Cinemafia

Does anyone have any insight as to whether the Mac version of the
Hercules DJ Console can be used as a straight MIDI Controller
(specifically I'd like to use it with Ableton Live and NI Reaktor),
rather than being tethered to the bundled software? I've learned that
Et Cetera, a third-party company, released a Windows-based set of MIDI
drivers for the Hercules, but I'd love to know if the Mac version has
this ability built-in or otherwise through some other drivers which I
haven't yet found.

Mo Saycool

"Cinemafia" <cinemafia@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1129052379.859210.236710@g14g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> Does anyone have any insight as to whether the Mac version of the
> Hercules DJ Console can be used as a straight MIDI Controller
> (specifically I'd like to use it with Ableton Live and NI Reaktor),
> rather than being tethered to the bundled software? I've learned that
> Et Cetera, a third-party company, released a Windows-based set of MIDI
> drivers for the Hercules, but I'd love to know if the Mac version has
> this ability built-in or otherwise through some other drivers which I
> haven't yet found.

Before you get the Hercules, you might want to also consider the new
Behringer b-control (http://www.behringer.com/BCD2000/index.cfm?lang=ENG). I
think it's slightly cheaper, looks a bit more sturdy and it sends out
standard midi messages, so it will definitely work with Traktor.

Cinemafia

Oh yeah, I forgot about that thing! I saw a promo about it a while ago
and then it escaped my mind. If it will work as a MIDI controller,
it'll be perfect. Thanks for reminding me!

Mo Saycool

"Cinemafia" <cinemafia@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1129146927.253186.123210@g44g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> [snip] If it will work as a MIDI controller,
> it'll be perfect. [snip]

It certainly will. Spec on the site says it send standard midi messages so
it should work fine with the 'learn' function in Traktor. If you're based in
the UK, you can order it from www.turnkey.co.uk. Happy spinning.

Cinemafia

Hmmm...I've been reading around that the BCD2000 *does not* work with a
Mac, but I can't determine whether this means the intended mp3 mixing
doesn't work, MIDI doesn't work, or both.

I could care less about the obviously Windows-only DJ software that
comes with it, all I want is something that will send standard MIDI
messages to 10.4.x that can be learned by Ableton Live, Reason, etc.

Anyone have any idea on this? Maybe I just need to find a shop here in
L.A. that has one and go test it out...

Mo Saycool

"Cinemafia" <cinemafia@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1129229854.939052.218970@z14g2000cwz.googlegr oups.com...
> Hmmm...I've been reading around that the BCD2000 *does not* work with a
> Mac, but I can't determine whether this means the intended mp3 mixing
> doesn't work, MIDI doesn't work, or both.
>
> I could care less about the obviously Windows-only DJ software that
> comes with it, all I want is something that will send standard MIDI
> messages to 10.4.x that can be learned by Ableton Live, Reason, etc.
>
> Anyone have any idea on this? Maybe I just need to find a shop here in
> L.A. that has one and go test it out...

I haven't tried to use one with Mac or PC, but the spec on the site says it
sends standard midi messages through USB. Why don't you email / ring
behringer and get the answer straight from the horse's mouth?

Cinemafia

Alright, I emailed them and we'll see what they say. I believe today
was the first day it became available, so I'm going to call some local
shops and see if they have one yet so I can go play with it.