Vestax VCM-100 Compact Class

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Words: Marc '01'

Sit your laptop on the optional stand. Remove the stand to make it ultra compact. Connections for USB and dual stereo in and out.

The VCM-100 is the next DJ controller due to arrive this autumn from Vestax. It comes with the same classy looks as the VCI-100, but in a more compact shell. It’s fitted with the same illuminated soft-touch buttons and silver dials, but the jog wheels are gone from the setup. This means that, unless you use the auto sync feature, the only controls available for beat matching are the transport buttons and the pitch sliders.. The crossfader sits in the middle of the deck, flanked by a pair of space-saving, Ney York-style rotary volume dials. There’s plenty more knobs and buttons with dedicated functions including three-band EQ, looping and track loading.

A major attraction of the VCM-100 is the built in USB soundcard, making it a one stop shop for laptop jocks. It’s pure plug and play convenience on the Mac, and comes with lightning fast Asio drivers for PC users. It provides four mono inputs and four outs, grouped into stereo pairs - one set for the main mix and the other for booth monitoring. On top of this the VCM-100 has a dedicated headphone output located at the front right corner of the unit, making it a complete mixing solution.

Software DJs can jump straight into the mix with the included copy of Native Instruments’ Traktor LE. All the Midi functions are pre-mapped and ready to go out of the box. The simplicity of the VCM-100 means it can be used with any Midi software that features Midi learn or user assignable mapping.

The laptop stand is an optional accessory, and serves a dual purpose. It not only positions the computer for optimum ergonomics but also helps keep it cool with maximum airflow to the underside via the vents punched into the frame.

In other news, Vestax have just announced a price drop on its sibling, the VCI-100 Midi controller, bringing it down to a tidy £359. There’s also savings to be made with the eminently versatile CDR-07 CD deck which can now be picked up for £629, bargain!

Specs

Price: £359

Released: October

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