Today we have a special video for you, my first “Samurai Review” of the Reloop Jockey 3. DJTT looked at this controller at NAMM and gave it our “Best of Show Controller” Nammie award based on its looks, layout and feel. Now that we have the controller in the studio for extensive testing, does it still deserve that title? Hard to say- there are a few big bugs, but several great features as well. Continue reading for all the specs and check out my video review above!
Price: $699
Available: Soon!
Included software: Traktor LE 1 (Upgradable to 2)
External dimensions: 26.8 in (W) x 3.7 in (H) x 12.5 in (D)
Weight: 11lbs
THE GOOD
- Multiple audio outs include master, booth and headphone
- Nice grippy knobs
- Ample controls for multiple cue points, effects, looping and more
- Professional looking and well-built
- Replaceable crossfader
THE BAD
- Poor scratch performance with the jog wheels
- Requires power supply
- Heavy for its size
- Requires an upgrade to Traktor Pro to use 4 decks (an extra $150)
- Jog wheel sensitivity can cause accidental music stops
THE BOTTOM LINE
The jog wheel problems aside, you have a well-constructed controller that does most of the things that the VCI-100 did and more. There are no amazing built-in effects features, and the pre-labeled buttons make different mappings and overlays somewhat un-realistic. Then again, the back-lit, well-labeled buttons make them easy to see in the dark. If this controller came in at around $499, I think it would make a really great first DJ option for those looking into Traktor LE.
For those that want a control solution for Traktor Pro 2, you will probably get a lot more value out of the S4, which will wind up being roughly the same price after software upgrades. I see this being great for those bedroom DJs that need a integrated sound card, 4 deck control, and a small portable size. In that range, this controller is certainly one of the best in its class, provided Reloop solves the jog wheel problems.
HANDS ON CONTROL
The jog wheels look and feel great. They are low profile with a large 5″ platter surface that turns smoothly with adjustable tension resistance. Unfortunately, they did not fare so well under testing. Scratching proved to be impossible and even cueing up a down-beat was equally un-wieldy (this was tested with Traktor Pro 2 and the official Jockey 3 mapping available at press time). Reloop told us:
“the mapping we have currently is not the 100% final one. For Traktor 2 we are still working with NI on a Hi-Res Implementation of our Jog Wheel (4096 Imp/Rot) – as this cannot be accomplished with a simple mapping.”
Jog wheels do take a lot of iteration to get right, so it is possible with some back and forth they could solve the issue. I am concerned, however, that there might be some hardware issues at play, as is the case with the touch sensitivity. One of the problems with scratching is how rapidly the platter responds to touch. As you saw in the video it is either way too sensitive (turning on without even touching) or not sensitive enough (slow release). Reloop commented:
” This technology is the same as on our CD-Players. The touch sensitivity of the Jog platters work with’body electricity’. Once the platter’s sensitivity is set to very high, the Jog’s can even detect this electric charge when your hand is very near – and not even touching the platter directly. You can try this out, for example try touching the platter with a plastic item and you will see that the Jogs will not respond. ”
SOLID CONNECTIONS
One solid aspect of the Jockey 3’s offerings is their I/O selection. Reloop appears to have listened to DJs on our site and others and provided several of the features folks have been screaming for. They include:
- Discrete headphone, booth and master outputs
- Dual analogue inputs that support line and phono sources
- Microphone input that works without a computer connection
- Switchable mixer channels that can mix external sources like a standard analogue mixer
These features make the Jockey 3 a well equipped little controller. The only downside is that they do all require external power from a wall wart, but given that this is one of your only power requirements, it is not the end of the world.
CONCLUSION
The Jockey 3 is a solid upgrade from Reloop’s previous efforts at controller manufacturing. While it is not yet perfect, they now have a serious contender for controllers in the two deck class and the market has a real alternative to the VCI-100 MK2 at a reasonable price.
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Does the Reloop Terminal Mix 2/4 have the same problems as this one? Cause both, the Traktor S2/4 as well as the Vestax 700, lack Booth out making them a no-go for me so far.
That’s what happen when you have a warehouse full of S4 Controllers and a lot of note worthy competitors Companies; Numarks’, NS6: 3600 ticks per rotation, Denons’ DN-MC6000 2500 TPR, and the Reloop Jockey III currently 2048 TPR but mappable up too 4096 TPR – which makes it “HD” ready for the future. But
currently, DJ Softwares do not support this resolution natively with a
normal mapping. so what is the consumer to choose…. The choice is up to them,
P.S. next time don’t put all your eggs in one basket (S4) ….
That’s what happen when you have a warehouse full of S4 Controllers and a lot of note worthy competitors Companies; Numarks’, NS6: 3600 ticks per rotation, Denons’ DN-MC6000 2500 TPR, and the Reloop Jockey III currently 2048 TPR but mappable up too 4096 TPR – which makes it “HD” ready for the future. But
currently, DJ Softwares do not support this resolution natively with a
normal mapping. so what is the consumer to choose…. The choice is up to them,
P.S. next time don’t put all your eggs in one basket (S4) ….
Ean, thanks for the review of the Reloop Jockey 3 controller.
I understand that you designed the VCI-100/Arcade and the Traktor S4 (as well as the Novation dicers), but not everyone who runs a search for the review of a particular product (in my case, this one) is aware of that–and comparing that product, in the main text of your review, undermines your credibility as a reviewer. I’m sure it isn’t mean to, but: it looks like advertising.
How about a sub-headed section towards the end of the article in which you compare the reviewed product to the S4/VCI-100 in more depth? If you want to compare new products with those you’ve designed yourself to fill what you perceive as the artist and the market’s needs, be up-front about it, and give yourself some space to do it in after your (always very fair-handed) review.
totally reasonable request. I try to be even handed but knowing the context is always helpful.
I think this is a very nice review of a this controller. I like the layout but it would be much better if there were 4 channel faders instead of 2. The jogwheel problem is a serious mapping issue that needs to be fixed.
Although it looks like a solid controller the thing that really concerns me is the quality and especially the quality of the buttons. The digital jockey 2 ie i owned it was an 1 month controller. After that each day one button after another start to break and the only things that still work are the knobs the faders the jogwheels and maybe 2-3 of the buttons. Of course i had to buy another controller 4 months after i bought the rdj2ie.
But i don’t think reloop would make the same mistake again because if they really want to sell controllers in the future they have to make solid products from now on. And they could give a little better support to the owners of their products. The buttons of digital jockey 3 looks solid but lets hope that they last much longer than rdj2 buttons…The price also i think is high for what you get.
I think this is a very nice review of a this controller. I like the layout but it would be much better if there were 4 channel faders instead of 2. The jogwheel problem is a serious mapping issue that needs to be fixed.
Although it looks like a solid controller the thing that really concerns me is the quality and especially the quality of the buttons. The digital jockey 2 ie i owned it was an 1 month controller. After that each day one button after another start to break and the only things that still work are the knobs the faders the jogwheels and maybe 2-3 of the buttons. Of course i had to buy another controller 4 months after i bought the rdj2ie.
But i don’t think reloop would make the same mistake again because if they really want to sell controllers in the future they have to make solid products from now on. And they could give a little better support to the owners of their products. The buttons of digital jockey 3 looks solid but lets hope that they last much longer than rdj2 buttons…The price also i think is high for what you get.
I think this is a very nice review of a this controller. I like the layout but it would be much better if there were 4 channel faders instead of 2. The jogwheel problem is a serious mapping issue that needs to be fixed.
Although it looks like a solid controller the thing that really concerns me is the quality and especially the quality of the buttons. The digital jockey 2 ie i owned it was an 1 month controller. After that each day one button after another start to break and the only things that still work are the knobs the faders the jogwheels and maybe 2-3 of the buttons. Of course i had to buy another controller 4 months after i bought the rdj2ie.
But i don’t think reloop would make the same mistake again because if they really want to sell controllers in the future they have to make solid products from now on. And they could give a little better support to the owners of their products. The buttons of digital jockey 3 looks solid but lets hope that they last much longer than rdj2 buttons…The price also i think is high for what you get.
the jog wheel issues should have been fixed as Gerald from reloop said.
the jog wheel issues should have been fixed as Gerald from reloop said.
the jog wheel issues should have been fixed as Gerald from reloop said.
Hi Val,
you won’t have any issues with the buttons on Jockey 3 as they are all high quality rubber buttons. Try them out!
Really? I got my DJIE2 about 2-3 years ago. I’ve since sold it to a friend and it still works fine.
Reloop!
I belived in you…tahks Ian for saving my money from this unit.
I Ordered a s4 instead.
Relop-NI 1-0
S4 Is the winner on “Technical Knockout”
Reloop you will get another chance int about 3years from now!!
What do you have to offert by then..
Reloop!
I belived in you…tahks Ian for saving my money from this unit.
I Ordered a s4 instead.
Relop-NI 1-0
S4 Is the winner on “Technical Knockout”
Reloop you will get another chance int about 3years from now!!
What do you have to offert by then..
Reloop!
I belived in you…tahks Ian for saving my money from this unit.
I Ordered a s4 instead.
Relop-NI 1-0
S4 Is the winner on “Technical Knockout”
Reloop you will get another chance int about 3years from now!!
What do you have to offert by then..
is it a setting gerald???
is it a setting gerald???
is it a setting gerald???
Yes, these are just settings and mapping tweaks.
Yes, these are just settings and mapping tweaks.
Yes, these are just settings and mapping tweaks.
Hi Ean,
two more things regarding the Jog and and your demo in the video:
1) The problems you had scratching the beat results of having the wrong resolution & parameter set
for the jog. We found within a normal mapping, the best results are 2048 imp/rot for the jog and
the parameters set to 0 or 1%. The Jog sensitivity should be set to around 15% (setting it to 100%
the track will stop as you demonstrated in the video).
With these settings, the Jog Wheel works as expected like a charm – feel free to compare it to a VCI or else.
As stated, the capability of Hi-Res support (4096 ticks/rotation) needs to be implemented by the software
vendor.
2) The issues you had with pitch bending are already fixed in the latest mapping. This was a simple mapping
tweak and not a hardware issue.
Thanks again for your review – as you only had the Beta-Mapping, these Jog Wheel issues wouldn’t have occurred with
the latest mapping and correct settings.
Cheers, Gerald.
Hi Ean,
this is Gerald from Reloop – thanks for your extensive review. Here is some feedback:
//Poor scratch performance with the jog wheels
> As already stated before, the Jockey 3 has one of the highest Jog Resolutions on the market (4096 Imp/Rot) – which makes it “HD” ready for the future. But currently, DJ Softwares do not support this resolution natively with a normal mapping. This is why, we have integrated
also presets for 512, 1024, 2048 and 4096 ticks per rotation for the user to choose the appropriate resolution for best result and performance. Further to that, the user also has the possibility to adjust the Jog Wheel tension (drag) and touch sensitivity, which makes this construction quite unique.
Note, that it is not possible to implement the Hi-Res scratching performance with a normal (TSI) mapping – this has to be implemented from NI on software side. As quoted, the current Beta-Mapping for Traktor 2 is not the 100% final one. So, please be patient, the official T2 mapping is currently in the last development stage, and once released will have a superior scratch performance.
//Requires power supply
> As this unit has a digital mixer inside, the Jockey 3 ME requires a power supply. All controllers with stand alone mixing function require this – as a normal mixer also does.
//Heavy for its size
> That’s the downside of a rugged, fully metal-built controller. Yet, it’s rock solid and 100% bullet proof 😉
//Requires an upgrade to Traktor Pro to use 4 decks (an extra $150)
> Well, that’s the normal pricing / upgrade plan for Traktor. The alternative would be to include a full version of Traktor, which would increase the price of the Jockey 3 a lot. As many users already own Traktor Pro, we did not think that this would be a good alternative
in this case.
//Jog wheel sensitivity can cause accidental music stops
> This is part of the “body charge” technology when set too sensitive. It can be an magical effect for showing off 🙂 (stopping the track without even touching the Jog’s). But as also any other setting on a controller, you have to adjust it right to match your style and for best results. So, this is no bug, rather a setting.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=tae-bo%20ho
first thing that I thought of
Great review. Really curious to see your take on the Novation Twitch if/when you get your hands on one. As for the Samurai thing…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxZt4Kxj2cE
Nice to see humor in the reviews! You see, you get to be entertained, informed and overall good time with this type of review! Props to Ean and his samurai review! Hope to see more of this! Maybe a indian, police, construction worker, biker themed review hehehe
YO YO YO THIS GOES OUT TO ALL THE OLD PEOPLE ON THE DANCE FLOOR!
I seriously cracked up at that point. What’s with all the weird humour in this review? Has Ean been smoking crack in the office?
Yes- We recently got a large batch of crack in the office , which I have been smoking excessively. It was actually promo crack from NI, which they offered in exchange to only write about their products. :PPP
Someone should tell ReLoop that Stanton had the same problem with the platters on the SCS-1D that they have with their jog wheels. (Oddly I seem to recall the resolution on the SCS is the same as the Jockey 3). They solved it by using a branded version of Bome’s called DaRouter.
Hopefully that helps them.
I’m going for the S4. I still haven’t seen anything that compares for price in terms of controller features, build, and software.
I’m also thinking a matte black midi fighter and or Maschine splashed into the setup should keep me plenty busy.
This review of Jockey 3 only cements my decision.
If you’re interested in production, get a Maschine. If you aren’t, get a midi fighter. That’s my thinking at least.
It’s hard to make a controller with Metal and lightweight, many lightweight controller but it’s plastic, a controller outer casing make by metal is more heavy is normal. Be fair…!!! The jog wheel sensitive allow to adjust so not a big problem for us, VCI-300 also have the same problem, just adjust it would be fine. I like this Reloop Jockey 3.
im interested in the name of the I LIKE TO MOVE IT remix !?!
I love this song!
yeah, I would love to know that one as well
I Like To Move It 2009 (Ferhat Project Bootleg Remix)
so get a S4 it’s the best
Ok, first of all … I loved the review. I really did…
But… honestly; doing a joke on “I Like To Move It” (even a remixed version:) and referring to it as something going for the “old people on the dancefloor”. That really makes me feel like “a bit too old for this job” 🙂
And yes, I’m kidding 😉
i wouldn´t mess with the golden sensei! after seeing him taking down jake childs in a sec 😉 probs for the reloop review!
this control looks really awesome!
DJTT: your daily source for awkward humor 😛
Whats the name of the song ean plays on his ipod?
reel 2 real – i like to move (dunno the remix)
Yeah, I dug this one up from my library – it’s I Like To Move It ’09 (Ferhat Project Bootleg? Remix).
Great review, thorough and whatnot…
But please tweak your lav and give your voice a little more headroom. Made it neigh unlistenable to me. :p
this kind of review is what i always expect from a review
good!
i wish you could make something like this but with the DN-MC6000
but the way: Samurai thing was funny 😉
I think the bottom line says it all
You could of course just disable the touch sensitive mode. I currently have the Digital Jockey 2 Interface, and it is possible to turn touch sensitivity off on that unit. The only downside to that is when you accidently whack your jogwheels your track will fly all over the place. But i guess if you put the resistance up a little bit it might work! From what i’ve read and heard i DO like this unit. But i’d still go for the S4 if you gonna spend that kinda money anyway!!!!
Hey Do you think. The scratching problem in a software problem, or a hardware (jog wheel) problem?
Aside from the joggs, which they’ll likely fix, I think this is a solid contender for “Vci-100-The next generation”.
Solid review Ean.
Cheers
Nice review Ean
Looks like a really solid piece of kit and very pleasing on the eyes too but such a shame about the jog wheels and as for stopping tracks without actually touching the jogs??? – major fail –
Its not a bug, this is a setting.
Are they going to release more editions of this controller like controller edition? i trust my RME sound card … 🙂
meh, just disable the jogs.. in the world of digital DJing the usefulness is questionable anyways..
actually, just rip them off the device and figure out a way to put a midi fighter in there place instead..
Not reviewed this unit personally yet but capacitive touch sensitive jogs can definitely be hard to set up properly – on my VCI-300, in some setups I have to physically earth the unit to get the jogs to work properly, but it works fine in my studio setup.
It seems to depend bizarrely on what OTHER leads are plugged in – my (probably badly earthed) PA system is what upset my VCI at gigs and caused me to need to do the earthing, for instance.
you tell dem Phil m/…you be on DJ Tech tools as well…LOL it’s a small interlink, LOL!
you tell dem Phil m/…you be on DJ Tech tools as well…LOL it’s a small interlink, LOL!
some serious essential bugs that would actually keep this thing from being able to DJ with. In that light, rather strange to pronounce it best of the show just for the potential it might have.
Extra points if Ean comes in with a Samurai sword for next review. ^_^
I considered trying to get him one to chop a fourth of the phonebook off, but we just didn’t have time 🙂
Excellent review. Keep up the good work guys.