I missed the prepress on this one so I was kindof blown away when I got the ProSound Catalog the other day with this on the cover.
| Vestax and Serato have joined forces. Sharing their technology and compiled feedback from Pro DJ’fs and users from around the world, they have created a dedicated DJ USB MIDI / Audio system and software offering absolute control. The VCI-300 is a dedicated USB MIDI controller for the included Serato DJ software. It also comes with a built in audio interface with standard 4in/4out and headphone connection, which means all you need for DJing is the VCI-300, a laptop and a set of headphones. |
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Why is this a big deal? Because Vestax makes SERIOUS dj equipment for serious DJs and now Serato has made a new program that will be the benchmark for tabletop DJing. Serato Itch is a stripped down and revamped version of Scratch Live that is built with this controller and other forthcoming USB/MIDI controllers in mind. I love my technics turntables but frequent gigging means lots of wear and tear and LOTS of moving these heavy things. I’ll be touring with a hip-hop group in the spring and I’m definitely NOT looking forward to lugging those bad boys around. Also, using Serato Scratch Live with control records is just a digital simulation of DJing with a really nice feel.
The VCI-300 is the first DJ controller that has high resolution MIDI that can send enough data to the computer to get a great scratching sound, meaning this is the first digital contoller that allows you to do everything you can do with real turntables PLUS get all of the benefits of a digital system. M-Audio’s Torq uses the same idea, software designed to integrate well with the controller, but it is nowhere near the response and functionality of this thing.
Scratching Demo
ALSO, Numark is getting in the DJ Controller game. Looks like the NS7 is gonna use the same Serato software but with a larger “deluxe” spinning platter kindof interface. I always thought it was pretty dumb that their CD turntables had a spinning motor in it, but since switching to SSL, it no longer seems so stupid to have a spinning turntable that doesn’t actual have a real record on it. Its all about the “feel” man!
One last side note….Anybody from Vestax who might be reading this….
What the heck happened to THIS THING????
Pro Audio Star is carrying the VCI-300. Check out their prices here.
cool dj equipment! but the last one….. erm. what’s that supposed to be?? it’s in the shape of a guitar but it doesn’t have strings.
It is called the Stage Controller…..I think they ended up making a few hundred of them…..it’s like a CDJ/QFO /Key-Tar that you strap around your neck and then go CRAZY!!!
Dave Nada needs one of these…..When I saw him at Artscape he was definitely going crazy playing electric guitar over top of some electro jams – -BUT, who wants to see a DJ play guitar?! Not me, unless they sound really flippin good.