Vestax VCI-300MKII DJ Controller Review
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Vestax VCI-300MKII DJ Controller
American Musical Supply is the
Official Pro Audio Retailer of DJBooth
Vestax VCI-300MKII DJ Controller Staff Review
Vestax VCI-300MKII Review Summary:
The Vestax VCI-300MKII is a two-channel Digital DJ controller that has a compact and lightweight design which also gives DJ’s the option of playing music through an optional line input in time of need. The VCI-300 may just be the most durable controller out on the market today with its full-metal body construction and heavyweight feel. Even the high-resolution jog wheels have a ribbed metal surface and they too feel super-sturdy. Though the crossfader and linefaders have a “plastic-like” feel to them, I was able to pull off all my scratches and juggles without any issues. They are all user replaceable and upgradeable (to the Innobender fader or Vestax Pro faders) if the need ever arises. The size is also nice and compact for easy transport.
On the downside, the Vestax VCI-300MKII is really a USB DJ controller and not a true MIDI controller, meaning that DJ’s won’t be able to map each and every function on the unit to the DJ software of your choice. You are pretty much stuck with the software and settings that you get out of the box. I was also surprised to see that the VCI-300MKII does not come with the additional power cable (sold separately) because it actually gives the headphones an additional amp and it also allows the unit to be used in Line-Thru mode without the need of using the power from the computer. My final gripe with the unit is the lack of on-board effects. Most DJ controllers today have effects and the only way to get them with the VCI-300MKII is to purchase the Vestax FX-1 unit to go with it.
At the end of the day, the Vestax VCI-300MKII is a barebones 2-channel DJ system that does everything very well. The unit is built to last and everything is very easy to use and understand. I have reviewed many DJ controllers to date and this is one of my favorites even though it’s missing some features found on other popular controllers. The feel of the unit and controls is just right. We recommend the VCI-300MKII to beginner DJ’s who don’t want a bunch of confusing features, or for professional DJ’s who want an additional travel setup. The price may be a bit steep at $700 but this really feels like it’s worth every penny.
Pro’s:
-Very Strong Completely Metal Design
-Compact for easy transport
-Nice-Sturdy Metal jog wheels with High resolution and vinyl feel
-Alpha Style Crossfader with low cut-in Distance and External Curve adjustment
-User-replaceable/upgradeable Crossfader & Linefaders
Con’s:
- Does not come with additional Power Cord
-Cannot edit or create MIDI mappings
-No on-board effects or Sample sections
Vestax VCI-300MKII DJ Controller Features
The Vestax VCI300 MKII DJ Controller is designed as a lightweight and compact DJ instrument with the touch of analog control. The Vestax VCI300 MKII is a dedicated Serato ITCH USB MIDI Controller with usability improvements based on feedback from VCI300 customers. Simply to give DJs what they want.
Vestax VCI300 MKII DJ Controller Control Surface Features
Volume Boost (Gain Boost): Higher output gain level and headphone volume level when supplying power with the optional power adaptor. (not included)
Direct Audio Thru: Audio fed to the MIC/AUX input can now be directly sent to the Master outputs with the THRU switch turned ON, minimizing latency of when fed through ITCH.
New adjust knobs for the JOG sensor control: New JOG sensor adjust knobs for speedy and accurate adjustments.the VCI-300MKII's JOG wheels have excellent tracking ability,and flexibility for various play styles.You can control songs with analog precision.
Mini Head-Phone Jack: 1/8 inch headphone connection along with standard 1/4 inch connection.
Bundle Software:serato ITCH
High performance portable music system that allows internal mixing and platter style playback control.
Integrated one to one hardware to software mapping for instant control and minimum setup time.
Interoperable with Scratch LIVE crates, loops and cue points, also support for iTunes.
Audio processing and internal mixing via Serato ITCH software, Channel fading, EQ, cross fading and track trim are processed in software with audio and headphone monitoring on the ITCH hardware.
Clean and simple software user interface with emphasis on hardware controller to display information.
Auto Tempo Matching and Beat Sync.
Optimal Gain and BPM Calculation.
Serato's unique color waveforms for easy identification of sound.
Set and store Cue-points.
Manual and Auto Loop activation.
Music Library management tools for backup and restore.
Input and Mix recording capability.
AIFF, WAV, MP3 and AAC audio file support
Built-in multi-lingual help tools with Serato customer support and software update program.
High Resolution Control
The Vestax VCI300 MKII controller can control more than 90 parameters and functions of the included Serato software with high resolution MIDI signals sent via USB. The pulse resolution of the JOG wheel and pitch control fader is 4 times higher than the VCI100 and provides precise control of each function. The pitch control fader also shares the same high quality fader parts of the input fader for advanced operability.
Superb Audio Characteristic
The built-in audio interface carries a Audio Codec IC with superb audio characteristic, generated by a delta-sigma modulation 24 bit stereo D/A-A/D converter. Audio connection includes 1 stereo input, 1 MIC input and 2 stereo output (Master L/R, Monitor L/R).
Level Indication
A 12 level LED L/R indicator is set in the center of the top panel to monitor sound levels.
File Control
Audio files in the software library can be easily selected and controlled with the CRATES / FILES / BROWSE key and the cursor switch inherited from the VCM100.
Emergency Thru Switch
The Emergency Thru Switch located on the rear panel is a countermeasure where you can use the Vestax VCI300 MKII with the provided ITCH software or without the computer connected if you simply want to play music from your external CD or MP3 player. The ITCH software reads music from your iTunes library or the Serato library you use for Scratch LIVE, making it the perfect device for recreational or professional DJ's.
Adjustable Jog Wheel Torque
The torque of each JOG wheel can be adjusted to prevent them from moving from low frequency feedback and altering the pitch when using the VCI300 MKII controller in such places like clubs.
Fader Curve Control
The fader curve of each fader can be adjusted to the preferred characteristics for long mixes, scratching and any other style.
Vestax VCI300 MKII DJ Controller Specifications
Power/Voltage: 5V 150mA
Power: USB bus power
USB Port (Bus powered)
Mic Input x 1
Aux Input: RCA x 2
Headphones Out x 2 (3.5mm & 6.3mm)
Master Out: PHONE x 2, RCA x 2
Input Fader Curve Control x 1
Cross Fader Curve Control x 1
Dimentisions (H x W x D): 43 x 410 x 275 mm
Weight: 3.2kg
Adaptor (sold separately): SDC-7(DC7.5V 1000mA)
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Macintosh
CPU : Intel Core Duo 1.6GHz or better
RAM : 1GB
OS : Mac OS X 10.5 or higher
Available USB Port
Windows XP
CPU : Pentium 4 mobile 2GHz or better
RAM : 1GB
OS : Windows XP SP2 or higher 32bit&64bit is supported
Available USB Port
Windows Vista and 7
CPU : Intel Core Duo 1.6GHz or better
RAM : 1GB
OS : Windows Vista SP1 or higherr 32bit&64bit is supported
Available USB Port
Please note
The above is minimum requirement to run ITCH. We recommend you use a higher spec computer where possible. If you have a particularly large library, you will benefit from having more RAM.
Update ITCH to 1.5 when using 64bit version OS.
Your computer must meet the necessary system requirement written above to operate ITCH correctly. It is recommended to use a computer with advanced specifications to gain best performance and when using in venues.
The Vestax VCI300 MKII does not operate with AMD CPU powered computers.
Best Price for the Vestax VCI-300MKII DJ Controller
Vestax VCI-300MKII DJ Controller
American Musical Supply is the
Official Pro Audio Retailer of DJBooth
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