Numark releases DJay controller: the iDJ Live
(ShackMan | Posted 2011-01-16)
The DJay application for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch already gave you the interface that you know. Now Numark has taken that interface and turned it into a physical piece of equipment. Music lovers who have never DJ'ed will dig the ability to try their hand (pun might be intended) at spinning the platters on Numark's new iDJ Live.
Numark worked closely with Algoriddim, the makers of the DJay application, in developing the iDJ Live controller. The whole system features harnesses the processing power and stored music on your Apple gear and allows the user to DJ without need for any outside gear (other than, of course, a set of speakers). Numark recreated the two platters and central mixer section of the DJay app with pretty solid accuracy, although some features were left to the Apple side.
Of course, if you don't already own the DJay app and you don't feel like shelling out the $19.99 to get it, you can always just run the iDJ Live straight through other Core Midi-Enabled apps if you so choose, but DJay is the one it was built for.
Here's a close-up of the DJay application for comparison.
You can mix and scratch your music library with the platters. Load up songs into Deck A or B and perform transitions, cue up the start point, remix as you go, or just let the DJay app mix your music automatically. With the iDJ Live, you've got the standard setup that DJs prefer: two turntables, mixer, crossfader, and EQ sections.
The iDJ Live comes with custom audio cable for connecting headphones and speakers. As with all its other products this year, Numark has announced nothing yet pertaining to MSRP or street prices. We'll do our best to keep you posted.
James Rushin is a bassist, keyboardist, writer, and composer living and working in the Greater Pittsburgh area. He has performed with Selmer artist Tim Price, Curtis Johnson, guitarists Ken Karsh and Joe Negri. His compositions have been featured at West Virginia University and Valley Forge Christian College. He will be spending the Fall and Winter months working on playwright Frank Gagliano's Voodoo Trilogy and Bodoni County Songbook.
Got questions? Comments? James can be reached as ShackMan in the Music Gear Review forums, or you may e-mail him at James.Rushin@MusicGearReview.com.
