Behringer B-Control Deejay BCD3000

(Originally written by Madmike/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Which technical specifications motivated your choice?

I used a BCD2000 two years. But I updated my computer to a Macbook with Mac OS X and only the 3000 is compatible with it.

What do you use it for?

I use it for mixing in parties (indoor and outdoor, lounge and deep house ambiance).

What's your setup (motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive,...)?

Black 2.4 Macbook with Mac OS X

- Do you use it with other instruments or systems (mixing console, preamp, DtD, ...) and what's your setup?

With the professional sound system of the place (sometimes the sound technician is also provided LOL) or directly connected to active P.A. speakers.

UTILIZATION

- Did you have any problems during the installation?

No, it was much simpler than with the 2000 (see my tutorial ( http://www.mcdsound.com/2007-07/bcd2000-and-traktor-tutorial/ ))

- Did you have any incompatibility problems?

No but you have to download the update before installing.

- How complicated is the overall configuration?

The overall configuration is easy but it's better if you already know Traktor.

- Is the user's manual clear and comprehensive?

User's manual? Never read it =)

GETTING STARTED

Is the driver stable?

Yes but I disable the wi-fi function of my Mac since it sometimes slows down the audio streaming. I guess its due to the Mac's hardware architecture.

I never had this problem with the 2000 and a PC but I did disable the anti-virus when mixing.

It works pretty smoothly when the wi-fi is disabled.

- Which software do you use?

Tracktor 3

- What's the latency of your system?

Few ms. You can adjust it but you won't feel it anymore under 10 ms.

- How many tracks can you record/playback simultaneously?

Traktor 3 is conceived for 4+1 tracks (4 playback sources + 1 HDD recording track). But I have only tested it with 3 playback sources or 2 sources + recording. It works great, perhaps a bit slower only (especially the pre-listening function)

OVERALL OPINION

I got it a few days ago and it works perfectly with my Macbook.

But I had to return the first one I got because the right jog was faulty.

Considering that I haven't found a real competitor product on the market I would definitely choose this one again.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
Are price, weight (very légé).

For what purpose?
Discomobile. With a pc Intel core I7, 8GB of ram, Windows 7

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable?
Yes but will not install controller on windows 8 ..

Are they often updated?
Never!

What software do you use most often?
Traktor.

How many tracks you get record / playback simultaneously?
Not more than 2.

GETTING STARTED

The installation is done it without problems?
Yes Windows 7.

Have you experienced any incompatibilities?
Unusable on Windows 8.

The general configuration is easy?
No problem.

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?
I used it for 1 year.

Have you tried many other models before buying it?
At the time not.

What is the particular feature you like best:
- The price
- Its size
- Sound card integrated

Least:
- The layout of the mixer
- Unable to stall without the "SYNC" button
- Pitch unusable (missing a lot of precision)
- Jog unnecessary

How would you rate the quality / price?
It's still okay for the price but it is really not a good product.

With experience, you do again this choice?
Not in any way!
I am currently spent on the Pioneer DDJ SX.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

Can connect the console directly on an amp to plug a microphone and even CD players / Vynils!

For what purpose?

Use in small dances.

What instruments or systems (console, preamp, DtDs ...) the use and how you connect?

Directly connected to the PC first, on the amp on the other hand, without any other hardware.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable?

Excellent stability for the BCD3000, and regularly updated.

What software do you use most often?

The software supplied with the equipment, namely Traktor 3LE (LE = Light Edition)

How many tracks do you manage to record / play simultaneously?

Regarding the version 3LE, only two tracks can be used ...

GETTING STARTED

The installation is done it without problem?

Installation intuitive, fast and with many using the explanation manual.

Have you encountered any incompatibilities?

Compatible with all mainstream operating systems, it is less easy to configure the table on Linux ...

The general configuration is easy?

Very simple, intuitive, with tooltips.

The manual is clear and sufficient?

Very clear, indeed, and allowing a quick start and the immediate use of the product.

OVERALL OPINION

How long you use it?

Used in 2009, replaced by the current hardware, it still served, and still works as well as the first day!

What is so special that you love the most, least?

The +:
Design;
The opportunity to spend a large disco bar;
The XLR and RCA phono connectors;
The small box effects built;
Traktor 3LE software supplied with the machine.

The-:
Mic on one channel and not talk over;
No flightcase appropriate;
One or two bugs that really require a true disco bar.

Did you tried many other models before buying it?

The Deejay BCD2000 Behringer Control includes features similar configuration but with a harder ...

How would you rate the quality / price?

Already excellent in 2009, it is even better now, the product price has been reduced (in Belgium) by the importer!

With experience, you do again this choice?

At the time, yes, it was the best solution for the use of computers in dances without having paid big bucks for, say, the Xone: 4D ...

I wanted to put me a mixer and as a student, I did not go beyond the budget of € 200. I chose the most complete (in terms of functionality), despite a good majority of negative opinions on Behringer in general. It was exactly two years ago and it still works.
I use it at home or meeting friends and I happened to use it once or twice in garden party.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are a real nuisance! Those who are lucky to arrive to run properly without worries, but in my case, I had blue screens and crashes traktor in times when it really had not and I struggled to make DNSC live with two Denon 2000. Still, I finally managed to find a configuration of traktor and I (almost) more problems.

GETTING STARTED

Installation is easy, an outlet, a USB port and it installs the driver, it is opened traktor matter. TSI and go.

OVERALL OPINION

Two years of use, I do not regret because it was a good compromise at the time.
I would do this choice in the same way as when I bought it but now there are more interesting choices.
I combined two DNSC 2000 (in view of replacing the BCD by a mixer noon) and I have fun with good.

On the other hand, the quality is bad (although ugly plastic) but you know it is weak then we try to be careful.
Mine has suffered repeated attacks by flying beer and fell several times but it still survive and everything works perfectly.

Finally it is not bad for a product that many people advised me to buy.