DJ TechTools

Archive for August, 2008

Pad Controller Smackdown

Written by Ean Golden on August 8th, 2008 46 Comments

Reviewed by: Bill Griffin aka SOCIALPEST

If you’re looking for a MIDI pad controller on a modest budget and can’t be troubled to build your own then no doubt you will have found these three; M-Audio Trigger Finger, Korg padKontrol and the Akai MPD24.

They are all around a similar budget and each has their own appeal but on paper its a tough call. Thanks to the help of online store thomann.de I got my hands on all three and set each up in Traktor, Serato and Live to see which would be reigning champ in the sub 200 EUR midi pad controller class.
Continue reading Pad Controller Smackdown

Filed under Dj Controllers, and tagged Tags: midi controller, Review.

VCI-100 Firmware Update 1.3

Written by Ean Golden on August 6th, 2008 59 Comments

Much frustration has been expressed during the past year over the difficulty in getting your VCI-100 updated. We are happy to announce that it just got a lot easier. Next week you will be able to purchase a VCI-100 firmware update unit (pictured above) directly from Dj TechTools for $20 that allows you change your own firmware at home. That means that you can update any VCI-100 to the coveted firmware version 1.3 which:

Includes all the features of the VCI-100SE
Fixes the jog wheel ramp up issue from 1.1
Increases the number of buttons that can receive midi and light up

Which firmware version do I have?!

For those of you that already have found a way to update your VCI-100, here is the 1.3 firmware file that you can download free of charge. Step by Step instructions demonstrating how easy it is to do the update yourself will be posted next week.

To upgrade your firmware please visit this post

Continue reading VCI-100 Firmware Update 1.3

Filed under DIY Project Tutorials, VCI-100 Articles, and tagged Tags: Firmware Update, Tips, VCI-100 Articles.

Phase + Filter = Essential FX Trick

Written by Ean Golden on August 5th, 2008 11 Comments

Filed under Digital Dj Tips- Advanced, Digital Dj Tips- Basic, How-To Video Tutorials, and tagged Tags: Controllerism, Dj Basics, Tips, TIPS FROM THE PROS, VCI-100SE, Video Tutorials.

The 5 cent DIY midi controller

Written by Ean Golden on August 1st, 2008 15 Comments

The funny thing is- I pitched this concept to a certain major manufacturer about 5 months ago. They didn’t really get it and totally missed the boat. Then again, with this approach, there is no money to be made on hardware!

Filed under Controllerism, DIY Project Tutorials, and tagged Tags: DIY Midi, midi controller, Tips.

Readers are Saying

Jules: Hey Dero2, The jog wheel spins fine, The data send light is on as is the sensor light. When I spin it forwards or...
DeRajj: After djing for more than 20 years now, this article still helped me to new ideas… Thanks Ean!
And what of it?: Surely on a cruise line they’d want you to get involved with party and game organising, themed shows,...
Whyte: Funny to see this article here. I’m spending a winter season here in Canada at the moment, and have been playing...
Jonny: I notice a post about being with ‘deadmau5′ ‘on that one’. He has little option as the guy...