BEHRINGER B-CONTROL DEEJAY BCD3000
Jun 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By MARKKUS ROVITO
SOUND BITES
As an audio interface, the BCD3000 worked a kind of Jekyll-and-Hyde act. In its most basic use, it gives you four outputs (stereo master output and stereo headphone jack) from the computer via USB. In this capacity as a 24-bit D/A converter, it holds up quite well. I compared it side-by-side with another option a DJ might consider, M-Audio Torq Conectiv. For the same list price, Conectiv gives you the full version of the Torq software and a USB audio interface designed for DJs but without the MIDI control surface. After listening to the same source material through both interfaces, the Behringer produced a satisfying overall sound that could be presentable in live situations. Conectiv excelled slightly more, delivering a tad clearer sound where the frequencies seemed to separate into their own space just enough more to be noticeable.
One of the BCD3000's two RCA phono inputs can be switched to line level for CD players and other sources. These inputs can also be assigned to a side of the BCD3000, so the unit also does duty as a basic analog DJ mixer. The analog inputs, including the XLR mic input, also pass through the USB connection, so you can record them into software. Unfortunately, the signals from the BCD3000's inputs carried noise with them and also had a low input gain. The low original gain required me to boost the level controls wherever I could, thus increasing the noise. I tested the same audio sources through the analog inputs of the Conectiv, and it returned a clean sound with a good, strong level.
ONE FROM THE VALUE MENU Given the noise on the audio inputs, I wouldn't recommend routing turntables or CD players through the BCD3000 for professional gigs. So except in the case of casual use, the BCD3000 is best used as a soundcard solely for audio files on a computer or as the MIDI control surface in a DJ (or studio) setup that already uses another pro-level audio interface for DJs, such as NI Audio 8 DJ or M-Audio Torq Conectiv. Either way, the BCD3000 is still a bargain. It also feels well suited for gigging. Although the outer casing and controls are plastic, the bottom and back plate are steel, and the unit feels solid and durable without being such a monster that it's too heavy to haul around. Now if Behringer were to offer a version of the BCD that was MIDI-only and saves DJs even more coin, that could be awesome.
BEHRINGER
B-CONTROL DEEJAY BCD3000 > $299
Pros: Perfect integration with Traktor 3 LE. 53 MIDI-assignable controls. Good D/A conversion. Economical.
Cons: Noise and low gain on the analog audio inputs.
Contact: www.behringer.com
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Mac: G4/1.5 GHz; 512 MB RAM; OS 10.4 or later; USB port
PC: P3 or Athlon XP/1 GHz; 512 MB RAM; Windows XP SP 2; USB port
SIDEBAR
BEHRINGER TWEAKALIZER DFX69
Another notable recent addition to Behringer's DJ products line, the Tweakalizer DFX69 DJ effect processor specializes in tempo-based effects and performance-oriented controls. For a $149 list price, the DFX69 offers six DSP functions that you can apply simultaneously: flanger, delay, filter, scratching, 3-band EQ and a 16-second loop sampler. Beyond that, a bpm counter can set the tempo for the effects by automatically syncing to the incoming audio signal or manually from the tap-tempo button.
The flanger and delay are tempo synced, and the three filter types (lowpass, bandpass and highpass) can be controlled manually or by a tempo-synced LFO. With the scratch function enabled, the large jog wheel applies a synthesized scratching sound over the incoming audio, rather than actually scratching the incoming audio itself. While the scratching sounds a bit cheesy, I was pleased overall with the accuracy of the bpm counter; the performance of the effects, EQ and sampler; and the control layout. Operation of the DFX69 for the most part only took a little bit of poking around to figure out, rather than having to study the manual.
However, like the BCD3000, the DFX69 introduced some noise on its RCA phono- and line-audio inputs, and its RCA outputs tended to decrease the original signal level. That marred an otherwise fun and inexpensive way to add some powerful tempo-synced effects to a DJ rig.
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