Play external audio sources on DJ Console MK2

DJ Console MK2 has 2 stereo audio inputs to connect external audio sources. You can so connect external audio sources as turntables, CD players, MP3 players, groove boxes.
Once an external audio source is connected to DJ Console MK2, it can replace a sound track loaded on DJ Console M2 decks:
- the source connected on input 1-2 can replace the music file loaded on the left deck
- the source connected on input 3-4 can replace the music file loaded on the right deck
as DJ Console MK2 Source 1 and Source 2 buttons let you switch between the USB streaming and the external audio sources.


Connect CD Players
Your CD player has generally a dual RCA output, so you can plug it to the input 1-2 or 3-4 of DJ Console MK2 as additional audio source for your mixes, and you must switch DJ Console MK2 line/phono switches in line position. DJ Console MK2 line inputs are designed for line level inputs, so for CD players whose input level is:
- a consumer line level signal (-10dBv), you must turn up the DJ software gain knob to add software gain on the audio input in your DJ software,
- a pro line level signal (+4dBu), the default level on DJ Console MK2 should be OK,
- higher than standard pro line level signal (as Pioneer CD players whose output level is 2V, which means +8dBu), you must attenuate the signal in an external device before plugging into DJ Console MK2 line inputs to avoid saturation.
The external attenuating device can be:
- a dedicated attenuator, as SM Pro Audio Nano Patch
http://www.smproaudio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=68



- an analogue audio console, as Behringer Xenyx 502 or UB 502
http://www.behringer.com/502/index.cfm?lang=eng
http://www.behringer.com/UB502/index.cfm?lang=eng

- an in-line volume control for headphones, as Shure PA235 or Koss VC20
http://www.shure.com/PersonalAudio/Products/Accessories/CasesAdapters/us_pa_pa235_level_attenuator
http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?openform&pc^ac^VC20


- a multimedia hub, as Trust Multimedia hub
http://www.trust.com/products/product_detail.aspx?item=12304
- an analog DJ mixer, whose gain knobs can attenuate the input signal.
- an amplifier for headphones, as Behringer MA400
http://www.behringer.com/MA400/?lang=ENG


Connect vinyl turntables
If your vinyl turntable output level is line level, you can plug it to DJ Console MK2 input as if the turntable was a CD player.
If your vinyl turntable output level is a phono level output, then its dual RCA output comes with a ground cable, and you must:

• plug the RCA outputs to the input 1-2 or 3-4 of DJ Console MK2,
  
• attach the ground cable to DJ Console MK2 ground screw,
  
• switch the phono/line switch in phono position.
  

The turntable cell must have a strong output level as Shure M44-7.
In case the phono sound seems noisy, make sure you have attached the turntable ground cable to DJ Console MK2 ground screw. DJ Console MK2 ground is connected to the computer ground via the USB cable, so if you still get noise on the phono source once the turntable ground cable is attached to DJ Console MK2 ground screw, then the ground of your laptop may be too small and you can improve the audio quality:

• either by connecting the DJ Console MK2 to the laptop via a USB hub which has an independent power supply (so that your add the ground of your USB hub)
  
• or by adding a regulated power adapter to DJ Console MK2 (to use this adapter's ground).
  

Connect MP3 players
The headphones output of MP3 players can be connected to DJ Console MK2 RCA line inputs 1-2 or 3-4, and DJ Console MK2 line/phono switch must be set in line position on this input.
Adjust the MP3 player output level by setting the headphones volume on the MP3 player, and afterwards you can use DJ Console MK2 gain knob to change the software gain on the audio input in your DJ software depending on the output level of each track on your MP3 player.

New look for DJ Console MK2

Hercules has updated the DJ Console MK2 with:

• the top surface beige and dark grey colours replaced by 2 colours (aluminium and darker metal grey),
  
• the 8 black rotary knobs replaced by longer and grey knobs,
  
• the white logo in a transparent plate replaced with a metal-colour logo in a black plate,
  
• jog wheels which don't turn as easily as before,
  
• the beige cover replaced by a transparent cover,
  
• the Mac version of VirtualDJ 4.3 DJC Edition is added in the package of the DJ Console MK2 with VirtualDJ 3 DJC Edition for Windows.
  

The colour box of this new version of the DJ Console MK2 is updated with both Mac logo and Windows XP and Vista written on front, and the photo of the console is updated with these new colours.

DJ Console MK2: new driver for Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard)

Hercules has released a driver installer for DJ Console MK2 in Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard).
ftp://ftp.hercules.com/pub/webupdate/DJMk2/HDJMK2_5_14.pkg.zip

DJ Console MK2 / Traktor 3.3 LE update

Native Instruments, the publisher of Traktor 3 LE, has announced a free update to Traktor 3.3 LE, for PC and Mac.
If you have DJ Console MK2 bundled with Traktor 3 LE, updating your release Traktor 3.1 LE to this release Traktor 3.3 LE fixes a few issues:
- in file browsing: each time you enter a directory with Traktor 3.3 LE, you choose whether Traktor 3.3 LE scans it or not, while Traktor 3.1 LE always scanned the new directory,
- in AIFF files playback: Traktor 3.3 LE plays back AIFF files on some Mac OS configuration where Traktor 3.1 LE failed to perform the same operation.
Update on http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=updates
More on Traktor 3 LE http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=tds3le

How can I avoid saturation when a CD player plugged in DJ Console MK2 line input plays a too strong signal?

Some CD players output level is +4dBu while DJ Console MK2 is designed to support input signal around -10dBv: as a result, when the CD plays a +4dBu signal in DJ Console MK2 line input, DJ Console MK2 input may saturate, and cause a bad audio quality.

The solution consists in attenuating the CD player output level by connecting between this player output and DJ Console MK2 input an attenuating gear as volume knob for headphones (cheapest solution)
- Koss VC-20
- Shure EA650
or a mini mixer (more expensive solution) as
- Nady mini-mixer
- Behringer Xenyx 502

How can I record the DJ mix with the microphone talkover in DJ Console MK2?

DJ Console MK2 talk over function is a hardware mixing of:
- the microphone analogue signal
- with the analogue signal output produced by the DJ software in DJ Console MK2,
so the talk over is not processed in the DJ software (VirtualDJ or Traktor), and as a result when you record your mix in the DJ software, the talk over is not recorded.

To record the mix with the talk over signal, you must
- connect DJ Console MK2 output 1-2 to the stereo line in of your computer integrated sound card (with a stereo cable)
- and record the stereo line in on your computer integrated sound card with a software (as Syntrillium CoolEdit Pro, Adobe Audition, Sony Sound Forge, Waveosaur….) which will record the mix as background task.

How can I avoid saturation noise on the hi-fi systems playing sound from DJ Console MK2?

On some hi-fi systems, DJ Console MK2 audio output is noisy and saturated, because DJ Console MK2 output level is +4dBu (pro level) while hi-fi systems generally expect a -10dBv output level (consumer lever). Lowering the audio level in DJ Console MK2 control panel doesn’t change anything since the control panel mixer reduces the audio signal but keep the output level unchanged, so the noise remains equal.

The solution consists in attenuating DJ Console MK2 output level by connecting between DJ Console MK2 output 1-2 and the hi-fi system an attenuating gear as volume knob for headphones (cheapest solution)
- Koss VC-20
- Shure EA650
or a mini mixer (more expensive solution) as
- Nady mini-mixer
- Behringer Xenyx 502

If you meet this saturation issue after connecting DJ Console MK2 to some DJ mixers which don’t support +4dBu signal, setting the input gain button on the DJ mixer input at 25% should suppress the noise.

How can I preview each deck in MegaSeg with Hercules DJ Console MK2?

MegaSeg is a DJ mix software in Mac OS.

1) In MegaSeg, if you use the Discrete Output Mode, and select both Hercules outputs using the Aggregate device output, then you can use DJ Console MK2 headphones selector to select the various cue modes.

2) But MegaSeg default mode is different, since instead of the left and right decks being hardwired to one output, MegaSeg has a "Preview" button to route either deck to a 2nd output for cueing or previewing. In this mode, both decks would output to a single output device (on a single stereo channel), and then you can press Preview and switch either deck to a 2nd output to cue (like the built-in headphone jack). This function is mapped to the cue button on the DJ Console MK1, and now the Audio source select on the DJ Console MK2. As the audio source select is also on this button, it means you must push this button twice to toggle the Preview mode.

What is the solution when I get no sound in DJ Console MK2 headphones?

If you hear no longer DJ Console MK2 Deck A and Deck B in headphones preview mode, then you may have upgraded DJ Console MK2 drivers to the last release (2.cmk2.2007) but you have forgotten to update your version of VirtualDJ.
To restore a proper preview mode, you must
- either install VirtualDJ 3.4.1 ,
- or switch in ASIO mode (run VirtualDJ in mode "Equalization on audio inputs").

DJ Console MK2: move to Vista

To use DJ Console MK2 to Vista 32-bit, you must not only use new drivers (package 2.CMK2.2007,  on ftp://ftp.hercules.com/pub/webupdate/DJMk2/2007_CMK2_2.exe with:
- DJ Console MK2 firmware 13.7
- DJ Console MK2 control panel 1.4.3.2) 
but you must also upgrade VirtualDJ 3 DJC Edition to VirtualDJ 3.4.1 DJC Edition (free upgrade, on VirtualDJ website).

Hasta la Vista: 32-bit Vista drivers for DJ Console MK2 now

Hercules has released a new driver package for DJ Console MK2 and the old DJ Console MK1.
This package 2.CMK2.2007 makes it possible to mix with DJ Console and DJ Console MK2 in Vista-32 bit in addition to Windows XP.
The package 2.CMK2.2007 includes both a driver update and a firmware update for each console version.
http://ts.hercules.com/eng/index.php?pg=view_files&gid=2&fid=28&pid=177&cid=1

Traktor 3 LE users: upgrade to Traktor 3 full version for US$119

Native Instruments has announced on the Musik Messe that owners of Traktor 3 LE can upgrade the license of Traktor 3 LE to the full-featured TRAKTOR 3 at a special price of $ 119 / EUR 99, enabling a multitude of additional creative features including four playback decks, advanced looping and cueing functions, Native Mix Recording, additional EQs, filters and effects, and more.

This upgrade offer is proposed to all customers of DJ Console MK2 Traktor Edition (also called DJ Console MK2 Mac).

For a comparison between Traktor 3 LE and Traktor 3, click here.

How to mix audio files with DRM protection?

You cannot mix directly DRM protect files, since DJ software cannot load iTunes DRM protected files, so the solution consists in;
- burning the DRM music files you buy on a CD audio on the computer on which you purchased the files (it means you need a CD burner on the computer where you buy music files with DRM, for example in iTunes),
- and afterwards either mixing the CD audio in your DJ software if your DJ software plays CDs, or extracting first the CD-audio tracks into MP3 files to mix them in your DJ software.

What is the difference between DJ Console MK2 PC and Mac?

There is no hardware difference, both DJ Console MK2 are the same.
The difference is only the DJ software:

• DJ Console MK2 PC comes with Virtual DJ 3 DJC Edition,
  
• DJ Console MK2 Mac comes with Traktor 3 LE.

If you have a DJ Console MK2 PC and want to use it in Mac OS 10.4, you just need to have a Mac DJ Software and to download DJ Console MK2 Mac drivers.

DJ Console MK2 on MusicTech

DJ Console MK2 was reviewed by MusicTech Magazine of November 2006.

DJ Console MK2 released for Mac

One year after the release of DJ Console MK2 for PC, Hercules releases its DJ Console MK2 Mac Edition, with Native Instruments Traktor 3 LE software.
Compared to the previous DJ Console Mac, base on DJ Console MK1, DJ Console MK2 Mac Edition has not only a new cosmetic, but also new audio features as 2 stereo audio inputs, so that in addition to mixing your MP3 files on your computer, you connect vinyl turntables or CD players to DJ Console MK2 audio inputs.
DJ Console MK2 for Mac offers hybrid mixing in merging analogue and digital audio in the same mix, since you can:
- set the gain on analogue inputs sound in Traktor 3 LE to set a similar level for external sources and MP3 files,
- set the volume on analogue inputs with DJ Console MK2 volume fader,
- equalize analogue inputs via with DJ Console MK2 EQ buttons
- mix analogue inputs with MP3 files on DJ Console MK2 crossfader.

DJ Console MK2 Mac Edition is compatible with Mac OS 10.4 on both G4/G5 and also Mac Intel based Mac computers.

Which headphones can fit with DJ Console MK2?

Headphones recommended for DJing have:
- a low impedance, from 16 to 64 Ohms, to keep the sound punchy especially on bass (high impedance headphones tend to be less punchy),
- with a high sensitivity (100 dB or more),
- isolating ear cups attenuating the ambient noise,
- comfortable soft ear cushions (you must bear the headphones for hours),
- a long cable (10 feet),
- a stereo jack 1/4" plug, or a jack 1/8" plug with a 1/4" adapter,
- preferably foldable earphones, to allows double or single ear monitoring.

Never use in-ear earphones: they are not appropriate for DJing, too difficult to remove, not protective enough from the ambient noise, and not comfortable enough.

You can use other headphones with DJ Console MK2, as hi-fi headphones over 100 ohms, but with headphones the higher the impedance the lower the volume in the headphones, so while high impedance headphones can be OK for bedroom DJing, their volume may be too low to cover the sound and screams of the audience in a party. 

DJ Console MK2 on DJ Mag

DJ Mag has released a review on DJ Console MK2
http://www.djmag.com/img/pic.php?id=578&table=picture&field=image&field_type=type

DJ Console MK2 in DanceVibes.be

DanceVibes.be has reviewed DJ Console MK2.

New Control Panel for DJ Console MK2 in drivers package 1.CMK2.2006

http://ts.hercules.com/eng/index.php?pg=view_files&gid=2&fid=28&pid=177&cid=1

Hercules has released a new control panel for DJ Console MK2, to simplify the settings of DJ Console MK2.
All panels let the DJ
- Set the balance and the volume on output ½ and ¾
- Select the audio sources as being the computer or external audio sources
- Lock the audio source selection
- Choose the recording source on input 1 / 2 between line in and microphone in

Main Panel


The main panel lets the DJ:
- Set a talk-over attenuation (-3dB, -6dB or -9dB)
- See whether the microphone input is on air
- See the headphones mode
- Select the audio Mode as WDM or ASIO

ASIO Panel

In case the DJ selects ASIO as Audio Mode, the additional options are:
- sampling rate (44100Hz or 48000Hz)
- sampling step (16-bit or 24-bit)
- buffer size (steps stored in cache memory: at 44100Hz, 441 as buffer size means 441/44100 = 0.01s, a 10 ms buffer)
If the sampling step is 24-bit, the input channel 3/4 is not available.

Advanced Panel

The advanced panel proposes additional options for advanced users:
- use an external mixer
- lock the cross fader (if you plug DJ Console MK2 in a mixer, you use the mixer cross fader)
- change the cross fader curve
- activate the mushroom in mouse mode
These options are for other software than VirtualDJ (VDJ integrates directly such options).

About Panel

The “About” panel lets you read the drivers and firmware version.