Hercules DJ Control AIR Review
A few days ago Hercules stopped by the office to drop off a 4-MX and DJ Control AIR for us to review. The Hercules DJ Control AIR is a two deck DJ controller which stands for “Adjustment by InfraRed”. It retails for under $200, so aspiring DJs can pick one up and try it out without breaking the bank. At first, the AIR struck me as a DJ’s toy but I got to put my hands on it for a few days and dive in deep. When I came out on the other side, what I found was a controller that was actually quite delightful to play (with) and a knowledge of a DJ software that, until doing this review, I had no idea even existed.
Our resident DJ specialist, DJ MadfFlip, wrote up a… Read the rest
Stanton DJC.4 Virtual DJ Controller Announced
Stanton recently announced the new DJC.4 Virtual DJ controller to add to their arsenal of impeccable DJ products. This controller joins a plethora of solid Virtual DJ controllers in the market, mostly due in part to the software’s growing popularity among beginner and part time DJs. The DJC.4 provides a solid foundation not only to learn the craft, but also become a professional DJ, due to it’s additional features not found on entry level controllers.
It comes equipped with an LE version of Virtual DJ, specific to the DJC.4, that allows for 4 deck control and all of the basic features. Keep in mind that drivers are included to make it compatible with the latest, full version of Virtual DJ as well. The DJC.4 does have some really unique features along with a truly clean and functional layout that separate it from some of the other major players out there.… Read the rest
Hercules 4-MX Review
The Hercules 4-MX is a four deck metal DJ controller that is meant to be used by computer based DJs. On the Hercules website they say that it is meant for mobile computer based DJs but I didn’t want to imply that only wedding DJs can buy this controller because that is not the case. I really wanted to do the blog because this is one of the controllers I learned how to DJ on.
Long before I picked up an S4 I started on a Hercules RMX that my friend owned. I borrowed it for gigs and used it until a cooler and geographically closer friend of mine picked up a 4-MX. I remember the way the jogs felt the first time I touched them. I was a beginner… Read the rest
Alesis Vortex and DM Dock at NAMM 2012
Alesis were on the floor peddling their wares with all the other folks at NAMM. While they didn’t jump in on the spectacle hogging DJ controller bonanza (2012 Namm was all about iPads and DJ Controllers if you haven’t figured that one out yet), they were front and center on the iPad, and are a solid reminder that DJ controllers aren’t the only controllers out there.
The Alesis Vortex Keytar
Alesis Vortex at NAMM 2012 UniqueSquared
While one has to lean on technicalities to call it the “first USB keytar controller,” the Alesis Vortex Keytar certainly has one feature that is new to the device. With their accelerometer control built to wire to any midi controllable parameter, it is to be assumed that the keyboardist who has always wanted to charge other players on the stage while triggering pitch bends with their aggression will finally have… Read the rest
The Keith McMillen QuNeo 3D Multi-touch Pad Controller
A little while ago a company called Keith McMillen Instruments proposed an idea for something called a QuNeo 3D Multi-touch Pad Controller on Kickstarter.com. If you don’t know it, Kickstarter is a place where proposals for creative endeavors can confirm public interest in the form of donations and even pre-orders. Once a project’s proposed goal is met and the end of the proposed funding deadline met, the project is green lit and all of the donations are actually accepted. If a project fails to meet its goal, the project does not go forward, no money is collected and the creative making the pitch is not left trying to finish their project under funded. So far Kickstarter has brought a lot of wonderful things to life, and gear related projects have been among them.
When Keith McMillen Instruments proposed the QuNeo, they figured they could get their project underway for around 15,000… Read the rest
