Vestax VCI-300

(Originally written by /translated from Audiofanzine FR)

One month of intensive use.
After hesitating a lot, I chose this control surface to mix my hip hop/electro/d&b MP3 files without having to carry around two turntables and my vinyl records.

Pros: jog wheel precision! You can pitch the speed of any track by slightly tapping the sides of the jog wheels, and the results are as good as with vinyl. Scratching feels almost the same as with a real vinyl record, although, it's true, you need some time to get used to it. The crossfader is terribly good. The mixer is really sexy. It's big, solid and the pots are not cheap... nothing to complain about, it's a Vestax! The Serato software is somewhat basic but good: I love the graphic interface which allows you to see track scrolling, making it perfect for track matching.

Cons: the software has no effects for individual tracks and you can't even insert effects since the mixer works with its own sound card! Some delay, reverb, flanger effects would be much appreciated. I hope the next version does include some new effects so I can rate it 10/10.

I also tried the VCI100 which works very well but doesn't have enough precision and is too small!

I know it's not cheap, I bought it for 660 euros after bargaining at the store, but now I have the MP3 mixing tool I had always been looking for. Nevertheless, don't forget that you get a Vestax mixer (with a very good croosfader) + a sound card + a mixing software, all for the same price.
To wrap it up, this is the best virtual mixing tool I've ever used.

- How long have you use it?

Since one week intensive

- What is so special that you like best?

The Scratch, The Cross, The accuracy of Jog, a compact but not too compact nor well studied in the locations of knobs, jog etc, Serato software, sound card

the least?

Serato Bpm for calculating so-so I expected a lot better now but it's really the only downside of this software I have a lot of shifting tempo but apparently I'm not the only, 3 / 4 effect in serato would have been welcome too but be a good bit SHIFT will be rectified!
on the other hand I managed to connect the vci 300 with traktor and for calculating zero offset Bpm nickel.

- Have you tried many other models before buying it?

So I started with a DJ mix control, then I went on a Vestax Vci 100 (nothing to do really much better now zero crash, the scratch is really the jog EXCELLENT nothing to say compared to 100)

and I just left my pair of CDJ800 Mk2 with Mixer Vestax really no regrets! very very happy! I even save space crashes with the mk2 at the reading of mp3 I buy cdj 800 for scratch and mix the vci 300 is infact the Jog mieu is more pleasant even if it is smaller than the 800.

- How would you rate the quality / price?

It's a really good final product and not succeed as the experience I had with the Vci 100 at the responsiveness of jog.

- With experience, you do again this choice? ...

Without hesitation, yes!

I put 9 / 10 because the software Serato has some way to go in terms of BPM, and effects.