Just before BPM 2014, Numark unveiled the NV, a 4 channel Serato DJ controller, with the unique feature of a pair of high resolution screens built right in. There was much hoopla surrounding the launch, and largely it was well received aka. I don’t know of any show stopping issues and nobody has taken to hammer NV hate in full caps into a forum somewhere. Indeed our own Ray aka Arkaei adapted his previous NS7II performance to the NV we had in the Worxlab in the blink of an eye. But I guess Numark would like to sell a few more of these lovely little things, so here’s the Numark NV II, an updated version of the original.
Obviously there is a press release, that details what amounts to a short list of improvements and a fresh paint job:
NUMARK STRENTHENS ITS PERFORMANCE LEGACY WITH INTRODUCTION OF NEW NV II PROFESSIONAL DJ CONTROLLER
World’s leading innovator of DJ solutions follows up on the amazing popularity and success of their original NV controller with NV II, offering significant performance upgrades
Cumberland, RI USA (June 1, 2016)— Numark (numark.com), the world’s leading innovator of DJ solutions, today announced the introduction of their new NVII DJ controller, which follows up on the immense popularity and sales success of their original NV controller. The original NV shattered the status quo of DJ controllers by introducing dual 4.3-inch full-color screens that provide 1:1, real-time feedback of Serato® DJ, complete with spinning Virtual Decks, effects (FX), cue points, waveforms and more. No other DJ controller could match NV’s combination of visual screen-based functionality, Serato control, touch-activated platters and performance pads, all coupled with Numark’s legendary build quality and value.
The new NV II builds upon the NV’s innovation, quality and performance, taking it to an even higher level. The NV II adds gridlines on the screens so DJs can visualize the beat of their tracks more accurately. In addition the NV II adds 5-column sort options for the music as well as additional columns of KEY, BPM and TIME. That makes it much easier for DJs to keep the music moving, without diverting their attention from the action.
The navigation control set is also new and much improved. Based on real-world feedback from NV users, Numark made these navigation upgrades in the NV II:
- Push to Load via Knob
- Deck swap on big button
- Sort by: ALBUM, ARTIST, SONG, BPM, KEY
- Onboard quick access controls for beat jump and quantize on/off
Real World Touch and Feel
Exclusive to Numark are the NV II’s dual, highly-advanced touch-capacitive jog wheels. Touch-capacitive means that the platters actually sense the DJ’s ‘style’ of use and they adapt themselves to that individual user. They “remember” how fast or slow, subtle or hard the DJ uses the platters and they provide the exact amount of adjustment based on past usage. The platters become an extension of the user’s personality and DJ’ing style.
Key Features
- 4-decks of Serato DJ software control in a sleek, low-profile design
- Dual full-color displays provide 1:1 real-time visualization of Serato DJ
- Gridlines on screen enable perfect beat matching
- 5-column options to show Song, Artist, Time, BPM, and Key
- Dual 5-inch hyper-responsive metal platters with search and scratch modes
- Adaptive learning platter technology for optimum response
- 16 velocity-sensitive trigger pads with backlit RGB feedback
- 10 pad modes for hot cues, loop slicing, and sample triggering
- Mouseless library browsing controls with dedicated on-screen feedback
- Integrated BPM metering for manual beat matching; Sync button for an instant match
- Pro-grade crossfader with Fader Start and curve adjustment
- Zone/booth outputs and balanced XLR outputs for club use
- Serato DJ included via download
“We knew the original NV controller was going to be a hard act to follow, because it was so innovative and successful,” said Chris Roman, Sr. Product Manager for Numark. “However, the NV II offers real and exciting upgrades in terms of its screen displays and navigation functionality. The overall look is far more attractive and inviting, plus the NV II continues to offer the value that Numark is famous for. DJs are going to love this.”
US retail for NV II is $699.00 and it will be available in Summer 2016.
THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT
Cutting through the copious hyperbole generated by the Numark PR machine that has clearly been turned some way past 11, it’s clear that this is a remarketing exercise for the original NV with a handful of improvements. There are cosmetic changes, but from a workflow perspective the buttons around the screens get some new functionality. It’s unclear if updates to Serato will change this on older NVs or if it’s firmware specific though.
We can’t let this press release pass without comment on the jog wheels blurb though. The way it is written implies that somehow the NV II is intelligent and has the ability to learn the user’s ways of handling the jog wheel. I’ve reached out to Numark to get some clarification on this, but I’m inclined to think that over-exuberance is at play here.
WORTH AN UPDATE?
For existing users, almost certainly not, and the vast majority of my NV review still stand. If there are no physical changes, then hopefully Numark will release a software and firmware update to give existing owners some of the special sauce.
Summing up, the updated Numark NV II will cost $699 (so the same a the current one) and will be available in the somewhat vague term of Summer.
GALLERY
So… Denon MC8000
Well they are sort of the same company, so yeah.
They’re being handled differently though. It’s important to remember that the two brand are still in the process of defining themselves within inMusic. I suspect that we’ll see Numark adopt a more beginner/middle ground position, with Denon DJ being the pro position.
Personally speaking, I’d have preferred to see the NV and NVX (a renamed MCX8000), all coming out of the Denon DJ stable. Also make a two channel more basic and smaller version of the NS7 called the NS, and then put out a dogs bollocks 4 channel 9″ platter NSX. It won’t happen though, but one can dream.
So what are the things that made you “wow effects” when you’ve visited InMusic office ???
Guess you’re under NDA so we just have to wait until BPM 2016, right ;-)
Everybody hopes a NSX like you discribe, but also something to compete the cdj2000 product line, a kind of V9/VX9 :-)
I don’t sign NDAs anymore. They either trust me to keep their next products secret or they don’t.
I agree as it is the smart way to avoid cannibalization. Will they share parts and design themes? You bet. I actually bet the screens on the MCX8000, Numark Dashboard and NV are the same.
As in, this is same as the MCX8000 – or you’d prefer the 8000? I’m hoping it’s the latter.
I am so super underwhelmed by the NVii. Unless I missed something it seems that the only new things are just some minor software functionality changes which are on the Serato end of things, and black jogwheels.
As I understand it, the screen GUI is stored on the NV itself. It doesn’t all come from the software. Probably means a new chip in the II.
I agree though that it’s an anticlimax. The headline grabbed my attention, then as I read more, my heart sank.
“GUI is stored on the NV itself” – Are you sure about that?
I really hope not, otherwise my hopes of improvements on the MCX8000 go down the drain :(
I’ve been told that’s the case by staff at Atomix – VDJ supports the NV with screens but they look exactly the same as they do with Serato software.
Damn!! That sucks, perhaps something can be done via firmware (holds breath…..)
Thanks for the info
It’s probably THE most underwhelming product “update” I’ve seen, in any industry, ever. And it took them nearly 2 years.
Announced on the day i receive my new Kontrol S5!
I don’t think it would have altered my decision, but isn’t that just typical.
;-)
I almost bought one, but for me the lack of searching was a deal breaker. Otherwise would have grabbed it.
This was worthy of being called “II”? It’s practically the same thing.
Waiting for the “AI-assisted mixing is the new sync” comments.
So it took them nearly two years to come up with a new paint job? No wait, now I can push to load via knob too! I wouldn’t dare to release this as a MKII version. It’s almost embarrassing.
mehhhhhhhhhhhhh… the original marketing/promo pics for the NV1 have the gridlines showing then the unit came out and they were hidden all of a sudden… fast forward to now and they are a ‘feature’ worth buying a new version with a new colour scheme (ala NS73 anyone?) O.o
http://community.numark.com/nu…
and still no key sorting?!? users on the forums have been asking about this for over a year now…
It says sorting by key is supported in the Press Release
i stand corrected re key sorting
still some BS re marketing the display of beat grid lines as a new feature tho
Two major gripes with the NV that haven’t been addressed in the new one:
1) red text is nigh impossible to read in low light situations – there’s been times where I used my phone screen just to figure out which button was which in the booth!
2) the single auxiliary in has no amplification whatsoever; I found that my iPhone connected and turned up in full required me to turn my master gain up significantly (no individual gain knob for the aux in)
I like to call no1 “going Xone”.
The official description for this is “Milking it”.
Numark: “Thanks for investing in the MK1. Now BUY ANOTHER ONE YA RICH MOTHERFUCKER!”
This is not aimed at people who already HAVE the MKI – its an update to an existing product to make it more attractive to potential new consumers. By your analogy if your Plasma at home gets another HDMI port and the stand design is changed , that Panasonic are somehow asking you to buy another?
Im getting an error every time I try to install the drivers for my Numark NVII.
Each time it happens the Status reads “Starting Services”
The error message states:
“Service ‘NV mkII Audio Device Monitor’
(NVmkIIAudioDevMon) failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start system services.”
I have tried the following:
First I attempted to repair the drivers using the install file in Safe-Mode.
Then on the hidden Administrator Account.
Then uninstalling the drivers and reinstalling them in Safe-Mode.
Then uninstalling and reinstalling on hidden Administrator Account.
Each time has had the same exact outcome.. the same error message every time! GRR
I tried Uninstalling & Reinstalling Serato..
Downloaded the Driver install file multiple times just in case..
There is an option to ignore this error and if I do this Serato will not communicate with my NVII. When I first open Serato I get the left screen on the NVII to change from the logo but the right screen always stays the NVII logo.
If I drag a song on the the Drag Song Here area it doesn’t show up on the one screen that is on.
Someone please help! Im going nutz over here :(
This is not a help forum!
I see you’ve already posted the same thing on the Numark support forum. It’s a job for them, not for anyone here.