Incredible 2-Deck DJ Controller from Hercules offers "AIR Control"

A contactless sensor lets you control the mix from above, without even touching the device

The incredible 2-Deck DJ Controller from Hercules offers "AIR Control"--a contactless sensor lets you control the mix from above, without even touching the device. The DJ Control AIR converts the distance to your hand into a MIDI command. The two jog wheels with pressure detection allow users to scratch by pressing on the jog wheels, as naturally as with a vinyl record.

Pressure detection allows users to scratch by pressing on the jog wheels

Tap on the pads to send commands such as looping, sampler or effects

Bundled with intuitive, powerful DJ software for Mac or PC. View larger

The jog wheels also control pitch bend and browsing within tracks. There are 8 pads with velocity detection--the pads control the sampler, loops and effects, and can be set as binary On/Off controls, or gradual controls. There are built-in audio outputs for mixing and previewing tracks: a 1/8" (3.5 mm) stereo mini-jack output for the mix, and a 1/4" (6.35 mm) stereo jack output for previewing tracks. The DJ Control AIR includes a new, powerful DJ software called "DJUCED" that allows you to mix two audio tracks on the fly and save your mix as an audio file.

AIR: Adjustment by InfraRed

"AIR" stands for "Adjustment by InfraRed". It's a contactless control that works when the DJ places his or her hand flat over and infrared beam. The controller calculates the distance between the sensor and the hand, and converts it into a gradual MIDI command. This MIDI command modulates a setting in the DJ software.

Works in All Light Conditions

AIR control functions under any light conditions. The infrared light beam projected towards the hand is invisible. The sensor captures the infrared reflection on the hand, and uses the reflection to calculate the hand's distance. The reflection is the same in both daylight and low light conditions, allowing AIR to be used during the day, at night, or in places with weak lighting. AIR control functions with all flesh tones. The only incompatibility is the use of black gloves (as the infrared sensor would not be able to detect the reflection).

8 Pads for Total Control

The Hercules DJ Control AIR features 2 sets of 4 pads to control loops, sampler and effects commands. The DJ taps on the pads with his or her fingertips to send commands such as looping, sampler or effects. The pads light up when touched.

In addition to a binary On/Off command, each pad can transfer velocity information to modulate the command. For example: in sampler mode, the velocity can control the volume of a sample's playback. The playback volume depends on how soft or how hard the DJ taps on the pad.

Pressure-Detecting Jog Wheels

The jog wheels detect the pressure from the user's hand. With scratch mode enabled, the jog wheels scratch when the hand's weight is detected, and stop scratching when the hand's weight is no longer detected. This allows the DJ to control various functions such as stop and restart playback, scratch by turning the jog wheel while pressing down, and stop scratching by lifting up his or her hand. You can also bend the pitch (if playback is on) or browse within tracks (if playback is off) by turning the jog wheels using their outer ring, to avoid applying downward pressure.

With scratch mode disabled, the jog wheels bend the pitch or browse within tracks when the jog wheels are turned, regardless of the pressure applied.

VU Meter Displays the Beats

DJ Control AIR includes a VU meter displaying beats composed of 2 lines of 4 LEDs. Each line displays the beats in a track, allowing DJs to see at a glance whether the beats are in sync, without having to look at their computer screen. In this way, the DJ can stay focused on the crowd: if the LEDs light up at the same time for both tracks, then the 2 tracks are synchronized--and this, of course, is the basis of all mixing.

Built-In Audio

DJ Control AIR has built-in audio outputs, including a 1/8" (3.5 mm) stereo output for the mix and a 1/4" (6.35 mm) stereo output for headphone previewing.

What's in the Box?

Hercules DJ Control AIR, installation CD-ROM (PC/Mac) with PC/Mac DJ software, printed installation guide.

System Requirements

• Computer with 1.5 GHz CPU or faster
• 1 GB RAM or more
• Microsoft Windows XP, Vista or 7 or Mac OS 10.5, 10.6 or 10.7 on Core Duo Mac
• Powered USB port
• 100 MB available hard disk space
• CD/DVD-ROM drive
• Internet access
• Amplified stereo speakers and headphones

Choose Your Mobile DJ Gear
You are a	Beginner DJ	Leisure DJ / Casual DJ			Advanced DJ	Semi-Pro / Pro DJ
You need	DJ Control Instinct	DJ Control Air	DJ Console Mk4	DJ 4Set	DJConsole RMX 2	DJ Console 4-Mx
Mobility	Ultra-mobile	Mobile	Ultra-mobile	Mobile	Mobile	Mobile
Metal casing (intense mixing)
Touch-sensitive jog wheels
Number of decks / MIDI commands	2 / 68	2 / 96	2 / 60	4 / 116	2 / 124	4 / 170
Velocity pads		8			8
Rear view
Audio interface	Integrated	Integrated	Integrated	Integrated	Integrated	Integrated
Inputs: 4-channel / 1 mic. in (MP3 & CD players, vinyl / microphone)	- / -	- / -	/	- /	/	/
Stereo outputs: Mix / Preview (speakers, amp, mixer / headphones)	/	/	/	/	/	/
Included Software	DJUCED	DJUCED	Virtual DJ 6 DJC Mk4	Virtual DJ 7 LE 4Set	Virtual DJ LE Rmx2 & DJUCED	Virtual DJ 7 LE 4Mx
MIDI Control: PC & Mac (MIDI controlled DJ software compatible)