Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch (Item # Discontinued)

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

scratching capability

great combination of mixer and tables all in one, very portable, package.

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

I have had the VCI-300 for about 3 months now and it never ceases to impress me. The set up is as simple as it gets just plug and play and the software makes controlling everything effortless (Macbook Pro). I use at every gig and for my podcast and i've never had any problems with it. I do recommend getting the external power supply just incase the software locks up on you and you have to reset everything, but overall in this is a great product for those just starting out and for those who have been doing music for awhile

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

Used for my Mobile DJ. Fits in my Backpack right next to my laptop. Great response, great campatibility. I use a NS7 at the club and this unit doesn't have the added cue points but it feels like it weighs 10x lighter. Id buy it again, maybe in a diffrent color!!

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

ITS GREAT , JUST ALIL HARD TO GET USE TO BUT ONCE YOU GET IT , IT MAKES DEEJAYING SO EASY

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

I purchased this around Oct 2009 and have used it for many gigs as a mobile DJ and here it is Jun of 2010. This has been an excellent upgrade from my old GIANT portable mixer with three CD players in one of those crates (weights about 70 pounds) and this is so light and a true portable. Don't forget the case thats made for it which holds a laptop too. I had read other reviews about it before I purchased the mixer (and also bought a Mac just to use for this mixer ONLY, which I highly recommend). The only problem I have had is one time (and only once so far) the mixer program locked up which was stated in other reviews. Others recommend a seperate power source for your mixer instead of using the USB port to power your mixer from your computer. [...] Luckly for me the program locked up at home while I was going over music for a gig and not at a gig. Because you have to pull the plug on everything and do a restart. So get the power adapter for this, trust me. Its item # DC9US, the power supply for the Vestax 300 mixer, I forget the cost but its a must have item. Rich Peraza

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

Ive had this VCI-300 for about 5 months. It's very easy to use and is easy to set-up. It's quite handy when going to gigs/venues because it's so easy to set up. A con would be the program it uses, Serato iTCH, as it does need a lot of tweaking, but it's still easy to use. I haven't had any break downs or any technical problems with it. It's very good for people who are starting out as well since it can hook up to the computer.

I recommend getting this controller for it's simplicity.

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

I used to use a box Denon system with a crown amp, but i got sick of luging it around then i heard of this VCI-300. It looked perfect i even got to test it out at the shop so i got used to it. It to me a good 20 minutes to figure it out . its easy to use. i didn't mind it being all digital because i don't use vinyl. Very easy to transport, very light, and versatile. i also got the gemini case with key board and laptop holder, with two self powered makies. Perfect light and durable system.

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

It's easy to use and has a lot of great features.

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

HORRIBLE...I ve had this equipment for 5 months and had to send in for repairs twice. Vestax does not help, they keep sending me to a local repair shop who takes a month to repair. As far as the itch software I love just keep running the program from the disk and do not update with new version cause its down hill from there

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

I no longer recommend this product! As you can see from various reviews that the hardware is not of a quality most professional DJ's would prefer over and above it's countless freezes. The left deck freezes, sensor switch at the rear has fallen out (see picture), and the left wheel locks unpredictably! Now I have no control of the "over-sensitive" left wheel. I will also add that the unit fresh out of the box already had a noticeable loose left wheel compared to the right wheel. I've only played at a few small gigs and have handled the unit with lots of care! [...] We shall see..

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

this is a great tool for all occasions, i've used it at house parties and also in the club. the cues and loops that you make here translate into scratch live from itch (as well as crate/playlists you make) so if youre really bent on showing off the tables and your sl, you wont lose a step. and it fits in a bag the same bag your laptop is in (possibly), thats portability

the mixer options are pretty basic though, no effects (effects controller coming soon) and no transform switch (since theres no phono in/line in) with was/is a bummer. you can record mixes by hitting record theyre are great quality, after picking up my vci, i found myself creating more opportunities to record and set up sessions.

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

I enjoy the quick set up associated with the Vestax 300. I have already used it for a couple of club gigs, private parties and weddings. I actually used it at one party with several record reps and they were amazed with what the controller could do. I love the fact the it is so easy to mix with and ITCH is pretty much the same as Scratch Live, expect for the sample players. My main concern is the delay when I use the mic. It can be fixed by lowering the USB buffer size but then you put more of a load on your laptop. I also ran a separate system into the aux input for another DJ and there was a delay with the second system. Also at a recent wedding the mic started giving my voice a strange gargled effect and I ended up having to plug the mic straight into a powered speaker. I'm hoping Serato will soon release an update that will correct the mic issues. As far as durability only time will tell, I take care of it just like I do my laptop so it should last a long time.

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

The VCI works Great, Just plug it in and play. If you have freezing etc.. You need to check your laptop, not the VCI 300. You have lots of idiots that use their laptops for downloding music from limewire, browsing the net & having tons of applications. Your laptop should only have windows main features and Just Itch. Once you have your laptop running nice, you won't see freezing anymore. This Deck is great for small family barbecue partie, Home practice setup. For My Big gigs, i use a different setup.

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

Vestax has packaged everything together perfectly. You get the same functions of turntables and a mixer together in the VCI-300 along with the software (Itch) needed to work with it. Buying each seperately, can cost twice as much.
Setup is a breeze. Because of the size, makes it ideal for mobile dj's.
Functions of the VCI-300 are straight forward. I like that you can set up to three sets of loops and there is also a censor (reverse) button.
Some drawbacks are that when fast forwarding through a song (holding down shift while in scratch mode) or deleting a song that's cued can cause Itch to freeze, but it's temporary. My laptop has yet to freeze due to Itch, but I suggest having a reliable laptop just to be sure.
Also, you may have to play with the sensitivity of the platters to get them just right and it would've been nice for Itch to include some effects.
If you're a mobile/party dj, the VCI-300 is perfect. However, if you're big into scratching, the VCI-300 might take some getting used to.
Overall, Vestax created an awesome product and I'd suggest it to anyone who's looking to pick up some new gear.

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

I wanted to wait before I posted a comment regarding the VCI-300 that I purchased from PSSL. Too many people are quick to reply saying its great and then have a problem or quick to bash it because it doesn't work for them. I have had my VCI-300 now for 6 months and I can honestly say it is [*] brilliant! I have had no issues with the controller. I did have a problem with the software freezing up causing the VCI-300 to become unresponsive but after much research on the Serato site I see I had conflicting issues with my computer and hard drive. According to Serato.com most issues with the VCI-300 are not due to the VCI, its due to the computer. I see other people seem to have had problems with their VCI-300 but it looks like the problems are with their computer yet they are quick to blame the controller because it becomes unresponsive. From experience I can honestly say that if you use a cheap computer or are using your computer for anything else beside audio, you are bound to have issues. It's just the way it is. These computer programs demand a lot from your computer. My setup includes a Mac Powerbook Pro with 2 gigs of ram and a WD external Tera bite hard drive. I use this computer for nothing other than Audio. No email, no web surfing, no nothing! and it has yet to fail me. My advice to anyone looking ot purchase a DJ controller is that you must also have a dedicated computer just for your audio. If that's too expensive for you stick with CD players or turntables. No one ever said technology is cheap. You wanna play like the big dogs, you have to pay like the big dogs. Thanks my 2 cents,My only gripe is with the software. I wish it had effects. So Serato, if you're listening, PLEASE ADD EFFECTS!!!Justin Sane.

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

For all those people who are having freezing issues, please visit the Itch site and download the new version of the software. This should remedy all the problems people "say" they are having. Support for this unit is very good despite how others say it is bad.

I can tell you using a Macbook / VCI-300 / Itch, it runs perfectly with me and NEVER freezes.

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

worked great in the beginning, i've had it since feb '09, all of a sudden the cross fader just acts up tried every setting possible, still feeds both channels & still no dice. need to replace it now and there warranty sucks esspecially from Africa.... can't get a straight answer, i liked it cus it was portable but it was also expensive now i look at it as a wast of money .

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

I run it off a APPLE which I restart before any show..Never froze. In fact we did a gig a Dolphin Stadium and we were using the Vestax with ITCH and had Final Cut Pro open transferring video to a Hard drive at the same time! I normally bring this to club with really bad equipment but for BIG gigs I still use my turntables with Scratch Live just looks better. The things that bother me are the pitch control is kindaa weird and the mic but both are software issues I am sure they can fix.

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

I've had it since October and its froze once in a while but this month (FEB) its froze everytime I used it and at 2 of my shows, and also froze on me multiple times in one night serato has been trying to help me but no cigar yet, now im pretty much stuck its was great while it lasted tho, and I agree they probably should of waited until all the bugs where worked out because in the end Im out 900 bucks because I can't use it because it is not reliable. People where yelling kill the DJ "not good" for my business

Comments about Vestax VCI-300 USB Controller with Serato Itch:

Despite some negative reviews, the overall package is great! Serious Dj's looking for specifics, hope this helps:

Serato Heads:
- Fully cross compatible with Scratch Live with all crates, cues, etc. but -2 cues! BIG PLUS
- Simpler, larger and more effective library list.
- Platters turn you into Digi-scratcher!
- Wished SSL key features can combine w/ Itch (timer countdown, software gains, sampler)
- Zooming (larger wavelength display for fine tuning loops) can be improved.
- SSL keyboard shortcut pad really helps for both.

Gear Junkies:
- Highly abusive pitch shift, auto tempo/beat sync buttons. layout buttons good but not assignable!
- Aux could be like session mix and not cold switch killing the sound from computer.
- Get the power adapter because of comment above.
- 1/8" headphone addition, master balance knob, open assignable buttons, and Cue/Pgm knob turning in the more common direction and NOT next to the master output knob would be more effective.
- Power Source Selection switch too small and should be set to auto detect to make fore smoother toggles between computer and AUX with separate OFF switch located somewhere else.

Hope this helps. Hardware froze once (thought the bad stock was cleared??..). I would waiver on playing BIG gigs simply because of hardware related features. For traveling and house parties, its perfect. Bring it into a coffee shop but don't drink and mix at the same time! The girls love the blinking lights, color keyboard cover and matching black MacBook!! Just don't let them touch it! But tell them they can buy it through PSSL!