Jul 082013
Hercules DJ Console MK4
- 2-deck controller to mix digital audio tracks
- 2 stereo outputs to play the mix for the audience and preview next track
- 2 stereo inputs to inject turntables, MP3 or CD players in a digital mix
- Built for portable Mix: compact, light, with transport cover & shoulder strap
- Intuitive mixing, with a controller that simplifies DJ mixing operations
Innovative functions allow you to discover and manage all aspects of DJing and digital music
Synchronize tracks using pitch encoders and/or sync buttons, and create automatic loops.
View larger The Hercules DJ Console Mk4 is the most portable and most compact 2-deck DJ controller with built-in audio for PC and Mac: just 10.4″ x 7.3″ in size and weighing in at a mere 3.3lb, the DJ Console Mk4 is the ideal controller for mobile computer DJs, wherever they are mixing. Featuring a
List Price: $ 199.99
Price: $ 199.99
Rock, Paper, Scissors
List Price: $ 1.99
Price: $ 1.99
Great for beginners and mobile djs,
This little unit is great for a beginner or someone on the go because it uses software as your music and effects source. I just hook it up to my laptop, pick some songs, and I’m good to go. The keys are map able so you can customize the controller, which is something you may wish to do when choosing effects. It comes with virtual dj LE edition, which is good, but you’re probably going to want to upgrade to pro edition, which is about $50. Virtual dj has great functionality and is controllable by the unit. It also comes with a headphone piece so you can just use normal headphones instead of having to by dj ones if you’re just going to use this at home. You’ll probably want speakers; I just hook it up to my home Hi-Fi system. Great for anyone who wants to be a bedroom dj, do gigs at places like weddings, bars, house parties. However if you’re working a club you should probably have more advanced gear. I would say the only drawback is the limited functionality on the effects side of things. No sample buttons, no kill switches, ect. However there are four effects specific buttons and you can map things to them, otherwise you can still control all this via the mouse/keyboard/software. Also the unit is quite light in weight, seems pretty sturdy, and comes with a hard plastic cover, which is great. In the end I think it’s a great buy for someone on the go or a beginner, I know I’ll probably bring it to parties and have some fun.
Was this review helpful to you?
|Good value,
It’s a good value and a great product. The only thing I wish it had was dedicated gain knobs. The software does do auto gain on both decks, but I prefer some more manual control. Speaking of the software, it’s pretty good but they want a whopping $150 to upgrade to the pro version. The version you get is “last years” 6.x version (update it from virtualdj.com to the latest 6.x) but if you want 7.x Pro you need to pay $150. You can download a trial of 7.x but it only lets you use your controller for 10mins before disabling it. You can use a keyboard and mouse to keep trying it out for an unlimited amount of time.
The main thing that’s frustrating is you can’t do any options/preferences at all with the version that comes with the controller, not even remapping a button or knob. As much as I want to remap, I can’t see paying $150 just for that! The other missing features vs. pro are mainly a playlist and automixing. You wouldn’t want to use automixing for an actual event, but it would be nice to have for a house party when you want to go mingle with friends. Also support for videos is only in pro, that’s something I couldn’t care less about.
I do wish the jog/scratch controllers were a little smaller or there was a little more space between the wheels and volume controls, I’ve accidentally hit it a few times but I don’t scratch I just want them for jog wheels. Scratchers probably prefer the size as it is. I use the volume controls to mix rather than the crossfader for a bit more finite control over the mix.
Be careful about ground hum, if your laptop has a two prong power adapter you are more prone to it. Get yourself a ground loop isolator to fix this problem.
Was this review helpful to you?
|Great value. Accomplishes its goals well.,
The first thing I noticed about the MK4 when I took it out of the box is how small it is. This thing really is tiny, and that’s the point. You can sling this unit over your shoulder or slide it into your laptop bag and be on your way. Hercules even includes a nice plastic cover to protect the top surface. While it happens to also have shoulder-strap clip points on it, and they make mention of this in the packaging, said strap is oddly omitted from the box.
The MK4 is fairly simple to use, and is designed to pair perfectly with the included VirtualDJ LE software. It can be mated with other packages like Megaseg or Traktor, and one can grab keymapping templates for the latter from the Hercules website. Speaking of the website, whether you be on MacOS or PC, you’ll want o be sure that you install the drivers that came with the rig right away -and- let it run through any software and firmware updates.
The DJ Console MK4 has a fantastic sound card in it; better than you might assume given its size, price and mainly plastic construction. It’s the audio components that really make this kit a bang-for-the-buck. While you get the expected main and headphone outs, you’re also gifted with a second set of RCA outputs that can be routed to booth monitors, etc. Additionally, the MK4 comes with two pair of RCA inputs, which can be set for turntable, consumer or “pro” input levels. And, yes, my vinyl loving mates, those inputs can be used to take in time-code platters for scratching.
While I’m only into the first few days with my MK4, it has turned out to be rather feature-rich for the price. Portability is it’s forte’, though. If you’re turned off by the small jog wheels and the rather annoying rotary pitch control, choose carefully. Still, finding a controller that does all that this does for under $200 is going to be a challenge.
Was this review helpful to you?
|The beginning of the end for Dr. Greene,
Season seven of NBC’s long-running medical drama ER was an impressive collection of episodes that featured the introduction of one of the best guest star performances in the history of the show.
While she is not a regular cast member, Sally Field stole the show in season seven, guest starring as Maggie, nurse Abby Lockhart’s (Maura Tierney) bipolar mother. Field earned an Emmy for her incredible turn as Maggie, a woman desparately trying to reconnect with her daughter and turn her life around, all the while dealing with a disease that can turn her into a totally different person. Most of Abby’s story lines in this season revolved around her mother, and through that, viewers got a chance to learn just where Abby came from and how tough things were for her as a youngster. Abby is the only character in this season that is returning for the 14th season as a regular cast member, so it is nice to see just where the character got her start.
Abby began the year as a med student, but her ex-husband’s failure to pay a bill puts her back in nurse scrubs for the season, however, as the year draws to a close she is thinking about heading back to med school again. Viewers also get a chance to see Abby’s budding relationship with Dr. Luka Kovac (Goran Visnjic), a relationship that has resulted in them having a baby and getting married in season 13. In this season, the relationship is still in its new stage and viewers got a chance to see just what Luka went through in Croatia, losing his wife and children in a bombing. It is through his relationship with a dying bishop (guest star James Cromwell) that Luka finally learns to deal with his past and move on with his life.
At the end of season six, Dr. John Carter (Noah Wyle) was heading to rehab after becoming addicted to pain pills. Season seven finds him out of rehab and looking for his job back. With conditions, he is accepted back to County General and for the most part, is able to blend back in with his fellow doctors. A close call with some pain medication sends him back to square one in his return to work, however. His close friendship with Abby, herself a recovering alcoholic, helps him through the tough times and we get to see the great side of Dr. Carter when he travels with Abby to bring a messed up Maggie back from a hotel room where she was holed up in Oklahoma.
Dr. Peter Benton (Eriq LaSalle) continues his relationship with pediatrician Cleo Finch (Michael Michele) and also has to deal with the fact that he loses his job in the surgery department after a tiff with Dr. Robert Romano (Paul McCrane). Forced to accept a position with no benefits and no stature, Benton is incredibly disappointed, but stays in Chicago to be near his son Reese, who splits time with he and his ex, Carla (guest star Lisa Nicole Carson). Eventually, Benton is hired as the director of diversity at the hospital in what would be he and Cleo’s final full season at County General. Both doctors departed near the end of season eight.
Jing-Mei Chen (Ming Na) opens the season finding out that she is pregnant. She hides her pregnancy well for a while, keeping her parents in the dark until it is almost time to deliver. She agrees to give the baby up for adoption after realizing that the time was not right for her and the fact that her parents couldn’t handle the fact that the baby’s father was black. The pregnancy was Chen’s main story line, though she does apply for chief resident at the end of the season, a position Carter also wants, but can’t have because of the conditions placed on him after his rehab stint.
Dr. Dave Mallucci (Erik Palladino) has very few large story lines in the season, serving mainly as a character in other people’s story lines. It is obvious in this season that the writers were dealing with a lot of main characters, which gave them almost too many stories to tell in each episode and Dr. Dave was one of the people that seemed to fall by the wayside.
Dr. Kerry Weaver (Laura Innes), the head of the ER, confronts her own sexuality, as she enters a relationship with Dr. Kim Legaspi (guest star Elizabeth Mitchell, Juliet from Lost). She hides their relationship well, but when Dr. Legaspi’s career is on the line, Weaver steps up and comes out of the closet to her boss, Dr. Romano. This story line was one of the big stories during the season, one that opened Dr. Weaver up to many relationships, including the one that led to her departure from the show in the middle of the 13th season.
But, the biggest story of the year was that of Dr. Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards). The longtime ER doc finds out that he has a tumor in his brain the same day he finds out that his girlfriend Dr. Elizabeth Corday (Alex Kingston) is pregnant. The two set out on a course to find a way to treat the tumor and the removal is successful, but Greene has a hard time returning to work, still dealing with the effects of the…
Read more
Was this review helpful to you?
|Just the right amount of drama for your money!,
This show just keeps getting better and better as the seasons are released. It starts getting into more detail about the personal lives of the doctors and nurses. This season is the season that starts the development of Dr. Greene’s brain tumor. I can’t wait until season 8 is released. This is real drama!
Was this review helpful to you?
|Complete the Rest,
The tapes were superb. Now, WHEN will we be offered Seasons 8 thur spring of 2007?? I am waiting for the “passing” of Mark Green. The sensitivity, truth, and carefulness with which so many issues were addressed needs to be available for people who may be at that time of their lives. And it is certainly not readily available from educational resources.And I missed the wedding of Abby and Luca. Commericals you know.
So please hurry and get the remainder of the years ready for sale. Not having to suffer the mindlessness of commericals and timing your time out of the room is very tricky. One can easily miss the best part as I think networks try to trick you to watch commericals.
Was this review helpful to you?
|