Numark iDJ Live for iPad, iPhone & iPod

What a coincidence! I was JUST in the Apple Store Soho 2 weeks ago with my nephew, playing with the new iPads and I tried using Algoriddim’s “djay” software on one.

The iDJ Live system harnesses the processing power of your iPad, iPod or iPhone and enables you to DJ parties, events and even clubs using the music that is already on your iPod via Algoriddim’s djay or other Core MIDI-enabled apps.

I found that it was extremely fun to try and reproduce DJ techniques I did on my Technic 1200’s and Vestax mixer, on the iPad app.

Unfortunately, for me it was not quite precise enough. There was a slight lag which was annoying and would distract from my DJing. It may have been some settings that could be changed, I am not sure, but it didn’t feel accurate enough, although DJ Scratch certainly gets busy in a video below.
For those unfamiliar, DJ Scratch demonstrated this new technology in January. As you can see the app can be used for beat juggling, traditional scratches and cuts and even transforming. Check him out:

Perhaps in response to feedback from real DJ’s, not just people who have a music collection and want to play at DJing, Numark has produced this piece of hardware, which complements the iPad DJ apps (and also works with iPod Touch and iPhone 2), giving you a midi controller which has platters.

To be honest, this wasn’t much of a stretch for Numark, since they already have the MIXDECK Universal DJ System, and the NS7 DJ Turntable Controller, which do the same thing with a Laptop or iPod app. The iDJ Live simply adds the iPad. It is a scaled down, physically smaller and cheaper piece of hardware (only $100 compared to $600+ for the above mentioned DJ controller systems).

Of course Digital Turntable Media Players also accept CD’s directly. The iDJ Live is basically a midi controller. It needs to get it’s songs from either the iPad, iPhone 2 or iPod Touch connected to it. The other rigs can stand alone with a CD collection as well. For the beginner – or novice – it does offer advantages of easy set-up, user friendly interface, a stand for your device and only one cable to worry about – the output to your sound system. It’s basically “plug & play”.

iDJ Live comes complete with iPad stand and custom headhpone/speaker audio cable so connecting to your sound system of choice is easy.

So, does the iDJ Live solve the problem I was having with the touch screen on the iPad, using Algoriddim’s djay app? I didn’t get to test one myself yet, but here is a pretty convincing video demonstrating the iDJ Live with an iPod. I think you can tell from this that you basically have total control using the platters and crossfader.

Key Features of the iDJ Live are:

• Large scratch wheels for natural scratch feel
• Crossfader enables you to mix between songs
• Headphone/Speaker split cable included to allow you to separate cue and play performance audio
• iPad stand included
• Plug-and-play works with iOS Core MIDI DJ software
• Polish your mix with Bass and Treble controls
• Browse your iPod music library quickly and easily in your chosen DJ software

For more info, visit Numark.

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