Akai AMX

This unit is incredible for what it is. It is built like a rock, something i have found to be very common with Akai products. The faders and knobs are sturdy and there's no bending or creaking. the mixer is USB powered and acts primarily as a mixer. Although it is recomended for use with other units it can actually act as a standalone controller. the features enable you to play, cue, beatmatch and mix all on this unit, you can change bpm, nudge the track as well as eq and filter. It has a replaceable inno fader crossfader so it's really goods quality stuff. It will also enable Serato DVS when plugges into so you don't have to buy DVS with it. There is a lot to talk about with this unit but it really is a unit you should go and demo to see what it is really capable of (it's a lot more than you would expect). It has 2 rca inputs (one for each channel) an rca output, a USB B input, a kennington lock insert, a ground pin and a 3.5mm jack headphone port with cue volume and mix controls.

The idea of Serato DVS with controllers is a great one. Being able to hook up a relatively inexpensive device and control turntables is brilliant, plus the ability to use it as a stand alone piece of kit. However, not bundling the DVS expansion and vinyl was a poor move by Numark/AKAI. Buying these as well took the price to around £270. For this price you are far better off buying a second hand SL1 or SL2 and a decent two channel mixer. This is for a few reasons. Firstly, the sound quality is poor. Regardless of the high specification (24 bit,96khz) it sounds bad. I have owned the Numark NS6 (24 bit, 44.1 khz) and it sounded much better. I would say the AKAI amx is on par with the Numark Mixtrack pro. (£50 used) Other similarities with the Numark products is the poor finish/build quality/materials used. After less than 2 weeks use, the EQ and filter knobs have begun to lose their 'center click'. The up faders feel like the mixtrack pro, stiff, yet loose feeling with lots of side to side movement. The finish is all plastic and scratches easily. The headphone jack is ESSENTIALLY FAULTY. It will not hold the headphone jack in place securely, it does not click/lock into place. This when your DJing is extremely problematic/ a deal breaker. The positives are: It unlocks Serato DJ and can be used as a stand alone controller as well as with turntables/CDJs. The Innofader Mini is excellent. It feels very smooth and light and it will last 'over 4,000,000 ' cycles so it will probably outlast the controller itself. The transport buttons (cue, sync, play/pause and the rotary track search ) are very handy and stops you needing to always be touching the computer. The overall ease of use, install the drives (PC) connect the USB and the RCA's (if using turntables/CDJs) and launch Serato DJ. No mess of wires or any complicated set up, unlike with traktor. Overall however, I think they missed a real opportunity with this product. I think that if it was better built and bundled with the DVS expansion pack and 2 control vinyl it would be a great piece of equipment. I am returning mine and will await a rival to the Traktor Kontrol Z2. *The AMX could be seen as a direct competitor to the Kontrol Z1. If they make a better built, bigger mixer styled controller with midi control and DVS support it would be perfect. This is already offered in the Rane Sixty series but they cost over £1000 each. A budget 'Rane' mixer manufactured by numark, branded AKAI would be the ideal mixer.

solid and quick delivery