words: LUKE PEPPER TECH Denon DJ MC2000
BUDGET BANGER
Denon’s new controller the DJ MC2000 is going to make a superstar DJ out of you — but won’t break the bank in the process…
W
hile every DJ, from the old skool to newcomer wannabe, lusts after the latest all-singing, all-dancing top-end DJ equipment, the reality is
that, in these austere times, unless their parents are bankers or landed gentry, the likelihood is that they’ll learn their craft on basic gear. Denon’s latest controller the MC2000 manages to keep the same great build quality we have come to expect from Denon but has been priced to make it competitive in the budget controller market. It could be the perfect controller for DJs to start their journey.
These days buying budget doesn’t need to mean sacrificing quality, but inevitably it will mean foregoing some features. Still, this could actually be a blessing for newbie DJs as well as their audiences. In the world of music production and DJing, it is all too easy to get caught up in the promises found in the shiny advertisements, that the latest equipment will transform performances instantly to give the owner god-like skills. But there are no shortcuts to excellence. The core skills of DJing remain the same and only by mastering the basics of mixing, track selection as well as reading a crowd can anyone become truly awesome in a DJ booth. When first starting out, DJs need a good solid controller with enough
062
djmag.com
features for them to grow into as their skill increases; more advanced features can tend to be an expensive waste that are seldom used.
COMPACT This is where the DJ MC2000 steps into the ring. While it is a compact controller, managing to keep the price within the budget range, it still manages to pack in everything a DJ needs to rock a crowd, in addition to some features that would normally only be seen in much more expensive controllers. The MC2000 has been designed to integrate seamlessly with Serato DJ Intro which comes included with the controller, and setting up a laptop or computer to work with the controller is incredibly straightforward — possibly one of the easiest installation processes we have seen to date. While Serato Intro has garnered some criticism due to its relatively lean set of features, there is no denying that it is a professional piece of software which, when paired with a controller like the MC2000, works amazingly well, and is perfect for newcomers or DJs who prefer to keep it about the ones and twos, using the music and mixes to do the talking rather than relying on technical trickery. Once mastered, DJs can, for a small price, upgrade to Serato’s new flagship Serato DJ software which ships with Pioneer’s top-end DDJ SX controller.
When released from its packaging, the weight of the MC2000 is the first thing that is noticed. It feels reassuringly heavy and that is because it has an all-metal construction, with the sole exception being a plastic silver band running around the edges, meaning that this controller should last a very long time. The color scheme and labelling on the control surface is a black and white affair that is low-key and looks professional, with the fader and knob caps completing the business-like feel of the control surface. The faders, knobs and encoders Denon have used when constructing the MC2000 are high quality and feel great to use, with just the right amount of resistance. It has a similar footprint to a widescreen laptop, which makes it very portable even if it is a little heavier than most controllers of this size.
ON THE SURFACE At the heart of the MC2000’s control surface is a two-channel mixer with a gain knob, three EQ knobs and a cue button to compliment the channel faders. At the bottom of the channel faders is a crossfader with a small throw that is perfect for cutting and scratching. The master gain knob and headphone control knobs have been placed away from the mixer section and are found at the edges of the control surface, which, although unusual, works perfectly well. At the
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70