Stanton DaScratch Performance Control Surface - Touch it and make a new with it!

A totally different way to DJ at your fingertips.

Revolutionary and compact, DaScratch, a.k.a. the SCS.3d, is an innovative controller that is an excellent solution for any digital DJ looking for ultimate control over their software of choice. Part of the Stanton SC System control surface line, DaScratch's small footprint and sleek profile make it a space-friendly addition to any existing DJ gear setup or it can stand on its own as a complete DJ controller solution.

Stanton's StanTouch technology allows you to use traditional DJ-style motions and gestures on a touch-pad style surface. This allows full control over music and software applications such as Traktor DJ Studio, Traktor Scratch, Ableton Live, Serato Scratch Live, or any other MIDI compatible software. Minimal moving parts ensure durability from gig to gig.

See Me, Feel Me
DaScratch's layout and portability provide DJs with an extremely high level of performance and control. The StanTouch interface can be used for scratching, scrubbing, and navigating through digital audio. The tactile buttons, triggers, and virtual faders can also control samples, pitch, effects, cue and loop points, and other mappable functions. Multiple finger touches can even prompt quick kills on EQ's or transform effects on volume.

Hook Me Up
The SCS.3d is Magnect connection system allows multiple DaScratch units to securely snap together, creating a larger control surface with increased performance options.

Teach Me
DaRouter software gives DaScratch a little brain of its own. It allows customized support for a variety of applications. DaRouter runs on Mac/PC and will automatically load presets that are tailored towards the application the SCS.3d is controlling. A generic preset is also provided for mapping to any application that supports MIDI learn.

Connect Me
DaScratch has USB connection for easy plug-and-play connection to your software. Class compliant with Windows XP, Vista, and Mac OSX, it ensures that drivers are never needed, and being bus powered, there's no worry about external power or batteries.

The Stanton DaScratch's center section operates mainly in 3 different modes—Slider, Circle, and Button. These 3 different control layouts can be evoked by any of the mode buttons depending on how the DaRouter preset is programmed. •Slider Mode gives the user 3 variable controls (like faders) that can be used by sliding your finger up and down the areas next to the 3 LED meter bars. This mode can be used for controlling many parameters at once, such as an EQ. A slider may be changed by dragging a finger across the surface, or you can place your finger in an absolute position on the slider, and its position will jump immediately to that point. Two fingers may be used to trigger from one position to the next. For instance, holding one finger on the bottom of the slider and tapping the top with a second finger will make the slider generate the higher value for as long as that finger remains on the surface. Once the second (upper) finger is removed, the slider will generate the value indicated by the first finger position. This is referred to as as a "finger jump." •In Circle Mode, there is one slider at the center of the circle, and a circular slider going around the perimeter of the touch surface. Just like in Slider mode, finger jumps are possible and can be performed to quickly change the parameter in real time. This is the mode most likely to be used to emulate the platter of a deck. Circle mode is also the default mode of SCS.3d DaScratch. That is to say that if you plug DaScratch into your computer without using the DaRouter software, it will operate in Circle mode. Keep in mind that without DaRouter, the Mode Selector buttons (VINYL, LOOP, etc.) will only send note data and will not change the operation of DaScratch. •In Button Mode, the zones highlighted in the diagram will act as triggers to control buttons in the target application. For example, these functions could be assigned to alter loop lengths, jump to cue points, or start clips playing. Multiple buttons may be pressed at the same time in Button mode. Also, you will find some presets use a modified version of Button mode that makes the trigger areas bigger by combining 2 or more button zones. StanTouch
In every mode of operation, you'll find that the touch-sensitive areas on the Stanton DaScratch will respond to multiple simultaneous touches. This is part of its core functionality, and indeed many cool behaviors and gestures can be developed around this capability.

Stanton DaScratch Performance Control Surface Specifications:

Dimensions: 6.9"W x 10.4" x 2.7"D
Weight: 2.64 lb.
Stanton DaScratch Performance Control Surface Features:

Virtual Gain and Pitch faders with 9 segment LEDs that provide instant visual feedback
6 mode switch buttons - FX, EQ, Loop, Trig, Vinyl, Deck
4 touch-sensitive trigger buttons
StanTouch Control Area: touch-sensitive control area can be configured to emulate faders, buttons, or jogwheel
StanTouch has 3 seven-segment LED strips and 16 LED ring around it for for feedback
StanTouch works in 3 operational modes - Slider, Circle, and Button
4 transport buttons - Play, Cue, Sync, Tap
DaRouter software which runs on Mac/PC automatically load presets
USB connection
Magnect connection system for using multiple units together

Review:
Stanton SCS3D DaScratch Digital DJ Control Surface


Demo:

KAOSSILATOR PRO - BE AN ELECTRONIC MUSIC MAKE WITH YOUR FINGER!

Announcing the KAOSSILATOR PRO – a supercharged version of the palm-sized KAOSSILATOR, reborn as a powerful track-making tool and loaded with live performance power


Features:

• KAOSS X-Y touchpad offers intuitive, realtime control
  
• 200 sounds covering modern synth sounds such as lead and bass, and diverse acoustic sounds from piano to trumpet and beyond
• PCM samples provide dramatic drum kits and ready to rock percussion patterns
• Vocoder programs deliver scintillating vocal effects
• Access up to eight of your favorite sounds instantly using the assignable Program Memory buttons
• Loop Recording can layer both internal Program sounds and external audio overdubs
• Four Loop Record Banks each allow up to four measures of loop recording, with easy muting that allows expressive realtime layering and DJ-Style re-mixing – ideal for live performance.
• Gate Arpeggiator repeatedly triggers sounds in sync with the tempo. The slider controls either the gate time or gate speed.
• Choose a key and select one of 31 musical scales to easily create musical phrases. Limit the X-Y pad's note range for even more control
• Loop data, user settings and Program Memories can be stored on SD card
• Dedicated software lets you manage loop data, MIDI assignments, and user settings from your computer
• Performs double-duty as a MIDI controller for external equipment or software applications

Reviews:
Korg KAOSSILATOR PRO Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer/Loop Recorder

Demo:

Vestax VCI-300 - Digital DJ bundle : IF YOU WANT TO BE A DJ = VCI-300

The Vestax VCI-300 is a hardware and software bundle that transforms your laptop into a professional, portable DJ rig. With a list price of $1,300 (around $900 street), the Vestax VCI-300 isn't cheap, but its uniquely integrated system offers stability and control that's hard to find.

Hardware:
The most striking part of the Vestax VCI-300 bundle is the hardware interface, which roughly mimics a traditional mixer and turntable setup on a smaller scale. The control interface uses a solid metal chassis covered in an attractive, glossy, black plastic, and measures 1.5 inch tall, 16 inches wide, and 11 inches deep. All the faders and knobs are as full-sized and professional-feeling as any analog mixer we've tested, with spacing and positioning that most DJs will find familiar. The Vestax VCI-300's buttons are backlit and are formed from a hard plastic that feels durable, but isn't as inviting to wail on as the rubber buttons found on the Numark iDJ2.
Easily the coolest feature on the Vestax VCI-300 is the pair of 5-inch illuminated jog wheels. The jog wheels are made from clear acrylic, sandwiched under a textured-metal plate and bolted to the chassis with three stabilizing screws. Unlike the Numark NS7 or Stanton SCS-1D, the Vestax VCI-300's jog wheels aren't motorized, which takes some of the gee-whiz factor away, but also means there are fewer parts to wear out. The Vestax VCI-300's jog wheels are touch-sensitive, however, so placing your hand on the wheel while a track is playing in scratch mode will stop music playback as if you were placing your hand on a spinning record. Likewise, releasing your hand from the wheel resumes playback where it left off, and moving the platter back and forth produces a sound that is indistinguishable from the sound of reversing and cuing vinyl.

Vestax built in jog-wheel tension-adjustment knobs on the sides of the VCI-300, which let you dial in the perfect amount of resistance for your DJ style.
The back of the Vestax VCI-300 includes a USB socket, a jack for an optional power adapter (the controller is intended to run off USB power), and adjustment knobs for the jog-wheel touch sensor. More importantly, the back of the Vestax VCI-300 offers a pair of stereo master-audio outputs (RCA and 1/4 inch) and a single AUX input (RCA) with a gain knob and an emergency thru switch (sic) that allows you to switch over to a backup audio source in case your computer crashes.
On the front of the Vestax VCI-300, you'll find a few more audio connections, including a 1/4-inch headphone output on the right, and a 1/4-inch microphone input on the left. We're perplexed as to why Vestax would place the microphone-gain knob conveniently next to the mic input, but not place the headphone controls near the headphone output (headphone volume is located near the top of the unit, instead). Still, it should be fine if you're the type who typically sets-and-forgets your cue mix.

Software:
The Serato Itch software that comes bundled with the Vestax VCI-300 is a competent, yet slightly stripped-down version of the popular Serato Scratch Live. As far as music organization goes, Itch makes it easy to collect all the music files from your computer or external hard drive (MP3, WAV, AAC, and Ogg Vorbis are supported, however, iTunes-protected AAC files are not), sort them using editable ID3 tags, search for songs by name, and file them into virtual crates. Song tempos can be detected automatically by the software, entered directly, or tapped-in manually. One little feature that caught our eye is that after a song is over, Itch color codes the title to prevent you from repeating it later and boring people to tears.
Compared with a program like Native Instruments' Traktor or PCDJ DEX, Serato Itch is extremely light on effects and advanced EQ settings. If you want to add filters, delays, or flanger effects to your mix, you'll need to do it with outboard gear. Itch does offer a three-band EQ (0-6 dB), a reverse/censor effect, and three independent cue-point loops per channel.

Review:
Vestax VCI-300 Dedicated USB MIDI DJ Controller for Serato ITCH

Demo:

NUMARK : NS7 - There's NS7... and then there's everything else.

Designed by Numark in collaboration with Serato, NS7 represents the pinnacle of DJ performance control. NS7 combines an all-metal chassis with adjustable torque, motorized, aluminum-turntable platters, vinyl, and a professional audio interface to deliver a complete performance solution that will satisfy even the most hardcore turntablist.




Specification:

• High-resolution controller built for Serato ITCH and compatible with Scratch LIVE libraries
• Direct-drive, motorized turntable platters with classic and modern feel settings
• Includes Serato ITCH DJ software, fully pre-mapped
• Audiophile-grade audio circuitry with mic and line inputs, system and cue outs
• Extensive loop, cue, and track-access controls
• Strip Search (patent pending) virtual-needle-drop control
• Controls most MIDI applications without requiring a mouse or keyboard
• Rugged, all-metal construction
• High quality, replaceable, customizable CP-PRO crossfader and D-TYPE line faders
• Support for Whitelabel.net files in ITCH
• Mix using either 33rpm or 45rpm speeds

Review: 

Numark NS7FX Motorized Dj-Software Performance Controller With Serato Itch Software

Demo: