Hercules DJ Console 4-MX Controller Review
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Hercules DJ Console 4-MX Controller
American Musical Supply is the
Official Pro Audio Retailer of DJBooth
Hercules DJ Console 4-MX Controller Staff Review
Unboxing Video
Review Video:
Hercules DJ Console 4-MX Review Summary:
The Hercules 4MX is a good all-around four-deck mixing controller that has most of the features found on expensive units for a fraction of the cost. For starters, the 4-MX has a completely solid metal construction. It is built to travel and built to last. The 4-MX has a compact size and it’s the only controller out there that comes with a bag that allows users to take it on the go. The Crossfader has a short cut-in distance which makes it easy to pull off crab scratches and other quick scratching techniques.
Everything on the Hercules 4-MX is not perfect as I was able to find a few shortcomings that should be pointed out. The first gripe I had with the unit was that the jog wheels could pull off most scratches, but not the quick scribble or fast type scratches that some users may want to attempt. It seemed as if the resolution was very good, but just not as tight as some other controllers and decks out there. Another item to point out is that the Hercules 4-MX cannot use its internal soundcard to play timecode decks directly from the RCA inputs (the Traktor Kontrol S4 is still the only controller with this feature). Also, since the controller is compact, the user is only able to control the EQ’s and Volume levels of two of the four decks that are currently selected. Other 4-deck controllers on the market will always have the EQ and Volume controls available at all times. The final gripe that I have with the Hercules 4-MX is that it cannot be used as a standalone mixer. There must always be a computer connected to the 4-MX as there is no other power source other than the USB cable.
The Hercules 4-MX is recommended for beginner or bedroom DJ’s who mostly want to mix and beatmatch with a little bit of scratching thrown in. The 4-MX would also be perfect for any skill-level DJ’s who want a compact and strong (all-metal) DJ solution to take the mix with you on-the-go. It has most of the features found on other higher priced controllers for a lot less money. Buyers will ultimately have to upgrade to Virtual DJ PRO to unlock all of the functions of the hardware, but it is well worth it.
Pro’s:
-Completely Solid Metal Construction
-Surprisingly Nice Crossfader with Curve Adjustment (Available in the Virtual DJ Pro Software)
-Nice Compact Size
-Comes packaged with its own travel bag
-Great Overall Value (Good Features with an even better price)
Con’s:
-Mapping to jog wheels not suited for serious/rigorous scratching
-Cannot use internal soundcard for external timecode decks (must have separate soundcard device)
-Lack of simultaneous 4-channel Line and EQ controls (Must switch to other 2 decks)
-Cannot work as a standalone mixing console
Hercules DJ Console 4-MX Controller Features
Hercules DJ Console 4-MX 4-Track DJ Mixer Controller & Audio Interface Large DJ station for mobile computer DJs
* 2-deck/4-deck metal DJ controller to mix 2 or 4 stereo audio tracks
* 2 stereo out (for mixing & previewing) + 2 stereo in (for analog gear)
* Mobile metal controller: a large mixer (40x25cm) with included carry bag
2 large jog wheels with touch detection
* Jog wheel size: 12cm diameter (4.7") x 1.9cm height (0.75")
* Weight sensors, to detect the hand’s weight on the jog wheel top
* Great for scratching and seeking within audio tracks
2-deck & 4-deck control
* 2 shift buttons to turn deck A into deck C, and deck B into deck D
* 2-deck for standard DJ mixes, when mixing 2 audio tracks
* 4-deck mixing: double the controls when you mix 4 tracks
VIRTUAL DJ7 LE included: 4-deck DJ mixing software
* For Windows XP/Vista/7
* For Mac OS® 10.5 & 10.6
Technical specifications Large jog wheels with touch detection
* Same size as jog wheels on CD players
* 12cm (4.7") diameter: as large as a compact disc.
* 1.9cm (0.75") height: as comfortable as on a CD player.
* 2 large jog wheels you can’t miss.
Weight sensors detect the user’s touch by detecting the hand’s weight, to activate scratch mode. Detection of the hand’s weight activating the jog wheels’ touch control is:
* natural: like on vinyl turntables and high-end CD players.
* secure: no disturbance from static electricity.
* intuitive: no need to calibrate.
Press down The hand’s weight moves the jog wheels down by 1mm:
* press the jog wheel down: you feel that you’re scratching.
* move your hand up: you feel that you’ve released the jog wheel
Jog wheels’ control over the DJ software While the track plays, you control the DJ software with 2 actions on the jog wheel:
* rotation, to control movement within the track.
* press down to control scratching.
Thus, during audio track playback:
* Rotation without jog wheel press = pitch bend (like when you turn a turntable’s ring).
* Rotation with jog wheel press = scratch (like when you turn a vinyl record with your hand flat on the record).
* No rotation with jog wheel press = stop playback (like when you stop a vinyl record’s rotation with your hand).
* No rotation without jog wheel press = playback continues.
Jog wheel accuracy
* Rotation: 256 steps per revolution = 1.4 degrees per step.
* Press down: <1mm travel.
Number of controls 2-deck mode
* Transport commands: 66 commands
* Transport buttons + combo commands: 52 buttons
* Shifted commands: 12
* Pitch reset: 2
* Knobs: 14
* Faders: 5
* Jog wheels: 4 commands
* Rotation commands: 2
* Touch commands: 2
* Total: 89 commands
4-deck mode
* Transport commands: 124 commands
* Transport buttons + combo commands: 96 buttons
* Shifted commands: 24
* Pitch reset: 4
* Knobs: 24
* Faders: 9
* Jog wheels: 8 commands
* Rotation commands: 4
* Touch commands: 4
* Total: 165 commands
2-deck and 4-deck DJ mixing controller DJ Console 4-Mx controls both 2 decks and 4 decks, with 2 buttons switching the decks:
* a deck switch button on the left deck converts deck A into C / deck C into A.
* a deck switch button on the right deck converts deck B into D / deck D into B.
Once a deck is switched:
* all of the commands that the deck’s controls send to the DJ software are changed.
* the letter of the active deck is highlighted in the center of the mixer.
Specifications:
* Controls for DJing: 2 wheels, 5 faders, 14 knobs, 55 transport buttons, 160 controls in 4-deck mode
* Audio for DJing: 4-channel in/4-channel out, Microphone input for talk-over, Headphone plug for preview, Preamp. on audio inputs for phono/line/CD sources
* Drivers ASIO & WDM for Windows®, Core Audio for Mac OS®, MIDI control: Windows & Mac
Minimum configuration
* PC minimum requirements
* Windows® XP/Vista/7 (32-/64-bit)
* 1.5GHz CPU or higher
* 1GB of RAM or more
* USB port with USB bus power
* Stereo speakers and/or headphones
* Mac minimum requirements
* Mac OS® 10.5/10.6
* 1.5GHz CPU or higher
* 1GB RAM or more
* USB port with USB bus power
* Stereo speakers and/or headphones
Best Price for the Hercules DJ Console 4-MX Controller
Hercules DJ Console 4-MX Controller
American Musical Supply is the
Official Pro Audio Retailer of DJBooth
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