Ean reviews Hercules' $199 DJControl Inpulse Beginner DJ Controller

Ean takes a look at the Hercules DJControl Inpulse 300 controller in this hands-on review video.

Thanks to Hercules for supporting this video and sponsoring Ean's review of their dj controller.

Gear used:

[offchristianamr]

that adjustment light-up feature actually rules. it's really tricky when you're starting out to know if one song is ahead or behind the other and i feel like this is a great way to train your ear, plus it's implemented in a super graceful, lowkey way.

[obshaky]

hey! really digging that new energy! You know that besides reviews and tutorials, a small set of you playing (30min set?) with different setups to check out your new (or improved) workflow would be nice. IMO the new more interesting djs where I live are those that are incorporating synths, drum machines and samplers into their gigs kinda like the more I can get Shazam to *NOT* know wtf I'm playing, and do it right, the better. Hearing people say "I kinda know this song but it has something different, is this a remix? is this a new version? like wtf is going on?! not sure but digging it" in my opinion could be a great way of making it fun, invoke an element of surprise, maybe even get in there some track you produced to test reaction (and test your song with club gear to hear how it sounds like) etc. On top of my head, technically, the only issue I've seen about this is the volume level of the incorporated synth (too high or low) issues using the MIDI (you did a video about this years ago so maybe it has changed in traktor 3? Traktor dj? recork box or Serato has it?). Right now I want to incorporate some Elektron Model:Samples with S4 thru Midi, trying master/slave interchangeably to see what works best, and maybe even throw in there some vocoding with hardware (VT-3) or software (Vocalsynth 2) and see how Traktor plays along a VST loaded in some daw (thinking Ableton). Yes NI says Traktor must be alone without Bluetooth or Wifi as best practice but again they add a LINK button so getting mixed signals there so still testing. What I tried that didnt work as expected, was using the Ableton Link In Traktor 2 latest version along with a couple Ipad sequencers, synths etc also using LINK which got me insane amounts of latency so not sure if that was my router or some setting in Traktor, or the synth/sequence app, or a combination of allthe above...? Maybe there is a way to connect the Ipad with Traktor directly without the need of router like local Ad-hoc? Bluetooth? You know, the technical stuff. Sorry for the long post but TL;DR : There are many new features that in paper look good (LINK and dj streaming) but in practice is more complicated or flatout dont work as advertised so knowing what works best and how to get it runing as such can save us plenty headaches. That and hybrid DJ setups with MIDI vs LINK. Peace.

[angelramirez]

So many DJs started using the Hercules controllers due to how affordable they are versus the robustness of it. I used to play with CDs when controllers were just starting on the market (1998) and I started with controllerism with an Hercules RMX!

Good controllers for the price!

[dvdny]

For the intended market, this box is a no-brainer, and at the right price. Additionally, though, for anyone that buys this and gets interested enough to want to go 'bigger', they -do- offer mappings for Traktor and other tools, although I don't see Serato (yet). Great review, thanks for posting.

[WarrenPostma]

You can use this controller with Serato DJ also apparently.

[chaz-e]

That's a great deal for $ 199 and if you want to preempt the software problem, just plug Impulse 300 with Traktor and you are good.

[ivisraudales]

i too laughed too much at the Tiesto commentary lmfao, you're hilarious Ean, thank you!

[pedrob]

I use to follow you way back in the day when I was just geeking out over your custom controllers (which I see in the background.... )

I just picked this up for my daughter.. not going to lie.. I'm probably going to play with it as well.. I never had the time to start learning how to DJ, I hope this could be a thing my daughter and I can do together, and hell if she gets amazing at it.. I'll get her a better system.. but if she lets it slide.. I get a new toy :P

[welshywazere]

Great review, keen to get this mixer. Do you know if a mic can be connected to it?

[PopoveFrekvencije]

Bro...
please make a video for SLIP and Q buttons.

[tbarrett]

Great review. Just hope some people don't get too used the the beat adjustment feature then start to rely on it.

[InsaneKyro]

Nice review man! I just got mine and was wondering if when having headphones on, should the master sound come through them, when the master is switched off as that's what happens with mine? Also, when I have my volume all the way down on both channels and have the headphone cue'd, it still plays through the speakers and is so annoying

[leatherwoodrc]

perfect for those slow days at work or chilling around a campfire.

[mikesean]

Hi what's the difference between the Hercules DJ control Impulse 200 and 300? Thanks

[Sirchprecent]

Ean you should help Hercules develop their next RMX series..or another controller. I use the RMX2 with traktor and the potential could be dope

[jordie]

Hi, i'm into getting my first mixer. This one or DDJ400? Total beginner here.

[alpacaking]

Would DJTT be able to map this controller for Traktor? I would love that for the Hercules I already own!

[edmontontech]

I like how you made DJ’ing sound like it could be hard to do.

But then again, I wish they had this I was starting. I had a Numark Mixtrack without touch sensitive platers.