I think it was assumed by Vestax and a lot of other people that the VCI-300 was going to be a more popular controller than the VCI-100. That didn’t turn out to be exactly the case, and now many people are justifiably confused as to which controller they should buy. Here at Dj TechTools we get at least one email with this question every day so to help you make up your own mind, here is the list of pro’s and cons:
VCI-100
The Good Stuff
- More Knobs and Buttons
- Smaller foot print
- Less expensive (approx $400)
- Flexible layout is more universal with a dedicated FX section
- Established Community of Users
- The VCI-100 SE upgrade package
- Comes with Traktor LE
Not So Good
- Short Pitch Fader is the equivelent of +/- 4
- firmware updates via upgrade package only
- smaller jog wheel is less ideal for scratching
Our Opinion
The VCI-100 remains one of the best values on the market for a dedicate dj midi controller. If your using Traktor or other dj programs with FX then the dedicated FX section and additional loop transport buttons on the 100 model will come in good use. If however, large jog wheels and a long pitch fader are a must then you may be disappointed with the 100’s compact controls.
Read my full review of the VCI-100 here for more details
VCI-300
The Good Stuff
- Large, High Resolution Jog Wheels
- Jog Wheel Tension adjustment
- Long, Higher resolution PItch faders +/- 6%
- Built in sound card w MIC input
- Spacious layout
Not So Good
- Requires a special translator program for use with programs other than Itch
- Layout is specifically designed for the Itch interface
- Limited knobs and buttons for FX
- USB and audio over the same cable
- More Expensive (approx $750 with Itch)
- Difficult to program the LEDS to respond via MIDI
Our Opinion
The solid combination of Itch and the VCI-300 are a very reliable package which perform the fundamentals of mixing very effectively. Although both are limited in features, those that they do have perform very well. For users that are looking for a “all in one solution” that is reliable and equipped with solid scratching the VCI-300/Itch combo will not disappoint.
Those that want to use the VCI-300 with other software should be consider their purchase carefully. The VCI-300 must go through a translator program to convert the high res jog wheels and pitch faders into data other software can read. Its also a bit short on controls for FX and transport controls so you will need to get creative with your assignments.
I think the VCI-100 wins this battle. Having multiple options with controls and programs is essential for the digital dj. It starts with the VCI-100 SE Ean was able to modifiy it, so it became than the “other.” Essentially what im saying is we bought the controller so we can add whatever layer we want. Making it a robust controller.
When I saw comparison I was expecting something more detailed like you had with the Xponent vs. VCI 100. This basically states what the strengths of each. Can we get something more in depth… jog wheel vs jog wheel and etc?
VCI-100 is the way to go if you want to more with your mixing.
Note to those who are SERIOUS about their midi latency and jitter that if you want prime performance on the VCI-300 that you should NOT be using the internal soundcard. Sharing the midi over the same connection as the audio is very likely to increase midi latency and jitter.
I think Eans right to let the user decide, each device is not perfect and has pros and cons that the other doesn’t. It is really up for the user to decide which is better them as each device suits a better style of mixing. If i had to sum it up in one line i would say the VCI-300 is better for oldschool dj’s and the VCI-100 is better for newschool djs.
Good Article Ean - there really is no clear cut winner between the devices.
Great Point Bento San
Could you explain why the vci-100 might be better for newschool dj’s Bento?
I’m new to dj’ing, and will be doing mostly hip hop, but now after reading this comparison I’m wondering if I blew a lot of extra money pre-ordering the 300.
Also a comparison between VCI-300 and the Numark NS7 which (to me) looks to be a solid piece of equipment would be nice. As both have been specifically designed to work with Itch.
Ean, glad to see you got the article up!
Hey Josh I know what you are talking about and I have been doing alot of research on deciding which midi controller I wanted. I came close to getting the vci-300, but I guess it was the grace of god stopping me from that mistake cause they were on backorder from the dealer I deal with. Though before I found out that from the dealer, I was having second thoughts on that controller since I could not use it with Traktor unless I had a mini-translator, and still most of the functions would not work properly until after some new patches were created for the vci-300. Next I know that with the development of new electronic devices there are always little bugs and glitches in the software or firmware of the devices which you must constantly complain about until they are fixed, so this made me really want to change my mind cause even though I would like to have the big jog wheels and the cool button setup, I know it would be awhile before I could have it working way better than the vci-100. Now I also am a Hiphop/old skool DJ I play everything from the 60’s on up to now in HipHop/Rap/R&B/Disco/and Blues, so yes I would love something to mix my music up better and after looking at alot of videos and not seeing no one Mix/scratch HipHop or Dance music played in clubs or party’s I was really skeptical until I saw this video by this guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiAQxaBs1H4&feature=related He has 3 videos on Youtube to view so check them out. I don’t think he is using Ean’s version so with me upgrading to Eans version I know with practice and time I will be doing what this guy is doing in those videos.
VCI-100 wins my vote because of the versatility of the device.
Waiting for that mini.TRANSLATOR
I think the major point of someone getting the VCI-300 would be its internal sound card + 14bit MIDI resolution… If you guys have already used the mini.Translator and made some templates for VDJ/Traktor, why you don’t share with other people? Or let me re-phrase it, how well the VCI-300 works with other software than ITCH when combined with min.Translator?
i had ordered a 300 but this breakdown ultimately convinced that i should stay with a 100. so i got my layaway money be put toward a 100 instead. the big issue i hadn’t known was that i didn’t realize having one cable for midi and sound was such a bad idea. plus, i’ve been reading a number of people say that if they buy a 300, they need to plug into another mixer to get the sound out that they need, i.e. a mackie 402-vlz3 to get the sound they need.
i have yet to find a vci-300 for 750. i am kind of curious as to where you found that price.
Is this latency and jitter really can be feel or just a theory ??
If yes,could you please teach me how to feel the latency and jitter.
Or measure it by some kind of software or tools.
Hi Ean,
Is this latency and jitter really can be feel or just a theory ??
If yes,could you please teach me how to feel the latency and jitter.
Or measure it by some kind of software or tools.
U can get rid of some of the latencyissue by using the power adapter for the unit…serato had the same issue with usb dropouts…the power adapter fixed the problem…as far as people that care about latency… VCI-300 is better for the beginner DJ who needs everything explained and needs an all-in-one package. It is more user friendly. Traktor is more complicated for the “new” dj. I’ve been dj’in for years and i still use many different programs based on what i need….serato for easy use, traktor for extra’s provided with the VCI-100SE upgrade…and MixVibes for the sampler pad …all are good programs but for beginners VCI-300 Wins… for people who know how to use cpu’s quite well and can dj with anything or any program…vci-100 wins…the more you can do as a dj the better you will be and better respected you will be…do not just use MIDI, just use turntables, or just use cd decks…know how to use it all like Ean…this can also help with booking gigs based on how much someone wants to pay they get different equipment packages brought to the event but the same quality mixes
hi im illed by vci100 coz i begins made muzik on tapez in 1992-1999 and use oldskhool russian vinil on gemeny and 3 channel mixer it all was very funny but hurd to make a ril sound (and za price fo each vinil is rather expensive in moscow where im from .for single vinil its 12usd)..i hav lot of russian vinil its real fun koz its xcluzive and now traktor3+vci100 is a BOMB kos its realy cheap and funcsionning VCI100 is my chois too koz i like TRAKTOR …about vci300 cant say nothing koz ITCH program soft is strange fo me and i think they take 2prise more by better dessign VCI100 is cool horse to make all i need for mixing zet it ya wanted to say ..and real big respect to peaple who made TRAKTOR and VESTAX////thankzzzz for its progress in Djs industry fo seample users yangstas(im31)just who havent lots of monney but want to make it THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No comments about how is the performance of VCI-300 with mini.Translator and with various DJ software (Traktor, VDJ, etc..), Ean any info?
I am going to let you be the judge of that :) We will announce the public beta of mini.Translator with the VCI-300 patch on wed.
My only complaint is that the 300 was designed specifically for Itch so the layout does not really make sense with other software.
Its certainly not a theory but how much it actually effects your performance is not really known. We are working on a tutorial for measurements that will be ready soon.
Hehe, i am thinking of buying a VCI-300 when its available here (they promised 499 euro price!), so I will find out myself :-)…I hope that VCI-300 users will report their thoughts when using other software than Itch.
Btw, i noticed that the soundcard used in VCI-300 is different than what Vestax ships with VAI-40 (Maya44 based). Ean does the headphone output works correctly? Cause with Maya44 based, you have no monitor, all outputs are passed also via headphones…
I’d love to know where you got the approx price for the vci-100 $400 !!!!!!! where?????
Hey, curious question from a newbie….I was looking at the whole Itch+300 thing, but one thing I noticed is the lack of effects. I don’t see any send/return type features for the 300, so what would be the best way to get effects on individual channels? Thanks.
This is really not possible with Itch as its all mixed internally and there are not software options for routing. For now you cant get FX on independent channels in Itch.
Here you go, I don’t believe the price is correct, but I asked them and they said that they are expecting very soon the first pieces, so I will update with more information…I have seen that this baby is being sold at ~900$ so i found 499 Euro a welcomed surpize
http://vestax.gr/vestax_shop/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=28&osCsid=1f25405762f570c4936a26a8f5f16c91
Hey DJ A.K, that’s a shop in greece, right? i can’t believe they’re offering the vci300 for 499€.
here in germany the vci300 isn’t available yet, but the estimated price is 699€ :/
Moscow ceapest price fo VCI100 za 600$ (15000rubles)and its cheappa to play on vinyl ….respect creative grope of TRAKTOR n VESTAX!!!
I also don’t believe the price is “correct” but I will find out and let you know as soon as I buy it myself!
peace to NATIVE INSTRUMENTS and to whole peaplez who made and brake itz all down (no monney payed users)i see that no rights.. but understad when i was yangsta DJ i havent itz billz to play on it (fm8–absinth4.etc)…that not right not pay to use the proggram .but it waz only way to kamz to future …p.s ..sorry fo my englesh ..ya russian ,,i dont speak like u ….sorry ,,,peace!!!!!!!!!!MIR(in russian language PEACE)
Guys, greetings from Spain. Just got VCI300 since last week.
Physically is great, very solid and stetic.
The problem is maybe the Software, that needs more improvements. About the sound and latency I would say is great. Maybe the sound quality gets a little worse when using less buffer size (128mb), despite of a very low latency with it. I really think is a worthy equipment but It will be perfect with a full compatibility with Traktor. I would tell you how it works with mini.t.
About the price, 630 € with taxes in Madrid, Sain. Only few units arrives, so I had to wait 2 weeks in a queue.
One question here, can you head from the headphones only the monitor channel or all output(s) (as happens with Maya44) comes also from the headphone exit?
That would be great, give us more info!
Hey i was just wondering if anyone else has had the issue of the jog wheels on the vci100 glitching while at a gig and causing the tempo to flick up or down in traktor? it happened to me last nite and i eventually had to disable them on the midi assignments! is it perhaps something to do with the jog sensitivity settings?
hey NICK im assuming that u play in club when u said gig averyone have the same problem as u dont wory that happens because the bass odf the speaker make the tempo jump since the jogs of the vci are really sensitivy a minimum vibration will make it jump…….the solution for ur problem is too press the two jogseak mode at the same time and that will turn off the jogwheels and have them on only when you are using it
and about the vci 300 hey unfortunally itch is not stable like serato since its a new sofware they still fixing the mess right now it have so many bugs and problems i not even funny and from what i hear the vci 300 is awesome but they have a lil problems too VESTAX said is the SOFT and serato said IS THE HARD…….i think is both…….since the release of both itch already did like 3 upgrades version soo they working in the mess lol and some units of the vci came a lil defective so they are exchanging them
so i really think is going to be a while untill the vci 300 and itch get stable for now the VCI was the best option for my sis…..
Today i saw that they changed the retail price from 499 up to 615 Euro, while Thomann.de gives a retail price of 689 Euro with shipment due to arrive on 20.10.2008… So as it seems retail price is after all 600+ Euro!
Btw, for all those you are complaining about the limited knobs and controls of the VCI-300 vs VCI-100, i think you can simply add this product with low cost..
http://www.westenddj.co.uk/product.asp?mod=NOCTURN
‘Difficult to program the LEDS to respond via MIDI’
Ean, does this mean no LED-feedback when using the VCI-300 in Traktor??
And about the effect mapping. Would it not be a good solution to use a Faderfox DX2 micromodule alongside the VCI-300 when using it with traktor?
sorrra.. ya leastenuP UNcommercial winamp ..insearch. of n radio- SOMAfm -(secretAgent.-illinois street lounge Radio.OEM radio.etc…)n if you are find za mosskka(MOsCoW city) slang group of UNCommrrsialz mussicianz reall DJ ..i want to say zay callz (LADJACK)-(he iz real underGroundOldschool) ..(Slingshot)-(his projects with *ligalize* man was some revolutionnary on 1993 (department OF bustazz –project-D.o.B)real raspect to Emm (when he came in 1992 ..when peoples on streets walkings like Mutants in dippression ..Was after (if U- know in- revollucionarry time..Meanz .like..koz we had globbal chenchinggN OF sistem in pollittiacials SHIT ..chenging COMMUNIZM-to another Life n (gorbachov etc)… i was at school(16years)..we dont Givva FAK on all itz chenngingz but i have lotz of vinnil and i find my first 400 bakz n first i made i ..bay mi suuppa sttuppa Geminy n 3 channel Geminy mazaffukkin Plattinum Mixer n Biggins to PLAY a SOUND ..scranDj.and all i whanted to say zet teknollogy which kamz now iz real progress and no matter what u buy VCI100 or 300 i had no 1 no1 no ! DREAM about Dis seastems in 15 years ago bikoz its Was unreally expensiv now connection working with PC soft and those Modules IZ FREE (p.s.its hurd to think whats proggres can kamz —————–p E A s e !11!!11!!11!1111
I have NO idea what he just sad but it seems enthusiastic!
He likes this new stuff. He dreamed about it 15 years ago when it was impossibly expensive, and now modules of it are essentially free. Who know what the future will bring.
A Russian speaking ebonics/hip-hop translated through l337 - this is the street language of the Sprawl that those cyberpunk writers predicted. We are living in the future!
thanks for that translation mr. fatlimey! I have been seeing more and more of this “style” of writing. its certainly creative.
yes you can program the LEDS to light up but its a pain in the ass. They are different values than the buttons so its impossible to figure out which midi note lights up which LED.
Will the led-lightup be featured and fully suported in the TKS-file for traktor you guys are working on??
Yes, all the lights will work on our version. They are just a major pain in the ass to program.
Oh that’s great man. Thanks for making things that much easyer for me once I get my VCI-300 in! Many thanks and respect. I wish those guys from vestax or native instruments were on top of all of this like that..
any hope to see midi mapper for VDJ also with led lighting?
hey i was thinking about buying the Vci - 300however when i saw all the pros and cons of both i wasnt so sure… especially since i had heard that some people don’t really like it and its not working out so good for them… Im new to Djing and i have yet buy any sort of midi deviece or mixes or turntables … and since im into Dance/techno/house/elecktro etc… what do you guys recommend VCI 300 or 100?
what do you think??
After reading around Serato-ITCH forum, i found not very good news about the VCI-300… It seems that many VCI-300 units have faulty circuits and already VESTAX has made an announchement..I think i will cancel my pre-order and wait until the problem is solved for good..
————————————————————————
All Vestax VCI-300 users,
It has been discovered that the controls of some VCI-300 units may possibly freeze(disable) during operation with ITCH under several circumstances. If you are a owner of a Vestax VCI-300 and have experienced this error, please contact your local Vestax distributor for assistance.(The errror can be checked by rotating the right (Bch) jog wheel when in use with ITCH). We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Vestax Corporation
-Object product / Serial number-
DJ Controller VCI-300
- 85 F (K) 01 ****
- 86 F (K) 02 ****
- 87 F (K) 03 ****
- G87 01 ****
- G87 02 ****
- G88 03 ****
-Error content-
The controls of the VCI-300 freezes(is disabled) during operation with ITCH when the right JOG wheel is operated.
http://www.vestax.com/v/info/newsevent/detail.php?id=81
————————————————————————-
Maybe after all the VCI-100+External Soundcard would be a more secure purchase?
Some update, i was told by the local VESTAX thats the main reason behind the delay in shipment of the VCI-300 around Europe (at least..). They were aware of the issue and told me that the units haven’t left the factory yet, so probably when it will start selling massive will not have those issues, maybe we will see more hardware improvements also?
Ean, thanks for running such a great forum. Man that vci-300 sure sounds great, because I found the 100 to be a bit of a pain in the beginning, and expensive after adding a $300 soundcard. I’m chomping at the bit to get one of these. Damn techno-drug. Should I wait for the vci-500 or 750, etc?
Ean I still remember when you hooked up some midi to that vacuum cleaner and played that on stage. Brilliant!
:}* : (: …then later she was like :0-: : (:
This problem is ALL too familiar to me. It’s the bass at your gig - and you answered your question - YES - you need to put the sensitivity of the top of the wheels almost to their max in order to stop that from happening. It is not a glitch - but rather they are picking up the vibrations from the heavy bass….
Ean, guys,
I am quite worried. I just purchased (on ebay) a VCI-100 along with a VAI-40 (hey, make it a combo right?) … However, I am quite appaled to read in this thread that the VAI-40 does not offer headphone monitor.
Somebody here says that with the VAI-40 (or maya 44, whatever you wanna call it) the headphone monitor mixes both channel’s signals, so you get both channels through your headphones.
I wish to monitor as always, listening ONLY to the song i’m about to play, and not the one that is already playing.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEEEASE, tell me if I should give the VAI-40 back. If it does not allow for proper monitoring, i will probably do so.
Your prompt reply will be VERY VERY appreciated.
CHEERS!
I had bought the Maya44 USB card and that is the ONLY thing why i have sold it..now looking for a proper Sound card that offers headphone monitor. As far i understand the VCI-300 doesn’t use the Maya44 (as the VCM-100 does)
I had bought the Maya44 USB card and that is the ONLY thing why i have sold it..now looking for a proper Sound card that offers headphone monitor. As far i understand the VCI-300 doesn’t use the Maya44 (as the VCM-100 does)
DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN!!! Are you sure? positive? Did you try switching your Asio settings? Audio Settings? It seems almost surreal to me that Vestax would ship such a piece of crap with their VCI-100. Damn, i am pissed.
DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN!!! Are you sure? positive? Did you try switching your Asio settings? Audio Settings? It seems almost surreal to me that Vestax would ship such a piece of crap with their VCI-100. Damn, i am pissed.
As far as I understand it vestax re-routed some things on their sound card that made independent headphone cuing possible even though it was not possible on the maya. We did not test it though so I cant promise anything.
thanx a lot for your help guys.
This Forum kicks ass.
I think I m going to wait for the Vestax VAI-40, and I’ll let you know what happened… (!!!) What Ean just said makes sense.
Keep up the good work!
I got the VCI-300 2 weeks ago and I think it was the right purchase! There are a few issues which I feel would increase the VCI -300’s versatility but overall I would recommend this to anyone considering purchasing an all in one solution to digital djing.
As with all new hardware and software there is usually a grace period, proof in point the VCI-100 Firmware update and usual software versions for all major dj/audio software on the market. I shouldn’t have to mention Adobe and Macromedia, what version are they now? Anyhow let me get to the goods.
Layout:
At first glance I was a little overwhelmed at the amount of control functionality availabel. However after a few minutes of fiddling around I realized that a lot of thought definitely went into engineering and designing this interface.
The layout of all of the controls was really well thought out and makes the VCI-300 really easy to plug-and-play. Adding the additional functionality of searching through your tracks via the middle jog as well as the platters, provided a lot of flexibility. Hands on, while playing my first gig I rarely had to touch the mouse-pad or use the keyboard as I could easily search using either of these methods. The ITCH software could do with a search option, but I think that will be coming soon.
Interface:
I have to disagree that the “layout was designed specifically for the Itch interface” as there aren’t any visual representations of any of the knobs in ITCH. Additionally, having both right and left side balanced makes it feel more like a traditional truntable/cdj/mixer setup. Some people may disagree, however this is based on my experience and my style of djing.
Thinking forward, I feel this type of layout will open up the hardware to interface with the upcoming versions of dj software. Additionally as I think more mixers move into high resolution, the software should follow or become compatible with it at least.
Loop Functions & EQ:
I found these to be very easy to use and responded as expected. Again I am guessing that in future versions of the software they may make it possible to add kill functionality to the buttons on either side of the EQ. Again not a major issue as I prefer the traditional smooth transitions, however it could be a nice future feature.
Latency:
I had my software set to high latency as I prefer it this way, and it performed like a charm. I expected their to be a noticeable delay between playing, dropping in tracks, scratching. I didn’t notice any at all. Very impressed.
Possible future improvements:
Volume Faders Issue:
Once drawback I noticed when playing with this live is that te sensitivity of the Volume faders didn’t react as expected. Not sure if you noticed this or other users have noticed this but it seemed as though after getting 1/4 up it was already at full volume. This may be a software issue as the midi signal is being constantly sent as I move the faders up and down…hopefully it will be resolved sometime soon as I prefer the volume faders to the cross fader.
FX:
I agree that the VCI-100 may benefit from a dedicated FX section, however, having djed before there were FX was available at clubs I don’t consider not having FX a major setback. With that said, I would definitely like to see some FX in this in the future as it adds color to mixes. I am sure that in the near future there will be a “face-plate” available for use with other dj software. If it does get included in lets say ver. 2 of ITCH, then all the better.
Right platter sensitivity:
I was a little worried that I may have a defective unit at first, but I guess it was my sensitivity wheel. Sometimes when I moved the right platter, there was a 1/2 second delay in response to the track. Do you know what this might be? Again it didn’t happen all the time however it did happen.
Hope this feedback helps some of you in your search for a digital dj mixer. Again I am very happy with this and I think generally people who purchase it will be as well.
Dj Fokus Tokyo
I just bought vci-300 about 5 days ago and tried it just last night.. cause I had to go out of town for few days.. In Indonesia, it costs me around US$ 1000… it’s quite expensive tho… but so far, i’m quite satisfied with it.. pitch controls are great.. channels, crossfader.. they’re great.. even the jog wheels are very similar to Pioneer CDJ 1000.. it feels so good… and even ‘itch’ works very nicely…
but nothing is perfect… vci-300 doesn’t have any built in effect that i need for djing… well.. sure.. i can get those effects from my Pioneer DJM.. but it won’t be so simple anymore… :)
when i tried it last night… the beats keep running away, everytime i push key lock button… but if i release the key lock button… then everything’s fine.. i don’t know why.. and other thing.. when i tried to auto sync between deck a and b, it didn’t do any good… for me it’s not a big deal.. cause i’m used to do it manually… still.. it would be great if it all works fine.. :).. the sounds that came from headphone monitor is a little bit weak.. for home use, maybe it’s reasonable.. but if i plan to play it on clubs… i don’t think it’s gonna be good enough for monitoring…
but i really love vci-300 knobs… they feel great.. look great.. it feels like i use vestax, pioneer or other pro’s mixers..
still.. all that i wrote above… it came only from my few hours exploration with vci-300… and i’m just a new guy in this ‘dj midi controller’s world… and I still need to learn more about this vci…
cheers…
I’ve got an idea:
What is if i combine an vestax vci-300 with an external device (like M-Audio Trigger Finger or Korg Chaos Pad) to dedicate especially the complete FX section an may be the Looping functions? Then i have eliminated the cons of the vci-300 and may be an external device is more better than the FX section of the vci-100?……
What do you think to my idea!?
Dome