DJing with iOS devices is great, but also hampered by some annoying limitations. Apart from the big obvious drawback (the need to mono-split the audio for headphones cue, something that until Apple changes the spec, we’re all stuck with), there are other drawbacks.
The first is that there’s no obvious way to plug Midi USB controllers in, and the second that once you use the bottom connector to attempt to do anything (better audio ins/outs, Midi etc), you lose your power supply. Enter Vestax’s forthcoming V-MIDI, which has a solution for both, as shown in this video from Musikmesse 2012. This new unit offers high quality audio out (with a big volume control knob), via 1/4″ TRS, which you can then split with a cable if you need cue and master.
It also has USB Midi control, allowing you to use any Midi controller to control software on an iOS device that has Midi learn. While that doesn’t look like a USB socket in the video, you get a cable with it that most definitely has a USB on the business end!
Finally and crucially, it is powered via a low-voltage transformer, meaning your iOS device charges at the same time and you can DJ forever (or unit you’ve played all the music on your 64GB, anyway).
Would an interface like this made your DJing more fun? Would you consider using an iOS device at all for DJing, either as a single deck back-up or as a full system? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Phil Morse
