Fresh DJ Gear at NAMM 2011: A Master List

Fresh DJ Gear at NAMM 2011: A Master List:re-blog from DJTechtools


Since January is upon us, that can only mean one thing: Winter NAMM and a fresh batch of DJ technology guaranteed to produce buyer’s remorse and gear envy. We’ve got a crack team of writers and photographers embedded deep in the belly of NAMM working hard to bring you details on all the gear, including what’s good, and what’s not.



In this first post, we’ve compiled a master list of new DJ products at NAMM that might pique your interest. Then, in our follow up on Monday, we’ll compile a shorter “Best of NAMM” list, with in-depth videos and details on our favorites.

HEAVY DUTY PAD CONTROL



Manufacturer: Vestax

Product Name: Pad One

Price: $249

Release Date: Early Spring

Key Feature: Heavy-duty milled aluminum chasis

Downside: Heavy and expensive for this controller class

• 2 color backlit pads
• Nice feel and bounce to the triggers
• Poor detection of low velocity hits
• Shows each pad’s MIDI value on the LED readout

VMS FOR TRAKTOR



Manufacturer: American Audio

Product Name : VMS-4 (Traktor Edition)

Price: $599

Release Date: Late March

Key Feature: Ships with a 4-deck version of Traktor LE

Downside: Ships with a 4-deck version of Traktor LE

• Same hardware as the original VMS-4
• New black skin looks nicer
• Modified controller labels that match Traktor

TORQ 2 Late?

Manufacturer: M-Audio

Product Name : Torq 2.0

Price: $49 (Existing 1.0 and 1.5 owners) $249 (everyone else)

Release Date: February

Key Feature: Track Morph creates very unique crossfades that do complicated blends for you.

Downside: The default UI skin on display was a visual maze at first glance but we have been told it can be customized into a more simple layout.

• No controller dongle required
• Will work with all controllers
• Track Morph effect is very creative and innovative
• 4 decks with independent levels, EQs, headphone cues
• Multi-Effect stacking features
• More info on the Torq 2 product page, and a demo is also available
• 2.0 is now finally out after a long delay- is it too late?

ANOTHER HERCULES

Manufacturer: Hercules

Product Name: DJ4Set

Price: $249.99

Release Date: April 2011

Key Feature: Touch-sensitive jogwheels (a first for Hercules)

Downside: Wobbly and poor platter action

• 2 stereo ins and 2 stereo outs over built in USB audio interface
• Ships with Virtual DJ LE
• Green or red backlit jogwheels
• Switchable into 4 decks (2 deck mixer)

MEGA MIXER

Manufacturer: Rane

Product Name: MP25

Price: $1449

Release Date: March 2011

Key Feature: 12 stereo ins and 10 stereo outputs via USB

Downside: Not Serato Scratch certified mixer

• ASIO/Core Audio drivers
• Multi-client drivers mean that you can stream audio from multiple applications on one computer simultaneously
• USB loop to VST on a host and back
• 1 USB port to connect to the soundcard
• 5 stereo multi-channel tracking to DAW

THE SL BOX YOU ALWAYS WANTED

Manufacturer: Rane

Product Name: SL4

Price: $899

Release Date: April 2011

Key Feature: 2 USB ports supports a dual laptop setup

Downside: ASIO/Core Audio drivers but no Traktor Scratch support

• Switchable channels from phono to line
• 5 stereo in and out via USB
• 96khz or 48khz
• Aux input and output
• Through indicators per channel

BT IN YOUR DAW

Manufacturer: Izotope

Product Name: Stutter Edit

Price: $249 ($149 preview until February 14th)

Release Date: Available Now

Key Feature: Instant beat mayhem available across a MIDI keyboard.

Downside: Requires a VST host like Ableton

• Endless presets and one press stutters that sound great right out of the box, including patches created by BT and Richard Devine
• Very playable combos and effects triggered and modulated by MIDI gestures
• More awesome information and a trial can be found oniZotope’s site
• We’ll be posting an awesome video of Stutter Edit in action soon!

ENTRY LEVEL USB MIXER

Manufacturer: DJ Tech

Product Name: X10

Price: $349 (MAP)

Release Date: Available Now

Key Feature: 2 stereo ins and outs over USB and 2 port USB hub

Downside: Small, unknown quality on the faders

• Ships with Image Line Deckadance
• Booth output and master output
• Curve adjustement for cross-fader and input fader
• Reversible faders
• Mix input

A GREAT ITCH CONTROLLER?

Manufacturer: Numark

Product Name: NS6

Price: $999

Release Date: June 2011

Key Feature: 4 channel analogue mixer + software control

Downside: Only 1 stereo output via USB; lighter than the NS7 - but still very heavy (approx 15 pounds)

• Strip search with LED location indicator
• Large 6″ jog wheels are substantial, but not heavy
• Good looking and well spaced layout
• Too large for any standard bag, this controller is more portable but far larger than the S4
• Check out the complete stats at the Numark product page

NEW CANS IN TOWN

Manufacturer: Numark

Product Name: Red Wave

Price: $99

Release Date: February

Key Feature: Flexible top makes it easy to form to your head

Downside: We’re wondering what the audio quality is actually like in the club

• Special “breathable protein-leather” (anti-sweat) leather keeps your head dry and cool
• Detatchable cord
• Closed-cup, noise isolating design

IPAD DJING GOES HARDWARE

Manufacturer: iDJ Live

Product Name: Numark

Price: $99

Release Date: March

Key Feature: Can control a DJ application on an iPad, iPod, or iPhone

Downside: Ships with no software; single stereo output or dual mono for cueing

includes iPad stand

will work with iOS Core midi aware applications

COMPACT MIXVIBES KIT

Manufacturer: Mixvibes

Product Name: U-Mix Control Pro

Price: $369 MAP

Release Date: January 30th, 2011

Key Feature: Robust build quality

• USB-powered MIDI controller
• 4-channel audio interface (2 RCA in/2 RCA out), microphone jack input, 2 headphone jack outputs
• touch-sensitive jog wheels
• includes CROSS DJ software

TRAKTOR PRO KEYS

Manufacturer: KB Covers

Product Name: Traktor Key Overlay

Price: $29.99

Release Date: Available Now

Key Feature: Matches the default Traktor Pro keyboard shortcuts

GOLDEN DICERS

Manufacturer: Novation

Product Name: Golden Dicer / Launchpad / Rane 68

Price: Not for sale – see below

Release Date: Golden Tickets come with every Serato interface purchase

Key Feature: Chance to win gold versions of a Dicer, Launchpad, or Rane 68

Downside: There are only 25, 5 and 1 of each gold controller, respectively

• More info on a special Dicer contest on here on DJ TechTools in a few weeks!

MASTERING/MIXING GETS EASIER

Manufacturer: Focusrite

Product Name: VRM Box

Price:$99

Release Date: Available soon

Key Feature: 108 DB range (MacBook output is about 20 db less); simulated multi-speaker sound

Downside: Only one output (headphone)

• allows you to listen to your mix in the headphones as if you are sitting in a studio
• VRM technology emulates all major studio speakers so you can “hear” your mix on various systems without bothering the neighbors or investing in a huge studio!

1 BAD ASS MIXER

Manufacturer: Allen and Heath

Product Name: DB4

Price: $2899

Release Date: Available now in the US

Key Feature: Customizable onboard FX system

Downside: Only 1 USB port

• Fully digital mixer
• Matte black aluminum looks amazing
• Same technology, sound quality and converters as I-live system
• Features Quad FX Core DSP engine, meaning each channel has it’s own effects unit
• EQ zone is flexible (can select as a filter or as one of two types of EQ)

The Top of the Rock Bottom

Manufacturer: Behringer

Product Name: DJX-900

Price: $299 Retail

Release Date: Q2 2011

Key Feature: spectacularly affordable

Downside: USB in/out is limited to one stereo channel

• magnetic cross-fader (adjustable crossfader)
• 4-channel mixer, 1 mic input
• over USB interface, 1 stereo-in / 1 stereo-out

PIONEER GIVES IN AND GOES CONTROLLER

Manufacturer: Pioneer

Product Name: DDJ-S1

Price: $1599

Release Date: March

Key Feature: Sleek laptop integration (assuming you’re not interested in using your keyboard..), jogwheels feel smooth and solid

Downside: No joy for Serato Scratch Live users; designed for 2-channel use

• Designed for and includes Serato Itch
• Linear alphabetical strip search designed to make not having a keyboard accessible easier
• Look and feel is very much Pioneer styled, making it a natural transition from their CDJs.
• Built in sound card with mic and mic 2 / aux input
• “Slip mode” allows for looping, reverses, and track scratching without changing the track BPM
• Faders have an “anti-slip” knob technology to keep them from acting up
• more info available in our full post

PIONEER’S TRAKTORPIECE

Product Name: DDJ-T1

Price: $1299

Release Date: February 2011

Key Feature: Effects design mirrors Traktor setup, 4-channel support

Downside: Missing features from S1 – LED strip search, VU meters. Overall plastic appearance and feel.

• Designed for Traktor with 4-deck control
• User interface mirrors Traktor – FX controls especially feel like natural extensions of their built-in versions
• Built in sound card with mic and aux input
• Track strip search (albeit with no LED feedback)
• Features the same “anti-slip” fader technology as the S1
• more info available in our full post

SHURE’S ON-EAR

Product Name: SRH550DJ

Price: $99 MAP

Release Date: March 1

Key Feature: On-ear seal seems to have just as solid isolation as over-ear phones, but remained comfortable; solid sound response for this price point

Downside: No detachable cable, display set seemed to be stretched from use and did not compact well when folded up (see photo below)

• 50 mm drivers to fill out the low end
• very lightweight, designed to be comfortable for a long gig
• headband adjusts and collapses, each headphone swivels 90 degrees
• Comes with 2-year warranty, carrying bag and 1/4-inch adapter

Keep on eye on this page, were we’ll be posting more NAMM details, including in-depth “Best of NAMM” articles on our favorite new DJ gear. Keep track of when we post new articles by following us on our Twitter or liking DJTT on Facebook.