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.
