The new Hercules DJ Console 4 Mx packs four virtual decks into a professional unit.
Hercules has announced its latest DJ controller, the DJ Console 4-Mx (US$494
/ £406 / €468), a 4-deck professional digital DJ controller with a built-in sound interface, large touch and weight-sensitive jogwheels, and coming with a special branded 4-deck version of Virtual DJ (Virtual DJ 7 LE).
The controller’s rugged metal construction brings to mind the workhorse DJ Console RMX and Steel products from the same company, while to aesthetics borrow from its consumer products.
Hercules DJ Console 4-Mx front panel - note the full 4-deck control.
Like the RMX, it is possible to plug external phono or line inputs into this mixer, the icing on the cake is full four-deck control in hardware and software, which is a first for Hercules and new at this end of the market.
The jogwheels look like a major leap forward for the company too, being CD-sized, and apparently weight-sensitive as well as touch sensitive, allowing for more natural scratching. They can also be used for accessing your computer’s music library via Virtual DJ.
A first look at the Hercules-brand version of Virtual DJ 7 - in an LE edition, of course.
The combination of four-deck control and decent jogwheels along with the build quality of the Steel and RMX products mean that this is a desirable product that ought to do well. While lacking the finesse of more professional controllers, its build quality and durability mean it will happily serve gigging DJs and could be used as a compact, reliable installation controller for small bars and cafes.
Full specs, details and more pictures over at the Hercules website.
What do you think of the new Hercules DJ Console 4-Mx? Let us know in the comments!
Now go to:
Hercules DJ Console 4-Mx Review & Video: The RMX, Updated…
Hercules RMX & Virtual DJ 6 vs Vestax VCI-300 & Serato ITCH
New Denon DN-MC6000 DJ Mixer & Midi Controller Announced
It’s Official: Numark Mixtrack Pro is here
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Tags: hercules dj console 4 mx, virtual dj 7
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Expensive, much better Reloop Digital Jockey 2 Interface Edition
[ link ]To kobuz Fair point
[ link ]I don’t think a 4 decks controller without 4 deck controls would be very handy
[ link ]so what’s the best value for money 4 decks DJ controller so far? It’s a good news that Hercules has finally grown up and make this kind of controller, hope it’s not too expensive.
[ link ]What good is a “four channel” controller with only two sets of volume/EQ control?! Shifting deck controls to switch decks may be acceptable – shifting volume faders surely isn’t!
Kotakmakan – not sure, but I used to use the combination of M-Audio X-Session Pro for volume and EQ and a BCR2000 for effects etc. Now in the process of replacing the BCR2000 with an iPad.
The X-Session is nearly ideal, except two things:
1) it’s designed for 2 deck control, but maps on to 4 decks fine, except the outermost EQ knobs don’t have a center indent (as they’re designed for FX) which is annoying!
2) I’d like to have another knob for each channel in the EQ section so I could map it to the filter. Having each channels filter on a separate controller isn’t ideal.
Annoyingly, I can’t find anything better suited to mixing (but not controlling) 4 channels (other than a mixer like the DDM400, but I want a portable set up that I can easily bring to a club and have room to set up really). Any suggestions?!
[ link ]Presumably the EQs affect the active channel, and the channel “remembers” the setting until you switch back to it and change them. Sounds reasonable to me.+
Tom, let us know more about your iPad FX – sounds great.
[ link ]Yeah, I imagine that’s how it works – I think if you’re mixing with 3/4 channels, you should be able to control the volume and EQ of each without having to press a Shift key though.
For anyone interested, the iPad stuff is using an app called TouchOSC which allows you to design your own control interface, which then connects via wireless to a program called OSCulator on my Mac, which converts the output from TouchOSC to MIDI, which then goes into Traktor like any other controller.
My current control setup looks like http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3353/screenshot20101001at131.png, but it’s a constant work in progress!
[ link ]That’s why I’m going to expend nearly a grand in the S4, cause I hate soft-takeover!
[ link ]“it is not possible to plug external phono or line inputs into this mixer” this is a completly wrong information, please try to read another time the specification.
http://www.hercules.com/us/DJ-Music/bdd/p/141/dj-console-4-mx/
2 independent stereo inputs via 4 RCA connectors:
- Select the audio source type in the DJ Console 4-Mx control panel: phono/consumer line/pro line/boost.
[ link ]- Boost mode supports +8dBu signal level (for use with Pioneer CDJ players, for example).
- If the audio sources are vinyl turntables at phono level, connect the turntables’ ground cables to the DJ Console 4-Mx’s grounding screw.
To Mr X: Thanks for the correction I have edited the piece accordingly
[ link ]I don’t know Phil. If the EQ aren’t motorized when you switch back to the other decks current setting you will have intermediary EQ resetting when you do some funky eqing. Imagine deck A with the low cut off. Then switch the deck C, you would have a moment where that kick would be heard shifting back to whatever position it was last at when you used it. This is especially true when mixing with multiple decks. It’s just not ideal. That being said it’s half the price of a TS4. Also it’s about the same price as a vci 100 but much bigger and thus harder to carry around. If you’re a beginner and don’t gig out this is a good option to start with.
[ link ]Ah, soft takeover was the term I was trying to describe.
[ link ]@ deecodameeko
The controller have an hardware “takeover” function for faders and knobs.
@ Phil Morse
[ link ]You could try Xone:DX with Serato ITCH for true 4-channel mixing on a controller. It’s a lovely piece of kit. Pricey, but lovely.
[ link ]Hi Im a dj in INDIA ,& I think this machine looks cool , but I guess Its Heavy too & still worried about its internal soundcard coz RMX really disappointed me ,& microphone connectivity on vdj the main reason for which all the mobile dj’s buy it is not all that good in performance too.Ive got 1.a bcd 2000 which has very good output level,but its strange very few people like it 2.Ive got Ns7 & this is toooooooo heavy ,but its old school makeup made me mad ,so I had to buy it ,its sound output is good too. Now this 4mx ,should I give it a try? This the puzzle that I’ve to solve…….i am always in search of new controllers to get a perfect one on which I find to be comfortable to me ha ha ha ha…. but yes this 4 mx is looking lovely
[ link ]HERCULES RMX/4MX VS MIXTRACK PRO ? WANNA HEAR WHAT YOU GUYS THINK
[ link ]I had trouble running the virtual DJ software that came with my RMX on my new VAIO 1GB memory 1GB graphics Intel i7 core laptop, because the software was screwy (always lagging when changing songs on one of the decks)… Therefore, I had to upgrade to Virtual DJ pro, and it worked fine. Will this software (virtual dj 7 compatible with 4mx) work better than its rmx predecessor?
Thanks!
[ link ]Don’t know the answer to that at the moment as we’ve not had chance to test the new Hercules controller.
[ link ]Hi Phil,
All right, please let me know.
Thank you!
[ link ]Check the first full review. Available this week.
“Like” http://www.facebook.com/pages/DJHerculesFancom/123478321007338
[ link ]heyy im trying to get into djing more and ive been looking at many controllers like this one
[ link ]however there are too many to choose from
i want to do bedroom djing but work my way up to club djing
CAN U PLEASE TELL ME WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD CONTROLLER FOR MY SITUATION?
thankss
Russ, it depends on what you need and intend to do and your budget specially.I used the rmx before,considering it’s low end price.it’s ok for a start.but as you develop your skill and your gigs gets bigger,you may want to upgrade to something more promising like Numark NS6 or the Am Audio VMS4, but for me..i think this Hercules 4-Mx is pretty exciting feature wise and price wise.i just ordered mine and hopefully will be playing with it by mid-march when it arrives in my base.will give you feedback just in case.also try looking into different reviews by people who are using them and not from those who are selling them.kind regards and enjoy putting The Heat to the Beat!!! _The Rainman(SoundLab Cagayan De Oro City,Philippines)
[ link ]It looks alrite but i have to ask this question why would anyone or any dj at all plug a mic into any cheap controller or mixer we all know the results you get from that…….
[ link ]