Stanton SCS.4DJ Overview and Review with Andre Cato (SC-IX Version 2 Firmware)

Andre Cato takes a look at the new version 2 firmware that has just been released for the SCS.4DJ by Stanton. In this overview, Andre looks at what the unit does, who its for and what is included in the new firmware.

[@andrecato]

@windsorunderground Hey, thanks for your kind words! It is a beginners unit, mainly due to its lack of options to perform as Professionals have become accustomed to in clubs. It doesn't feel plasticky, but it is plastic, so won't last in club land (you would know as well as I that club DJs will twist and break anything not built for the club environment) But as I also stated, its great for mobile DJs, if you look after it and are a single user, no reason why you can't rock the party with it...

[@itsOmari]

I Just purchased this unit about a week ago. This Mixstation is the real deal. Turntablist will recognize the feel of this unit. It's seriously like a turntable even on the manual mix. Great Review!

[@andrecato]

@isdul Cheers mate, great to have your comments and glad you enjoyed my review,

[@remphase67]

I bought this a year ago and all I can say is this device is simply awesome, straightforward and most of all a beaut! If Mr. Cato is empress then It is proven that this device is worth it!

[@andrecato]

@djjambone Thanks, glad you enjoyed the review... I agree, its a cool unit and is a massive turning point for Stanton's collection of DJ tools. 4 decks would be nice, but also what I found in the past month is that because it locks so well to the BPM that is set, it works REALLY well with things like Ableton. I had it locked at 128.2 BPM the other night for 30 mins, going through heaps of tracks and playing live beats, basslines and loops in Ableton, which was awesome... 4 decks would rock also!

[@andrecato]

Hey, the 4DJ does have MIDI capabilities, so you can plug in a USB lead to your computer and use it as a controller, but if all you want is a controller, the same guys have made a DJ controller also called the DJC.4, which does not have all the same goodies, but it purpose built for computer mixing.. This units best feature is that it does not need a computer, it has a big screen and internal processor for your music. Cheers

[@cre8ive65]

Awesome review! Just ordered one, should be at my door in a few weeks! :)

[@andrecato]

@MsThealex33, I do like them both for different reasons, but the SCS.4DJ has a screen and houses everything internally, so I would get the SCS.4DJ if I HAD to choose for sure, its a complete package, where as you need a laptop with the iDJ3....

[@andrecato]

The songs mixed at the end are simply just 2 tracks I like. Using the 4DJ features, i was able to loop and make those effects with the built in effects. Cheers.

[@andrecato]

@djmalarky Cheers for the comments! The mix was so NOTHING to do with me and totally due to the amazing sync of this machine... Just wanted to point that out... Although I am quite amazing when i mix!!! hahahahaha! The tracks in that mix are - Longest Road and Paradise Circus... Glad you liked the video DJ Malarky.

[@alemartinrj]

Nice hardware an a explendid evaluation !! Tks Andre .

[@andrecato]

Sure you can. You can mix DJ software such as Traktor or Virtual DJ with it. There is a USB port to make all this happen on the back of the unit.

[@djjambone]

Great review man. I like every thing about the unit,just it needs to have all of goodies as the new four channel controllers has I think. More controllable Sample banks like an mpc with que marks,eq,filters, and effects. Separate the sound effects from each channel and each sound bank. I believe that will give to days dj's more options for recording to setting up awsome mixes for live shows triggering sounds and doing what ever they want with the sounds.

[@andrecato]

@windsorunderground - Also the sound is great, no issues there, but it is all setup much as a beginners unit, so only 2 decks, 4 effects.... But like I said, its also great for mobile DJs, the guy who taught me to DJ 20 years ago just got one for his parties and LOVES it... We are in a new world now though, young kids are expecting 4 decks for sampling and all sorts of other things, so yeah, its framed as a beginners unit for these reasons, but its a quality bit of kit for any personal user

[@andrecato]

It makes it a great all in one console. It has a mixer, digital dj control built in, but also MIDI control!

[@andrecato]

Did you update your firmware, shame it didn't work for you as it certainly has worked for me really well... My review, certainly was not sponsored, but I think its a massive shame that you have experienced issues with it. One other thing to remember is that while its hard to get a response sometimes from audio manufacturers, they are always developing their software and listening to us users, thats how they are able to continue to grow their product ranges! Good luck Ray :)

[@wtcbd01]

Good review overall. I am somewhat puzzled by the lack of reviews showing consumers the CONS of a unit VS the praise. I've had this unit for quite awhile now and was going to use it as a backup unit to my main gear (serato Itch/Numark V7's) and to quickly get mix ideas in my head without cranking up a full system. In actual practice, I have had constant locks, freezes and lag issues. Particularly with version 1 of the firmware. Have you used this unit for some hours doing mixes?

[@andrecato]

@djbigangus Nice work mate! Great to see people really enjoying any gear, and your vids certainly do that, I am into the tunes also, which helps!!!! Glad you enjoyed the review..

[@andrecato]

@beacon1045 I would certainly go for the Stanton then. The Numark will require a Laptop to be able to mix with a screen. The Mixdeck does have CD players, if that is important to you, but the Stanton has 4 USB ports, (2 underneath also) so perfect for a USB DJ, it also records and has the LOVELY screen... Both units have their good points, but from what you have said above, I would certainly say the Stanton is for you.

[@andrecato]

@djbrizk Pleasure mate, gotta make sure it works the way you need it to, or find out what you can use! I have to say though, I think ALL people looking at a device like this, should be looking at using a specific drive to install underneath so you can keep it all together and always have it ready to party with you. Also think about at least 1 other drive so you can record to a separate drive that you are NOT playing from. iTouch is awesome, but you should get something specific for this

[@windsorunderground]

Great review Andre! I'm curious to know why this unit is being billed as "ideal for beginners". I've been playing for over 28 years and I would use this to rock the club and house party alike... Is it plasticky in feel? Is the sound quality bad?

[@andrecato]

@djglobeone It really is good tech ain't it? I have been blown away by what Stanton have done in recent times to reinvent the digital DJ, very unique and some great new ideas here. As this is made for a beginner, or mobile DJ, the size is perfect as people don't like lugging around big consoles for gigs and often find it hard to fit an NS7 in their home console, but I too love a big chunky console, even if I rarely use one these days... I have too many toys in my console!!!!

[@titangrv]

it looks like a really good technology by stanton , not my thing tho its the size many brands forget that we don't like small consoles , numark was the only company that saw this , and made the v7 and ns7 , would love to see this tech on a ns7 size console built by allean and heath , i dream that companies can merge together and share their development to bring us life changing products

[@andrecato]

@shippersmush HI Craig, The iPhone 4s doesn't work with it because of the way Apple software and hard drives work. Some people got older OS's to work with the SCS.4DJ, but the new 5 doesn't work... Some people got lucky using older OS's but yeah, the simple reason is, because it wasn't designed to work with iPhones! Better idea would be to use a USB drive or independent drive anyway, as DJing with a phone is full of danger, you need to run airplane mode if you can get it to work etc...

[@andrecato]

@SloMoMan1 Hey, totally agree on Gabba, but like I illuded to, I play House and Techno with 4 on on the floor, not the irregular beats found in Gabba or D&B.. You are right though, if a track is analysed wrong, its wrong and sucks that your have struggled with that! Great to see you are upgrading, I think from your use, you will like what has been done and cleaned up for you, oh, and try the new quickgrid software which will analyse your tunes on a computer and hopefully with more success!

[@andrecato]

@SloMoMan1 Well you have certainly had a very different experience to me. I can change and reset the beatgrid, halve it, double it and move it. Never heard a click or pop in my testing and also had it locked with Ableton for more than 30 mins without a single beat out of place. Yup, I play house and techno, so a much easier style for the machine to work with. I also disagree about the effects.. But we play very different music! Works great with 4 on the floor! Youve updated firmware?

[@andrecato]

Right software? It depends what you are trying to do Oliver.. When you connect the USB midi lead, it will let you map the controls of the 4DJ to your DJ software. What exactly are you trying to achieve?

[@andrecato]

@gilboogie Yup, those that buy gear based on brand are inane sheep... I do love some of what Pioneer have done over the years, but the world is full of things people miss out on as they are either brand haters or sheep... Thanks for your comments, glad you enjoyed the review.

[@Bdykstra10]

I realize that this controller came out like 2 years ago but i still want it. The only thing thats holding me back is that i feel like the screen will lag and be kind of slow.

[@Boycott-Ai-NOW]

i totally agree!!! i bought it online for $120 cheaper than Best Buy price and still returned it cause its garbage... No wonder Best Buy had it in every store yet not one real music store had it on the shelf... Your exactly right, this unit is for "playing DJ".

[@Le3eFrereBrunet]

Why no VGA or HDMI out? since it can play video, would have a great alternative to VJ, small parties or venues! Or at worst, be able to provide a larger screen, that could act as 'console', for e.g. cueing up Kareoke!

[@themmwlyrics]

I am looking your tut, and this is the station for me, I am beginner and i am searching a long time for a intresting dj console. I will perform life my tracks, and this is the ultimate station. And she can more.... sry for german english :D

[@lepacte13]

GREAT overview.......... What's the name of the song u used in demo...??

[@Born2WinBIg77]

GREAT VIDEO!! im considering getting this Piece of Gear but I have Questions: Has the SCS ever Froze on you during a live performance? Have you used it live doing a Real Party? When you switch between songs is the Software in this unit slow? Does it Take a longer time searching for tracks? And finally: Since Im a Scratch Dj, How great are the platters for scratching? I heard the SCS has a Tempo drift when you scratch that knocks the BPM off. Is that true? Any Advice is appreciated

[@andrecato]

Thanks mate!

[@andrecato]

@djbrizk Hey, I will get you an answer on this one, I don't have a touch, so can't test it first hand, but my big issue with people talking about the iPhone and wanting to use iPhones as work devices is that it leaves the door open to forgetting to use Air plane mode and carry good consistent quality of music on their device to ensure they sound good when out.... Let me get u an answer on your question though....

[@beacon1045]

WELL IT'S EITHER THIS OR THE MIXDECK EXPRESS WHICH DO YOU THINK I SHOULD GO WITH I WANT TO MIX WITHOUT A LAP TOP AND USE USB FLASH DRIVES

[@FilipTeatree]

Good t_ Shirt Andre ! :D and nice video Thank you.

[@andrecato]

@wtcbd01 Yeah, I have NEVER reviewed a product I wanted to slam, too busy playing with things I like, so yeah, not really interested in doing reviews on things I don't like... I have had the unit about a mth and have had pre-release beta version of V2 Firmware, so no. I havent experienced any of the issues that you talk about in V1... Also after seeing issues people had with V1, I tested it after leaving on after going away for the weekend and used last weekend at a gig, no stress or glitches :)

[@Bionic9]

I am having difficulty,with the unit reading my 16gb usb flash drive. Does it have to be formatted a certain way,in order for it to analyze the song files. Please help. God bless

[@andrecato]

Australia mate :)

[@mrvoidswe]

i bought this controller last week, and its really great! just waiting for the Virtual DJ mapping to be done. ( nice to have the option to do that) but yes, nice controller for the beginner =) the record function is very nice to have so i ( very new to this ) can record and listen to it later.. right now it sounds like a bag of shit, but at least i know thanks to this. thanks for the review dude! =) (sry for bad english)

[@JPPimentadj]

nice tune

[@Zhorellski]

So how long exactly will it load a two 8 GB USB drive?

[@andrecato]

@mra7medronaldo9 ... Ok, first of all, there is ONLY OPINION, no wrong answers... Secondly, the machines you have mentioned do things very differently, but will give you the same result, happiness through performing music! But to try and give you some help - Twitch and VCI are controllers, they both require a Laptop + software to make them work, the SCS however has it all built in. I prefer Twitch over VCI300, but I love SCS as its portable, less to worry about and just works

[@nr1cristi]

Does it have a folder browsing??? whats the max hdd capacity? can someone contact me who ownes this controller?

[@randallm06]

I just bought and I have hard time to update, can some helpme?

[@9SunTruth]

whats the names of the two songs you was mixing

[@capulina215]

genial

[@djbigangus]

@MsThealex33 i own the scs.4dj and my bro had the idj3. he said it was a waste of money and most of the feature were not accurate! the scs gives you everything it promises. come check out some of my demo's the unit if you want. see how works for another beginner.

[@entzijams]

Where are you from? Your accent is crazy.

[@andrecato]

Sure can...

[@djbigangus]

solid review. nice mix too. i have posted 4 mix's with the product. nothing to fancy but some good tracks:) check em out if you get a minute! peace out