Ever think about being a DJ? I have, but not professionally
of course. I know I like techno or re-mixed music myself, but I just don’t have
the time or patience for creating my own. Today for review I’ve got something
that the aspiring DJs out there might find interesting from Hercules called the
DJ Control MP3 e2. The e2 isn’t exactly a professional DJ mixing board but it
can be something to get you started and have fun in the process.
Product Name: Hercules
DJ Control MP3 e2
Author: Kristofer Brozio
Sponsor: Hercules
Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
-The power and fun
of DJing!
2 decks to mix 2
music tracks
Mix 2 music tracks
with DJ Control MP3 e2’s controls:
-2 jog wheels to
navigate within tracks
-cross fader and 2
volume faders to mix 2 tracks
Simplify DJing
operations
User-friendly
automations for beginners:
-Cue point
suggested by the DJ software in audio file analysis
-Synchronization
with 1 push of a button if you cannot manually adjust the pitch
-Automatic loops on
1, 2 or 4 beats
Easily make your
mark on music files
-Equalize music to
produce big sound
-Alter your music
files with your own effects
-Save your mixes as
your own music files
Perfect for mobile
use
-Compact DJ control
surface
-Included cover:
carry DJ Control MP3 e2 as easily as a laptop
For Beginners and
casual DJs
Specifications:
USB-powered DJ
controller:
-2 vinyl-style jog
wheels
-3 faders
-6 equalization
knobs
-2 pitch knobs
-1 stick &
multiple buttons
Installation CD:
-Windows & Mac
drivers
-Virtual DJ DJC
Edition PC/Mac
Technical
specifications:
2-deck controller:
-Mix 2 tracks with
1 controller
Mobile:
-Light &
smaller than a laptop
-USB-bus powered:
no extra power supply needed
-Includes a
protective cover for transport
No mouse required:
-4 buttons to
browse through lists
-2 buttons to load
tracks
Tailored for DJing:
-2 jog wheels to
navigate within tracks, speed playback up/down, or apply effects
-1 cross fader + 2
volume faders
-3 level
equalization per deck
DJ mix software:
VIRTUAL DJ 3 DJC
Edition included
-For PC (XP/Vista)
-For Mac OS 10.4
& 10.5
Price:
$79.95 (from Amazon at time of review)
A Better Look at Things
:
Let’s start this off with a video unboxing:
The packaging is nice looking, not much to say really.
Inside you’ll find a USB cable, software disc, large user guide and the
e2 itself.
The e2 comes with a semi-clear plastic cover to help protect it during
transport.
The e2 looks quite a bit complicated with all the knobs, buttons and
switches but after using it a few times you’ll figure it out quickly. Here are
several views of it:
There is a single USB port on the side for the connection to your
computer.
On the bottom you’ll find four large rubber feet to keep it stable and
in place while you’re using it.
Installation, Testing and Comparison
If you look back at the box it appears that all of the buttons light up,
but they don’t; only the ones in use do. They’re also not red; they’re orange
in color and fairly light really.
I’m not sure what other programs this product will work with, but it
comes with Virtual DJ software for you to install and use.
One note is that the software is ‘limited edition’ or actually just a
limited version. If you want full functionality of the Pro version you’ll need
to spend an additional $50 for it. Let me clarify that though, the software is
very functional as is.
Once installed you can load the DJ Console program and you’ll be greeted
with what resembles the actual hardware.
The bottom half of the screen is where you can see and do four things,
Music, Samples, FX and Rec. When you’re navigating to Music you’ll find it’s
just like getting that on your computer, files and folders viewing basically.
When you find the album you want the tracks will appear for you to choose from.
You just drag and drop them to the left or right side where you want it.
You really don’t need to use the mouse for anything you can just use the
buttons on the mixing board, there’s a folder button, files buttons and arrows
from navigation.
While you’re playing the music you can mix and fade and add samples etc.
Like a real DJ mixing board you can use a pair of headphones with it to listen
to a second track while mixing the first one. Sadly though you’ll need a decent
soundcard to do this, something with at least 5.1 ability.
The next choice would be Samples; you’ll find six already there with six
empty slots for you to make your own samples to use.
Under FX or Effects, you’ll actually find four choices for Sound
Effects, Video Effects, Video Transitions and Others.
The last choice is just recording, nothing special here.
Up in the middle, right below the Virtual DJ title, you’ll find four
more small menus for Remix, Cues, EQ and Video.
The e2 is quite a lot a fun to play with. My children, especially my 5yr
old just love it. They think it’s just an amazing toy.
I like it, I enjoy playing with it, but you’ll need to practice quite a
bit to get adept at using it.
The slides move smoothly but stay where you put them. The jog wheels
seem very responsive with minimal lag when you’re using them.
Summary and Comments
So you want to be a DJ? Well the
Hercules DJ Control MP3 e2 can help you achieve that goal! The e2 has plenty of
features that can help you get started on your DJ career I’m sure.
The product isn’t exactly professional quality though; I don’t think it
will be able to stand up to a lot of rigorous use. It is mostly plastic after
all.
The included cover though is helpful in protecting the e2 during
transport.
The e2 seems well made though for what it is, at least for recreational
use and just having some fun.
I know my kids like it quite a bit; especially my 5yr old who just
thinks it’s the greatest thing to play with.
The included software works well and the e2 itself feels responsive to
it. Sadly though the software is only a limited edition and not the full
version, for that you’ll need to pay an additional $50.
DragonSteelMods gives the Hercules DJ Control MP3 e2 a 4.5 out of 5
score.
Pros:
+Lots of fun
+Easy to use
+Great for kids
+Seems well made for the most part
+Software works well
+Unit is quick to respond
Cons:
-Not sure how well plastic will hold up to heavy use
-Must pay $50 for Pro or full version of software
-Must have decent soundcard for full usage
-Sound seems a bit off
review# 711
Disclosure: This product was given to DragonSteelMods for review
by the company for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment
for the review; we do not, never have, and never will, accept payment from
companies to review their products.
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please see this page.