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 The ‘Uncontroller’ Controller

Why American Audio’s Underrated 14 MXR Offers DJs the Best of Digital and Analog

A few weeks ago, we hosted free VirtualDJ 8 clinics, given by official VirtualDJ (VDJ) trainers, in both LA and Miami; providing a run through of all the new features and a ‘how to’ guide to using the hotly-anticipated software. This, in turn, led me to thinking about how things have changed since the days of vinyl and boxes full of CDs and how far DJ playback technology has progressed in the years since – something which I wrote about in April’s edition of the ADJ NewsWave.

But since then, I’ve spent some time thinking about the fact that there are still DJs out there who do use CDs and vinyl; who haven’t given up the ghost and switched over to digital yet, or perhaps those who do want to make the switch but are a little apprehensive or unsure about doing it. A number of DJs at the VDJ sessions last month were asking what the options were for those who wanted to keep using their traditional style mixers with the new VDJ controller. This got me thinking about our American Audio 14 MXR mixer. .

You could say that the 14 MXR is an ‘uncontroller controller’; it’s more than a DJ mixer and more than just a MIDI controller – encompassing both MIDI and analog controls, it seems to me to be a seriously underrated piece of hardware.

The American Audio 14 MXR is a combination of a 4-channel DJ mixer and no frills VDJ controller. So, aside from using it with your VDJ software, you can also use CD players, record decks, and other platforms as your source of music. This combination of digital and analog – I feel – provides two distinct advantages. Mobile DJs who aren’t into their mixing as much as club DJs are can ease themselves into the digital side of DJing, using the MIDI controller with VDJ, without losing the traditional mixer feel or the backup sources that they’re used to. On the other hand, DJs who have already ‘gone digital’ but enjoy being able to revert back to using CDs or spinning vinyl have the best of both worlds. It’s a simple controller – perhaps not for DJs who are into their serious mixing – but its simplicity works to its advantage, offering you a reliable, easy-to-use controller with the feel of a traditional mixer.

This ‘traditional’ feel is offered by the four channels, a cross fader – including channel assign and curve adjustment, 3-band EQ, and gain control, as well as cue and loop buttons. Tending more to the mobile DJ side of things are the two microphone channels – leaving one for you to use and one for clients or guests to make speeches and announcements through.

Using a simple channel switch, you can easily change from VDJ to external input. This means you could play predominantly CD or vinyl, but then drop in the odd VDJ track. This is great if you’re a DJ who is trying to ‘convert’ to digital but don’t feel totally confident in going all the way just yet; you can drop in the occasional VDJ track until you feel comfortable using VDJ to deliver your entire set, offering a smooth transition without the pressure of having to choose between one or the other. With 20 on-board MIDI control buttons and MIDI navigation controls (for easy software navigations of your music library), use with VDJ is simple and accessible. It’s this winning combination – of old-school feel and VDJ benefits – that I believe makes this controller such a catch.

Plus, with the 14 MXR you get a heck of a lot more bang for your buck; you get the professional side of a mixer – the balanced XLR outputs, channel switch, etc. – but at a reasonable price point. Essentially, for the same price as previous mixers have been, you can get a quality mixer and an adaptable MIDI controller rolled into one neat package.

For me, the 14MXR – the ‘Uncontroller Controller’ – is such an underrated product, which, given the chance, could ease the worries of those DJs who feel left behind by digital DJing or apprehensive about making the transition to using VDJ and other MIDI software. It really is the ultimate combination of traditional DJing and digital DJing; an invaluable tool which comes at extremely good value.

Check out the demo video for the American Audio 14 MXR:

Click here to learn more about the American Audio 14 MXR:

http://www.adjaudio.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemNumber=1489&MainId=1&Category=23

- Tom Freret is American Audio National Sales Manager     

For more information Contact ADJ:
U.S. Office - Tel: 800-322-6337/+1-323-582-2650 • Web: www.adj.com