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ReviewsAudioPro's Score
95%
Elite
4.5
The Vci-100 is Vestax's first complete usb midi
controller with jog wheels and complete software
intergration. After their success with the mixers,
turntables and their hugely successful cd players,
Vestax finally went into the digital dj media
controller market with the VCi-100.
Impressively for Vestax, their first foray into the
digital spawned a machine that has sold like a monster
and gaining so much popularity that the Vestax Vci
series has birthed intire web communities dedicated to
it.
Exactly why the VCi-100, has gained such a following is down to a full range of reasons that we will get into in this review.
Simply looking at the Vci-100, you would almost be
fooled into thinking Vestax had developed a toy DJ's
controller, but don't fall for it, that is how it gets
you. The intire body of the VCi-100 is made out of
metal and it's only when you actually try to lift when
you realise just how heavy the controller is.
Most experienced professionals will absolutely love the
feel and the weight of the vci-100 which we consider to
be one of the main reasons why it gained such a rapidly
expanding following.
Each of the two jog wheels responds to touching either the metallic centre or the tansparent edges, and each can be programmed to manipulate different effects. The inner center will stop the track if you even tap it and the backlit acrylic rims can be used to nudge the tracks forwards and backwards for fine timing adjustments and scratching. It's a very well implimented function that works about as well as you'd expect it to and probably ever want it to.
Aesthetically, the Vestax
VCi-100 is stunningly hypnotic. Buttons light up when
the power is turned on and some of the most important
ones like the backlit effects buttons will change from
green to red when you turn them on or off. The slimness
of the controller, the blue backlit rims of the jog
wheels and the design of the knobs & buttons all
excentuate Vestax's efforts to give the Vci-100 a
dinstinctly futuristic appearance that most DJs and
even your audience will find absolutely appealing (we
sure did).
The VCi-100 comes bundled with its own specifically tweaked version of Traktor's LE DJ software so if you already have the software installed, the Vci-100 will function straightout of the box without any issues. Setting up for you other Traktor software on the other hand is a simple process of downloading the TKS file from Vestax's website.
The control that the Vci-100 offers for mouse DJs is
very quite impresive, with several features exclusively
created for the them. The most impressive features I
believe, is the software controllable crossfader
function, which moves physically moves the fader
automatically if you shift it over with on the Traktor
DJ software.
The VCI100 works with most DJ software packages that
accept midi outputs and since its release most of the
software that didn't work with the VCI-100 has been
catered to by Vestax.
There are very few issues to pick at when talking
about the VCI-100, but the biggest issue with
this controller is that it is ridiculously hard to
program. Most digital media controllers come with a
software editor that makes assigning the different
buttons and knobs of the unit to different functions a
breeze, the VCI100 doesn't.
This won't be a problem for most average DJs who just
want a midi controller that works well, but most
seasoned pros will develop habits and learn tricks that
require certain conditions to be met and certain
buttons and knobs to be in the right position.
Without the programming software, you're forced to use
the controller as it is and some people will find that
using the VCI-100 could get quite frustrating (for
about a couple of weeks) while they adjust to it.
Once you do get your hands stuck into the controller
though, you will find that this is easily one of the
best Digital Midi controller in the
market.
The heft and build of the VCI-100 makes it a very
tough piece of equipment. The metallic body is
extrememly hard to dent or scratch, the knobs are not
flimsy and so they do not damage easily. The weight of
the metallic components means it stays grounded where
it's put and accidental knocks and shoves will move the
the unit a few centimetres off balance.
So when it comes to reliability, the VCI100 has all the
bases covered.
The same is true when it comes to performance. The
features packed into the Vci100 make it a very
compelling controller, the jog wheel's sensitive rims
and metal plates are very responsive and
are probably the better part of the intire unit. The
crossfader's switch that changes its sensitivity from
slow transition (for mix DJing) to a quick change
option (for scratch & battle DJs) offers the
perfect option to personalise the faders'
responsiveness.
The Traktor LE software that comes with the Vci-100 is
good and with the midi controllers capabilites to
completely meld with the software it's provided with,
using the two accompanying products together is a
cinch.
 |
Prices | Retailer Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Guitar Centre | from $399 (from £300) |  3.8 |
| Music123 (USA) | from $340 (£250-£350) |  4.0 |
| Thomann (EU) | from €300 (£230) |  4.5 |
|
|
The Hercules DJ Console
RMX: The Vci-100's closest competing
controller. The VCi is more popular, but the RMX
is cheaper. They are very close and it's a matter
of opinion which one you prefer.
is
Vestax VCi-300
: Every bit as good as the VCi-100, and
then some. If it wasn't for the stupidly high
price, we would have recommended the it over the
100 (it would have a higher score
too)
Numark iDJ2 iPod
Mixer: These are great midi controllers
with a very solid build. They are very similar to
the VCi-100 in terms of quality, but the VCI-100
trumps it on affordability and
features.
Numark Total Control: This
is a cheap budget midi controller that amatuer or
broke DJs will appreciate. It's a good unit that
most Pro DJs will consider too plasticy and toy
like.
Cortex D-Mix 600: Even at
it's higher price, the d-mix 600 is missing a few
key features that the VCI-100 already
has.
Xone 3D: An elite class
controller, at an ridiculously massive price.
Most of us can't afford this unit, but if price
isn't a factor for you, this is packed with features
and it's a rgeat piece of kit.This is undoubtably one of the best dj midi controllers in the market and even after the release of the VCI-300 the 100 still continues to outsell most of the best controllers in the market.
As you've seen for yourself, this is one of those units that deserves it's spot at the top and with only a few truly competitive products at it's league, this is a simple choice to make for any serious PC DJ.
AudioPro's Score
95%
Elite
