Merkury Innovations IS2510 DJ Mixing Station for iPod (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bought this item out of curiosity. There aren't many low price point Ipod mixers for casual DJs (those that want to but never invest in the real, high $$ equip). I own an iDJ by Numark, so it's hard to not compare the two unit's abilities. This mixer does its job. It works with all NON-iTouch iPods. Since it connects via the bottom connector, you'll get the purest sound connection. Volume is controlled through the mixer and whatever home stereo or boombox you're hooked into. All controls of music selection is still done through the iPod. I was surprised to see that it also included foldable headphones w/ a boom mic (like an Xbox headset). I'll add, though, that I wouldn't use them at a "gig". You'll def get that "hey aren't those just Xbox headphones?" question.

Now to clarify the red knobs. The 2 outer ones perform sound effects or rather apply filters to the music being played. Each has 2 effects for a total of 4, but you only have access to 1 set of 2 at a time. Theres a switch that toggles you between the 2 sets. The weaker set is set1. Reverb & LP filter (LowPass). Reverb = sounds like walking down a cave/tunnel. LP =cuts bass.
Set2 is better only because of Flange. Set2 has Flange and HP(HighPass). HP just muffles the treble and accents the bass. Flange was the neatest since it's an effect you hear often in clubs. It makes the music appear to have a whoosh aspect to it. As if someone were taking the speaker and spinning it around you. You have the option of having the effects work on the Mic input or have the Mic operate traditionally.

Now for the "scratch" (they say Spin). It just produces a simple worbly sound, sort of like when a radio station censors bad language in a song--not quite a scratch. It doesn't "scratch" per se. That was the biggest disappointment in terms of the sound produced. It would have been better to have it just activate a "scratch" sound effect rather than try to engineer one with filters in the unit. It's slow to respond, so your scratching sounds like it's on Prozac. I know you get what you pay for, but again, I would have rather had a canned scratch sound activate when you moved the center disc than the output it currently generates.

The fact that it doesn't have bass, treble or gain controls for each side isn't a huge minus. As an amatuer, you can control that from wherever you're pumping the music through and the cross fader can take care of volume. There is a Main Vol out control on the mixer.

Overall, it's a great party tool for those who like being the music person at a party. Once you get tired of mixing, you can let your playlists take over. The fact that it works with all iPods (except iPhone and iTouch) is another plus. Its main gimmick is the sound effects. I say only 1 of them is worthwhile (Flange) and, unfortunately, the Scratch isn't executed very well. It's super compact and portable--great for the take-it-and-go.

Oh, the red knobs are more like Nerf material than plastic. I'm not saying that's a plus or minus, just clarifying what the texture is since you don't get that from looking at pics. The unit's built fairly solid and it is packaged very nicely in its box (lots of tight foam--great for shipping).

It wasn't for me, but worthwhile of a home if you're that music person type at a party. Just keep expectations to crossfading between 2 iPods and having 1 or 2 "real club" sound effects at your disposal. Just no scratching. Sorry no pics. Boxed everything back up to return. Right now, though higher in price, the iDJ is a bit better, though it has no flange effect.

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Product Description:
Don't let silence stop the party. This DJ mixing station for iPod is a perfect way to create mixes on the fly using iPods or MP3 players. Hook up a couple iPods and work your magic with essential DJ'ing tools, like a cue channel and crossfader.
Put your own spin on music with this DJ mixer for iPod.
Use the Cross-Fade slider to blend your two music sources.
The SPIN knob simulates the scratch on a DJ turntable.
Made for iPods and MP3 Players
The DJ Mixer can be used with three different combinations of signal sources: iPod + iPod, MP3 player + MP3 player, or iPod + MP3 player. While your iPod is inserted, it also will receive a charge, so whoever provides the music can leave with a full battery. Both slots are universal iPod docking stations, and accept all iPod models.
Pro DJ Features
A seamless mix is no coincidence; you need the tools to pull it off, and Merkury Innovations was sure to include them with the IS2510. Switch headphones between Main and Cue channels, and use the cue channel to monitor the faded source. Toggle between original audio output and mix sound effects (two different effects programs--reverb/flange and low-/high-pass filter) for a little extra flavor.
Use the Cross-Fade slider to blend your two music sources while moving from one to another, or to cue up a new song (a cross-fader simultaneously fades in one source while the other fades out). Wish you had vinyl to scratch but don't want to haul around boxes and boxes of records? The SPIN knob simulates the scratch feature on a DJ turntable.
Record Your Mixes
Record your mixes to a computer or other device through the mixer's headphone output. Listen to them and improve your skills.
What's in the Box
Merkury Innovations IS2510, AC Adapter, Manual.

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