does not come with a cover. You need to buy a seperate cover for it to protect it. And like my Hercules, it has inputs for turntables and CD-players…a very useful backup should your computer fail on you. From what I can see, it looks like it has what it takes to deliver what a DJ needs. From the Reloop website, here are the specifications:
- Professional DJ USB/MIDI controller with integrated audio interface
- Integrated 4-channel USB audio interface with 16 bit/48 kHz
- Stereo RCA inputs (with phono pre-amp) in order to connect CD players and turntables plus 6.3 mm microphone jack (with an equalizer of its own)
- Stereo RCA outputs for the connection of a master sound system and 6.3 mm headphones jack for direct monitoring (with an equalizer of its own)
- Record gain at the device’s front side
- ASIO drivers with minimum latency and best audio characteristics
- Optimized for the world’s leading mixing software Traktor Pro (clearly arranged shift double assignment, control of up to 4 decks)
- Comes with Native Instruments Traktor LE
- All controllers in full size
- Altogether 73 MIDI controllers (42 buttons, 5 faders, 9 encoders, 6 push encoders, 9 turning knobs, 2 touch-sensitive jog wheels)
- All MIDI controllers are freely assignable
- USB bus power: power supply also possible via USB
- Anti-theft device: Kensington safety slot
- Mac OSX and Windows XP/Vista compatible
- Clearly arranged mixer/CD player design for quick and easy access
- Plug’n'Play ready for Virtual DJ (from version 7.0.4 Pro)
I just might keep an eye on this one, even though the Denon MC-3000 and the MixVibes are also on my radar.
I am seriously contemplating getting this MixVibes controller when my controller goes tits-up. I have read many a review online and have even tried it and I can safely say that this one is pretty good. The software that comes with it is seamlessly integrated with it and works very well. I have a few friends who swear by it and their opinion is good enough for me because these guys know their stuff. Its not a question of “monkey see, monkey do” as i have actually tried it and I like it! According to the website, this unit is, and has:
- USB bus powered
- Touch-sensitive jog wheels for precise scratching
- Low latency ASIO driver Support
- High precision pitch faders (14 bits)
- Light feedback on all controls
- High precision and long lasting faders, knobs and buttons
- Cross fader curve adjustment
- Altogether 133 MIDI controls
The Cross DJ software that comes with it is full-featured too, not like some of the LE versions that are shipped with other controllers:
- Full DJ software license and free updates
- Intuitive controls of software features with the controller
- Integrated 2-channel mixer with 3-Band EQ and frequency kills
- iTunes® integration & smart media management
- 6 audio effects per deck
- 6 locators per deck
- Automatic beat synchronization
- Mix recording
So it looks like this will be in serious consideration for my next upgrade. So many controllers, so many choices. I have to make up my mind soon! The only thing that is stopping me from getting this is that Decksaver does not make a product for this. Its a shame really because it will be very useful if you have to take from one place to another in your backpack. A Decksaver will protect it. Well, we can only hope they make one for this soon
In the early 90s, I was working in a club that were using these Celestion speakers. These speakers had to be used with a proprietary controller, that is also pictured above. These speakers were Celestion’s answer to what Bose 802s could provide to the market. I must say that they really could pump out some serious wattage and I was impressed with them. Imagine…the dual 10″ speakers in these Celestion speakers (which in the club I was at, were powered by C-Audio amplifiers) could give the Bose 802 speakers a serious run for their money!
The controller is something else though. You need them to run these speakers as they in some way protect the speakers. Basically, this is the signal path. Two XLRs (stereo) from your mixer go to the processor. From there, two XLRs go to the amplifier. From the amplifier, the speaker outputs go back to the processor before going to the speaker. These sensors will make sure that your speakers are always protected. Nexo uses this principle too for their PS-series.
Celestion does not make these any more. A pity because I like these speakers. You really have to hand it to the Brits.
I had the chance to see a demo of this baby today and boy was I impressed. It can work with Serato Itch and even with Traktor and it is so flexible. The things you can do with it versus what my Hercules controller can do is simply mind-boggling. Take for instance the effects bank, the advanced looping techniques and such. I was just left spellbound. Some more info on this product:
- Designed in conjunction with Serato
- Includes full version of ITCH software
- 4 channel layout with FX
- Two dual layer deck simulators
- Bi-colour LED layer assignment
- 20-channel USB 2.0 soundcard
- 24bit/96kHz audio system
- 168 individual MIDI messages available
- RIAA/phono inputs for external decks
- Mix outputs on RCA and balanced XLR
- Separate booth output
- Built-in hardware MIDI interface
- Professional modular construction
- High quality faders
- Compact slim design
- Fully compatible with other leading DJ software
- ITCH includes FX, looping and time-stretching
It is not the cheapest controller out there but when you see what it is capable of doing, you will wish that you had something like this in your DJ arsenal. I would love to get one but it is a bit out of my budget at the moment. Maybe a bit later.
I had the chance to play with this Native Instruments Traktor controller the other day. All I can say about it is that it is very well-built and the sound quality is awesome. That being said, it is pretty heavy and twice the size of my tiny Hercules controller. Quality like this does come at a price and I am pretty sure that it ain’t cheap! But I must say that Traktor software is incredible. It does take some getting used to, and it is totally different to the Virtual DJ software that I am so used to using. The specifications are available on the Traktor website here. The controller, by itself, obviously has more buttons and controls on it than my Hercules which means better and greater functionality and options for the more discerning DJ. While I am all for simplicity, I suppose there are others who will appreciate what this controller is capable of doing. The one I was using was hooked up to a Mac Mini but the website claims that it works fine on Windows XP, Vista and 7. Maybe next time but for the time being, I am quite happy with my Hercules DJ controller.
The Numark iDJ Pro controller. Apparently, this was spotted at NAMM. But it seems that it is officially on the Numark homepage and that is where I got more info about this controller from. It has a space for you to slot your iPad in and it works with DJay software from algoriddim. Apparently, you can download music from the cloud and play it instantly too! There were lots of mixers at NAMM apparently, all working with the iPad as an extension of their functionality. The features of this controller, according to the Numark website are:
- Works seamlessly with algoriddim
- Complete dual-platter DJ system that seamlessly integrates your iPad
- Fully incorporates iPad
- Brushed aluminum casing with lighted controls
- Capacitive touch-activated platters, plus Hot Cues, Loop & Effects controls
- Large retro-styled die-cast aluminum volume knobs
- AirPlay-compatible: send your mix to any AirPlay speakers
- RCA inputs, 1/4
- Dedicated music-library scroll knob
I can foresee myself not carrying a laptop bag, just a bag for this controller and an iPad chock-a-block full of MP3s and I will be ready to rock the house. Interesting device. Looks like it is gonna sell like hotcakes!
I have been hearing many things about this controller from Numark. The thing is, it can play music from a variety of sources. It has a built-in CD players, no, make that two. You can hook up your iPod or iPhone to it to choose songs, and it can be hooked up to a laptop too. DJ-software-wise, it comes with Serato DJ Intro, but there are mappings for Virtual DJ and Traktor.
Output-wise, it comes with two balanced XLR connections. More details can be found here. Interesting this is. I will definitely keep this in mind.
There are so many controllers available nowadays. the choices are just staggering. This is Denon’s offering to the DJ table. When I first got into mixing with CDs, I bought the best of the best then, a Denon DN-2000F and I loved it. It seems that Denon has carried the functionality that was so popular in their CD players over to this controller.
According to Musicradar.com:
It’s basically a two channel version of the MC6000 controller, which was praised for its plethora of I/O options and amazing build quality, so expected the MC3000 to be relatively rich in these values too, albeit with a cut-down 2-channel, more compact design.
I might get this when my Hercules controller croaks but so far, it seems to be holding up just fine. I have always had a soft spot for Denon products and this one, priced at about $800 seems to be pretty good!
DJ controllers are the rage these days. They are placing CDs and very soon will replace CD players and turntables as well, if they have not already done so. To be honest, I was looking at the Vestax Typhoon controller earlier before I even bought my Hercules controller. I have always had a high regard for Vestax products. I have used their mixers and have found their mixers to be clean-sounding and durable. They have much better controllers out there but the Typhoon is the one that is the most affordable.
The DJ software included is Virtual DJ but you can also download a special free copy of Serato DJ intro that is compatible with the Typhoon.
The system requirements are:
Windows
Windows XP : SP2 or higher 32bit(64bit not compatible)
Windows Vista : SP1 or higher 32bit/64bit
Windows7 : 32bit/64bit
CPU : Intel Core Duo 1.4GHz (SSE1) or higher
RAM : 1.0GB RAM or higher
OTHER: Available USB port, CD-ROM drive, Hard disk space for music and software
But there is a bit of a provison. According to their website here, it says:
Even if the clock frequency is sufficient to the requirement above, Intel Celeron、Centrino、ATOM, AMD and Sempron is not supported.
I do not know what that means but apparently you cannot use this on a netbook. Humph.
And like all other controllers, this is how you connect it:
Not too bad eh? But I am not loving the EQ sliders. I happen to prefer pots. But nevertheless, the Typhoon is a great product with Vestax quality.
