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SAULTEE’s REVIEW I must preface this review with stating that I do not own any of this equipment, giving me an unbiased viewpoint. However, the downside to this is that the only time I had to experiment with the equipment was during the review, so I can't speak in depth about the features of each. I did not do any of the installation, setup, or plugging into anything, so some of my comments might be completely off. Another thing to consider when reading this is that I am rating these units based on my needs. I am heavily into scratching, scratch production, production, and multitrack mixtapes, and to a lesser degree playing out live. I am only including my opinion of each of the units and leaving out all of the details that will be included in the overall review (i.e. rumble filter noise from Serato) Stanton FS2 Hardware
Software I didn't get a chance to get into the software too much. I didn't calibrate the setup, or adjust any of the settings, so I don't have much feedback in this area. The main user interface was decent. It seemed straightforward and easy to use. I would like to see a slightly larger wave image, and have the user interface fully customizable. I want to be able to arrange on the computer screen my file browser, playlist, and wave images however I want. Another complaint is that the waveform takes a while to generate/regenerate. In use (scratching) From what I can tell, FS is very similar to scratching on regular vinyl. The response time was excellent. An area of concern is with the skipless mode. If you forget which mode you are in, you could end up with some unpleasant results when needle dropping. In use (mixing) n/a...however I would be curious to know a few things. 1) What would happen if turntable 1 was playing a song (with FS in the mode where the track will still play after the needle is picked up), pick up the needle and assign a new track to turntable 1, and then drop the needle back on to turntable 1? 2) What would happen if you were playing a track on turntable 1, and you tried to assign another track to turntable 1 while the original track was still playing? 3) What would happen if the needle never loses contact with the record, but slides over a few grooves? Summary My overall impression is that Stanton FS is a quality piece of equipment. If you simply want an alternative to records for playback, scratching, mixing, juggling, etc., FS delivers. There are minor things about the user interface that could be improved, but that is just personal preference and has nothing to do with performance. The requirement of a computer and the FS amp make it a little more difficult as far as portability compared to regular vinyl. Obviously a computer and the scratch amp will be more sensitive to damage in a club environment, but will probably weigh less and take up less physical space. Rating - 8/10 Rane Serato Scratch
I like the size and weight of the Serato amp. Rane has a reputation of building sturdy products so I have no reason to believe Serato Scratch is any different. The feel of the vinyl is identical to a normal audio record. Software I didn't calibrate the setup, or adjust any of the settings, so I don't have much feedback in this area. The main user interface was highly intuitive. I liked how the waveforms are vertical rather than horizontal, but would have liked to see more of the waveform at once. The beat indicators and the label marker make it very easy to beat match and to see where you are on the record at any given time. As stated earlier about Stanton FS, I would like to have the user interface fully customizable. I want to be able to arrange on the computer screen my file browser, playlist, and wave images however I want. In use (scratching) After the calibration issues were fixed, Rane Serato Scratch performed nearly flawlessly. The response time was very good and is very comparable to using a regular record. In use (mixing) Again, from my viewpoint Rane Serato Scratch performed nearly flawlessly. My weak attempt at a beat juggle made me believer. The beat indicators and the label markers make it very easy to get that perfect blend every time. I have the same questions about Rane Serato Scratch as I stated earlier about Stanton FS. Summary In my opinion, Rane Serato Scratch is very solid. I didn't notice any major differences between using Rane Serato Scratch and using traditional vinyl. Rating - 9/10 Numark CDX Hardware
Software n/a... I heard X mention something about firmware upgrades. In use (scratching) I think the most natural sound and best response came from the Numark CDX. I can't exactly pinpoint why, but I will say this advantage is negligible (and I mean negligible). While the feeling of the platter and the sound seemed authentic, something just wasn't right. I believe this was due to the fact that you can't forget that this unit simply isn't a turntable. Where's the damn tone arm! In use (mixing) The main advantage here is the pitch control on the CDX. Other than that, mixing on the CDX is identical to mixing on a regular turntable. Summary While the Numark CDX is a very worthy contender, it just doesn't interest me. I don't want to burn CDs, I don't want to lug around another piece of heavy equipment, and it doesn't really outperform either Stanton FS or Rane Serato Scratch in any way. Rating - 7/10 Bottom line For strictly mimicking real vinyl playback, I think Serato, FS, and the Numark CDX are nearly identical. As we all know with technology, in time every digital replacement for vinyl should perform identically, i.e. an exact replica of real vinyl. So to me, the deciding factor is the user interface. Although the Numark CDX seems to have the best sound, it just doesn't feel like you are using a turntable. The only advantage the CDX has is file browsing. It is much quicker to scroll through the tracks on a cd than to go over to the computer, browse the files, then assign the file to the appropriate turntable. The effects and looping functions on the Numark CDX are completely useless, especially since it is all pre-fader. Plus burning CDs and carrying around an extra unit (which is just as big and heavy as a regular turntable) just doesn't seem too appealing to me. I don't think the CDX can do anything Stanton FS or Rane Serato Scratch couldn't do with a few software upgrades. So the real debate is between Stanton FS and Rane Serato Scratch. Like I said earlier, as far as how they work, they both seem identical. In time Stanton and Rane will perfect them both. So it all comes down to user interface and extra features. One of the really cool things about both Stanton FS and Rane Serato Scratch is that you can actually see yourself scratching instead of just hearing it. As it stands with my limited knowledge, I give Rane Serato Scratch the nod over Stanton FS. I like the fact that Serato's waveforms are bigger and arranged vertically instead of horizontally, but I wish you could see more of the waveform at once. The beat indicators on the waveforms are a nice touch, which can make it easier to beatmatch. Also, the view of the record label with the "tape marker" is very useful for knowing exactly where you are on the records at all times. However, I just read on the Native Instruments site that Stanton FS will be completely compatible with TRAKTOR DJ Studio 2.6, which may improve on some of the user interface issues I have. This reinforces my point that the deciding factor between the two it is really going to be a software user interface/options preference, or a matter of upgrading the software. It would be nice to see free downloadable upgrades. With a great piece of software and a midi controller the potential is infinite. My main concerns with both units are the ability to record, and the stress it puts on the computer. Since I haven't been able to use either of these units to record, my thoughts might not be applicable. I want the ability to multi-track record, record and playback recorded loops, etc. just as I would with my traditional turntable setup. It seems to me that both units are missing at least another output, but additional inputs would be very welcome also. The second point obviously greatly depends on the computer being used to run Stanton FS or Rane Serato Scratch. Since I haven't been able to use either unit for an extended period of time, I am curious to see how their performance holds up in a live situation. It goes without saying that both units need to be highly stable. I would like to see Rane and Stanton add a video function. It would be sick to cut up video files just as you would an audio file. it seems like they wouldnt have to add much more technology to make this happen. The rating from best to worst is 1) Rane Serato Scratch; 2) Stanton FS; 3) Numark CDX Saultee Click for a review:
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Hardware
The base and platter seem very sturdy and should withstand normal turntable wear and tear. The push buttons seem a little flimsy to the touch. Since there is no calibration requirements or compatibility issues, the CDX works perfectly straight out the box. I do wonder about the reliability of the actual cd mechanism itself. I am suspect of the mechanical connection between the spindle and the platter. Another area of concern is accidentally pushing the wrong button can have disastrous results in a live situation. In my opinion the effects, looping, etc. are completely useless since it is pre-fader. I would rather go with a separate effects box.