Does the VCI-100 still compete with todays "budget" controllers?

Good afternoon all, this is my first post here, but I have been lurking and devouring information here for months. I've been reading\watching videos\organizing my music\learning Traktor for a while now, and I've hit the point where I really need to snag a controller.

As such, I've been scouring the FS forum here, Craigslist, Online retailers, etc. for all of the usual suspects for a first controller.

Mixtrack
Mixtrack Pro
Typhoon
Hercules *
Stanton SCS

You get the picture. Amidst all of my research it seems the general consensus is that the newer "budget" controllers tend to have better jogs and more functionality than the "mid-line" controllers of a few years ago.

This brings me to my question. Does the VCI-100 still compare favorably to the newer generation of budget controllers like the above?

I've found a deal on a used VCI-100 for $150 and a used MixtrackPro for $100. My gut instinct is to jump on the VCI, learn on it, possibly mod it with some arcade buttons and the 1.4 firmware upgrade as time progresses. Should I want more control over the loop decks add something like a NanoKontrol (or better) down the road.

But being the filthy n00b I am I thought I'd first enlist the help of the DJTT forum.

Cheers, and thanks in advance.

The VCI-100 is kind of like a Technics turntable; I feel that the build quality far surpasses almost ALL controllers on the market today, and they hold their value fairly well also. I think the VCI would be a great choice for your first controller...

Simple answer, yes!
-As 2 deck controller is great, and it will last ages, it's well build.
-Low cost if you buy second hand, nice mapping.

NO, get the mixtrack Pro for $100. The jogs are far more superior & you get a built in soundcard.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by majestics

NO, get the mixtrack Pro for $100. The jogs are far more superior & you get a built in soundcard.

---

disagree. The jogs on the VCI-100 are extremely good, and the general build quality is excellent. You won't get much better jogs without entering the realm of HID controllers like the NI S2, and you won't get a better built controller without needing the services of a Russian T-34 tank factory.

I'm not saying the jogs on the VCI are crap, I just think the mixtrack ones are better and larger.

Thanks so much for the insight everyone. Yesterday I went ahead and pulled the plug on the VCI-100. It really does seem like a hell of a lot of controller for $150.

5 days shipping can seem like an eternity. I'm sure in the meantime I'll be scouring the internet for every possible TSI, reading every tutorial I can find on it, looking into the arcade buttons, firmware kit, etc etc etc.

Thanks again for the help everyone, so it begins...

The VCI is fun!

Only be sure to update its Firmware to avoid issues.

Mine is dead for some reason and it kills me.
I have other gear now so its fine, but it was great for mobility.

For instance, if i were in bed...I could practice a set there and work on stuff.

Now, its all USB Hubs...Power cables....and just not as quick and easy.

I will not sell mine....even if I get it fixed. Was my first controller ...and the arcade buttons etc.

:)

So while you get 'better' engineered and updated controllers...I think the VCI-100 is still solid!

I wish i still had my VCI 100.

I use and love my S4 and the VCI would certainly be no substitute but, the VCI 100 was amazing.

If i can the spare cash i would buy a VCI Arcade in a heartbeat.

The VCI 100 revolutionised controllerism for me and I dare say a lot of other people on the forum.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Karlos Santos

I wish i still had my VCI 100.

I use and love my S4 and the VCI would certainly be no substitute but, the VCI 100 was amazing.

If i can the spare cash i would buy a VCI Arcade in a heartbeat.

The VCI 100 revolutionised controllerism for me and I dare say a lot of other people on the forum.

---

So that being said, obviously the main thing you'd be giving up going back that direction would be the direct control of the loop recorder and sample decks (not saying there aren't mappings to do that).

So my question to you would be, what would you use to supplement the VCI to regain that functionality?

On the budget end (unfortunate reality) the Korg NanoKontrol looks to me to provide a pretty intuitive interface for working with those. Perhaps an X1 a little further up the cost chain.

I'm just curious about what you'd miss most going back (and what you'd do to not miss it).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SparkDogg

So my question to you would be, what would you use to supplement the VCI to regain that functionality?

---

MIDI Fighter.

X1 if you dont really want to do crazy button juggling.
Way more features to use on the X1.

However, i never used my X1s with my VCI but i did use my MF.

I can say with a few years of harsh use that vci is the best built controller that I've tried, its simply a tank. Pioneers feel wobbly as well as NI's controllers, xone dx has some issues as well. MC6000 is close, but I have bad experiences with denons buttons. Otherwise its good, but too cramped. Waiting for vci-400 drooling. I'll settle for a twitch and the vci-100 that I got until 400 is released.

edit, clarification: Its not the smoothest, easiest to use, best laid out or otherwise best in anything, but its a tool that lasts and is good enough for just about everything you need.

VCI-100 + Xone K2 will be an awesome combo

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fubar

I can say with a few years of harsh use that vci is the best built controller that I've tried, its simply a tank. Pioneers feel wobbly as well as NI's controllers, xone dx has some issues as well. MC6000 is close, but I have bad experiences with denons buttons. Otherwise its good, but too cramped. Waiting for vci-400 drooling. I'll settle for a twitch and the vci-100 that I got until 400 is released.

edit, clarification: Its not the smoothest, easiest to use, best laid out or otherwise best in anything, but its a tool that lasts and is good enough for just about everything you need.

---

What exactly about Pioneer's controller feels wobbly to you?

To the OP, the VCI-100 is a fantastic piece of kit, beginner or otherwise. You won't be disappointed at all.

DDJ-T1, the top cover is too thin, platters have slack, fx knobs feel like they're too loose for the base and upfaders jiggle sideways. None are way bad, but for pioneer I'd expect better for top-of-the-range-in-midi product. Haven't tried S1, which, according to rumours seem to be better built for some reason.

? I guess you haven't seen or used one yet.

A little update.

Wednesday I had a note on my door from UPS (that adult signature required thing is a killer when you're a spaz who wants the shiny now), fortunately I was able to go pick it up at the local office that night.

Unfortunately, I simply could not get my laptop (Lenovo X201 with XP) to recognize it, simply kept kicking back the "USB device not recognized/device has malfunctioned error". I tried literally everything, from finding a powered USB hub, then a power supply that works for it, to uninstalling anything that could conflict, to pulling all of the USB drivers from an install CD. I'm an IT guy by trade who builds some pretty complex stuff, so I mean everything. I'm relatively sure that the conflict is with a little built in Logitech Webcam.

Undaunted, I threw 7 on a spare drive I had, installed Traktor, plugged it in and everything worked without a hitch.

I'm seriously glad I found out about this device and this site. This thing is a serious piece of equipment, overbuilt in a way that few things are nowadays. It reminds me of the Technics gear my dad had when I was a kid (I still remember the feeling of terror when I saw his reaction to my "scratching" routine with his diamond needle and Santana record).

I'm just now getting a bit of a feel for the basic controls in Traktor, but this is about as intuitive a device to learn on as I could envision. In the middle of the night that first night I recorded an ~half hour mix while my girl was making her way home from the World Series. From a technical/analytical standpoint it sort of sucks, but I find myself playing it more in the car than anything else, grinning ear to ear and nodding my head.

I can't fathom how cool this tool is that allowed me to whip up a mix that I enjoy hearing right off the jump. I've loved EDM since the old DJ Micro\Dave Aude\BadBoyBill days, and have always wanted to dig into the nuts and bolts of how to create it. What a great time to be doing that.

Thanks again for the site and the advice, I'll be around. I have so much to learn.

Peace

sweet!

had my VCI hitting the floor hard last weekend. right in the evening before a gig!!

Was super stressed, as the Jogs fell out... then got my head straight, disassembled my baby (i did this a couple of times before) and put the jogs back in. tighted all the screws and voila it worked like a charm.

will never give it away!

My VCI was gathering some dust on a shelf when I bought an X1 and MF Classic, but I've now dusted it off remapped it (I now have loop recorder control, and custom jog/fader FX), and even given it a new look with a fresh paint job. Couldn't be happier with it! Well...that is, unless it spontaneously grew a soundcard...but the lack of soundcard (in my opinion) is a very fair trade for the price value, and build quality.

PS. If anyone is interested in this mapping, let me know, and I'll keep you posted on any advancements, as it's still in the tweaking phase.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DJ_dB

PS. If anyone is interested in this mapping, let me know, and I'll keep you posted on any advancements, as it's still in the tweaking phase.

---

+1 :) A new mapping would be fun to play with; where did you put the loop recorder?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by djproben

+1 :) A new mapping would be fun to play with; where did you put the loop recorder?

---

FX/Pan buttons in the center.

Update: Mapping will hopefully be done by next weekend, after I learn what needs to be worked out on my gigs this weekend. Upload and Video to follow. :)

(Proben, send me a PM so I don't totally forget you asked specifically, cause I'm horrible with that stuff. Haha.)