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So I got my ECLER NUO4!
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View this Thread in Original format
| Soundwerks |
(a little review I did on djforums.com).....
And let me tell you, this is one INTERESTING little bugger!
First, I'll give you a rundown on its standard features. Since I'm obviously very familiar with all ECLER mixers, the NUO4 is pretty much the same as the other NUO mixers.....large EQ knobs (which feature +10db/KILL functionality), smooth 60mm faders and 45mm x-fader, bass kill switch, fully assignable x-fader, adjustable curves on all faders, etc..etc...
Overall, the analog features of the mixer are pretty much the same as the other NUO's. It sounds great and works well, no major surprises there.
Now for the good part....MIDI!
Now, mind you, I have ZERO MIDI knowledge whatsoever, so bear with me. All I know is that MIDI is an interface that allows peices of hardware/software to "talk" to eachother.
The NUO4 features a 5th "channel" for MIDI, which has 4 push/turn rotary knobs, 4 buttons, a 3-bank selector, and an A/B/TAP button.
What this amounts to is 8 buttons and 4 knobs, or a total of 12 different functions. But if you factor in the 3-bank selector (which allows you to triple your functions) and the A/B switch (which further doubles your functions), you have a grand total of 72 different functions! :eek:
In addition to those MIDI functions, channels 2 and 3 can be switched into MIDI mode as well, adding even more MIDI knobs/buttons. The GAIN, EQ's, BASS KILL, PFL, FX INPUT and FADERS all become MIDI controllers....so thats 8 per channel, PLUS the x-fader...for a grand total of 89 MIDI functions!
There are also COMPUTER IN and PFL IN inputs on the rear to hook up your PC.
I loaded up the CONTROL4LAB software and USB drivers for the NUO4. CONTROL4LAB allows you to edit any of the MIDI functions of the NUO4 thru USB. It's pretty cool, because it simply displays an image of the NUO4, and you click on any of the MIDI controllable knobs/buttons, and program as you wish. You can then save different profiles and load them up whenever you want. You can download a free copy of the software here: CONTROL4LAB
I loaded up the TRAKTOR settings for the NUO4 (included with the CONTROL4LAB software), as well as the NUO4 settings into TRAKTOR 2.6 (also included on the CD-ROM). The NUO4 includes demo copies of TRAKTOR and ABLETON LIVE. It also includes a 20% off coupon for TRAKTOR.
Again, like I said, I dont know much about MIDI, and I know even less about TRAKTOR....but once I had everything loaded up and set up right (which was pretty easy), I got it working pretty nicely!
With the presets supplied by ECLER(for both the NUO4 and TRAKTOR), the mixer works very well with TRAKTOR! The EQ's are perfectly matched with the EQ's in the software, as are the gains, the BASS KILL switch, the faders and x-fader....everything moves in perfect sync with the mixer's controls. I'm using an M-Audio Audiophile 2496 by the way.
The NUO4 has a 3 bank selector switch and an A/B switch. The way the NUO4 is set up to use TRAKTOR (again, you can always change this with the software) is that it uses channels 2-3 for the mixer controls in TRAKTOR and the MIDI strip on controls the other functions in TRAKTOR.
For instance, one of the push buttons is used to PLAY/PAUSE in TRAKTOR. Using the A/B switch, it allows that same button to be used in PLAYER1 or PLAYER2 in TRAKTOR....genius!
With the 3-bank selector, you can now use that same button to control the filter in each player (again, use the A/B selector to cycle thru PLAYER1 or PLAYER 2)
So with the 3-bank selector and A/B switch, you can program any button to control up to three different functions in each of the players! Pretty cool!
I had the output from my PC going into the computer IN input on the mixer. This way, I can mix virtually in TRAKTOR and have the mix come thru the mixer (using the PFL from traktor to the PFL in on the mixer...but my soundcard is only 2in/2out). Or, you can always use the normal LINE functions of channels 2-3 of the NUO4 with TRAKTOR, and mix using the mixer itself...
I've only had the mixer for a few days, so I havent had too much time to play around. There is still some fine tuning to do with the CONTROL4LAB software to get everything working to my preference. But so far, for a MIDI-noob like myself, it seems pretty straightforward.
Overall, this is one kickass mixer that should prove to be an invaluable tool for the new generation of DJ's! I know that is has converted me, as I'll most likely be using TRAKTOR or some other digital solution from now on! |
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| Frisco |
| Now if only agiprodj will get one so I can order it....been without a mixer for almost a month now. |
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| Soundwerks |
agiprodj does have them ;)
they just havent updated their website yet. ;)
CALL THEM! |
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| Tony Morello |
seems interesting
any other good midi controller/mixers out there?
i'm starting to look into switching to an all digital format (cds & laptop w/abelton live or other)
and so i'm assuming then i could use this with abelton and have it work in a club setting |
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| Frisco |
| quote: | Originally posted by Soundwerks
agiprodj does have them ;)
they just havent updated their website yet. ;)
CALL THEM! |
Thanks for the review! I hope so, I've been calling him every week and all I ever get is "Ill call you when I find out something" - which I never get. Those guys always have great pricing and are very helpful but man is it hard to order stuff from them sometimes. |
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| DJ Xtracktor |
| quote: | Originally posted by Soundwerks
(a little review I did on djforums.com).....
And let me tell you, this is one INTERESTING little bugger!
First, I'll give you a rundown on its standard features. Since I'm obviously very familiar with all ECLER mixers, the NUO4 is pretty much the same as the other NUO mixers.....large EQ knobs (which feature +10db/KILL functionality), smooth 60mm faders and 45mm x-fader, bass kill switch, fully assignable x-fader, adjustable curves on all faders, etc..etc...
Overall, the analog features of the mixer are pretty much the same as the other NUO's. It sounds great and works well, no major surprises there.
Now for the good part....MIDI!
Now, mind you, I have ZERO MIDI knowledge whatsoever, so bear with me. All I know is that MIDI is an interface that allows peices of hardware/software to "talk" to eachother.
The NUO4 features a 5th "channel" for MIDI, which has 4 push/turn rotary knobs, 4 buttons, a 3-bank selector, and an A/B/TAP button.
What this amounts to is 8 buttons and 4 knobs, or a total of 12 different functions. But if you factor in the 3-bank selector (which allows you to triple your functions) and the A/B switch (which further doubles your functions), you have a grand total of 72 different functions! :eek:
In addition to those MIDI functions, channels 2 and 3 can be switched into MIDI mode as well, adding even more MIDI knobs/buttons. The GAIN, EQ's, BASS KILL, PFL, FX INPUT and FADERS all become MIDI controllers....so thats 8 per channel, PLUS the x-fader...for a grand total of 89 MIDI functions!
There are also COMPUTER IN and PFL IN inputs on the rear to hook up your PC.
I loaded up the CONTROL4LAB software and USB drivers for the NUO4. CONTROL4LAB allows you to edit any of the MIDI functions of the NUO4 thru USB. It's pretty cool, because it simply displays an image of the NUO4, and you click on any of the MIDI controllable knobs/buttons, and program as you wish. You can then save different profiles and load them up whenever you want. You can download a free copy of the software here: CONTROL4LAB
I loaded up the TRAKTOR settings for the NUO4 (included with the CONTROL4LAB software), as well as the NUO4 settings into TRAKTOR 2.6 (also included on the CD-ROM). The NUO4 includes demo copies of TRAKTOR and ABLETON LIVE. It also includes a 20% off coupon for TRAKTOR.
Again, like I said, I dont know much about MIDI, and I know even less about TRAKTOR....but once I had everything loaded up and set up right (which was pretty easy), I got it working pretty nicely!
With the presets supplied by ECLER(for both the NUO4 and TRAKTOR), the mixer works very well with TRAKTOR! The EQ's are perfectly matched with the EQ's in the software, as are the gains, the BASS KILL switch, the faders and x-fader....everything moves in perfect sync with the mixer's controls. I'm using an M-Audio Audiophile 2496 by the way.
The NUO4 has a 3 bank selector switch and an A/B switch. The way the NUO4 is set up to use TRAKTOR (again, you can always change this with the software) is that it uses channels 2-3 for the mixer controls in TRAKTOR and the MIDI strip on controls the other functions in TRAKTOR.
For instance, one of the push buttons is used to PLAY/PAUSE in TRAKTOR. Using the A/B switch, it allows that same button to be used in PLAYER1 or PLAYER2 in TRAKTOR....genius!
With the 3-bank selector, you can now use that same button to control the filter in each player (again, use the A/B selector to cycle thru PLAYER1 or PLAYER 2)
So with the 3-bank selector and A/B switch, you can program any button to control up to three different functions in each of the players! Pretty cool!
I had the output from my PC going into the computer IN input on the mixer. This way, I can mix virtually in TRAKTOR and have the mix come thru the mixer (using the PFL from traktor to the PFL in on the mixer...but my soundcard is only 2in/2out). Or, you can always use the normal LINE functions of channels 2-3 of the NUO4 with TRAKTOR, and mix using the mixer itself...
I've only had the mixer for a few days, so I havent had too much time to play around. There is still some fine tuning to do with the CONTROL4LAB software to get everything working to my preference. But so far, for a MIDI-noob like myself, it seems pretty straightforward.
Overall, this is one kickass mixer that should prove to be an invaluable tool for the new generation of DJ's! I know that is has converted me, as I'll most likely be using TRAKTOR or some other digital solution from now on! |
Wow amazing review, what do you think about the nuo5? does the nuo4 have a better price/performance ratio than the nuo5? thanks!! |
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| Soundwerks |
Tony---The NUO4 is the first DJ mixer that is a hybrid MIDI controller and DJ mixer. The XONE:92 offers a few MIDI functions, but not as many (or as extensive) as the NUO4. The NUO5 also has MIDI CLOCK/START/STOP functions.
There is also the A&H XONE:3D, which seems interesting, although it will probably cost a LOT more than the NUO4 (it was only a prototype...who knows if and when it will be released).
Xtracktor--The NUO4 and NUO5 are very different beasts. The NUO4 is a 4-channel mixer with extensive MIDI controls, whereas the NUO5 is a 5-channel mixer with 12 USB programmable effects and includes the ETERNAL magnetic fader, which itself is worth around $165 USD (this fader is optional on the NUO4).
So it comes down to whether you want MIDI functionality, or effects...either one is great bang for the buck! :D |
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| Cosmic Realm |
| quote: | Originally posted by Soundwerks
So it comes down to whether you want MIDI functionality, or effects...either one is great bang for the buck! :D |
awesome thanks for clearing that up... |
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| failsafe |
| So do we have a firm MSRP price in Canadian dollars yet? I've heard 800 but some places have it advertised as high as $1000 |
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| Soundwerks |
| its around $1000 CAD, or $750 USD ;) |
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| wee_rooney |
my nuo 05 is arriving today :)
cant wait to get it hooked up & see what its like |
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| Axolotyl |
| bastardo!! gimme :( |
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