You just know you want one, right? This laptop packs a big secret within its heavily modded clamshell: A fully featured DJ controller!
This head-turning (and reputedly $20k) laptop mod, apart from looking absolutely gorgeous, takes the one-box DJ console idea to another logical extreme.
Because whereas we’ve already seen what happens when you take the computer and fit it into a DJ console (the Stanton SCS.4DJ that’s just hit the streets does just that), this is the first examnple we’ve seen of what happens when you go the other way and fit the DJ console right into the laptop!
It’s the work of PC modder Chris Blarsky, and takes the unassuming Lenovo A700 laptop and sprinkles some serious disco dust onto it in order to come up with a unique and instantly desirable DJ laptop.
He calls it the DJ Sound Control, and its 23″ casing comes complete with a sliding drawer for a keyboard and a power supply that apparently doubles up as a sound interface.
We have absolutely no idea about what software it runs, or how well it works, but look at the pictures below and you can see it’s built to last, and looks undeniably hi-tech with that multi-coloured, translucent casing.
There’s a Flash video presentation on the modder’s blog but it is probably the largest piece of Flash we’ve ever seen, and seeing as there’s no chance of us ever actually owning this thing, we gave up after 10 minutes of trying to load it. Feel free to have a look and report back in the comments what you find there… we’d love to know more but life’s too short. Source: Engadget.
Interesting times! Controllers with laptops built-in, now a laptop with a controller built-in. Is, as DJ TechTools mused recently, the laptop on its way out? Or is the controller plus laptop DJing model here to stay? What do you think of this particular design? Let us know in the comments!
Now go to:
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Tags: dj controllers, laptop djing, laptop mods
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Nice concept. Who knows, maybe a possible future in controllers is like that. Designed like a laptop, with (touch)screens, internet connection, etc.
[ link ]Why Not? They already make portable Xbox mods and all that.. Why not have a truly all in one piece? If its built from the ground up to accommodate what a Dj needs in terms of processing and all that then its a great idea…
[ link ]its pretty cool – a little too big and cost him over 20k to make but its an amazing project. i’m not wild about all teh arcade buttons down the side, i’d like a grid better than the way he’s got them staggered. if it really lights up purple like the other pics show, then thats a pretty sweet light show.
[ link ]On its way out!!
[ link ]Too much tech stuff for the dj whose soul is music and getting people to dance. Not having his head inside a laptop and making music.
As long as he has his music and his controls,
chuck the laptop.
Flash is working fine for me @ 2011-08-31 12:30
[ link ]Interesting indeed
I dont know, I still prefer controller/mixer in front of me and laptop to the side, this might give that “I am checking my emails” feel to everything
[ link ]You got to remember that as a all-in-one, you are not stuck in one position in back of a table. I am building a stand that will allow me to rotate the DSC and allow that movement to be part of the show and allow the audience a peak at what I’m doing.
I think the crowd would go banana’s if you started to slowly swivel around and then swivel back and forth. Has anybody seen anything like that from a DJ rig before?
[ link ]Looks to me that it is not a integrated controller but a two-piece:
- miniature PC case
- monitor bound with controller
It should not cost that much.
[ link ]True, the components themselves are very inexpensive, it was the labor that makes the price so high for a ‘one off’ concept model. Here’s the breakdown.
Lenovo A700 23″ Multitouch AIO $1800.00
Midifighter $120.00
NI Audio Kontrol 1 $200.00
Alesis Nanoverb (used) $75.00
Arcade Buttons $90.00
USB LCD $50.00
M-Audio E-keys $100.00
Aluminum, Sheet and angle $200.00
Lexan (polycarbonate) Panels and membrane $200.00
Ink for screenprinting $75.00
Meeblip Digital Synth $75.00
I/O BOX (shell used) $35.00
APC 1500VA UPS $200.00
2 extra batteries for UPS $40.00
TOTAL COST OF PARTS & MATERIALS $3260.00
(Lenovo took care of this cost.)
Labor
960 hours
For the sake of reasonable cost let’s say I would
only charge $20.00 an hour, which realistically it
would be closer to double that.
Roughly at $20.00 an hour $19,200
Total cost $22,460
[ link ]Thanks for a price run-down. Had no idea that FX and Synth are integrated. Nice touch.
Anyway, I (being able to do make stuff with my own head & hands) never try to count in the man hours.
Sorry about the dry comment, but my intent was correcting the statement “all-in-one + the powersupply” to “two-piece”.
Now I see that it is more than that.
[ link ]Thanks man,
I understand that you and I don’t think about the time to design and build our own stuff, but lately people are asking how much to build them one and then you have to figure labor into the bottom line:)
I hope you give your mod a go.
[ link ]I once did a 4-channel MIDIbox with transport and FX controls. Since then, I’m not building much by hand.
[ link ]Mostly in software.
mmmmmmmmm very interesting
[ link ]I love your direction and vision this is great. Id also like to say that your video is very informative and eye candy to watch. My brother and I have thought of something similar to this just not as nice ha. I hope the future brings more great things from you. In the beginning there was light, then the turntable and now this. I simply love it. DJ Malarky out.
[ link ]Thank you for the comment.
[ link ]I have had a lot of fun building.
Now it’s time to use it:)
Well if you get a chance to shoot a video of you using it live, Id like for you to send me a copy. I think you should manufacture your own brand and share it with the DJ world. Regards, DJ Malarky out.
[ link ]Love the color, love the design. I’m thinking about buying these.
[ link ]