DJ Equipment Reviews

The hip about the NS7…worth it!

Ok, working DJs of the world, Numark finally came through with the NS7. Either because you absolutely love the CDX, the Numark feel they managed to give to DJ controllers, or because you hate Numark with all your heart (yeah, I can’t really tell why, but there are a lot of working DJs out there with more than a pet peeve with Numark), you’re bound to know about the NS7, which is the newest DJ controller developped by Numark and launched onto the working DJ market.

Now, I say that the NS7 is a DJ controller out of lack of a better word, but the NS7 is so much more than that. It’s everything a working DJ could need, it’s everything a digital DJ could want and it doesn’t let down the old school DJs either. It’s an all in one DJ controller, filled with everything, it’s a marvel of DJ equipment, it’s a…I’m starting to lose it here. Well, the NS7 kind of deserves more than a turned head. First things first…the build. Well, Numark is known for making some pretty resistant and reliable DJ products before and while I can’t really tell how long the NS7 can take a beating (since it’s just launched on the working DJ market), I can say that it’s anything but easy. Weighting in at 34.6 lbs and with dimensions of 29.8" x 14.8" x 3.7" (WxDxH), the NS7 isn’t your regular lightweight, pick up and go DJ controller. However, once we get through the NS7 features, you’ll be amazed how Numark managed to keep it at only this size…

The NS7 is a way more complicated DJ product than I could ever explain. Being built by Numark and Serato together, the technologies inside are just top drawer. Even so, a NS7 based DJ setup is easy to explain: the working DJ needs a laptop or PC running the Serato Itch DJ software, which even if is the "brains" of the whole DJ setup, has to take second place to the NS7, then the NS7 DJ controller, connected through a single USB cable to the computer, and then any output mediums you use, a PA system, amps and loudspeakers, whatever…basically the NS7 replaces the whole original DJ setup, and it does so wonderfully. It’s also amazing how perfectly the NS7 fits to the Serato Itch DAW, because the NS7 is actually made for digital DJs working on their laptops, but in such a way that they won’t even have to look at their screens. Soon the working DJ won’t be able to take his hands off the controls of the NS7 and he’ll have more time truly entertaining the crowd than fiddling with a mouse on his laptop with the latest DAW. NS7 amazingly replicates any command you could give to the Itch DAW with a computer and it does so that a working DJ will go through the whole gig without touching his laptop at all.

Even though NS7 uses USB to connect to the computer, it recognizes the value of MIDI controls on the DJ equipment market, so it stays 100% MIDI compatible to ensure it accepts as many DAWs as possible with as few problems as possible. Although the NS7 comes with the Serato Itch and Numark Cue bundled as DJ software to use, and might I add it’s a DJ products’ match made in heaven, it’s expected that NS7 will work at almost 100% functionality with any other DAW sending MIDI signals. The working DJ can wait the following to come in his NS7 DJ package:

• the Numark NS7 DJ controller, packed with all that technology inside
• two turntable platters, which are attachable to the NS7 to accurately simulate a DJ turntable setup
• a spindle wrench, spindle screw and an Allen wrench for whatever physical adjustments a working DJ can make on the NS7, as well as setting up the entire system
• a laptop stand that elevates your laptop, thus requring less space, as you don’t have to find extra room for it now, it’s all in one place for easy access for the working DJ
• the USB cable that does all the data transmission between Itch and NS7
• a power cable
• a software CD packed with the DAW goodies
• and a quick start poster to easily get the working DJ on his way

Ome main point about the NS7 is that it simulates to an amazing degree the feel of spinning vinyl, as the high torque 7" platters have slipmats underneath to adjust the friction and a genuine vinyl interface that provides truly pinpoint response to any command a working DJ could even give. All the controls on the NS7 are illuminated and easy to find and operate in any environments a working DJ could play and although the knobs and controls on the NS7 are plastic, they are also rubberized and solid, not sticking out of the enclosure to get knocked off. The faders Numark selected for their NS7 DJ controller are top of the line, high performance, D type digital VCA line faders and a CP-PRO digital VCA crossfader, all of which have long life, low wear and are easily replaceable, while ensuring the great good old vinyl feel the working DJs had in the golden days.

The NS7 is just too much to cover in one go, so I promise I’ll be back on the topic my next post, with the rest of the NS7 description and a nice money saving tip for all you working DJs on a budget. Until then, here are the system requirements your laptop should comply with in order to enjoy the power of the NS7:

• Mac OSX 10.4.11 or a 32-bit Windows XP2 or Vista (64-bit not supported)
• Core Duo 1.8 GHz processor
• 1 GB RAM memory
• and the USB port for connection

 

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