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.

In case you missed TLC‘s reality show, Street Customs, on Nov. 15, Snoop Dogg had his old Sprinter van converted into a mobile recording studio. It was a first for the car-remodeling company, West Coast Customs, featured on the show.

“We‘ve done a lot of projects involving extreme high-end car audio, and a number of mobile stage trucks with performance and DJ rigs, but professional recording gear has a whole different set of requirements,” West Coast Customs‘ Chad Utt says.

The van went from a beat-up shuttle vehicle with six rows of seats to a kick-ass mobile studio. First things first, West Coast Customs called Mackie, who outfitted the van with a Sony Vaio SZ491 2.16 GHz dual-core laptop running Mackie Tracktion 3 Ultimate Bundle software; Mackie Control Universal Pro, Extender Pro and C4 Pro control surfaces; Onyx 1200F FireWire interface; and 1521Z 15-inch active loudspeakers.

The van also does double duty as a video lounge. To that end, there‘s a Sony 46-inch Bravia flat panel display, Blueray DVD player, PlayStation 3 console, HR624mk2 studio monitors and an HRS120 12-inch studio subwoofer. And people sitting at stop lights next to Snoop won‘t be complaining from the racket, either: West Coast treated the entire van with Dynamat acoustical sound dampening material.

“Snoop is totally stoked,” Utt says. “He was looking around the van and saying ‘man, I gotta shut down my other studios and go on the road.‘ Everyone who sees it is just amazed. It‘s not some all-cosmetics project, just for TV. It‘s fully functional and it sounds awesome. This is the real deal.” Check it out!

This was produced by Australain DJs and podcasters GearWhores–Andre Cato and Charlie Maybe.

www.myspace.com/gearwhores

GCI Technologies– Gemini, Cortex & iKEY Audio –has just announced that DJ Jacquie Jack & DJ Journey will perform in the GCI room–Room 137–Remix Hotel Los Angeles 2007.

A favorite in the Los Angeles area, Jacqueline Finnan, aka DJ Jacquie Jack, aka “Dirty Vinyl Pusher,” will be spinning on Gemini CDT-05 combo vinyl/CD turntables.

Also, DJ Journey will showcase his ability to blend diverse beats and mix musical genres from across the board on his “club tested and studio proven” Gemini TT-04 turntables.

Attendees will also have a chance to win free gear from Gemini, Cortex and iKEY Audio as part of a GCI Giveaway Raffle.

Although Summer NAMM is not known for being a big draw for DJ gear announcements, I did come across a few interesting new products, mostly from American Audio. Numark also showed their impressive new line of products, which were announced earlier but are now starting to become available.

American Audio

American Audio’s new flagship DJ mixer is the MX-1400 DSP, a 4-channel mixer with the following built-in digital effects: Echo, Auto Pan, Flanger, Manual Filter, Auto Filter, Reverb, Trans & Pitch Shifter. Any effect can be assigned to any of the inputs, which include: 3 phono, 4 lines, 4 aux and 3 mic inputs. In addition, there are balanced XLR outputs and S/PDIF digital outputs.

At a list price of $599, the 15 lb. mixer also includes a Master & Cue BPM analyzer, crossfader assign on each channel, adjustable rossfader curve, Q-Start and a recessed back panel for better access.

The MX-1400 mixer is basically the same as the MX-1400 DSP, but without the built-in digital effects. It has a list price of $419.

American Audio’s other notable recent product was the CK-1000 MP3, an all-inclusive tabletop unit that includes two CD/MP3 players with digital scratching and a mixer for $699 retail.

Numark

Numark revealed that its D2 Director rackmount dual digital music file player is now shipping. and theat the iDJ2 and hightly anticipated Total Control will be shipping withing a month.

In another piece of news, Numark is now distributing the MixMeister DJ software programs MixMeister Fusion (pictured) and MixMeister Studio. Both programs seems to bridge the difference between traditional deck-oriented DJ software and DAW programs. The MixMeister apps are made for DJs and DJing live, but using a DAW-style timeline interface to expand a person’s potential to create remixes and more creative performances. Fusion is the more full-featured of the two programs.