EKS Otus
TECH
EVERYTHING
TECH SPEC
USB2.0/USB1.1 buss-powered
Burr Brown audio interface with
High resolution 7.5” touch-
six channels — stereo
sensitive wheel
IS UNDER CONTROL
headphone jack and two stereo
Midi messages — note,
RCA outs and S/PDIF
aftertouch, control change,
Is the Finnish EKS company coming of age
16bit/24bit, 44.1kHz/48kHz
program change, channel mode,
pitch
with their new Otus digital DJing interface?
Frequency response 4Hz
– 24kHz
Defi ne minimum and maximum
range and defi ne sensitivity
SNR >115dB JEITA (a-weighted),
THD+N 0,002%
Four mini push-button jog dials,
17 low travel buttons, six touch
Windows, OSX, Linux compatible
buttons, 10 control knobs
with ASIO and Core Audio drivers
Touchpad XY control surface for
mouse or effects
80mm touch-sensitive pitch
slider, with position LEDs
365mm x 335mm x 70mm and
weighs 2kg
PRICE
£579
CONTACT
eks.fi /arbiter.co.uk
0208 207 7880
T
he Otus features and traditional CDJ-style For a more professional custom feel, the
VERDICT
is a truly buttons, but lacks a big rewind button in Otus is highly adaptable and comes with
professional place of a smaller one. Midi mapping software, which provides
BUILD QUALITY 4.5
product for It’s aimed at DJs who want to use a Midi modifi ers. Like using the shift key
EASE OF USE 3.5
controlling DJ software and features a traditional DJ mixer and like keeping on the computer keyboard in conjunction
FEATURES 4.5
built-in six-channel Burr Brown soundcard, elements separate. Saying that, it can easily with another key for a totally new effect,
VALUE FOR MONEY 3.5
which sounds really fat. command an entire set using virtual mixers, combining controls greatly expands the
SOUND QUALITY 4.5
It’s one of the fi rst pure Midi controllers by assigning mixer controls to whatever functions of the Otus.
designed to the same scale and layout as controls on the Otus that you want and
HYPE
a Pioneer CDJ-1000 — built for controlling plugging in your headphones to the jack on IN THE MIX This highly adaptable Midi
virtual deck playback and effects. the back. The dual layer idea works brilliantly with
controller’s two virtual decks,
Constructed on a solid aluminium base Built into the heart of its workings is a dual different coloured lights to show which
touch-sensitive scratch control
and forward-thinking DJ layout
with an elaborate and colourful design, layer deck switch, so the Otus can control deck is in use. Hold the swap button to
make it a professional option.
the Otus really stands out both visually and two decks. A pair would be ideal for four- momentarily control the other deck, or
stylistically. deck software like Traktor, and it provides make a double tap to swap over for good.
GRIPE
At 2kg, it’s sturdy on the bench and its the audio connections too. We’re not massively keen on the shiny
Twin layer can lead to
confusion, knobs feel wobbly,
cleverly designed feet make it stand fi rmly touch surface, which can be a bit sticky. The
loop buttons are too small and
on a turntable when the DJ booth is too OUT THE BOX precision of the XY pad, which doubles up
the unit isn’t that portable.
cramped. Similar to Stanton’s Da Scratch Otus comes with EKS Bison and Deckadance as a mouse, also has room for improvement.
Some refi nements would boost
the scores.
Midi controller, it features touch-sensitive LE, which natively support Otus. They The pitch slider has three settings for
control areas, such as the XY pad, relative require no set up, which makes Otus great course, medium and fi ne control.
pitch slider and touch buttons. There’s for beginners, and this supplies higher Even with age-old Midi control, the scratch
The Otus works well for
forward-thinking
also a large traditional touch-sensitive resolution scratch control by using HID wheel offers a pretty good feel and is great
digital DJs looking to
jog-wheel, which gives a similar feel and instead of Midi to communicate. for cueing tracks naturally. But if you
control the new
performance to the Pioneer CDJ-1000. Preset Midi fi les on the EKS website (eks.fi ) want to scratch like a pro, you’ll need HID generation of DJ
kickstart your set up, and MixVibes, PCDJ support to be taken seriously. software.
One of the key aspects in the design of any and DJDecks will also natively support the We like the little loop buttons, which are
A
V
ID ESERIN
D
controller is a familiar layout that works for Otus via Midi soon. HID support will soon plentiful for advanced performances,
ds:
the task at hand. The Otus makes a good come for existing Deckadance and Serato but they’re a little bit too small and close
or
w
compromise between controls for advanced users too. together 4.5/5
www.djmag.com
103
DJ470.tech_eks otus.indd 103 19/1/09 23:01:21
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