Stanton SCS.4DJ Mixstation – leave your laptop at home

Stanton SCS.4DJ
Stanton SCS.4DJ Mixstation

As a DJ, I love my job and I love the tools I’m using – Akai LPD8 pads & knobs for cue-juggling and fx handling, sturdy little box of M-Audio x-session pro, pocket audio2dj and the core of it’s all – laptop equipped with all the software and music I need. While the first three ones are not particularly expensive, the laptop is the second most precious thing in my life (just after my beautiful girl) and if something would happen to it, I’d probably die. I’m not joking. So every time I go out to play I go through the same set of worries – ‘Maybe I should wrap up my laptop in something soft, for extra protection?’, ‘What’s the booth like? Is it gonna be safe, no drinks spilled over my precious during the set and all sockets safe so I don’t blow up all my electro-babies?’. As laid back as I am, for those matters I can turn into the biggest stresshead you’ve ever seen. That, and let’s be honest. Thanks to all the miniaturization and technological progress DJ’s are no longer required to carry around big massive boxes of vinyl, turntables or even CDJs for that matter plus mixer on top etc etc. Just a laptop and a bunch of peripherals that fit into one backpack. I know, it got so much more convenient, but… I’m sure it could get better!!

Well, seeing newest baby Stanton, my hopes for ultimate all-in-one DJ gear are high. Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you new Stanton SCS.4DJ! First fully integrated computer, software and controller! “No external computer is needed, the software is pre-loaded. Ready to go, right out of the box. Just add music and play.”

Let’s just look at its features:

  • Ability to play and mix two tracks directly from the majority of mass storage devices
  • Automatic Tempo and beat grid calculation allowing tracks to be synchronized quickly
  • 4.3 ” high resolution widescreen LCD with dual frequency dependant color waveform displays, makes visual beat matching easy
  • Comprehensive Browse, Search and Sort capabilities presented in a simple and intuitive user interface
  • 8 x “Soft” buttons allowing direct access to features, functionality and navigation
  • 4 x “Direct Access” illuminated buttons, with a navigation section
  • Dual high-resolution 4.75″ touch-sensitive weighted platters, utilizing a high resolution scratch algorithm
  • Dual built in effects unit functionality with full beat synchronization
  • Record your mixes directly to WAV format files for sharing or distribution while you play
  • Auto-DJ mode will mix your playlists automatically using the calculated beat grids
  • Microphone input with high-headroom and low noise performance
  • 60mm Pitch control, with pitch bend buttons and high quality keylock performance
  • Multiple USB Connections (1 x Top, 1 x Rear, 2 x Base plus host connection for MIDI Controller mode)
  • Transport controls featuring PLAY/PAUSE, CUE, SYNC and TAP tempo
  • 1/4″ Balanced TRS and Unbalanced RCA outputs, dual headphone outputs
  • Internal Media Bay compartment for placement and connectivity of media storage devices
  • Fully capable MIDI controller functionality
Looks pretty promising, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s not a traktor filled up with 10000 buttons and even more knobs.  Actually, it looks very basic, but I must say I really like it. As they say – Keep It Simple Stupid. What’s the most important – with that piece of gear I can forget about carrying my laptop around and leave it at home! And because it’s equipped with all those USB ports you can always expand it with extra equipment. Another thing I love about it is the little screen it has. No more looking away from the decks in order to find a track or control the playback. Not gonna lie, I never was a big enthusiast of Stanton’s devices, probably would put them at the bottom of my to-buy list, but this one is completely different. And it’s price! for less than £500 you get all you need to play a night. No extra software needed, nothing. Compared to Traktor Kontrol S4 that costs £750 itself, this deal looks to me as a real bargain.
I’m going to get hold of one of these in a few days and test it in and out. As soon as I do that I promise to share my impressions with you guys. For the time being, enjoy the promo videos from the Stanton bunch!