There is a small MODE button right next to the pads that allow the user to cycle through the different modes. The different modes that the pads can be in are LOOP, Effect, Sample, and Cue. These velocity pads are used for the main playback and extra functions that DJ’s use during sets. The four velocity-sensitive performance pads found above each jog wheel are fantastic! The pads have nice feedback and they feel very tactile in orientation and they make you want to perform with them. The VU Line Level Meters to the side of each fader are nice and bright and they show the individual deck volume at a glance. The Line faders have much more resistance to them and they are good enough for nice and accurate mixing. The Crossfader actually worked much better in standalone mixer mode with a smaller cut-in distance and a more-accurate feel when used independently of the software. The crossfader curve can be set to either Mix-Mode or Scratch-Mode within the setup options in the Virtual DJ LE software. The crossfader is loose but it has a rather long cut-in distance so scratch DJ’s won’t really be able to pull off all the complex scratching they’re used to. The Crossfader feels like it is of average quality but really good for mixing and fading. The jog wheels also feel like they are borrowed from the same unit as well. The crossfader is easily user-replaceable and feels to be the same unit that they used on the Hercules 4MX last year. In the middle of the entire unit, there are four directional arrows and a Load A and Load B button for file navigation and for loading new tracks onto the decks. The three-band EQ knobs work great and the Full Kill button next to each knob was very fun to use. All of the knobs (EQ’s, Effects, etc.) have a good feel to them and are long for easy manipulation. The Hercules RMX 2 has lots of features and functions that most DJ’s need and want for mixing and beatmatching. When the Virtual DJ Pro upgrade is achieved, the end user will enjoy a more enhanced experience with More effects, Video DJ capabilities, and more features than ever before. Virtual DJ LE can also be upgraded to VDJ Pro for $300, but you won’t ever have to pay for VDJ again as all upgrades will be free for life. After using both Virtual DJ LE and the DJuiced software, I feel that VDJ had the overall best setup and the most features with the RMX 2. You will need a computer connection through software to DJ with the RMX 2 if you want to use it in strict mixer mode and you can also do a combination of virtual mixing and external deck mixing by simply pressing the source button and changing the software setting on the input of the particular channel. The Hercules RMX 2 can act as a standalone mixer straight out of the box. Also around the back there are two RCA inputs that can be selected as either LINE level or PHONO level with an included Ground Post for vinyl decks. There is a Booth RCA output on the back as well. You must also connect the supplied power supply around the back, plug in your speakers through the supplied RCA or balanced XLR Master Outputs and you’re ready to play your digital audio files through the the software and the RMX 2. The setup of the Controller is relatively simple with the user only having to use the supplied CD to install the ASIO Driver (on Windows machines) and the Virtual DJ LE or DJuiced Software for the controller while plugging in the USB connection to the computer. There were no available mappings for Traktor or Serato anywhere to be found on the Hercules website, so if someone wants to use the RMX 2 with another DJ software, then the mapping will have to be done manually. For this review, we only tested the unit with the supplied Virtual DJ LE and DJuiced software packages that come with the controller, as this is what most users will end up doing when they purchase the unit. The Hercules RMX 2 is a fully MIDI-mappable DJ controller that can work with almost any DJ software out on the market today. I think this is a good thing because all of the lights are very bright and the volumes of the headphone and other outputs are adequate enough for live performance situations. The RMX 2 comes with a power supply and it must be used in order to run the unit. Mostly all of the buttons on the RMX 2 illuminate a very bright blue color to let the user know what is active at a glance. All of the knobs on the unit have metal-posts underneath meaning you won’t get any unnecessary breaks from accidental damage.
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