Maago Intros 4×4 DJ Controller & 4×4 Virtual Controller For iOS

Maago has introduced a new hardware DJ controller, the 4×4, along with a virtual version of it for iOS, the 4×4 Virtual.

The Maago 4×4, shown above, is designed to give you ‘total control over Traktor’. Here’s what they have to say about it:

With more than 20 knobs and 40 buttons, this new hardware is built in a sturdy aluminum case and will be the perfect controller for all TRAKTOR PRO™ versions and any DJ software that supports the MIDI protocol. Simply connect the Maago 4×4 unit to a computer running TRAKTOR™ (or other DJ software) and gain instant control of your 4 decks, 4 effect parameters, loop controls, etc, all at same time and with no need to use the shift button to reach all these functions. High quality rotary knobs with a heavy-duty feel and 40 backlit buttons provide real visual and tactile feedback of your workflow, letting you perform on TRAKTOR™ without having to touch your computer.

Hardware Details

  • Buttons and knobs:
  • 40 high quality back lit buttons
  • 71 high quality buttons
  • 42 high quality small buttons
  • 11 high quality rotary enconders
  • 8 high quality knobs
  • 4 leds
  • Connections:
    • 2 USB ports / 1 Midi out + 1 Midi in
  • Dimensions:
    • 120 mm (4.7? ) x 52 mm (2?) x 294mm (11.5?)

    Pricing and availability are to be announced. See the Maago site for details.

    Continue reading

    The RSON8 DJ Controller Raises The Question – Are Instrument Designers Too Attached To Their iPads?

    Design site Yanko Design featured the RSON8 touchscreen DJ controller today.

    RSON8 is a design concept, by Vibhas Jain, that uses a large touchscreen as a control surface:

    The RSON8 is a touchscreen controller for aspiring DJ’s, talent required, although it does make mixing music a lot easier for noobs. The device has grooves where digital buttons appear allowing one to augment track(s) and levels.

    The screen also uses next generation tactile feedback substrates so you can literally feel the sliders.

    This is certainly an interesting design and stands out clearly from existing DJ controllers.

    “Next generation tactile feedback substrates” aside, though, this looks a lot like a custom iPad, dedicated to DJing. As such, it combines the limitations of the iPad (limited tactile feedback, inability to build ‘motor memory’) with the limitations of existing DJ controllers (expensive, single purpose).

    Video animatic for the RSON8 below.

    Are music instrument designers getting too attached to the iPad idea?

    Give the RSON8 a look and let us know what you think!

    Continue reading

    Numark DJ 2 GO MIDI Controller ‘The Most Portable DJ Controller In The World’

    Numark DJ 2 GO MIDI Controller

    2011 NAMM Show: Numark introduced a new DJ controller, the DJ 2 GO, that’s designed to be an extremely portable alternative to standard DJ controllers.

    DJ 2 Go Features:

    • Ultra-portable USB DJ software control for instant gigs
    • Compatible with virtually any MIDI-capable DJ application
    • Mouseless navigation built in
    • Single USB cable provides easy integration with your PC or Mac
    • Familiar A/B deck and crossfader make using DJ2GO a snap
    • Includes integrated Virtual DJ LE Lite Software

    Numark calls it ‘the most portable DJ controller in the world.” Continue reading

    Numark Intros NS6 DJ Controller At 2011 NAMM Show

    Numark NS6 DJ Controller

    At the 2011 NAMM ShowNumark, introduced the NS6 DJ controller for Serato ITCH.

    The NS6 is a 4-channel Digital DJ controller with built in mixer and 4 decks of software control. The dual-platter system was designed in collaboration with Serato.

    NS6 borrows from the designs of Numark’s NS7FX and V7 controllers and delivers new features, including the responsive, high-resolution touch-activated platters. The wheels on NS6 deliver 3600 ticks of resolution per rotation; when combined with NS6’s automatically adjusted platter sensitivity the result is ultra-precise, high definition turntable control. Continue reading

    NAMM Hotness – The Emulator Multitouch Touchscreen MIDI Controller

    YouTube Preview Image

    2011 NAMM ShowSmithson Martin introduced the rather sextacular Emulator multitouch MIDI controller for DJs.

    Above, CEO Alan Smithson gives an enthusiastic demonstration of the Emulator. Talk about eating your own dogfood – Smithson is a DJ that saw the initial Emulator design concept on YouTube and thought it was so cool that he decided to create a company to bring the multitouch controller to market.

    Right now, Emulator works with Traktor Pro for the PC. Smithson isn’t officially announcing anything else yet, but said that they are working to make this cross-platform and compatible with other DJ apps.

    The Emulator is available now, starting at $3,875. Details below. Continue reading

    How To DJ With A Candle

    YouTube Preview Image

    You’ve heard of turntablism and you’ve probably heard of controllerism.

    But what about candlism?

    The Evolution Control Committee is conducting experiments on replacing turntables and DJ controllers with candles:

    I had this idea for a while after making the VidiMasher 3000 (see our video demo on this channel) that the infrared lights that trigger it could be candles. One pair of dancers here had circular movements they were using, and I thought those might work with the candles as seen from overhead. This video shows my experiment with that, and what better circular movement to play with than a turntable… so I made one. A virtual one. Like, hold a candle, spin yourself around, and it translates into you scratching a turntable sound.

    This may not be the most useful invention ever – but at least it’s fun. Continue reading

    Native Instruments Traktor S4 Sneak Preview

    YouTube Preview Image

    This is an early look at the new Native Instruments Traktor S4 DJ Controller, via DJ Tech Tools’ Ean Golden.

    The Traktor S4 is a state of the art DJ controller, designed to be plug and play with Traktor DJ software. Continue reading

    Novation Dicer DJ Controller Now Available

    YouTube Preview Image

    Novation has announced that Dicer, its new $99 DJ controller for Serato Scratch Live, is now shipping.

    Dicer is a performance controller that’s integrated with the cue-point and looping features of Serato Scratch Live. Supplied in pairs, the compact USB-powered devices are compatible with any Scratch Live setup, whether using turntables or CDJs.

    To complement the launch of Dicer, Serato have made available a public beta version of Scratch Live 2.1, which can be downloaded from users’ Serato.com accounts. Scratch Live 2.1 automatically maps Dicer to key software functions and provides full LED feedback. Users of the current 2.0 software can control all cue-point and looping functions, but will need to use Scratch Live’s ‘MIDI learn’ function to assign Dicer’s pads to software controls.

    While designed to work with Serato Scratch Live, it can be used with other DJ apps.