DJzone DJ Magazine

Ever wish you could mix your own music like the DJs and artists you see performing in clubs and hear on your favorite tracks?  Whether you’re an aspiring DJ, a music enthusiast, or just a techno geek who wants to get into the gadgetry and art of mixing music, the new ultra-lightweight 2-channel ELMC-1 MIDI Controller from American Audio is a great place to start.

At around $100 (MAP), it’s very affordable.  It’s also very easy to use -- just hook it up via USB to your computer as the audio source, and the ELMC-1 provides all of the basic features that will get you “in the mix” right away.

For starters, the ELMC-1 comes bundled with Virtual DJ LE software.  This popular digital DJ software is so user-friendly and self-explanatory that it will get you started mixing right out of the box without any formal instruction, even if you’re a complete novice.

All of the functions on the ELMC-1’s faceplate itself are clearly marked and laid out intuitively, putting a whole range of effects at your fingertips.  Two large jog wheels give you the feel of mixing like a pro. Buttons on each side of the 2-channel unit provide instant access to Play, Cue, Sync and Auto Loop commands.  It’s also simple to add FX and sound samples to your tracks with the unit’s easy-to-use FX/Sampler select and activation encoder.

The ELMC-1 also includes such quality features as pitch bend, 3-band EQ and 1 master and 2 separate gain controls for volume.   Plus, with a large browse dial with Load A and B buttons, you can quickly scroll through tracks to find what you’re looking for.

Part of American Audio’s Value Series, the ELMC-1 MIDI controller was designed to deliver the basic features for getting started in mixing music at a down-to-earth price. “Like the rest of our Value Series, the ELMC-1 MIDI controller is a quality-driven, reliable product that gives you all of the essentials, without the extra bells and whistles,” said Tom Freret, national sales manager for American Audio.  “By foregoing the frills, which most people aren’t going to use anyway, we can offer it at a very attractive price, while maintaining a high level quality. Another benefit of having just the basic features is that it makes the product easier to use, especially for beginners, because there’s less clutter and confusion.”

One nice feature about the ELMC-1 is that once a user gets past the “beginner” stage, the unit can grow with them.  Just add a sound card, and it’s a great little mixer to take along on gigs.

The most lightweight, compact MIDI controller that American Audio has introduced to date, the ELMC-1 is highly mobile and easy to transport.  It weighs just 3 lbs. / 1.07 kg lbs. and measures 14.25”L x 7.25 ”W x 2.75”H / 360 x 180 x 64mm.