Kontrol S2 vs. Denon MC3000 vs. AA VMS4.1

[Jay Nebra]

I'm pretty sure all this is doing is making my decision more difficult lol. I've seen the twitch before but overlooked it because it was so.. different.. but now I gave it a better look because you mentioned it and wow, I love those 8 pads with the 4 different features, loop roll and slicer to be specific. They look awesome... I want the s2 and this lol

[JSM]

buy anything (including a cardboard box with picturtes on it) except the VMS. I've had two they were both very unstable, the jogs are the worst I've ever come across and their support is non existent. (they blame the user for everything).

I have both a Denon MC6000 and an NI Kontrol S4, they are both superb machines, and their baby brothers are just as capable.

I would say that the MC3000 has the edge in build quality, the S2 has more Trakor releated features. They both have some very small drawbacks, that I guess you won't even discover for a year or so.

remember any feature you have seen on these controllers can be added to another one, loop roll, slicer etc. it's all down to mapping.

[Culture_Shock]

The Denon MC controllers are solid as a rock. If you really plan on gigging with your controller I would recommend the Denons survivability and dedicated filter and gain knobs over the Kontrol S2s integration.

[DirtyNerd]

The Denon MC controllers are solid as a rock. If you really plan on gigging with your controller I would recommend the Denons survivability and dedicated filter and gain knobs over the Kontrol S2s integration.

The MC3000 is built like a tank. I bought it to act as a portable all-in-one setup (normally I have an X1, F1, DN-X1700, and possibly 2 CDJs)...and I can attest that the build quality is great. I picked it over the S2 for a few reasons: dedicated filter AND gain knobs, I got a way better price on a brand new MC3000, and build quality.

In fairness, I don't use it much as my main setup, but when I have used it...it has been stellar for me. The couple of minor things that I don't like about the MC3000 are a) its hard finding replacement knobs for the orientation of the DENON D-shaft (e.g., chroma caps don't point the correct way) and b) there is no center detente for the FX knobs like in the X1 making the new macro FX slightly trickier to use as the 0 position is now at the center 12 o'clock rather than all the way left like in regular FX.

[Culture_Shock]

there is no center detente for the FX knobs like in the X1 making the new macro FX slightly trickier to use as the 0 position is now at the center 12 o'clock rather than all the way left like in regular FX.

I'm feeling the same way with the FX knobs on my VCI-100, I know exactly what you're talking about! It hasn't kept me from using them, I don't really feel it to be a problem at all, but I do see how it might make a difference to someone who likes to get around their controller really quickly.

[sinewave3]

Hey OP which one did you decide on?
I narrowed my picks down to these 3, too.

[Jay Nebra]

Out of these 3 I decided on the s2 after hearing from these guys and researching on my own. I liked the integration and features better in the end. But I kept researching and found the Numark 4trak at just a little more cost and fell in love with it so I am currently waiting to get that.

[sinewave3]

I just ordered the vms 4.1

The built in mixer sealed the deal for me and they have a free flight case after rebate. I hope I don't have any issues though...
Total was $288 usd for the Traktor one (with the free flip case!)

I really like the layout of the s2, but would have to of got a used one to stay within my budget.

[Jay Nebra]

where did you buy it from?

[sinewave3]

Uniquesquared.com
It's where I bought my second Numark Total Control from. Can't believe I went through two of those, but having a weekly gig can take it's toll (esp on those crappy jogs and buttons). Haven't had to deal with returns, but they have good deals once when stuff is on special.

I saw the mail in case rebate on American Audio's Facebook page. They have a link to their site and I double checked to make sure Unique Squared is an "authorized dealer"