Hi guys, I come to you because I am new to this scene and you guys are not and then obviously know shit tons more than I do.
So here is the thing. I am looking into purchasing a DJ controller/Midi controller. I don’t want to even bother with the “beginner” models because I think that would just be a massive waste of money in the long run. I have been doing quite a bit of research and I have my eye on two models.
The AA VMS4. Looking around the forums here it looks like this is really gonna be the shit.
(for those who have not seen it.)
The other one comes from DJ-tech. I know that the company does not not have the best reputation, but this really does not look too shabby at all. The Hybrid 202.
I believe the hybrid 202 is $699? and the vms4 is apparently going to be priced around $499 I have seen…If I were you I would do something like get the vms4 and a midi fighter, or one, or even two lpd8’s…That way you get the 4 channel eq and faders, plus the midi mouse pad and touch strips leave so much room for mapping fun. Good luck with making your decision
I like the VMS4 but I would wait for full reviews of it. Although it can do a lot, I am not sure about the quality of the hardware. Have you not considered the VCI 100 or Numark VS/NS7?
what software do you plan to use - Traktor I take it? I would try to jump on something that has 4 channels, just makes it easier to control. Even if you don’t play 4 tracks at the same time you can always use one to drop samples. If I were you I would hold off before getting a product as soon as its released. I think a bunch of guys had been waiting on the DX to come out and now have had some issues as the initial bugs are being fixed.
Whats your budget? Honestly the VCI-100 with the amount of support it gets from this site is tough to beat. I just started using NI X1’s and since they are fairly new, there are no mappings to use, or folks to turn to for tips. That goes along way.
+1 dj tech gear. still have an i-mix ce and its taken one hell of a beating, beer spillages, hell i even use it as a coaster when i’m on the pc . just not enough knobs for me anymore.
I’d get the vms4 over the hybrid tho mate.
Im going to be really patient about the VMS4. DJ tech tools are going to endorse some sort of 4 channel midi controller eventually. And everyone knows that there will be some crazy sick mappings and tips that will go with it. So I am going to wait for a full review and maybe see how Ean and the crew feels about it.
Alright, well I think I am going to go for the VMS4, but I will wait until it comes out and gets reviewed. I just want something so badly!! They better stop pushing the release date back.
ad a +1 for dj tech gears quality, its very good, for features I would recommend the hybrid 303 setup with 2 kontrol 1’s and the DJM 303 mixer, its got a better set of features over the 202.
I haven’t been able to find ANYTHING in regards to the 303 online besides whats on the dj tech website, seems nice but anyone heard anything about a release date or price?
I just shot them an email, and Tom, the representative that is in all of the videos at NAMM sent me one back saying they were aiming for the end of may.
Hey I only stumbled across this but I’ve been using the Hybrid 202 for about 6 months and it’s complete trash.
Just about all of my heavily used buttons on the kontrol one’s are broken - Recently (this week) I have finally had contact with the manufacturer after first posting my question in FEBRUARY and they’ve agreed to replace/fix the units. Apparently the shitty buttons was a manufacturer error so I don’t know, if they’ve fixed this problem then the units are pretty good.
The djm-202 that comes with it isn’t overly impressive. I’ve used it with a usb hub as I use a macbook and the kontrol one’s and the 2 usb sound cards need 4 ports. Finally I bit the bullet and bought an external sound card as I was having terrible mixer performance.
Even now I’m still getting distortion - it seems randomly - though it is infrequent. I’ve also contacted dj-tech about replacing the unit and their communication is horrid. I can’t remember when I sent them a request to return the mixer but I haven’t gotten a reply, it was ages ago. Oh and the fx button snapped at its contact after about 2 months.
However IF this unit worked perfectly I would recommend it. Perhaps they had just pushed them out too early when I bought mine, and the hardware is better now.
The option to use two decks with each kontrol one is pretty sick. I only have the 2 channel mixer but I can use each deck for 2 fx banks and with my mapping I pretty much have access to every effect offered in traktor, chained or advanced.
The on board fx on the mixer are good, and the option for an external unit is a nice addition. I think if they had spent more time (and possibly more money on materials) developing it it could have been a better product. The DJM 303 looks like a much better unit than the 202 though.
So I guess there are some pros and cons for you. It looks bad, but if they’ve improved their manufacturing of this product that I’d give it a crack. It’s very good for a beginner as you can slowly build your skills and learn heaps of different techniques with traktor.
. just not enough knobs for me anymore.