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:

1. Dual large rotary wheels for scratch, scrub and pitch functions
2. Illuminated pads for each of the two channels for assigning and selecting visuals
3. A/B Auto Fade buttons on each channel for switching sides of the crossfader (largely useful for VJing — maybe you could reassign to nudge controls?)
4. Tap BPM for synchronizing visuals to the music (musicians could use as tap tempo, or, again, could reassign to something else)
5. Large backlit LCD to display messages sent by the software (excellent, provided you can send these messages via MIDI from other software)
6. Instant black (or any other color) button (This refers to blackouts/breakdowns in VJing; again, you could easily reassign to something else)
7. 360-degree rotaries: 2 for the effects on each bank, 3 for the master effect, 2 for the master brightness and contrast, 2 bank selectors (this could easily be used for filters, effects, etc., and I find a smaller number is often optimal instead of having a zillion different knobs)

What do you think? Is the NuVJ tempting, or would you rather have a different controller? The only thing really holding me back here is its size; for Ableton Live I’d really prefer something smaller.

The iDJ, Numark’s original iPod DJ mixer, got plenty of buzz from iPod lovers — and plenty of haters here on CDM. And why not? It’s not about snobbery: the iDJ just sucked the joy out of DJing, thanks to the lack of scratching, pitch control, and having to go out and buy two iPods. If you’re a newcomer, you just won’t have as much fun with the iDJ. And as for the wedding DJs this seemed aimed at, why shouldn’t you have smooth, beat-matched crossfades at your wedding? (See my review for Playlist.com.)

So, I’m sure some of you rolled your eyes when you heard about Numark’s iDJ2. But wait a second here . . . now you can scratch? And you only need one iPod, since you can play two songs off of it at once? And Numark added not only pitch control but loop cross-fading? And you can use any USB hard drive (including players like my iRiver H320) or even a MemoryStick? All these new features are possible because the iDJ2 treats these devices as USB mass storage, rather than taking simple audio output from the built-in playback on the iPod. That’s a huge step forward from the iDJ, which was basically a glorified iPod dock with a cheap mixer thrown in.

Numark even earned a little street cred by adding FLAC and OGG support, two high-quality compressed formats now available from some indie online labels and music stores. I’ve been listening to the Autechre reissues in FLAC from Bleep, and I have to say, this format sounds really great.

In fact, looking at the specs of Numark’s iDJ2, it’s almost as though . . . get ready for this . . . they listened to feedback from their customers and product reviews. That alone should warrant giving this a second shot.

So, while there are still lots of questions about how this works, and more importantly, how much it will cost, I’m looking forward to checking out the iDJ2. I can even imagine using this in a laptop music setup as a portable scratcher, loaded with samples on USB drives, for those of us who are already carrying too much gear to add a turntable. I’m also hoping the device will transmit MIDI to a laptop, like the NuVJ also introduced at Messe, though I’m less optimistic about that. (I’ll let you know; it might also connect via USB.)

Yes, I’m sure this will still be offensive to real turntablists, and more power to you. But as an upgrade for the CD-based DJ, it does look promising.

The iDJ2 wasn’t the only iPod product Numark unveiled at Messe. The iCDX is a strange combination of a CD scratch unit with an iPod device. Like the iDJ2, it treats the iPod (or other hard drive) as a USB storage device. This one has a real scratch wheel, and connects via USB; Numark tantalizingly notes that it works as a standard Human Interface Device, meaning some of our more experimental and adventurous readers can do crazy things like connect the iCDX to Max/MSP or Pd. And while the iDJ2 has only large plastic discs for simulating scratching, the iCDX appears to have a more serious scratch ring.

What’s your take? Is it possible Numark devised an iPod product we might actually want?

Numark iDJ2

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



New to CDM? We regularly cover everything in digital music making from DJing to far-out interactive technology. Related stories include:

• Diaries of a Digital DJ: Getting Started

• London-based Playlist iPod/Music Player DJing party — interview with Johnny Rocket, behind-the-scenes / Philly party details

• DJ Sasha's custom MAVEN controller, and speculation that it might be based on an open DIY project
• Full coverage of the Winter Music Conference in Miami, including thoughts on going digital and converting from vinyl

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.