Pretty damn good. Not perfect, but definitely good. It was somewhere around 150 I think, which is not a big chunk for music equipment, especially for the job it does.
I should mention that I only use it as a 'dumb' midi controller. I don't have any audio running through it, all I do is plug it in USB to the compy for midi instructions. It appears to be usable for more though since theres 1/4" and RCA ins and outs.
I'll start with the 'cons' in order of what I think is most important:
Not sure whether it's Traktor or the controller, but it doesn't have as good fader resolution as I'd like. Now, the software's fader resolution(via using a mouse) is to the first decimal: .1% is the smallest visual change(audibly, any higher resolution isn't perceptible to me).
However when I use the midi controller's fader, it's smallest change for the slightest nudge seems to be increments of about .13%. So that means every few increments, it will visually skip a .1%, and make it impossible to match it up juuuust right. (.1, .2, .3, .5, .6, .7, .9, 1.0)
Now, this is plenty good enough for analogue turntable work, as you'll be monitoring the platter constantly and wont have much else to do unless you have some fancy outboard equipment. That's normal given the comparatively crappy reliability of vinyl. However, the precision that digital mixing offers, along with the kit of options and effects and whatnot, changes ones expectations. If you've got a good recording you can start two songs together, and they'll end together perfectly, right? So the ability to do this means I'm gonna go and think, "Hey, now I can free up more attention and time to go fuck with effects and sampling and other stupid shit, or just get a drink of beer while this transition is happening."
Unfortunately, often times due to that resolution inconsistency, you need to keep just about as much attention on the fine matching as you would with analogue turntables, which is a major letdown. That is, if you're manic about the match-up like I am. I HATE IT when beats go off, even by a millisecond, you can HEAR that shit. Thus I'd like the controller to match the resolution scaling of software. But again, maybe it's the software's fault. I dunno.
All I know for sure is that if I'm trying to keep the bpm right at 128 or 130, sometimes I'll have to settle for 127.9 or 130.1, which is annoying. You can still be perfect exact in those instances if you let it auto-match, but I really don't like using that feature. It lets you get too soft and flabby if you're gonna want to do trading off with a vinyl dj.
omfg did I just type that much? I'll be more brief....
The next issue I have is that theres not enough knobs to support multiple effects. Theres only one bank. But this ends up being not so bad, because most effects don't sound too good with the prog style I'm into playing, with the exception of the 2 pole filter I love so much...
The third issue is that theres a number of buttons and knobs that just don't get any use. Since they're all reassignable, this isn't a huge issue, but I don't like mislabeled buttons.
The fourth issue is that I'd have liked the sampling/looping buttons to be bigger and more various. I'd like a more robust button-set so that I don't have to go clicking around for good looping controls.
The fifth issue is that the buttons' actions don't feel like the most reliable things on earth... But so far they've worked fine. There's a satisfactory 'click' for each, so at least you know when you've properly hit that button. They're kinda small and close to the frame though, it's easy to miss 'em or not quite press it if you're in a panic and trying to move really fast.
On the positive side, it's a great mid-ground in weight; lightweight, but not too light. Good solid build, it seems to be reliable. The rotary 'platters' are great, their rubber-ish material is great. The knobs haven't come off, theres a few handy on/off LED's on a couple buttons(more would be nice), and the faders' actions are great. Theres also a button for switching to control decks 3 & 4.
So far, I'm a fan. I'm not sure how it compares with the 2000, as I've never used it (but I sure have heard negative things about it). As for other similar midi controllers, I have no clue how it compares.
*cough* did I just derail?
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