Stanton unveils SC digital DJ rig
The Stanton SCS digital DJ rig gets laptop DJs as close as possible to the vinyl experience without having to lug around turntables.
(Credit: Stanton)The 2008 NAMM expo (National Association of Music Merchants) kicks off today in Anaheim, Calif., and with it comes a treasure trove of slick digital DJ gear. The first cool announcement to hit my in-box has to be the SC series, Stanton's latest take on the laptop DJ interface.
Stanton's SCS.1d virtual turntable controller features a 10-inch vinyl control surface.
(Credit: Stanton)At first glance, the SC setup looks like a traditional analog turntable and mixing board, but in reality it's an all-digital system (look, Ma--no tonearm!) that makes DJing from your laptop a much more physical and engaging experience. The Stanton SC rig comes in two parts: the SCS.1d virtual turntable ($1,499); and the SCS.1m virtual mixer ($999). Both parts of the system are each rad in their own right, so here's the breakdown on features (with photos).
Stanton's SCS.1d virtual turntable is undoubtedly the most eye-catching of the pair, using a 10-inch, high-torque motorized platter covered in real vinyl. Scattered around the spinning virtual record are transport controls, navigation keys, rotary encoders with readout strips, a motorized pitch slider, and a velocity-sensitive MIDI trigger section for launching tracks or samples from your preferred DJ software.
If you're going to go virtual, the Stanton SCS.1m mixer/audio interface offers up the goods.
(Credit: Stanton)While the SCS.1d is the better-looking half, the SCS.1m is clearly the brains of the operation. This virtual mixing board features four channel strips with EQ control, panning, volume faders, and a crossfader. More importantly, the SCS.1m includes a low-latency FireWire audio interface for your PC, capable of a 96KHz sample rate that should give those vinyl holdouts something to cry about. Each of the four channels also include red LED rotary controls and alphanumeric displays over each fader that can labeled within your software to prevent you from getting confused after a few comped drinks.
The Stanton SC System is expected to ship in May 2008 with the full system (both units) retailing for approximately $2,499.
Donald Bell is CNET Reviews' senior editor for MP3 players and portable audio, and one half of the MP3 Insider blog and weekly podcast. He also likes getting his hands dirty with digital audio tools for musicians and DJs. 
Unless your ballin on a budget, then I would suggest a Numark Total Control, even though it's also plastic- it works beautifully with the software. Ecler and Vestax also have some interesting mixers, but a DJ usually goes for the standard equipment other dj's are using.