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.
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.
I do not yet have this controller but I know what I may upgrade to when my current controller goes bust. It is gonna be the Hercules DJ Console 4-Mx, the one in the picture above. Unlike the one I currently have, this one has got 4 channels instead of two and last I checked, would cost about $700 here in Singapore. Here are the specs, as taken from the Hercules website:
Large DJ station for mobile computer DJs
- 2-deck/4-deck metal DJ controller to mix 2 or 4 stereo audio tracks
- 2 stereo out (for mixing & previewing) + 2 stereo in (for analog gear)
- Mobile metal controller: a large mixer (40x25cm) with included carry bag
2 large jog wheels with touch detection
- Jog wheel size: 12cm diameter (4.7″) x 1.9cm height (0.75″)
- Weight sensors, to detect the hand’s weight on the jog wheel top
- Great for scratching and seeking within audio tracks
2-deck & 4-deck control
2 shift buttons to turn deck A into deck C, and deck B into deck D
- 2-deck for standard DJ mixes, when mixing 2 audio tracks
- 4-deck mixing: double the controls when you mix 4 tracks
VIRTUAL DJ7 LE included: 4-deck DJ mixing software
- For Windows XP/Vista/7
- For Mac OS® 10.5 & 10.6
It does not look to shabby but I am also looking at the Vestax models as well as the Numark NS6. So many choices are available here and it looks like I may face some choice issues. But the Hercules is fun and easy to use so I think I may go for that.
The DJ2GO is one of the smallest DJ controllers that I have ever seen. But there is a caveat. It does not come with a sound card and you need to purchase a separate soundcard for your computer so that you can mix properly. But it is tiny and easy to carry with you.
Ultra-portable USB DJ software control for instant gigs
Compatible with virtually any MIDI-capable DJ application
Mouseless navigation built in
Single USB cable provides easy integration with your PC or Mac
Familiar A/B deck and crossfader make using DJ2GO a snap
Includes integrated Virtual DJ LE Lite Software
Here it is in its full glory. But as i said before…there is no built-in sound card and there are no EQ controls. This is a very bare unit. Good to play with if you are just starting out but to play in the clubs, something better is recommended.
I bought this Hercules DJ Console MK4 MIDI controller today. Cost me less than $300. Pretty well-built unit for the price and performance is pretty good. You get Virtual DJ LE with this and it is more than good enough for what you may put this baby through. I hooked it up to an old Lenovo Thinkpad X61 and it was able to handle the goods. These were some issues with some MP3s but I put that down to the old computer and the dodgy USB port. I was mixing with it for a greater part of this evening. The only downside is that it does not have gain controls. But for the price, you pretty much a have a solid unit. My first foray into the digital world. Lets hope the digital world is kind to me.
