Stanton - Enter the system

Geschreven door Reind Dooyeweerd donderdag, 17 januari 2008 15:27

In het nieuwtje van de C.324 haalde ik het al aan, de speciale enter the system website die Stanton had opgezet vor de release van zijn nieuwe producten. Nu had ik een paar lullige cd spelertjes en een mixertje verwacht maar er is meer, veel meer, en eigenlijk nog best interessant ook naar mijn mening. Stanton komt namelijk met de eerste midi controller die een gemotoriseerde platter heeft...

Eerst even een korte uitleg van het ieuwe SC systeem van Stanton

What is the SC System?
The SC System is a controller system designed for DJing with computer software. The SC System is compromised of a mixer and deck controller which can be used as replacements for mixer and turntables currently found in setups around the world. These controllers speak industry standard MIDI messages so they can be hooked into any DJ software that accepts MIDI.

The SCS.1m is a perfect analogy to standard 4 channel DJ mixers so it can be used to control virtual mixers and FX while the SCS.1d is a direct comparison to a turntable / cd player hybrid with motorized platter, trigger pads, encoder section and motorized pitch fader.

Both components (SCS.1m and SCS.1d) are Firewire devices so they can be chained together and added upon for even more control and performance options. Firewire provides plug and play functionality on the Mac and screaming low latency audio.

What software does the SC System control?
The SC System was designed for control of today's most popular DJ softwares, including Traktor DJ Studio, Mixvibes, Deckadance and others. That said, because the SC System is a versatile controller, it may be used with any current or future MIDI software, such as DAW’s or even VJ applications.

Does the SC System pass audio?
The SCS.1m includes a low latency soundcard to allow for direct audio connectivity out of the controller. In this way, the master output booth and headphones may all be connected into the mixer without any need for external mixers or audio devices. Simply plug the SCS.1m into a PA system and you're good to go.

Why would I choose the SC System versus a DVS (digital vinyl system)?
The SC System provides a much more in depth and versatile platform for interfacing with the computer. While DVS systems only allow for two controls (the 2 vinyl records) being sent into the computer, the SC system allows for hundreds of additional options to control elements in the software.

In addition to this increased control, the signals coming from DVS need to be sent as audio to the computer then run through error correction algorithms to account for record wear, needle frequency response, and rumble of the turntable. Following this process, the signal is then applied to the scratching of the audio (which means a lot of delay has been added, since the control signal is being sent through an imperfect environment). When using the vinyl on the SC System, the movements are tracked optically so there is much more resolution and no errors being introduced.

If desired, the SCS.1m is also able to work in parallel with a DVS system for users that would like play traditional vinyl and use the mixer to control on-screen elements.

What happens when I decide to change software, or when technology changes?
The SC System was intentionally designed to not age with the times. The latencies achievable today with Firewire technology are well below the speed in which a human ear can detect a delay, and with most of the intelligence taking place on the computer there is very little chance that the electronics will need to be updated in the near future. Should software advance radically, the presets for the hardware can be updated so the SC System components can change with the times.


Stanton SCS.1M - The World’s Most Advanced Mix Controller
Although the SCS.1m is in some ways a “mixer,” it’s more appropriately called a mix controller. Designed in an intuitive DJ mixer format that should be instantly familiar to anyone who’s ever stepped behind the decks, the SCS.1m features four channel strips with faders, EQ controls, and high-precision metering, as well as a responsive crossfader, and a straightforward Cue / Monitoring section. The surface layout has been carefully designed so that any experienced DJ can simply step up and begin basic mixing within seconds. The difference, of course, is that tweaking an EQ knob or channel fader, for example, is not actually adjusting analog audio — it’s controlling the corresponding EQ or level parameter in your DJ software.

FireWire Computer Connection
The SCS.1m controls your DJ software and sends/receives audio to Mac or PC via its onboard, studio-quality FireWire connection. FireWire allows a simple, single-cable connection, with all the bandwidth required to handle just about any mixing and controlling task you’re likely to need. It also ensures ultra-low latency (delay) of only 1.5ms and high sampling rates (sound quality) of up to 24 bit / 96 kHz. This translates into lightning-fast responsiveness and sound quality that’s far beyond competing mix control products.

Rotary Controls (aka “Super Knobs”)
Beyond basic mixing and control, the SCS.1m makes a radical departure from traditional mixers via four rotary encoders (“virtual knobs”) with LED rings and corresponding LCD “scribble strips.” These fully assignable encoders can be mapped directly into functions in the DJ software while providing visual feedback of knob position, even in low-light settings. Underneath, the LCD scribble strips confirm the software parameter being adjusted by each encoder, without the need to check your laptop. Of course, common assignments for these encoders can be saved as presets for fast recall.

Auxiliary Input for Turntables and CD Players
Although designed primarily as a software control surface, the SC System provides DJs with the ability to connect a “real” turntable or CD player into their Macs or PCs via a switchable Aux input. This input is useful for mixing “real world” sources along with your software, and for sampling or archiving vinyl and other audio into your computer.

Superior Build Quality
Unlike other DJ control surfaces, the SCS.1m Mix Controller and SCS.1d Deck offer truly professional, “no-compromise” build quality. Every knob, fader, LED and LCD is of utmost quality, and even the chassis is designed for years of real-world use in demanding live and studio environments.


Features:

• The world’s premier mixer control surface for laptop DJs and remixers
• Familiar 4-channel design with intuitive high-precision metering
• Assignable Encoder section with 360° of LED feedback
• LCD “scribble strips” for two-way communication with selected DJ software
• Easy controller mapping into popular DJ and VJ software
• Navigation section for remote browsing through playlists
• Mic and Phono / Line input for sampling, archiving vinyl, and remixing
• Built-in FireWire connections with full Mac and Windows compatibility
• Perfect as a standalone mix controller, or in combination with SCS.1d deck
• Balanced, studio-quality TRS output for mains; RCA booth output and 1/4˝ headphones output
• Unique footswitch input enabling hands-free control of software parameters
  

Stanton SCS.1D - The Dream Deck for Laptop DJs
Designed from the ground up for high-precision software control, the SCS.1d Deck is a dream-come-true for laptop DJs. Based upon the popular layout of the C.304, as well as extensive input from top DJs, this deck’s interface is both comfortable and practical — providing a host of “world’s first” features at your fingertips. Even better, it ships with a real vinyl disc to provide an extremely natural feel, right out of the box.

Specifically, the SCS.1d offers a tight grip over your music through a high-torque 10” motorized platter, transport controls, navigation keys, rotary encoders, a motorized pitch slider, and a trigger section. Unlike the SCS.1m Mix Controller, the SCS.1d Deck does not offer any direct audio connectivity; all audio I/O remains at the mixer or external soundcard. What the SCS.1d does offer is the best tracking and most intuitive ergonomics of any product in its class — by far.

High-Torque Motorized Platter
Central to the amazing SCS.1d is an enhanced version of the award-winning motorized platter from the Stanton T.120 and STR8-150 turntables. This is one of the world’s most trusted platter designs, proven through thousands of hours of use by DJs the world over. To be specific, this is a 4.5 Kgf-com, 16-pole, 3-phase brushless DC motor. What that means to you is super-fast .2 second spin up and stop speeds. The motor can also be adjusted to simulate the feel of both super high-torque motors and commonly used low-torque designs.

Unbeatable Resolution
The SCS.1d’s high resolution (over one thousand counts per rotation) vinyl tracking system allows for super-accurate mixing and scratching. This system assures that every nuance is captured in real time, and works around the same principles as an optical mouse — so it never wears out. Unlike digital vinyl systems, the SCS.1d’s tracking is completely error-free (whereas digital vinyl systems have problems at slow speed). And because there’s no interpretation of timecode signal, there’s no delay between your movement and your software.

Encoders, Navigation, and More
Much like the SCS.1m, the SCS.1d Deck features four assignable rotary encoders with bright LED rings to control various aspects of your software. Underneath each encoder is an LCD “scribble strip” to let you know what parameter you’re tweaking without looking up from the deck. With six control presets for each knob, this is the equivalent of having 24 assignable knobs — built right into your deck! Similar flexibility is built into both the SCS.1d’s Navigation section, with its jog wheel for precise control, and Deck selection, which quickly banks between different global settings. In this way, the SCS.1d is like having many “virtual turntables” at your disposal; a single button press is all it takes to switch from one deck to the “next.”

Motorized Pitch Slider
The pitch slider on the SCS.1d is not only 100mm long for super-smooth pitch adjustments, but it’s also motorized, so your deck “remembers” its settings as you switch between decks or presets.

Trigger Pads
Directly underneath the SCS.1d’s motorized platter is its assignable Trigger section. Comprised of four velocity-sensitive pads, this section can be used to play loops and samples during performance, or for triggering any other MIDI messages to your software. Using these trigger pads in conjuction with the platter provides wild creative possibilities never before possible. While simple in operation, the expressive possibilities are almost endless.


Features:

• Flagship deck controller for laptop DJs and remixer / producers
• Adjustable high-torque 10” motorized platter with vinyl surface and superior tracking
• 100mm motorized pitch fader with recall for sync with software
• Velocity-sensitive pads assingable to loops, cue points, etc.
• Assignable Encoder section with 360° of LED feedback
• LCD “scribble strips” for two-way communication with selected software
• Familiar Tansport section for direct music control
• Perfect for adding maximum control capabilities into existing DJ software
• Easily controls multiple virtual decks for powerful multi-channel mixes