Beamz C4BSB DJ Player Controller Review
Share This Page:
Tweet
Beamz C4BSB DJ Player Controller Staff Review
Beamz C4BSB DJ Controller Review
By: Jeremiah Pagano
Overview:
The Beamz is a midi controller which uses lasers to control effects, clip launching, and anything else your mind can come up with. If you can midi map it…it can play it.
First Impressions:
The First thing I noticed is that this controller is a lot bigger than I expected, but despite it’s size it has an extremely lightweight plastic construction, which brings durability into question.
Setup:
In my case I used the Beamz in addition to my Native Instruments Kontrol S4 and the set up was decently simple. Although, for someone that is new or doesn’t know how to custom midi map controllers in Traktor or any DJ software, the set-up could be very daunting because of the lack of a company supported .tsi file. Once you get the controller mapped it works seamlessly with any digital DJ'ing set up.
Features:
The features that really set this device apart from other controllers is the concept itself. The idea of using lasers as replacements for buttons and knobs is quite innovative; every time I use it I think of a 007 type super spy but instead of dancing around the lasers tying not to set off an alarm I’m sticking my hands through them to execute a perfect bass drop.
Conclusion (Recommended For):
Overall, the Beamz is an extremely innovative product. I would recommend this controller to mobile DJs and those that are looking for a fun way to DJ. I would not recommend it to club DJs because of its size I am not sure how many booths it would be able to fit in. Ultimately, it allows for more showmanship during sets by letting the DJ fist pump with a purpose. Although some may call it gimmicky, I am proud to see a company trying to push our passion further into the future.
Pros:
Innovative
Low latency
Ability to map it in almost any way you can think of
Fun to play with
Cons:
Price ($299.95)
Size
Durability
Lack of company supported midi mapping
Beamz C4BSB DJ Player Controller Features
Your music, your way, triggered by light.
Free yourself from the artistic and performance limitations of pressing keys or buttons, turning knobs and/or moving sliders – immerse yourself into music marking in a whole new dimension - and engage your audiences by breaking laser beams. You now can experience making and performing with electronic music in an extraordinary way.
The Beamz Player interactive music device connects to a host computer via USB and powers up 4 laser beams. The Beamz Interactive software then controls each laser beam with pre-programmed music clips within an interactive song in the software; each interactive song is setup with 12 laser beam triggers and an optional background rhythm track. When the rhythm track is running, the music clips assigned to each beam are layered on top of the rhythm track and you can set your volume contributions to setup playback according to your personal expression. Even more, you can start recording of any of your song performances with a tap of a button anytime you are playing the Beamz.
The Beamz Player dashboard software displays 4 laser beams and the “instrument” name representing the music clips behind each laser beam. Solo players may play up to 12 different laser beam assignments within an interactive song by tapping a SWAP button to move through sets of 4 laser beam assignments. For group play, connect up to three Beamz Player devices into one host computer.
The Beamz Player DJ & Pro Audio edition includes the Beamz DJ and Beamz Studio software applications to transform the Beamz Player into an interactive laser controller.
Amaze your audience by performing with light. Use Beamz DJ to control virtually all DJ programs and/or lighting control applications via MIDI and keystroke mapping. Configure and control up to 54 triggers - and run in the background with your DJ programs and/or lighting control applications. MAC and PC compatible.
Beamz Studio software opens the interactive music editor to manipulate, customize and/or create interactive songs for dynamic playback with the Beamz Player device. Import and assign your beat and/or pitch matched music clips, samples or sound effect files to one of 12 laser beams. In Beamz Studio you may import MIDI, WAV or MP3 files; and there is no limit to the number of files that may be behind a “beam” assignment. You may also define trigger type (pulse, one shot, advance, etc.) to control the playback. Samples dropped on the beams may be setup with playback triggers that will emulate “authentic-sounding” instrument playability – the Beamz is much more than that synthesized sounds and loops
Model C4-BSB
Series C4
Effects Available Yes
Computer Interface USB
System Compatibility Mac and Windows
Audio Connections Controlled and powered by host computer
System Requirements Host computer with 1.3GHZ processor, 2GB RAM, 5GB available HDD space, must connect via USB directly into host computer (cannot use USB hubs)
Power Requirements powered by USB via host computer
Number of MIDI Ports 6
Software Compatibility Windows
Other Features *MIDI mapping capability to 4 laser beams & 2 buttons
Product Weight 4.25 lbs
Dimensions 13" x 25" x 7.5"
Best Price for the Beamz C4BSB DJ Player Controller
Submit a Review and/or Rating
Member Reviews and Ratings
Beamz C4BSB DJ Player Controller Related Links
| Additional Other Reviews: |
Other DJ Equipment Reviews |
Equipment by Manufacturer |
Search for DJ Equipment
Resident DJs
DJ Caesar
DJ Caesar is one of today’s most versatile DJ’s in the industry. He is more then a DJ...
DJ Emiliot
DJ Emiliot all the way from Belgium representing Core DJS Africa | Fleet DJS | Future Star...
djblaze
Under the guidance of his older brother, Kareem Julien has been a full fledged Mobile...
Kutmaster TeeOh
DJ Turmoil, better known as TeeOh, is more than a disc jockey. His unparalleled live...
DJ Blaze on Twitter
