BEHRINGER B-CONTROL DEEJAY BCD3000
Jun 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By MARKKUS ROVITO
It's possible, and sometimes pleasurable, to swim against the current, which these days is definitely flowing toward the widespread adoption of computer-based DJing. But has the current already become a riptide, against which it is pointless to struggle? Perhaps. Although some still think digital DJing surpasses cubic zirconia in its inauthenticity, it may inevitably suck everyone into its vortex. The cautiously curious can test the waters by dipping a foot in with low-cost yet functional pieces such as the Behringer B-Control Deejay BCD3000.
For a sum that's already low as an undiscounted list price, the BCD3000 serves up a 4-channel USB audio interface with DJ-mixer capabilities through its controls, as well as — using the same controls — a fully MIDI-assignable control surface for common DJ software. With all these attributes, one the one hand, it could anchor a full analog/digital soundsystem by controlling and mixing music from a USB-connected computer, turntables and line-level sources. On the other hand, for beginners or dabblers, the BCD3000 is plug-and-play with included DJ software for diving in immediately.
FRESH OUT OF THE BOX
As a class-compliant device, the BCD3000 requires no drivers for Mac OS 10.4 or later. The software disc comes with a PC driver for Windows XP, Native Instruments (NI) Traktor 3 LE and some small freeware apps thrown in to help manage podcasts. I tested the BCD3000 on an iMac G5 2.1 GHz, and always enjoyed stable performance and no noticeable audio or MIDI latency when running GarageBand, Traktor 3, M-Audio Torq or Ableton Live. Although not bus powered, the BCD3000 comes with a detachable AC power cord. Once powered on and USB connected, the interface's audio and MIDI functions were immediately accessible within the above software's preferences, as well the Mac's System Preferences.
The BCD3000 has RCA connectors for two sets of stereo inputs and the master outputs. The input pairs can, if you choose, correspond to side A (left) and side B (right) in order to use the mixer controls on audio sources. An XLR mic input gets its own level and high/low EQ controls, but not phantom power, so use dynamic mics only. Rounding out the audio-interface control in the upper right-hand corner, a Master volume knob sits with Phones Volume and Phone Mix knobs for the ¼-inch headphone jack on the front.
While all of the remaining controls are MIDI assignable, the BCD3000's layout obviously suits a DJ in general and more specifically, fits Traktor 3 LE like a glove. (It's one of the few controllers so far to earn NI's new “Traktor LE Enabled” designation.) The main section resembles a rackmount DJ CD player merged with a DJ mixer. A crossfader straddles two identical sides, each with buttons for transport controls, EQ kills and loop/cue settings; a jog wheel; center -detented knobs for gain and 3-band EQ; and faders for level and pitch. At the top, an extra FX Control section adds four knobs and buttons, for a total of 53 MIDI-assignable controls.
TOGETHER IN PERFECT HARMONY
To start, I fired up Traktor 3 LE to see just how well the hardware and software jived. In a word: flawlessly. The program immediately integrated with the interface without even having to open the preferences, and each control corresponded exactly with the software function. Instantly, the somewhat rudimentary program became viable for performance. I can't see how you'd even want to use DJ software without a control surface like this to make it more tactile. It's as essential as using a MIDI keyboard to play virtual instruments. Some particularly handy hardware controls on the BCD3000 made a few things accessible that don't even have software interface controls in Traktor 3 LE, such as mid- and high-band EQ kills. The FX Control section was also crucial for choosing effects quickly and making adjustments naturally when using a mouse would have been much more tedious and less sonically rewarding. Selecting the Scratch button on either side designates the jog wheel as a miniturntable for scratching the music; it's nowhere near the natural feel, but it's still handy.
Traktor LE itself now has some convenient perks, such as importing all of your iTunes playlists and a built-in browser for Beatport. If you access Beatport through Traktor LE, you can preview tracks in Traktor LE's preview player with a waveform display for skipping around in the song. You can also search Beatport from the Traktor LE search field. Tracks that you buy from Beatport are placed in Traktor LE's Purchased Tracks playlist, as well as in the overall Collection list.
Later, I stepped up to the full Traktor 3 software (which can be done for discounted price of $119 once you have installed Traktor 3 LE). This transition required designating the BCD3000 as the audio and MIDI interface in the Traktor's Preferences window and then also setting the Booth outputs to BDC3000 output 3/4 (headphone jack). Many Traktor 3 controls were assigned perfectly right off the bat for the BDC3000, but others were incorrect. For example, the Key Deck A+B button became the Record button for the master recorder in Traktor 3. Also, the hardware Mid EQ knobs were not assigned because Traktor 3 has MidHi and MidLow EQ controls. By figuring out Traktor 3's MIDI Learn function, I was able to set up the BCD3000 exactly how I wanted it in Traktor 3 and save this preference as a template file for later.
Such was the case with other programs as well, particularly M-Audio Torq DJ software and Ableton Live. Neither of those apps mapped anything to the BCD3000 automatically, but both have easy MIDI Learn functions, and it was fun to create an entire system of controlling those programs from scratch. For example, the eight knobs across the middle were great for panning Live tracks. Their center detents could be a bit tighter, but that wasn't detrimental to working. I also enjoyed assigning the two jog wheels to the “x” and “y” values in an effect's x-y axis for a different approach to tweaking controls usually assigned to joysticks.
Click here for more of this article...
 |
Fill in the form below and click Order Now! to get two years (24 issues) for just $14.97 - the regular price of one year. But HURRY - this offer won't last forever! (U.S. orders only please) |
This data will be sent directly to Remix Magazine and will not be used for any other purposes. |
|
Acceptable Use Policy blog comments powered by Disqus
| Want to use this article? Click here for options! |  |
