Vestax VCI-400 Overview and review with Andre Cato

Andre Cato takes a look at the new controller from Vestax. What it does, how it does it and why it should be seriously considered by software DJs!

[@maciaspawl]

Other reviews suck comparing to this :) Thanks Andre :)

[@Derrick8657]

Still one of the best reviews on the VCI-400.

[@andrecato]

You need a Phono Pre amp. you can buy one as a separate unit and then plug in your TTs to the vestax. The new Firmware version 2 allows you to plug in your TTs and also use it without being plugged into a computer. Goto the product page on Vestax website to read more about it. Hope this helps

[@andrecato]

hmmm, bit confused by the question, but yes, I did use just the built in audio interface to control the audio of both Traktor and Ableton in this video. No need to use extra gear. The inputs on the VCI can be used to play ANY audio source through so, Ableton, an instrument or mic etc.... To record with Ableton, you could certainly send the audio out of ableton and into the VCI, then to a record output if thats what you mean?

[@DjNemes1s]

Thanks for the review! A little slower than others, but actually I found that quite helpful on this occasion to really digest all the features, so thanks man!

[@andrecato]

@djglobeone Cheers mate, its a great controller, and in regards to the db LEDs for gain control - Use Traktor and then its irrelevant :) The music is all from Luke Bowditch and available on Beatport :)

[@andrecato]

You need to adjust the touch sensitivity of your jog dials using the two pots on the front left of the unit. Turn all the way to the right, then turn them back, just enough so they change colour, then they will be setup correctly.

[@andrecato]

Yes, basically i simply routed one channel as an example to Ableton and all audio was sent to the Vestax VCI... Hope that helps!

[@titangrv]

hats down to vestax , it looks better than the rest of the products on the market , the only prb i have with all controllers right now , is the don't have proper pfl monitoring , is it to hard to put 7 led with db readings ? , the other thing , why i don't see a rotary controller for the house djs , to push this controller tech forward it is a must to combined analog and digital into a hybrid machine "the best of both " Also Cato a great review as always " great music "

[@MattyJayJayJay]

Thanks for this great Video! I've ordered a VCI 400 already but won't receive it before tuesday :( Can't wait to try it on my own :)

[@Dubsys]

wow it looks beautiful

[@andrecato]

@MattyJayJayJay Cheers mate, lots more coming in 2012, its gonna be a big year for gear! Tuesday really isn't far off, so time to simply get ya software ready to use!

[@andrecato]

Yeah, ok... I use the remix decks also, love em.. The VCI400 is great with a combined Native Instruments F1 (remix deck control surface). Now the reason I like this as the VCI400 has 4 channels, so you can have a volume fader and eq and effect control setup for your track and remix decks, much better option in my opinion. Not a massive price difference either.

[@andrecato]

@moonrecordz I will certainly speak to Numark about it! Depends on whether I can get one to play with...

[@Davemathmos]

Hi Andrecato it seems you are the one who could help me after i did buy this beautiful machine. Now, few questions, I have pc and I would love to have a easy way to midi map, also how do you make work togheter traktor and Ableton?

[@BillyHuntIII]

This video is great. Nice work.

[@andrecato]

@MrFlyboygully Yup, it is now released... I have no idea where you are in the world though, so it may not be available to you yet...

[@andrecato]

Thanks for watchin'...

[@QooleeKid1]

@yeahdefdj you can map the Denon MC6000 platters with use of Rane hardware, ie SL1/2/3/4... but for this unit, we'll have to wait and see if the same can be done

[@hjkramer404]

awesome review man. thank you. I have a question for you though. You ran traktor and ableton at the same time. How does this work with the vci-400 as an interface? Can you just run both programs through the same outputs? or did u have to reroute the programs using soundflower or something? thanks again

[@TonyStone3000]

Nice vid :) Thanks. I thought that the rings around the jog wheels illuminated to simulate a record spinning?

[@ExtremeMusicSpace]

Great review .....

[@andrecato]

Hmm, well , i don't have an MC3000, but i do know the Denon range well and it is a good controller, but very different. Very different Jog dials, and features and build quality even as the Vestax works in a much more universal way. The Denon is great, but is certainly half the price for a reason. I honestly think if you like the Denon, buy it as they are a great company and make good gear, I always want people to take my info and use it to help their decision, but not to make it for them.

[@andrecato]

Hey, I would have a play on both in a shop and see which is better for you. I personally like the VCI400, but if you don't know how to use the software then maybe the S4 that is purpose built would be easier for you... Go have a play!

[@FLUONITE]

Hey Andrecato, thanks for that nice Review. I got a Question though: Is it possible to plug 2 Turntables into the Line Inputs and to use them in the mixer section? like the volumefader and EQs for that turntable or is the mixersection just for the traktor software? So is it possible to run it without any computer hooked up?

[@meshlife88]

Right on! Let me ask you a couple things. I produce my own stuff and I want to do live tweaking of that more than simply DJing. I looked at Jockey 3ME but it has only two channels, and I wanted to use that with Traktor Remix Decks. How does that factor in? Do you like that controller? I ask because this costs so much more. Thanks again.

[@meshlife88]

Thanks for your great video. Because of this I have chosen this over the S4 and also the Reloop Jockey 3M. Can I ask you please, what is your specific accent? Thanks again.

[@shaunclough9121]

Sounds Australian like me. Just a regional derivative. It’s a big country and we all talk slightly differently

[@Davemathmos]

very nice review, I order my vestax too, which software between serato traktor and vj?

[@andrecato]

What kinda ideas can I give you? I LOVE it, its an awesome machine, buy it I say!!!! I own one and actually now own 2. One of the SE version by Ean Golden also sits upon my desk! Crazy machine, if you need help, hit me up, always happy to help..

[@Doomsta1971]

great review but I'm even more undecided what to buy,this or the S4?????? help

[@DjNemes1s]

Oh sorry 1 question. Can the platters be mapped with a 2nd function in Traktor so that they can quickly scroll through your song library just as the platter on the S4 can? I'm really liking the look of the VCI-400, but I have so many songs (even when organised!) that selecting via the knob all the time would be quite painfully slow. Other controllers have needle search through library which is pretty awesome - so wondering if the VCI-400 has something similar?

[@KevinCM81]

Do you use Ableton with the same VCI-400 controller audio interface or with a separate one strictly for Ableton? If you do use the controller's interface, its safe to assume that one can use the line inputs for instruments as well to record with Ableton?

[@crimsongarth]

what do you think of the Denon MC3000 its half the price and seems to be about the same minus the 4 channel part and smaller jogwheels which i dont care about? the mc3000 is half the price so i was leaning more towards it just wondering what your thoughts on it are.

[@FLUONITE]

Wow thanks, i think i'll buy that one then

[@andrecato]

Have you downloaded a TSI file for your VCI400? It will recognise it, but its not all automatic, let me know if I can help, it will work though, i have setup many of my students with the exact same systems on their computers...

[@Itskvsrg]

And one more question: in video jog turns red when you click on it (as it was on my vestax vci-300), but how to do it in vci-400?

[@Itskvsrg]

Thanks! It works! %)

[@andrecato]

Umm, ok, on the SE version I have it is different, let me have a look and I will get back to you!

[@djkuya808]

I wanna switch to traktor and get vci 400, would i need just the traktor software?

[@yeahdefdj]

@andrecato nope - SSL doesn't allow platter mapping.

[@Itskvsrg]

Hello! I've downloaded a TSI file for traktor from vestax website, but i have some problems. 1) i cant understand, how select folders or playlist from menu? - when i use central switcher it slides only by tracks in playlist, but how select another playlist without touchpad on notebook? 2) when gain deck is switched off - the sound is still audible!! Please, help %) and sorry for my English

[@GeorgeBeeSchell]

Why do you jog wheel when touched and Betty throws? and the keys have a short life?

[@andrecato]

@pussylikka... This is a famous football player in Japan yeah? I love the TShirt, have owned the exact same print on many t-shirts for many many years, I love it!!!

[@rephlax]

I have a question considering the audiointerface...Im using a sony laptop with win7 installed and when selecting the vestax vci 400 driver in traktor I get those really high latencys...when using asio4all v2 instead its works fine and I got latency around 9ms. Does using asio4all means im not using my build-in soundcard ? :) ... can you help me ?

[@willbarine]

hey man just find the drivers im assuming that there are drivers for it.

[@taneltolsting2900]

Hello! It's been yars, but can anyone tell what parts of mixer will actually be working if external sources (cdj-s for instance) are being used?

[@andrecato]

Faders, eq, volume, standard mixer stuff. Obviously all the buttons that trigger digital features probably won’t do anything, I honestly can’t remember if there are any built in filters like NI’s Z2

[@electronikaddict12]

@andrecato can i take vci in a club or a gig and use it??

[@philiproy6075]

Can you put roll loops on the performance pads ?

[@pussylikka]

wicked t-shirt

[@andrecato]

It works with Serato Intro, they are the same thing really, both entry level Serato for controllers... Its not 1000 bucks either... Go elsewhere if you are being quoted that much!!!

[@misterliquidcity]

I almost got this but then i seen it was not compatible with amd processors. And of course my laptop has a amd processor.

[@andrecato]

Totally agree, Luke Bowditch is my audio producer who has created tunes on most of my videos. Check him out at lukebowditch plus a dot and a com at the end!

[@djariell10]

please say me adventages and dissadventage with the traktor S4 ( sorry my english )

[@andrecato]

@gilboogie No idea to be honest, I don't ever use SSL, or VSL, so unsure. Anyone have the answer for this?

[@djpro-g6575]

hi andre can u help me here out ...i just bought a vestax vci 400 ...im using virtual dj 8 ..and i love it but there is a problem ...everithing works except the headphones ..i allready did set up everithing right but they just not work...but i can work with traktor pro 2 too but the mapping or the version or something ...i cant set it right ...any answer ?TSI file ..the website is close ?

[@andrecato]

+Granit Pylla Hey mate, I would use DJTechtools for your TSI file. There are some great downloads here - maps.djtechtools.com/mappings?search%5Bsoftware_id%5D=29.

[@KasparStep]

do you have a mapping for me ?

[@sdyksterhouse]

I heard this doesnt work with serator itch? that is rediculous for 1000 bucks

[@andrecato]

I prefer to the S4, but its all about what YOU want, what will inspire you to be the best DJ you can be.... Choose that way, NEVER ACCEPT OTHER PEOPLES OPINIONS, always research and discover the best option for your journey.... So yeah, do whatever you want..... But buy the Vestax!!!! hahahahahahahaha

[@andrecato]

Hey Meshlife, my accent is Australian :)

[@yuriysamsonenko]

Still topical?)

[@meshlife88]

Alright thanks.

[@andrecato]

Sorry, i am a Mac man, for this very reason.... I spend my time working out gear, as opposed to getting the gear and computers to talk..... I am sure someone on here will have some info on using with a PC, but I am useless with PCs these days... SORRY!!!!

[@_davver]

"Works with basically, any DJ software you'll throw at it" Yeah, all except Serato Itch :(

[@CHURCHISAWESUM]

"DJ toys" *rages*

[@rephlax]

whats interesting is, that this thing is NOT working with amd processors and with sony vaio computers what exactly matches my laptop ! SHIT, I bought one at ebay for 650 € and now I cant use it !!!!!!! FUCK

[@DJFroto]

your voice sounds so sinister

[@crimsongarth]

this is pretty much the s4 just way better