Hercules DJ Console Mk2 User Manual

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CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................2

2. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS................................................................................................2

3. INSTALLATION ..................................................................................................................3

3.1. Installing drivers and software (Mac)...........................................................................3

3.2. Power consumption .....................................................................................................3

4. OVERVIEW .........................................................................................................................4

4.1. The cover.....................................................................................................................4

4.2. The shoulder strap.......................................................................................................4

4.3. The top face.................................................................................................................5

4.4. The connectors ............................................................................................................6

5. CONNECTING SPEAKERS ...............................................................................................7

5.1. Connecting speakers and/or an external mixer to your DJ Console Mk2 ...................7

6. USING THE DJ CONSOLE MK2 AT A PARTY .................................................................7

6.1. Overview......................................................................................................................7

6.2. Selecting an audio source ...........................................................................................8

6.3. Using the DJ Console Mk2 Control Panel ...................................................................8

6.4. Previewing with headphones.....................................................................................11

6.5. Working with tracks....................................................................................................11

6.6. Speeding up or slowing down a piece .......................................................................11

6.7. Creating cue points....................................................................................................12

6.8. Creating loops............................................................................................................13

6.9. Switching from one piece to another .........................................................................13

6.10. Getting on the microphone ........................................................................................15

6.11. Adding effects ............................................................................................................16

6.12. Scratching..................................................................................................................16

7. MIDI STANDARD SUPPORT ...........................................................................................18

8. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ..............................................................................21

9. TECHNICAL SUPPORT ...................................................................................................22

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION RECOMMENDATION........................................................24

1. INTRODUCTION

Your DJ Console Mk2 is a powerful and versatile piece of hardware that offers nearly unlimited possibilities in terms of what you can do with your music. You can use your DJ Console Mk2 on its own or with an external mixer, and you can mix both digital audio files and analog audio sources, including turntables. The DJ Console Mk2 is easy to learn and also offers many advanced functionalities, making it perfect for all users from beginners to seasoned professionals.

The DJ Console Mk2 functions with digital audio files, including MP3s. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that musical creations are protected by copyright and that you must comply with all applicable legislations. We strongly encourage you to support artists by acquiring their works legally.

2. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Mac:

 Mac G4 / G5 1.5GHz / Intel® Core™ Duo 1.66GHz or higher  512MB RAM  Operating system: Mac OS® X 10.4 or later  Available USB port  Headphones and/or amplified speakers  CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive  Internet connection  100MB free hard disk space for some applications  Microphone (optional)

PC:

 Pentium® III / Athlon™ 1GHz or higher  512MB RAM  Operating system: Windows® XP SP2, Vista 32-bit  Available USB port  Headphones and/or amplified speakers  CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive  Internet connection  100MB free hard disk space for some applications  Microphone (optional)

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3. INSTALLATION

You must install your DJ Console Mk2’s drivers before connecting it to your computer.

Because drivers and software are constantly being developed, the ones provided on your CD-ROM may not be the most recent versions. You can visit the Hercules website (ts.hercules.com) to verify this and, if necessary, download the very latest versions.

3.1. Installing drivers and software (Mac)

- Insert the CD-ROM provided into your CD-ROM drive.

The installation CD-ROM appears on your desktop.

- Double click the CD-ROM icon and navigate to the installer package.

- Double-click the installer package and follow the on-screen instructions to launch installation of the DJ Console Mk2 drivers and Virtual DJ 3 software.

You may be prompted to restart your computer once installation is complete.

3.2. Power consumption

Your DJ Console Mk2 is optimized to achieve low power consumption when connected to your computer via USB. If you are using a laptop, you can rest assured that your DJ Console Mk2 is not consuming high amounts of battery power as you mix and scratch your songs. Under the most taxing conditions, your DJ Console Mk2 will consume approximately 350mA of power.

Should you wish, however, you can connect an optional power adapter (not included) and do away with worries about power consumption altogether. Your power adapter’s DC output should be at least 350mA, for output voltage of between 7V~9V; voltage outside of this range will result in power being drawn exclusively from your computer via USB. The power adapter must be regulated, thus ensuring that its output voltage is stable. A regulated power supply is clearly identified by the marking “Regulated”. Successfully tested power adapters include:

-Uniross AC/DC Regulated 1.5 – 12V 700mA Universal mains Adaptor (UNI700RSF)

-Uniross AC/DC Regulated 3 – 12V 1000mA Universal Adaptor (AD101705)

The DJ Console Mk2 features a male connector, which means that you will need a power adapter with a female connector to attach to it. The inner pin in the male connector measures 2.0mm in diameter, while the maximum outer diameter for the connector is 6.5mm. This type of jack is referred to as a center positive polarity jack. Thus, when shopping for a power adapter, an adapter with the following specifications would be ideal: 9V DC/500mA; 2.1mm x 5.5mm plug; center positive polarity ( ).

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4. OVERVIEW

4.1. The cover

Your DJ Console Mk2 has a cover, allowing you to transport it without any danger of damaging the top face. The cover can also be attached to the underside of the DJ Console Mk2 as an inclined base, allowing you to use your DJ Console Mk2 under optimal conditions. By default, the cover is configured as an inclined base.

To detach the cover:

- Turn over the DJ Console Mk2 and place it on a flat surface.

- Holding the DJ Console Mk2 with one hand, take hold of the

cover by the OPEN opening.

- Pull the cover up towards you, pulling up on one side and then the other in order to detach the cover.

To replace the cover:

- Position the tabs on the lower part of the cover in the corresponding slots on the DJ Console Mk2.

- Apply pressure on both sides of the cover where the word

CLOSE appears until it snaps into place.

4.2. The shoulder strap

Your DJ Console Mk2 also features a shoulder strap for easy transportation. To install the shoulder strap:

- Thread the Velcro flaps through the two buckles on the DJ Console Mk2.

- Attach the flaps to the Velcro band.

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4.3. The top face

Your DJ Console Mk2 has a variety of controls allowing you to interact with DJ software. There are two sets of these controls, as the left and right sections of the DJ Console Mk2 each correspond to a separate deck in DJ software applications. Descriptions of the default function of each control are provided below.

1. Cut or boost Bass/Medium/Treble frequencies

2. Change music speed (pitch/master tempo) / tweak volume in real time

3. Add effect, cue point (song position), loop on the fly

4. Mouse emulation or track selection

5. LEDs indicating the current mode at a glance

6. Audio source select button

7. Speed up or down for accurate mixing

8. Previous/next track or rewind/fast forward

9. Vinyl-style jog wheel

10. Swift cross fader for seamless mixing between the 2 decks

11. Auto-synchronize deck with other deck

12. Play/Pause song / Play from cue point

Note 1: These are descriptions of the DJ Console Mk2’s default functions, which may vary according to the application you are using.

Note 2: Mouse emulation is enabled via the DJ Console Mk2 Control Panel (please see section

6.3. Using the DJ Console Mk2 Control Panel ).

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RCA and minijack analog ou

tputs:

Line In/Phono In switches

Microphone volume

Microphone input:

Headphone

control

Headphone output

Peak volume

Grounding screws for

Optional

Stereo RCA inputs: Deck A (1/2),

Deck B (3/4)

4.4. The connectors

Your DJ Console Mk2 features multiple connectors on the front and back faces. With these connectors you can connect multiple devices, as illustrated in the diagrams below:

Back face

speaker system(s) and/or external

(Phono In features a special

Front face

control/Talkover button

(press to enable/disable)

mixer

phono preamp)

phono inputs

power input

volume

mono microphone

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indicator

selector

input

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5. CONNECTING SPEAKERS

Two types of connectors are available for connecting speakers: RCA and minijack. An RCA plug corresponds to a channel, while a minijack plug corresponds to an output (composed of two channels), which is why there are 4 RCA plugs and 2 minijack plugs. Select the type of plug according to the type of speakers you will be connecting. Normally, Outputs 1/2 will be used for your live mix playing in the room, and Outputs 3/4 will be used for monitoring or connecting an external mixer. The Outputs 3/4 connector and the headphone jack always output the same audio data.

5.1. Connecting speakers and/or an external mixer to your DJ

Console Mk2

- Make sure that your computer is switched off and that the optional power adapter is disconnected, if you have one.

- Connect your main set of speakers to the Output 1/2 RCA plugs (plug 1 corresponds to the left speaker, plug 2 to the right speaker) or to the Output 1/2 minijack plug.

- If you have a second set of speakers (monitoring speakers, for example), connect the speakers to the Output 3/4 RCA plugs (plug 3 corresponds to the left speaker, plug 4 to the right speaker) or to the Output 3/4 minijack plug. You can also connect an external mixer to these plugs.

Your speakers and/or external mixer are now ready for use with your DJ Console Mk2.

6. USING THE DJ CONSOLE MK2 AT A PARTY

6.1. Overview

You are now about to learn everything a DJ needs to know to host his or her first parties. Let’s start at the beginning, namely setting up the party: no DJ would allow himself to arrive unprepared, which is why he would have organized his material and selected his records beforehand.

You should do the same by sorting through your music. Have a good look through your collection of CDs as well as MP3 and AIFF (for Mac) files and select the songs you are going to use. In order to be able to mix tracks effectively, you must know the pieces perfectly.

When you’re ready, make sure that you have all the hardware you will need. Got your computer, DJ Console Mk2, a pair of speakers, headphones and microphone handy? Perfect, then you’re ready to go!

You’re probably asking yourself: and now, how do I get started? By way of introduction, here are the basic principles of DJing: a DJ works with two decks (or turntables). The first deck plays one part of the musical piece, while the DJ uses the second deck to listen to the next part on his headphones. He can then work on this second part (speed it up so that it is at the same tempo as the rest of the piece, etc.) before playing it out loud. At the end of a part, the DJ plays the part on the other deck by doing a mix, which is to say a blending of the two parts creating a perfect transition.

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Please read through the following sections to learn more about the art of DJing. We also recommend that you consult the help documentation of the software supplied with your DJ Console Mk2 for additional information.

6.2. Selecting an audio source

Each deck is equipped with an audio source select button, located next to that deck’s volume slider. Using the audio source select button, you can choose the audio source to be used on that deck. The corresponding LED indicates the mode you are in.

- LED is off: You are in Input mode. The deck is using what is coming from the corresponding

inputs (1/2 for Deck A, 3/4 for Deck B). This is perfect if you have a turntable connected to one of the inputs, for example, and want to scratch using the turntable itself.

- LED is on: You are in Computer mode. The deck is using what is coming from your computer,

such as MP3 files. You can manipulate the audio using your DJ Console Mk2 in a variety of ways (mix/scratch, adjust Bass, Medium and Treble frequencies, etc.). You will use a software application, such as Virtual DJ, to select your playlist, add effects, set loops, cue points and so on.

For information on locking into a mode, please see section 6.3. Using the DJ Console Mk2 Control Panel.

6.3. Using the DJ Console Mk2 Control Panel

To access the DJ Console Mk2 Control Panel, browse to Applications/Hercules/DJ Console Mk2/Control Panel.

The Control Panel allows you to manage your DJ Console Mk2’s various settings.

- Output Channels: There are 2 sets of sliders (1-2, 3-4), which function as master volume

controls for the corresponding outputs. You can alter the balance (left/right) using the balance sliders on top of each output channel slider. The pictograms below each output channel slider display whether the corresponding deck is in Computer or Input mode (a computer icon for Computer mode, a turntable icon for Input mode). You can lock into a mode by clicking the lock icon beside each pictogram: red means it has been locked.

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