cant beatmatch with rmx/steel?
i had narrowed down my selection for my first controller to the rmx or the steel with the audio 2 dj, i didnt know if either controller had different effects capabilities or if one was better made than the other, but if i cant beat match on them then ill definitely look for a used vci 100…
presumably you’ll be using software so you can use sync…
yeah but i dont want to sync i would like to manually beatmatch so i can learn everything ya know?
Manual beatmatching with controllers is pretty much pointless unless you got for the higher end stuff due to the faders not being as accurate or not being long enough to get a precise beatmatch.
I have the Steel. I use sync most of the time but at the same time, all my stuff is beatgridded great and I use 3 or sometimes even 4 decks at the same time. Can you beat match with it, yes. Not so much with the jog wheels, but much like the Midifighter, you can use modifiers to pitch bend and increase tempo. I have that set up and use it occasionally, but can say I rarely touch my pitch faders.
As stated, if you want a controller, beatmatching isn’t really your main concern, it should be more FX based and user friendly.
Beatmatching with a controller is IMO tougher w/ a controller than with cds or TT, but you can def do it. candidly, however, i almost always sync when using a controller unless im going back and forth bn a controller/cds/tt, etc.
then scratch the beatmixing with a controller haha, the decision now is to get the rmx or steel/ wait for the 4-mx(nov.22)/wait for the vci-100mk2(idk the date on that)/get the vci100SE
Don’t agree with you guys. I think that you CAN learn how to beat match with controller.
Those stuff about faders and so, even on cdj’s are different, not to mention that when you change pitch fader from 4% to , say, 20% its different.
Learn with controller. Later, if you get some cdj’s or TT’s you are going to need a lot less time to get used to beat match on them then to learn it from zero.
how to feel better about hitting sync. (assuming your grids are good): hit sync, then hit play on beat and correct by ear using pitchbend, then look at the phase meter just to be sure
i have an rmx and i find it super hard to manually beatmatch because the pitch faders aren’t exact enough (they jump in about .15 - .20bpm increments). The jogs are also too small to really cue up the track like you would a turntable..pitch bending, good beat grids and hot cues are key if you don’t want to use sync.
This is what i have to do, simply because the pitch fader isn’t accurate enough for my liking.
I’d much rather manually beatmatch anyway, because beatgrids are never spot on.
Quite a sweeping statement there, they can be spot on if you spend a bit of time. And in fact, a lot of EDM is beatgridded perfectly by Traktor first time, particularly kick heavy house.
That is true, I’ll give you that. 128 stuff is generally beat gridded very well by default. But i mix drum & bass, and at 170+ BPM, Traktor starts to go a bit nuts. I think pressing sync is cheating a bit though..!
never had problems with dnb and dubstep. just tell it to divide it, so it reads as 70 and not 140. then fix it a bit, and move the grid as needed (usually its a half beat off for me)
Its pretty easy to beatmatch IMHO on the RMX … if you really wanna 
Set up the midi with 2 tempos assignments per fader with a modifier.
e.g.
Right deck tempo = Fader / relative / Sensitivity 30% / modifier m1 = 1
Right deck tempo = Fader / Direct + Modifier m1 = 0
I set up a modifier Key as the scratch key on the RMX
This gives a “rough” tempo fader when the modifier is hit and fine pitch of about 2.5 - 3% normally so release when you are almost synced.
In all fairness though I normally just sync and use fine pitch when needed for the oddball tracks
I think it’s funny that you guys think that auto-sync if cheating and using a pitch fader isnt.
Don’t you all remember how did this all start? bah
You say that on a digital DJing forum? bah to you!
I’m of the mindset that a dj’s time can be better spent selecting music, playing with music, working effects, juggling cuepoints, blending songs, EQing, and interacting with the crowd rather than beatmatching.
But, if you really want to get finer control on a midi controller, try mapping a shift button to your pitch faders as a modifier so that you can switch between coarse or fine tempo adjustments. Or, better yet, map an endless encoder (or two) to coarse and fine tempo control. Even if you’re not beatmatching, creative tempo control can really make a dj mix or set more dynamic and engaging for the crowd, so it’s never a bad idea to have a system set up for adjustments.
Traditions i suppose!