It’s Sunday morning, and I’m slobbing around on the sofa, when I pick up on a post by Jonathan Cruz aka legendary turntablist Shortkut on Facebook:
Obviously as a Vestax fan, I’ve followed the events subsequent to the company folding. Vestax DNA has popped up at Casio from Toshi Nakama, and I’ve also heard many rumours about the future of the much-loved and missed brand too. But this is the first time anything concrete has appeared online.
SO WHAT IS STPVESTAX
Doing a whois on the domain really only tells us that it’s based in Japan (which is a good start) and does bear the mark or Mr Shiino, the owner of Vestax. But the content of the holding page offers clues to what might be in store. This looks like a 4 channel mixer (the image is called mixer_002.jpg which is a giveaway). But real vu meters… trouser trauma ensues. Shall we say booth/headphone and master vu meters on the right? I think that above the channel meters are additional buttons with a label that looks like “DJ” and one of the buttons possibly being a headphone (cue button?). So far, so awesomely good. And then there’s the input label above the first channel too.
Now, being the curious type that I am (numerous IQ tests reveal that I see patterns), I’m always intrigued when I see numerical sequences. A company brings out something called say the X4, I’m immediately wondering about the X2 and X1. So when I see a filename called mixer_002.jpg, my inquisitive nature always gets the better of me. And this dear reader is what mixer_001.jpg looks like:
Be still my beating heart, for this looks like the very essence of Vestax may well be coming back in the form of a classically styled premium and possibly analogue mixer. It looks like a render, but this could (and I stress could emphatically) be the relaunch of Vestax.
Given the proximity to NAMM 2016, it’s possible that more announcements will be forthcoming. But either way, we can only hope that Mr Shiino has finally sorted through the debris of the Vestax implosion and has managed to put it back together again. God knows that we’ve been missing Vestax. And if they’re doing something like this, they could be working on other things that hopefully won’t cost $4000 each.
To be clear, as ever I’m not playing games — I don’t know a thing. I have no other answers for you.
ARE YOU EXCITED?
I know I am. Is the time right for Vestax to return? Is a rebirth as a premium DJ company what we’ve been waiting for? Do we need a brand that we can love all over again?
On second thoughts, it could just be a VST. ;)
That’s what I’m thinking. Looks like a rendering and not some kind of hardware. Sigh
A lot of product images are renders though. It doesn’t mean for certain that this isn’t real. It just me of a VST right now.
A VST mixer though? That would be bizarre. Most VSTs are effects, and VSTi’s are instruments. VSTs usually get hosted in software that already has a mixer (a DAW, DJ software etc) so it doesn’t make much practical sense IMO.
I’m just covering bases. At least if it isn’t hardware, I can at least say that it might be a VST too. :)
Always loved vestax gear, id love them to make a comeback.
Also, just get someone on the software side to make that vci 380 dvs update pretty please?
huge cosign on getting a vci380 DVS update, although I know chances are minimal.
I don’t think it’ll ever happen to be honest, I did wonder if there was enough interest, we could organise a kickstarter to pay a dev to come up with something but id have no clue where to start or how feasible it would even be.
Such a shame as it would be a fantastic turntablist controller if it was dvs enabled.
My fingers hurt from being crossed so long. I hope it’s not just a VST though Mark…
There is a lot of their studio equipment on ebay… though I have never used any there clearly used to be market for their eqs, and delays etc..
I have very fond memories of my old 05 scratch mixer. I learned the craft on this well built, affordable mixer. Id love to see them back in the game, and I’d really love them to do a simple battle mixer perhaps taking on the DJ Tech mixer. No bells and whistles, no effects needed….just a really well built scratch mixer with a decent fader.
For me the pro/upper end of the market is already had by the S9 and the Rane. Where there is a market (I believe) is in that ‘2nd mixer/bedroom DJ’ market of people who need a standby 2nd mixer or just something to practise mixing/cutting on at home, that doesn’t cost the earth.
I love my PMC-400. Smooth faders, lovely meters. What can I say more? Vestax is absolutely value for money. No hype.
I’m so excited right now!
I want a VCI-380Mk2 with DVS, better FX-Control, RGB-Pads and the quality of the first one or even better.
I just want them to make my current VCI 380 DVS compatible – too much to ask?
I prefer VCI-380MK2 with DVS myself. Ideally, the thickness or height of the Technics or build an accessory stand to match the height of the TTs.
Plus crossfader reverse on the unit.
It will be a new company that needs revenue. It wouldn’t help them at all if they put effort in a product that will not bring any cash into their accounts.
Sure, my VCI-380 works still perfect and a firmware update would make DVS possible but I wouldn’t count on it.
Plus: I’d be happy to drop my money on a MK2 as there is still no 2ch full-featured performance controller on the market that can compete with the 380.
Yeah, I don’t think for one minute they’d be reviving any existing product lines, as much as we’d like them to.
My money’s on a high end rotary mixer. Would love it to be a scratch mixer, but I reckon they’ll chase big bucks first.
I pray this is a return.
Always loved Vestax gear and I got goosebumps when I saw this.
The image on the website is named “mixer_002”. Pretty sure it´s hardware.
Yeah – that’s mentioned twice in the story. That’s how I found mixer_001.jpg.
maybe spring – summer , made in Japan , around 400000 yen
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/s_acvtive
So codename is Phoenix (logically) and it’ll cost £2350. I guess those GAEs will need something to sandwich.
My Vestax PMC05 ProIV is still badass. Still performs like new. Man I just hope Vestax don’t do a Technics and get exclusive to a certain target, but I have a feeling that might just be the case.
My too!
maybe it’s nothing at all – maybe it’s just a graphic for their new website?
im such a big fan of vestax more so than tecs .
my hopes is they bring a Vestax PMC05 Pro 6 with a sound card in it
Exactly how I feel. I’m more excited about Vestax returning than Technics. But judging from the number of comments on the Technics post, I’m in the minority.
indeed. i’d get excited about a 1200 with a straight arm. i like the smooth low profile platter on the 12, but prefer the easy setup of a straight arm. don’t care if if eats up records, their scratch records, they’ll get worn. with a straight arm you just put the needle on, move the weight all the way in, and go. yes, i’m lazy.
i’d like to see the return of the 06 and the 06t. i think they were just a bit ahead of their time, and would make great companion mixers to the portable tts.
This is weird…What STP could stand for? Vestax is known for using acronyms. Studio / Signal T…..Processor?
Anyhow, I am holding my fingers crossed for this one!
It’s right there in the homepage image – Shiino Technology Products.
Damnit! I missed that completely, lol!
Oh my. Serato has opened DVS to 3rd parties, Rane has dropped the ball (in my opinion – I am not feeling these little buttons), Pio is dropping their own software. It’s the perfect time for a relaunch with tightly integrated Serato mixers and controllers, with the unique Vestax design flair and solid build.
I hope Toshi was just taking a pay cheque at Casio during the rebuild and is back on board! VCI-520 here we come!
Maybe he sold it to CASIO….. and they will be behind the relaunch.
06 and a handytrax built together, please
My feeling is that this is a premium product to prove their worth as a pro audio company. And after that they’ll bring out more affordable units. Start at the top and filter down.
I’m with you on this. Let’s not forget that Vestax always had offerings on the higher end of mixers too, like the PMC580. It’s not on Rane Rotary territory, but still it was a premium (and expensive) club mixer.
New PDX, but premium build quality, pleaase! :)
http://www.stpvestax.com/stp.jpg
I think this new mixer will be a rotary: discrete components, analogue VU-meters, $3K+ price tag… :)
I tried emailing them by putting ‘info’ before the domain name trying to get some info on the new products, no response as yet..
For everyone wanting DVS support for their Vestax controllers, have you tried them with Mixxx? It doesn’t care what sound card you use. If the OS can see it, Mixxx can use it (for DVS or otherwise.)
Limited quantity audio gear as stated here: http://www.paco1977.com/?author=5
Producing 10-20 units per month? Then we can forget about them supporting anything in the old line up.
Crap.
While I’m sure there will be a continued level of support for old products (I’m not sure of the legal obligations if any considering the official bankruptcy) from local distributors/retailers if they can, I’d say the this will draw a line under old Vestax. I certainly wouldn’t be expecting old hardware to get new software features like DVS.
I think he should have just called it something else. Since he started Vestax he would still have gotten enough publicity to market such a small production.
Well, well…
render?
right? This is new-article-worthy!
The comments section is fine for unsubstantiated wet dreams. Without a source, there’s no story.
STPVX-Rev3
Soy fan, puede que no numero uno pero si super fan de vestax, desde que comence en el mundo del dj, he visto con brillo en los ojos y deseo los equipos vestax soñando con ellos desde muy niño, hace poco por fin pude pagar un mini setup de vestax me gustaria comentar algo, primero que deseo que no se cambie el nombre de vestax, segundo que se de soporte a los equipos antiguos y tercero que no se convierta en tan exclusivo por precios muy elevados ni complejidades de equipo, vestax es para batalla para el dj real, pero que no olvide que el tiempo avanza, con el la tecnologia, gran aliada y que deseamos implemente, larga vida a vestax rey de la batalla…psdt: hasta hice diseños en bocetos de giradiscos mixers y controladoras del afan que tengo por esta compañia, saludos.