Hardware controllers

[Daryll]

I am thinking about getting a hardware controller.
I am using Ultramixer , and they have a list of controllers that can be used.

Denon DN-HC4500
Behringer BCD3000
Behringer BCD2000
Hercules DJ Console MK2
Hercules DJ Console
Hercules DJ Control MP3
Numark Total Control
EKS XP10
M-Audio Torq Xponent

Having never used one before , but by judging from topics on here the Denon is by far the best , but have you any thoughts on the others.

Cheers

Daryll

[A1DL]

I understand the HC4500 is being/has been discontinued and replaced by the HC5000

[Gareth]

I would stay away from the Hercules products there - cheap and more for the bedroom DJ's ;)

Gareth

[Steve the DJ]

I understand the HC4500 is being/has been discontinued and replaced by the HC5000

The HC5000 is designed to only work with Serato so whilst I don't doubt a new controller will be along soon I don't think it is the HC5000 that is a direct replacement as it won't (currently) work with any other software.

[A1DL]

The HC5000 is designed to only work with Serato so whilst I don't doubt a new controller will be along soon I don't think it is the HC5000 that is a direct replacement as it won't (currently) work with any other software.


That's interesting... our distributor gave us this information when we tried to order an HC4500 for a DJ a few weeks ago.

[DJ Jules]

I've used the BCD3000, the Hercules MKII and the Numark Total Control. Out of the three I'd say that the Total Control was actually the better built (the Hercules was like a plastic toy), but lacked Sound Inputs/Outputs (you need the Numark DJIO for that - whereas the Hercules and the BCD both come with audio in/out built in).

Julian

[OllieJames]

I use the HC4500 with Virtual DJ and love it! Easy to use, quick to find and load songs and you can map the buttons to do what ever you like. I've done a short demo on it in the Gallery. If you've got any questions just ask!

[MagicMusic]

It depends what your wanting form the controller really.

I went through the same journey a few weeks back tearing myself up in the process.

In the end I plumped for the Hercules RMX Steel. Unlike earlier Hercules controllers which lloked and felt like something straight out of the Fisher Price factory, the RMX is really well built.

Good strong buttons and faders, quite heavy and had a built in soundcard.

The reason I opted for it was because it was heavyweight and allowed me to use with the disco and for club work.

Forget the Behringer BCD 2000 but the 3000 is surprisingly good. Decent layout and feel.

The Numark Controllers, for me, are poor. No resistance at all in faders or jog wheels and the whole thing felt 'plasticky'

The Denon's are the obvious choice if what you want is typical twin CD style control over your collection, if you do then buy one, for me the layout was a bit 'too much'.

The M-Audio Torq Xponent is a fantastic piece of kit and was my choice up intil I realised it didn't have enough in / out for me. I also struggled with the lack of resistance in the pitch faders. A major plus point for this controller is the quality of the jog wheels and overall size of the controller

With any purchase like this you have to ascertain exactly what you want to do with the kit.

Are you going to beatmix, use fx, remix on the fly with four decks?

Do you need lots of extra controller buttons?

Do you need a built in souncard / mic in etc?

Once you have worked out exactly what you want then you will be in a better place to choose.

For me having road tested every combination I could find, basing my search on a traditional club dj set up (2 decks +mixer) it was;

Torq Xponent vs. Hercules RMX Steel

The RMX won but only on a technicality.

[nisfo]

I thought I would have to strap my BCD down....So light it would float away.

Each to there own, practice and play is the answer :)

[Steve the DJ]

That's interesting... our distributor gave us this information when we tried to order an HC4500 for a DJ a few weeks ago.

Maybe they know something different but according to Denon the HC5000 ships with Serato Itch specifically and doesn't support other software (although I bet it can).

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I would also stay away from the Hercules stuff.
I did a wedding in August and the groom wanted to do a 30 minute set of his own (pre-arranged with me). His stuff kept crashing all the time and when I asked him if it was a one-off, he said "No, it always does it".

[Penfold42]

I would also stay away from the Hercules stuff.
I did a wedding in August and the groom wanted to do a 30 minute set of his own (pre-arranged with me). His stuff kept crashing all the time and when I asked him if it was a one-off, he said "No, it always does it".

Crashed all the time - and he kept using it? :confused:
Did you put him on the straight and narrow. :) :D