Numark’s new VJ product looks like it could be the missing link DJ controller hardware a lot of us wanted. The Behringer BCD2000 is inexpensive, but availability has been scarce and it doesn’t yet support the Mac, on top of some MIDI implementation oddities. (See shipping and driver complaints, full review on PC.)

The US$300 NuVJ, in contrast, looks like it might have just the combination of controller features and build that people want, with complete Mac and Windows support. More on that in a moment.

In the meantime, our friend Steve Cooley writes on somesoundswelike about the disappointing lack of nudge controls on the iDJ2, Numark’s revision to its iPod DJ mixer:

I’ve been staring at the iDJ2, and noticed there’s no nudge controls … you know, the thing that lets you simulate a spindle-twist or a finger on the platter to momentarily speed up or slow down a track that you’re beatmatching to another track … these are absolutely critical tools to beat matching … Oof. To come within 99% of solving all of the criticisms of the original iDJ, and then fall on your face for the last 1%… that’s a shame.

Shown: his picture, clearly laying out his response. I don’t expect this will get fixed, as the iDJ2 is supposed to ship some time in August. Sure enough, if you look closely at the NuVJ controller, it has the same problem, and even more oddly lacks transport controls. (Maybe Numark is planning a separate controller for the music market, and assuming VJs will just use the clip buttons to trigger their video clips?)

Thanks, Steve! I’m equally disappointed: this could be a deal breaker on the iDJ2. But back to the NuVJ, I still think some people might find it useful as a controller for software like Ableton Live, musicians and DJs alike, assuming Numark gets the other details right. See Create Digital Motion for a preview of the hardware, but here are the controls that could make it useful for music, from Numark’s specs:

If you’re like me, your head is about to explode from iPod overload. Can you still find something about a new iPod DJ mixer to love? Maybe: this one lets you connect other players and USB storage and scratch, change pitch, and loop. It might even appeal as a portable scratcher/sampler. And you can use it to play FLAC and OGG files, meaning you could dock it in your living room to play back all that glitchy, indie music you’ve been buying in the seldom-trod corners of online music stores. (Read: not the iTunes Music Store.) In fact, you don’t really even need an iPod. Here’s a first look at Numark’s second take on the iDJ — and some details on why we might just have to give it a second chance.

Playlist, the iPod DJ club — and Playlist, the website, no relation — both take on the Numark iDJ iPod DJ mixer:

Hands-on Numark iDJ Review by DJ Lisa Rocket, resident at the Playlist Club in London

Numark iDJ Review by yours truly for Playlistmag.com

Incidentally, everyone who goes to Playlist, the Philly and London club, has a fantastic time DJing with iPods. Partygoers bring music, people who’ve never “DJed” before in their lives mix music, there’s judging, and everyone has a ball — see the photos. That to me is the ideal market for the iDJ, and not surprisingly organizer Lisa (pictured) loves hers. But if you’re not running an iPod DJ party, do you want a Numark iDJ mixer?

DJ Lisa Rocket concludes: “The Numark iDJ is much easier to use than a traditional iPod DJ set-up, it delivers better sound handling capabilities, looks like it’s come off the USS Enterprise, allows me to mix and record sets…. and I for one definitely want one now.”

My Playlist review has the headline: “iPod-focused DJ mixer is unique but ultimately disappointing (thanks to limitations of both the iDJ and the iPod itself). 2.5 / 5.”

Numark has posted full details of their US$399-list iPod DJ mixer on their site; check out the product details and specs, or see their PDF product overview and FAQ. Yes, those controls work on the iPod, the dock charges the Pods, and you can upload music onto the iPod via USB. No, there’s no new capabilities that you wouldn’t have plugging two iPods into a DJ mixer: you still can’t scratch, pitch adjust, or beat-match. It’s an iPod; whadayawant? But you can attach it to a turntable spindle. (The horror!)

Compatibility remains a question-mark; definitely new iPods and iPod photos, but Numark refers to these as “second-generation” rather than what Apple calls them, “fourth-generation” or “click wheel” iPods. Go figure. Numark also offers this helpful advice if you’ve got a competing player: can you use it?

Answer: Absolutely. You can use any MP3 player by using the headphone jack on your player and plugging into the iDJ’s RCA input on the unit’s back panel. You will also need to use the MP3 Player’s controls to navigate and play songs.

They’re joking, right?

Numark tells CDM they expect shipping in volume to begin late September. So you can give them as gifts for Columbus Day, not just Christmas.

Updated - Numark confirmed the story, and expects volume shipments to begin in September. See the updated story. -PK

GearJunkies reports that Numark has released the rumored DJ mixer for the iPod. (Updated: Looks like the original link is on the Spanish site Abizu, linked on Engadget.) Some juicy details:

Big controls for iPod scroll wheel and transport buttons

Ins and outs for connecting other gear (like, say, a turntable?

2-channel mixer, 3-band EQ

USB connection to Mac/PC; full docking support

S-Video out for iPod Photo

Recording support (in iPod)

Pricing/availability: Reportedly US$399 (!) / third quarter
CDM 5 words: Beware bad iPod DJ hacks.

Do I want one? Yes, please. I’m not planning to iPod DJ any time soon, but you know this is the only way to dock your iPods at home.

See previous coverage on CDM, complete with lots of people ranting. Shining, angry people. Really angry. Can you hold off from the rants this time, folks?

Additional analysis

Details have leaked out about a prototype Numark DJ mixer that can
mix two iPods. I know what you're thinking: Wow, what a scoop! Where
are the lawyers? Is it a fake?

In fact, in a gesture of spectacularly poor industrial secrecy, it
seems Numark showed off an early prototype at the Musikmesse show in
Frankfurt. (see the discussion
at skratchworx that was the source of the 'rumor'; via engadget) Later in the show, head honchos asked that visitors not
take photos, but not earlier in the show; hence we have a couple of
images from German hip hop site WebBeatz.

• Prototype rendering shows some fascinating features, at least in concept, like integrated iPod controls and scratchpad, and a gorgeous design
• Photo of the shown prototype shows the Pods would connect via the dock connector, but the prototype looks to be visual only / non-working

So, what's the mixer itself? It's not clear: it's an early prototype. In one of the photos of the actual prototype, the iPods aren't even plugged in.
Conceptually, though, the idea is interesting, and aside from allowing
basic DJ mixing and crossfading, a buffer could grab audio from the
audio for brief scratching. Apparently pitch control is possible, too,
though limited, and it's not clear how they might fix iPod cueing; in
other words, all the normal limitations of the iPod for DJing apply.
Don't expect this to ship any time soon.

We'll continue to follow this story, including a check-in by CDM's resident DJ, DJ Eldorado.

In the meantime, people continue partying with their iPods, special mixer or no — more Playlist parties in London and Philly are slated for this month.

UPDATE:
Bored by iPod DJing? Check out the opposite end of the spectrum:
Numark's sick new 5-channel digital/analog/sampler hybrid, the
monstrous 5000FX.
Rather use a computer? The new Xone:3D, integrating mixer, control surface with scratching, and audio, might be more up your alley. (More up mine!)
And check out some ideas about how you might use this prototype, if built

What could you do with Numark's prototype iPod mixer, if it were actually built? (photo nabbed by German site WebBeatz) Here are some ideas:

• Charge and load: With dock connectors, you could power your iPod through the night
• Sample, scratch: Numark's use of short-length samplers (as on the shipping 5000FX) will demand new chops for digital DJs: try digitally scratching
  your sounds with a scratch wheel, reverse, loop, chop up, and otherwise
  flip around your digital beats. (See, you can't just let a few lousy
  MP3s play all night after all — not if you want to impress!)
• Play and cue: Those tiny iPod buttons aren't much fun in a
  club; the Numark prototype has giant buttons you can't miss. And with a
  memory buffer, it might be possible to cue tracks by slightly delaying the output . . . not sure if they can pull that off, but it's theoretically possible.
• Pitch-bend: Real onboard iPod pitch-bend would be great, but until then an iPod mixer could get the same result via digital effects
• Not just for iPods: You can bet a company like Numark (or
  whoever can ship a real iPod mixer) won't just include iPod inputs. How
  about one iPod + one turntable, or an iPod + a laptop.
• Even digital musicians should take notice: I know I'd like
  to be able to quickly cross-fade to an iPod mix before and after a set,
  or to fire up an iPod track while I load a new computer-based Ableton Live set while performing (or if, God forbid, my fancy Max/MSP patch crashes)

Of course, this is all idle speculation until this becomes an actual
product, but if Numark was showing it, they clearly want to gauge
interest. Judging by CDM's hit counters, interest is, ahem,
unbelievably high. And if Numark doesn't ship this soon, someone else
will.

Ironically, with vinyl hot as ever, the only endangered DJ species seems to be the CD.