Software-based DJing continues to explode in popularity, and many exhibitors at the 2008 NAMM Show eargerly flaunted their latest controllers aimed at digital DJs. Here’s a look at the heaviest hits for DJs at this year’s show, to wrap up our online NAMM coverage.

Stanton SC System

Representing a natural evolution from its Final Scratch, the Stanton SC System comprises the SCS.1m Mixer and SCS.1d Deck hardware controllers ($TBA). Doing away with the glitchy timecode that can act wonky at slow speeds, the SCS.1d‘s new error-free, high-resolution tracking system measures more than 1,000 counts per rotation with a laser, so the real vinyl surface never wears out. Its 10-inch motorized platter is the same as on Stanton‘s T.120 and STR8-150 turntables, with 0.2-second start and stop speeds. The SCS.1d‘s 100 mm pitch slider is also motorized, and when switching between virtual decks, it snaps to its new position. Four rotary encoders have “scribble strips” for feedback, 360-degree LED strips and six banks for a total of 24 assignments. The four-pad trigger section below the platter offers more creative possibilities, and settings for the entire deck can be saved to patches and switched at any time, making it more like several turntables in one.

The SCS.1m Mixer offers a traditional 4-channel DJ mixer layout for use with tracks streamed from the computer or tracks from the auxiliary audio input. With TRS balanced main outputs, RCA booth outputs and 1/4-inch headphone output, the SCS.1m is a FireWire interface, a DJ mixer and a software controller all in one. The channel strips (with EQ knobs), four volume sliders, crossfader, jog wheel, and four LED-ring rotary encoders all control your software of choice. Compatible apps include NI Traktor Studio, MixVibes, Ableton Live and Image Line Deck-a-dance, with more on the way.

Vestax VCI-300

This tabletop DJ controller looks much like the VCI-100 of last year, however, the VCI-300 has the added distinction of being integrated especially for the new Serato Itch software, which is supposed to be publicly demonstrated for the first time in March. ‘Itch figures to be a scaled-down version of Scratch, with many of the essential features left intact. The following screenshot of Itch may actually change by the time the program is released.

Denon DN-HS5500

This one’s an interesting concept, as it is two audio players in one deck. The DN-HS5500 ($999) has two separate audio outputs and can control two song with the full range of available controls coming from either external USB drives or iPods and optional internal hard drive or an internal CD player. It also acts as a MIDI controller for software and can also control two separate songs when being used in MIDI mode. It’s rotating platter packs full turntable torque, as well as Brake, Dump and Reverse platter effects. Not stopping there, the unit contains five DSP effects: flanger, filter, echo, Tail Echo and Echo Loop.

Numark NS7

Numark’s gargantuan NS7 was not yet working at NAMM–only displayed behind a plexi-glass case. It is also being made especially for Serato Itch integration; it will come with Itch bundled, but it also has many assignable MIDI controller and can be used with other MIDI software. It has two high-torque motorized 7-inch platter with real vinyl interfaces and a mixer all in one unit. The USB 2.0 interface moves MIDI info as well as 24-bit audio, and the audio connections include balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA.

Ideal for the person just getting started in digital DJing, the updated Hercules DJ Console RMX comprises an audio and MIDI interface in one and comes with VirtualDJ 5 DJC Edition software for PC or Mac.

M-Audio Torq

NAMM’s new DJ gear revolved mostly around hardware, but M-Audio also introduced Torq 1.5, a strong update packed with new features. Check out this list:

Improved Tempo/Pitch Alteration

•Tempo Anchors allow marking tracks with varying tempos–Torq‘s effects and samples follow the tempo changes in the song

•Tempo Master assigns a playing track to serve as the master tempo source for all tempo-related functions

Advanced MIDI Control

•Transmit/receive MIDI beat clock for synchronization with other hardware/software and easy switching between DJs

•MIDI soft takeover prevents parameter jumps when using external controllers

New User Interface Features

•Hide Mixer option conserves screen space

•Preview songs in headphones before loading to deck

•New database categories for bit rate, file type, year and label

•Select multiple files to add to playlists

•Musical Style Preferences improve results when analyzing tracks

•Drag and drop songs into decks while in browser max view

•Warning message if loading a new song onto a Deck that is playing

•Warning message when attempting to exit Torq

•Global Tempo metronome can be monitored in headphones

•Auto Gain feature matches the gain levels between decks

Enhanced Effects Processing

•Internal effects can be grouped into effects chains

•VST effect tempo synchronizes with tempo of playing deck

•Effects can be used in a post-fader configuration

Rock-Solid Integration with Traditional DJ Hardware

•Skip Protection keeps the music playing even if the Control Vinyl or CD skips

•True Key Lock keeps the pitch constant when adjusting external turntable speed

New Looping Functionality

•Loop Points can be set after a section plays

•New QuickLoop option for CDJ-style loop division

•Quantize function for start/stop accuracy

Allen & Heath Xone:42

While Allen & Heath’ Xone:3D mixer pioneered the realm of DJ mixers controlling software, its new Xone:42 loses the MIDI control but keeps a USB audio interface. It also showcases the acclaimed Xone-series VCF filter, which can be applied independently to any of he Xone:42’s four channgels.

For more from NAMM not seen on Remix’s TalkBox blog, including a videos and podcasts, check out the combined Remix, Mix and Electronic Musician NAMM portal site.