Hi guys,
Here's a review that I wrote Cross Pack 1.7 for Warp Magazine in Tasmania (
http://www.warpmagazine.com.au)
NOTE: This article is (c)Copyright Warp Magazine 2011
Hope you dig it!
Peace.
DJ Max Power
-----------------------------------------------------------
Mixvibes is a relative newcomer to the Australian market, but is making massive inroads into the industry, helped markedly by support from international touring artists such as DJ Troubl, A-Kut, and even the superstar DJ Tiesto.
Mixvibes Cross is the company’s DVS (Digital Vinyl System) offering, which on first glance seems much like the industry-leading Serato Scratch Live. The interface is layout is well designed and uncluttered, yet still providing all the functionality you need to mix creatively. With 6 hot-cue points, looping & effects all built in to the interface, there is plenty of scope to remix on the fly.
The Cross interface boasts a 4-in, 6-out soundcard, which is ultimately not just built for DJing. It boasts both +48V phantom power for condenser microphones, as well as a high-impedance setting for electric guitars.
With the market becoming more and more competitive, one could be forgiven for thinking that this is simply another ‘entry-level’ offering. However the opposite is true, with Mixvibes spending significant research and development dollars on audio quality, sample rate and perfecting their self-proclaimed “Ultimate Timecode CD”.
The Mixvibes Control CD has a higher frequency than most other systems (3000 Hz), which allows it to detect a new playback position in less than 5ms. This is a great improvement over previous offerings, which would sometimes exit out of a loop due to lower frequency control CD’s and vinyl. This is something that even some Serato and Traktor Pro releases suffered from.
The control vinyl is lighter than most other offerings (124gm), which may suit your style or not. I found that the lighter vinyl allowed for tighter scribble scratches, but could be a caveat if you are used to spinning traditional 180 gram vinyl.
Overall the system performed flawlessly, especially with the control CD in a CDJ1000. Hotcues on the CDJ are fully supported (and very tight response), and looping works like a treat with absolutely no ‘slips’.
The effects were warm, and very expressive. Mixvibes 1.7 currently supports 12 effects; alongside the standard Filter, Flanger, Echo and Roll, they have also added some more creative effects such as Transform, Bliss and Jet. Once used to these, I found them very easy to incorporate into my sets and mixes.
Cross also supports MIDI mapping, with most popular controllers supported straight out of the box. I used a pair of Novation Dicer’s, which once plugged in automatically mapped to the same great control I was used to with previous software, as well as adding a very handy feature (using a “shift” button) to allow the browsing and loading of tracks.
You can, of course, create custom mappings to make your controllers do what you want, which using the intuitive MIDI mapping interface is extremely easy to do. In this way you can also fully map the software to an all-in-one controller, and remove vinyl/CD control completely.
In conclusion, the Cross Pack is an excellent solution for anyone wanting to move to a digital vinyl system. With all the required gear included (control vinyl, CD’s, cables & control box); just add turntables!
Calum ‘Max’ Power
