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What's In The Box?

Zomo’s new MC-1000 controller is the latest box of tricks to tempt DJs and clubs to part with their cash. But what makes it different?

Zomo are a German company who have been supplying the trade with the nuts and bolts products that have been associated with the DJing scene for an age. Record boxes, flight cases, headphones, DJ furniture — they even have their very own branded turntable. Whilst all these things are an essential of sorts, they aren’t really the sexy side of the game. So it was with an air of intrigue that we saw that Zomo have taken it to the next level with the MC-1000.

The Zomo MC-1000 is a DJ Midi sub controller that can control up to four virtual decks of DJing software, and to add extra bang to the buck, they have also fitted it with an eight-channel soundcard, all coming in at around £250, putting this new little controller into the market place firmly next to similar products like Native’s X1, Reloop’s Contour Interface Edition and Denon’s DN SC2000 controllers. A tough bunch to be up against, that’s for sure.

The first thing to notice about the MC-1000 is the build quality. This rectangular box has a sure-fire sturdy build and is of a decent weight. This is down to, in part, its all-metal construction. Some other manufacturers would be jealous. Another thing to note is that, at a sideways glance, it would appear to resemble a product that a company such as Pioneer may have developed. Definitely not a bad thing for Zomo, as this is the first time they have taken a leap into this side of the market, and coming up with a product that looks this good and can stand alone amongst its rivals is a good thing indeed.

The Zomo MC-1000 just so happens to be a perfect fit when used alongside Pioneer’s industry standard DJM800 mixer, and with that in mind, it is obvious what Zomo have done. DJs and clubs that need to retro fit their set-ups will find this quite an invaluable addition. It’s an expensive affair to trade in all your old-but-fully-functioning bits of kit for new gear just in order to get all the latest benefits of software and Midi control. The new Pioneer DJM900 mixer, as well as some of the others, all have Midi control of DJing software implemented as standard, but DJs who have kit roughly about two to three-years-old may not have this area covered. Up step Zomo.

VIRTUAL

The main layout of the MC-1000 is based around two virtual deck controls (it can control four decks, software permitting). It doesn’t have the usual mixer section found in other types of controllers; this is omitted, as the MC-1000 is a sub controller for DDJ software and works alongside an existing mixer. The centre section has a central dial for track browsing and menu navigation, as well as the knobs and switches for choosing which deck to load a track onto, and two extra switches to toggle which virtual deck will be in operation.
The main face of the MC-1000 is laid out well, uncluttered and has all the functions that a DJ would need at hand to control the main stay of whatever DJing software is being used. One thing to add is that whilst this black box has a minimalistic vibe about it, once turned on and up and running, it is quite a colourful little number, with the buttons all being backlit in various colours.

The MC-1000 has a play and cue button that is reminiscent of Pioneer’s own on its CDJ range, and a handy sync button that Traktor users will be familiar with. It also has three hot cue buttons, four FX buttons and knobs, and FX select, loop button and dedicated filter knobs. By each deck control section, there’s a switch for altering the track’s pitch. The MC-1000 has all the main areas of use covered.

HANDY

Just like Reloops’ Contour Interface edition, the MC-1000 has a built-in soundcard: another handy addition that is recessed away into the unit so that the cable heads are not sticking out in an awkward manner — but note, if used, DJs will still have to cater for the fact that the cables will have to go somewhere. A very small inconvenience, but for a permanent install, something that can be sorted out in seconds. Zomo have this area covered as well, and supply various different mounting kits at a nominal price, once again pushing the idea that the MC-1000 is intended to sit snugly next to a range of mixers.

In use, the MC-1000 is pretty good — all the knobs and buttons have a nice firm feel to them. It covers all the bases that a DJ would need and comes with midi files for the most popular DJing software already mapped.

Price   £250.00
Contact   Zomo.de
Build Quality
  8.0
Ease of Use   8.0
Features   7.0
Value for Money   8.0
Sound Quality   7.0
Hype  

A decent first time controller from Zomo that adds extended life to older DJ set-ups.

Gripe  

Not as fully spec-ed as some of the competition in its price range.

Conclusion  

Zomo are new to this area of DJing gear and it will be interesting to see if the MC-1000 will capture the market’s attention. It’s a decent box and a good solution for bringing Midi control to older set-ups. A match made in heaven.

Overall Score   7.6/10
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