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.
This is probably the closest that you can get to the performanceof the old Technics SL1200 MKII turntables, which are not being manufactured by Panasonic/Technics anymore. I do not know why but I suppose that they have their reasons but you can bet that DJs all over the world are lamenting the fact that we do not have what we consider the icons of the DJ industry being made any more. A pity really. There are a few other brands out there in the market…some look like the Technics, some try to have the same performance like the Technics. However, one of them, in my opinion, is capable of the same performance that the Technics had. And that honour goes to the Reloop RP-6000 MK6 b
Reloop’s RP-6000 MK6 b professional turntable comes in an all black makeover. The rubberized surface and operating elements harmonise with the white super bright LEDs that never leave you in the dark. Furthermore Reloop’s flagship is compatible to any kind of mixer and amplifier due to the signal output as line or phono – no grounding necessary. Its highly dependable direct drive furthermore features a variable torque (2.5 or 4.5 kg/cm) which will satisfy club DJs and turntablists alike. The Reloop MK6 b: A statement.
I have actually had a look at these turntables and they are quite solidly made and the finish is awesome. They may not have the minimal looks of the SL-1200 MKII but they do make up in a few other features and the famous torgue that was so famous on the Technics turntable is there. If you ever get one of these turntables, look at the motor assembly. Yep. The Reloop turntable, with the platter being part of the motor, just like the Technics,is what gives it the great performance, torgue-wise. And the features? Here we go:
Quarz-driven DJ turntable with upper torque direct drive
Direct interconnection of turntable and motor for maximum stability
Adjustable start/stop speed (0.2 – 6 sec.)
Metal chassis
Extra heavy design
Height adjustable S-shaped pickup arm with anti-skating
Pitch range ±10%, ±20%, ±50%
Easy-to-exchange, freely revolving stylus illumination with super bright LED
Quartz lock
Safety mains switch
Forward and reverse mode
Additional start/stop button for vertical installation
Rubber ply to reduce vibration and ambient noises
Detachable mains and RCA cable
Immersed connection cavity for easy case installation
Shock-absorbing feet
So as you can see, you get quality. I still have my Technics. If they ever croak, I did have the Numark TTXs in mind. But after trying out this reloop, looks like my mind has been changed, and yes, made up too. Reloops will be the choice.
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.
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.
