Classic DJ Weapons of Yore: The BCR 2000

Classic DJ Weapons of Yore: The BCR 2000

Written by Kent Barton on November 27th, 201126 Comments

What’s the most searched MIDI controller on Google? The answer might surprise you. It’s not a studio mainstay like the MPC or Trigger Finger. It’s not a relatively new controller or a futuristic, buzz-worthy device. Nope. It’s an unassuming collection of encoders that’s been on the market for the better part of a decade.  Is it worthy of a spot in your arsenal of gear? And, if you already own one, how can you make the most of it?

COME ON OVER AND DO THE TWIST

These days barely a week goes by without a new MIDI controller hitting the market. But back in 2004, Behringer had much less competition when it rolled out the BCR2000. Designed as a companion controller with the BCF2000 (a bank of motorized faders), it quickly caught on with electronic musicians, producers, and DJs.

Nearly eight years later, the BCR’s popularity endures. In production studios and on major tours – a pair of BCR’s were part of Daft Punk’s badass pyramid set-up on their Alive 2007 tour – the controller has quietly become a staple of electronic music.

Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of this time-tested MIDI tank, then dig deeper into some of its uses in the studio and on the stage. As we’ll see, there are some good reasons why the BCR’s use is so widespread.

PROS:

• Versatile - Eight columns of endless encoders is never a bad thing. But what really makes the BCR stand out is the top row of encoders. Using its four bank buttons, you can have those eight top knobs control 32 different parameters. Combined with an array of buttons (including the top eight knobs, which also have a push function), the control possibilities are endless.
• Cheap - A new BCR will set you back $150. Look around on Craigslist or eBay, and you can find a used one for closer to $100.
• Reliable - While it’s not built like the proverbial brick shithouse, the BCR can definitely take a beating. And if it does succumb to a spilled beer or steep drop, it’s not hard to replace.

CONS:

• Bulky – Weighing in at about five pounds and taking up a sizeable footprint, this is not a travel-friendly device. It’s not sleek and sexy – especially compared to modern controllers.
• It doesn’t feel like a DJ mixer - The larger size and looser feel of the knobs is a far cry from the smaller, rubberized feel of most mixers. This might be a concern if you’re mixing “in the box,” and want your controller to feel like a mixer. Also, because the knobs are endless, you can’t feel where they stop and end.
• Holy crap that’s a lot of knobs - The BCR might be overkill if you’re looking to keep it simple; there are more streamlined controllers that might better suit your needs. And if you absolutely must have faders (or a crossfader), there are none to be found here.

IN THE STUDIO

One look at the BCR, and you can easily visualize some natural MIDI mappings for studio work. With its eight columns of knobs, it’s logical to assign each column to a track. I like to assign the second row of encoders to the volume of each track, with the third and fourth rows assigned to reverb and delay sends. The pair of buttons on each column can then be assigned to solos and mutes.

The top bank of encoders can be designed around your more specific needs. For instance, you could have each of those four banks control a different FX rack in Ableton. They can also be assigned to various mixer effects, like frequency controls, volume, crossfade, and cueing. Having this much hands-on control is a big help when it comes to things like fine-tuning a mix or adding natural-sounding FX and volume automations to your songs.

To customize your controller settings (MIDI channels, button behavior, etc.), you can try Behringer’s own editor software at your own risk. A more straightforward, easy-to-use editor can be found here.

IN THE CLUB

Live performance is where this thing really shines. If you want to mix up to eight channels at once, the BCR is a solid option. The intuitive eight-column design makes it easy to see what you’re doing. (For you Ableton cats, you can try setting up the Mackie Emulation with the BCR. I find the eight-channel mapping to be a lot more intuitive, especially on stage.)

Granted, stem-mixing eight channels is a lot to handle. If you want to take a more streamlined approach and use just four channels (say, drums, bass, lead, and vocals), you’ve suddenly freed up half the controller for other uses. The red LED’s are also easy to see in a dark club – and they look pretty sweet too.

For a DJ-centric approach, programs like Traktor and Serrato can be mapped to get the job done (check out the DJTT forums for more resources; this post has specialized Traktor mappings). This makes the BCR a cheaper alternative to controllers like the Kontrol X1. But again, the lack of typical mixer knobs and faders could be a deal-breaker if you’re aiming for a traditional DJ controller.

YOU MAKE THE CALL

So is the BCR2000 still a smart buy despite its age? And is it right for you? If you fall into one or more of these categories, I’d say it’s definitely worth your attention.

- You’re a beginner who’s looking for your first MIDI controller. Simply put, this is a very cheap and easy way to start controlling your audio software.

- You need a knob controller for live performance. As I mentioned above, the BCR is a good option for gigs – especially if you want to control several channels of audio at the same time.

- You already have a pad controller. The BCR is an awesome companion to pad controllers like the Launchpad, MPC, and Trigger Finger. For example, you can hammer out beats or trigger clips with your right hand, while using the BCR’s knobs to tweak filter sweeps and FX with your left hand. This makes for a more involved live performance – more fun for you, and more entertaining for the crowd.

- You’re on a budget. In this craptastic economy, it’s important to remember that you don’t need the latest and greatest gear to make awesome music. Save up a hundred bucks, buy a used BCR (or something similar), and start kicking ass.

TECH TIPS:

A few tips as far as using the BCRs – first, they come from the factory with a slight birth defect: the LEDs respond a bit sluggishly as you turn the knobs. This could be a problem if you want to perform super-fast knob tweaks. However, this can be fixed by following these steps. Some BCR users have also had luck using the latest firmware to customize knob speed.

The BCR is also a good option for live visuals. VJ’s have been using it for years, in combination with one ofmany VJ programs, to bombard retinas with dynamic images.

Additionally, I’ve used the terms “knobs” and “encoders” interchangeably in this article, but there are some important differences. As mentioned above, knobs have physical start and end points whereas endless encoders don’t. On the other hand, there’s a big advantage to having endless encoders: their position moves automatically as you switch between banks and presets.

Finally, it’s worth noting that if you prefer to use hardware over software (the way old school Live PA’s used to do it), don’t forget that the BCR can also be used to send MIDI commands to other devices.

Review: Pioneer DDJ-Ergo

Review: Pioneer DDJ-Ergo

Written by Chris Cartledge on December 14th, 201123 Comments

Pioneer’s latest controller is a departure from the strategy that they’ve adopted over the past 18 months, namely of putting big ticket prices on their first forays into controller and computer based DJ gear. The DDJ Ergo isn’t a budget priced controller, but it’s definitely in the realms of purchasing possibility for many first time buyers. Let’s see how Pioneer have managed to do it…

SPECS

Price at Review: £429/$599USD

Connection/Power: USB Bus Powered

Input Terminals: MIC x 1 (1/4 inch Jack)/AUX x 1 (RCA)

Output Terminals: MASTER OUT x 2 (1/4 inch Jack x 1, RCA x 1), HEADPHONE MONITOR OUT x 2 (front 1/4 inch Jack, Mini Pin)

Dimensions (W x H x D): 555 x 280 x 103 mm

Weight: 3 kg

Software System Requirements:

Windows
• Windows XP (SP3)/Vista/7
• Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon XP, 512 MB RAM or more

Mac OS X 10.5/10.6/10.7 
• Intel processor platform, 1024 MB RAM or more
• 50 MB or more free disk space
• 1024 x 768 screen resolution or more

THE GOOD

• Distinctive look
• Good layout for basic mixing
• Decent onboard audio options

THE BAD

• Maybe too distinctive look
• Cramped EQ and FX/cue controls
• Price (especially considering software)

THE BOTTOM LINE

If you love the look of Ergo, and especially if you’re not a fan of Traktor, it’s probably a good buy. That said, ergonomic bottlenecking and the fact that it doesn’t really offer anything, except looks, that other cheaper controllers do means that it’s by no means a stand out contender for any thrones.

 JUDGING A BOOK BY ITS COVER

Ergo has a distinctive look. View it from the top, unplugged, and it’s a somewhat average looking black fascia with recognisable Pioneer stylings. From an angle, things start to get a little more space age. The gloss white, curved edges become apparent, and two back legs (that need to be unscrewed to be removed) put the entire unit at a shallow incline. Plugged in, that effect gets multiplied by a red and blue light show that makes the entire unit look like something from Back to the Future II. I’m all for designers pushing the envelope – heaven knows there are enough matt black, sharp edged boxes – but there’s a general resistance to too much flashiness in the industry, and when I asked a non-DJ friend what he thought, he said “it looks like a toy”. Pioneer have consciously gone after the consumer market with Ergo, and in doing so have seemed to go with what a layman thinks DJ equipment should look like, rather than going with the grain and designing something more reminiscent of the norm. This creates an issue, in that using Ergo is going to, for better or worse, present you in a certain light amongst people who have any frame of reference for what DJ gear usually looks like.

NUTS AND BOLTS

The Pioneer jog wheels are one of the big reasons for buying in to any low level Pioneer gear. Whilst these smaller wheels don’t feel identical to the larger ones found on the pro level CDJs they do have a degree of similarity that should make going through the ranks of Pioneer-dom easier to adjust to – it’s perhaps worth saying that I’ve never particularly been a fan of the feel of a Pioneer jog wheel, but they’re certainly the industry standard so what do I know?! They’re not hugely ‘spinny’, but there’s a feeling of momentum that’s quite pleasant and whilst they do have a slight blunt feel to them when it comes to positioning, they’re accurate enough to transcribe motions into fairly smooth manipulation of audio.

Pioneer are definitely keeping up their trademark feel elsewhere on the unit, with a light crossfader and heavy channel faders. The crossfader feels okay, it’s nothing to really write home about but the lag on either side of the fader is acceptable – at around 2.5mm – and there’s a smooth action. The heavy channel faders are just clunky though, and I wish Pioneer would start loosening them up in their new gear. The pitch fader is also quite stiff – completely different to Pioneer’s CDJ offerings – and has a central detent to help you find the middle.

The Pioneer play and cue buttons have been ditched in favour of a slightly different, curved bezel style that fits in better with the overall aesthetic of the Ergo, and the buttons for other features are stiff plastic which depresses only a very small amount before activation. Manufacturers in general are still undecided about how to ‘do’ buttons on new equipment, mindful of the fact that some of us like to map and remap controllers and use any button going as a potential performance control, but also that there is still a (presumably) much larger portion of the market that has a much more traditionalist approach to equipment and DJing in general and to ramp up the cost of a unit by dropping in top quality buttons on everything would be commercial suicide. I think that the style of button on Ergo is about my favourite way to do a cheap controller’s buttons, as the action is quick and there’s little to no ‘waggle’.

Knobs are made of very stiff plastic that has indentations all around the outside. Rather than use the high level caps from the big boys of the DJM series, it’s the budget range of caps that are on offer, and they’re both smaller and less comfortable to use; the deep indentations have a somewhat spiky feel that doesn’t really feel great on the pads of your fingers.

All in all, the build of the Ergo is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, it’s a solid unit with decent jog wheels, crossfader, and well compromised buttons, on the other hand, the other controls on the unit are distinctly average.

THE FEELING

Ergonomics wise, Pioneer get brownie points for avoiding the temptation to design Ergo with horizontal symmetry. There’s a definite ‘deck’ design that’s duplicated on either side of the mixer, and generally all’s well when it comes to placement… at least for beginner level use. In reality, whilst things like loop buttons and filter are given plenty of space, the other performance controls are just a little too close together for comfort; the effects dials are nearly on top of each other, the buttons for sampler and cue are too small, and the EQ, gain, and headphone monitoring is awkwardly snug. The placement of the sampler and cue buttons atop the jog wheels is a pretty well accepted place to put them, but if you really bug out there’s a chance you’ll tap the jog wheel itself. It would probably have been better to have put the buttons, or at least some of them, below the jog wheel to facilitate cue juggling and so on. The dual layer four deck control feels a bit like a nod to the fact that four deck is the latest craze, and the Ergo feels a little behind the curve when considering other controllers that are implementing four physical channel faders into their design.

SOFTWARE

Included with Ergo is an OEM copy of Virtual DJ, which may turn some of you off but the truth is for basic performance VDJ can cut it. Ponying up for the full version of VDJ to allow all features – including expansion for extra controllers – is once again where it fails as a value proposition, though, as Traktor Pro blows it out of the water when it comes to included effects and general tightness. If you want software to grow with you and your setup, you’re going to have to think about adding Traktor (or a full licence for VDJ, Torq, or similar) to the shopping list.

The days of Traktor being included with third party controllers may be coming to an end now, as NI begin to use its inclusion as a USP for its own hardware offerings. Nonetheless Pioneer have included a Traktor mapping for the Ergo; as you’d expect Ergo gets mapped to Traktor fairly ‘straight’, and the jog wheels have the expected somewhat sloppy feel that third party wheels tend to when mapped to Traktor.

If you’re just after a no nonsense controller, Virtual DJ is fine, but much more exciting is the news that Serato Intro will very soon officially support the Ergo. Serato’s user interface is superb and the Serato way of handling scratching style playhead manipulation sounds much better than both Traktor and VDJ’s, and whilst it doesn’t have any upgradeability it should increase the value of the Ergo package a whole bunch.

THE WHOLE PACKAGE

Being an all-in-one, Ergo’s also got onboard sound going for it. There’s a mic/aux channel, TRS and RCA master outs, and two front mounted headphone sockets: one for 3.5mm and another for 1/4″ headphone jacks. Considering it’s an entirely bus powered interface there’s a decent amount of volume from the outputs, and because the actual mixing’s done in software there’s not so much worry about the headroom issues we’ve spoken about in previous articles. In any case, Ergo is pitched to house party DJs rather than super club DJs and it performs just fine for that purpose.

The fact that the Ergo is packaged only with Virtual DJ LE detracts from its value compared to, at this price, its main competitor: the Native Instruments Kontrol S2. Serato Intro will give it more weight, but in reality Ergo doesn’t really add much above and beyond controllers that are quite significantly less expensive like the Numark Mixtrack Pro or (and having not had more than a preliminary play I can’t vouch for it yet) N4 – both of which also have Intro. If the look is what you’re going for, then you’ll probably love the DDJ Ergo. If you don’t think it looks any better than the more accepted consumer focused gear, ie the more Fisher Price looking efforts from Numark and Vestax’s budget lines, then you’ll struggle to see where your extra money’s going.