There are two DJ packages to choose from DJUCED 40 and Virtual DJ LE.

Like the Vestax VCI-100, it was a controller that helped digital DJing get established.

And now we have the DJ Console RMX2 ( US296 253 ), its direct replacement.

Can the DJ Console RMX2 put those problems right, and compete in todays crowded market Lets find out.

Hercules Dj Console Rmx2 Plus Second Polystyrene

Inside that bag is the DJ Console RMX2, fully enclosed in a polystyrene wrap, plus second polystyrene mould containing the USB cord and a power adaptor with US, UK and European adaptors (it needs external power to function).

The RMX2 about the same size, still made of brushed aluminium with a steel chassis, and overall it feels like Herculess designers have started where they left off, rather than with a blank page.

This is a good thing; the original DJ Console RMX was a distinctive controller, and the DJ Console RMX2 remains so.

Overall its compact, weighty, well-built and inspires confidence.

This is of course a nod to the controllerism scene, but in the DJ Console RMX2, these pads are actually more important than that.

As its a small controller, the designers have decided to allow these to be switched between four functions: cue points, sample triggering, loops and effects.

So theyre actually pretty essential for basic controller use.

The knobs are all rubberised and high quality, with the EQs having a centre click.

Theres also a microphone socket on the top, which is one of those combo sockets that lets you plug in an XLR mic or a 14 jack-style mic lead.

This is a two-channel controller, with no layer mode for switching between decks for pseudo four-channel mixing; the Hercules DJ Console 4-Mx is your go-to controller if you want this feature.

Hercules Dj Console Rmx2 Software Channel And

Each of the two channels has a gain and a source button to allow you to switch out a software channel and switch in an external input, which will be routed through the software.

Note that the microphone channel is independent of the two extra audio inputs, so can be used without switching one of the main channels out.

Heres where youll also find pro balanced XLR outputs, as well as standard unbalanced RCA outs, and a booth output (although see later booth behaves a little strangely on Hercules controllers).

A nice touch here (and one that makes the unit look for some reason way cooler by its addition) is a chrome hook for winding your power and USB cables around to prevent accidental disconnection this is similar to that found on Native Instruments higher end audio interfaces, where it also looks pretty smart.

So as well as the DJ software (more in a second), you get the Hercules control panel app.

Installation is all handled for you from an installer, which also lets you choose which of the two supplied DJ software packages you want to use (the Hercules-exclusive DJUCED 40 is the default software).

However, in my case, the installer installed every single Hercules control panel except the one for the RMX2 I had to go and do this manually.

Its fair enough to have it, but Ive never liked the way control panels for all products are also installed by default.