DJ Ning beatmania IIDX arcade style controller -official thread-

[snapps]

yeah get chris on that thing haha

[Blackraven]

Originally Posted by DJEnD

Well for a start, at least this company gives warranty. =D

Hehe, but I assume though that it's international warranty. Granted, I dunno how that will work out exactly but if they're capable of such service, then I suppose it's plausible.

[eddie]

The review is taking a little longer than planned, got some stuff going on over the next week that's going to keep me from getting other player opinions immediately. I can write my own personal review but I'd really like to have some outside perspective from some really high level players when I put it together.

[DJ DIVINE!? REALLY!?]

Originally Posted by eddie

I just got an e-mail from the company again today (review is still coming) and apparently my controller has Sanwas in it. I opened it up and it's using Omrons as well.

sounds pretty sweet, these arcade specific parts are what's gonna make a difference in how the keys feel and register. i can tell from my KSC (korean ASC) that EZ2DJ keys + microswitches don't perform as well.

i'll drop by the same night ryry comes by ;]

[Madek]

I'll be putting up a review with some videos sometime in the next few days. BE ON THE LOOK OUT

[Madek]

Sorry for being a little slow on the review, but I have been extremely busy with work and other things, and have not had time to actually sit and play. I'm unable to get pictures/video at the moment... but I'll write my initial thoughts on the controller for now.

Just a reminder, this review is on a NRC-300 unit, with wrist rest and Sanwa buttons with Omron switches.

Pros:

• Controller looks absolutely amazing. This thing is beautiful.
• Turntable lights have a solid glow around the base of the turntable. No individual LED's can be seen. Adds to the look.
• LED's in the keys are very bright and nice as well.
• Keys and turntable height recreate the arcade experience extremely well.
• Keys are completely solid within the controller. Can not "wobble" the keys from side to side as I've seen in other ASC controllers.
• Wrist rest is a nice addition, mimics the feeling of the arcade wrist rest very well. But definitely not required.
• Solidly built. Sturdy. Can not hear any sort of hollow sound when hitting keys.
• I really like the turntable. Did not have a single misfire, and the turntable is extremely smooth. It does not spin freely after a scratch, so it is possible to scratch in the same direction almost immediately after a scratch. (HUGE PLUS).
• Rubber feet on bottom of controller worked very well for keeping the controller in place.

Cons:

• Price. (Of course) If you have the money (OR WEALTHY PARENTS), and want a very nice "arcade" experience, then this is a very good choice.
• I could see one LED inside the turntable that would flicker on and off from time to time, but nothing major. (Did not interrupt me during gameplay, and I only noticed it while staring at it trying to think of some other negatives.)
• Could not come close to my KOC scores. This is probably also due to me not playing very often. Although the scores I got were very similar to the types of scores I get at the arcade.
• Due to NOT being in a noisy arcade setting while playing on this controller, the keys do make a small "rattle" noise when hitting them. (This sound is not noticeable while playing at the arcade due to background noise.) You can get an extreme example of this when watching this video YouTube - DJ DOLCE - Pluto [A] FC - Troopz CS. The camera makes the sound a lot worse than it really is.

If I get some time I'll try to at least take some pictures/video of the controller before I have to give it back to Eddie. I would like to be able to spend some more time playing on the controller to see if I could adjust to it and start getting the types of scores that I know I can get, but I don't think I will get the chance.

Short review - Pretty controller. Shiny lights. Smooth scratch. Nice buttons. I like.

[word]

Nice review, definitely sounds like a good quality IIDX ASC. I'm really liking the fact that it doesn't have a hollow sound to it, which I've noticed the DJ Dao PEE suffers.

Originally Posted by Madek

[*]Could not come close to my KOC scores. This is probably also due to me not playing very often. Although the scores I got were very similar to the types of scores I get at the arcade.

I've noticed this a lot lately, when switching between my PEE2, and KOC. I think it's really down to the feeling of the buttons, (how far they travel, and when they actuate,) and what you're used to playing on. Once I get used to the feeling of Sanwa keys and arcade dimensions, my scores start to get better, around the same as playing on a KOC.

[dj FU]

I heard that it's a bit harder to turn the TT on an arcade machine than on a DAO. Is it the same thing on this Dj Ning controller ? Also, could someone compare the RES and the NRC-300 ?

[Blackraven]

Originally Posted by Madek

Sorry for being a little slow on the review, but I have been extremely busy with work and other things, and have not had time to actually sit and play. I'm unable to get pictures/video at the moment... but I'll write my initial thoughts on the controller for now.

Just a reminder, this review is on a NRC-300 unit, with wrist rest and Sanwa buttons with Omron switches.

Pros:

• Controller looks absolutely amazing. This thing is beautiful.
• Turntable lights have a solid glow around the base of the turntable. No individual LED's can be seen. Adds to the look.
• LED's in the keys are very bright and nice as well.
• Keys and turntable height recreate the arcade experience extremely well.
• Keys are completely solid within the controller. Can not "wobble" the keys from side to side as I've seen in other ASC controllers.
• Wrist rest is a nice addition, mimics the feeling of the arcade wrist rest very well. But definitely not required.
• Solidly built. Sturdy. Can not hear any sort of hollow sound when hitting keys.
• I really like the turntable. Did not have a single misfire, and the turntable is extremely smooth. It does not spin freely after a scratch, so it is possible to scratch in the same direction almost immediately after a scratch. (HUGE PLUS).
• Rubber feet on bottom of controller worked very well for keeping the controller in place.

Cons:

• Price. (Of course) If you have the money (OR WEALTHY PARENTS), and want a very nice "arcade" experience, then this is a very good choice.
• I could see one LED inside the turntable that would flicker on and off from time to time, but nothing major. (Did not interrupt me during gameplay, and I only noticed it while staring at it trying to think of some other negatives.)
• Could not come close to my KOC scores. This is probably also due to me not playing very often. Although the scores I got were very similar to the types of scores I get at the arcade.
• Due to NOT being in a noisy arcade setting while playing on this controller, the keys do make a small "rattle" noise when hitting them. (This sound is not noticeable while playing at the arcade due to background noise.) You can get an extreme example of this when watching this video YouTube - DJ DOLCE - Pluto [A] FC - Troopz CS. The camera makes the sound a lot worse than it really is.

If I get some time I'll try to at least take some pictures/video of the controller before I have to give it back to Eddie. I would like to be able to spend some more time playing on the controller to see if I could adjust to it and start getting the types of scores that I know I can get, but I don't think I will get the chance.

Short review - Pretty controller. Shiny lights. Smooth scratch. Nice buttons. I like.

Neat review. Though from what I can see so far, I can't see how it could be better than a DJ DAO controller (save for the wrist rest). Hopefully though, my opinion *could* change when more reviews come in. We'll see hehe

[Madek]

I heard that it's a bit harder to turn the TT on an arcade machine than on a DAO. Is it the same thing on this Dj Ning controller ?

I think it comes down to the arcade that you play at, and how the machine is maintained. Any problem with scratching at the arcade for me never comes down to how "hard" it is to spin the turntable. The difference in spacing+height at the arcade causes me to have issues; due to being able to hit certain note patterns more easily on a KOC style controller at home. The turntable on the DJ NING controller is very smooth, and registers with no issues when pinky scratching.

Also, could someone compare the RES and the NRC-300 ?

The NRC-300 does not have an arcade sized turntable. (Similar to DJ DAO FP7?) The diameter of the turntable on the NRC-300 is approximately 7 1/4", compared to an approximate diameter of 6" for the KOC. I believe the NRC-500 version has the larger arcade sized turntable.

Neat review. Though from what I can see so far, I can't see how it could be better than a DJ DAO controller (save for the wrist rest). Hopefully though, my opinion *could* change when more reviews come in. We'll see hehe

If I had a current version DJ DAO controller, I WOULD have done a side by side comparison of the two. I can't say which is better, but I can say for certain that the DJ NING controller is VERY NICE, and I would be extremely impressed if a DAO was superior to the NING in some way. I'm guessing they are both very similar in feel, and it will come down to pricing differences between the two.

I've noticed this a lot lately, when switching between my PEE2, and KOC. I think it's really down to the feeling of the buttons, (how far they travel, and when they actuate,) and what you're used to playing on. Once I get used to the feeling of Sanwa keys and arcade dimensions, my scores start to get better, around the same as playing on a KOC.

Yeah, I figured I would get used to the controller after some time, but at the moment I don't have much time to spend playing. :c

[zorahk]

The NRC-300 does not have an arcade sized turntable. (Similar to DJ DAO FP7?) The diameter of the turntable on the NRC-300 is approximately 7 1/4", compared to an approximate diameter of 6" for the KOC. I believe the NRC-500 version has the larger arcade sized turntable.

Ok, I hate to sound like a total jerk but at the prices they are asking for these that's ridiculous.

I'm wondering if you have ever used a Dao? I'd really have to hear from someone who has used both and says the DJ ning is superior, otherwise I'm going to say the pricing structure is insane.

[Madek]

Originally Posted by zorahk

Ok, I hate to sound like a total jerk but at the prices they are asking for these that's ridiculous.

I'm wondering if you have ever used a Dao? I'd really have to hear from someone who has used both and says the DJ ning is superior, otherwise I'm going to say the pricing structure is insane.

It's the truth. The pricing for the controller is very high, and when there is the competition of DAO, there needs to be a change in the price, or it will never compete with the DAO.

I wrote this review to be just that, a review of the product that is being introduced. I'm not writing this review to say this product is superior in any way to the DAO. I'm not getting paid for this review, and I do not even own this product. I'm just writing the review to inform people of the quality of the controller.

I would love to get the chance to play on a new generation DAO, to compare the two controllers... And if I get that chance then I will write a comparison of the two. But for now my 10+ years of experience with the game will have to suffice in deciding how well this controller plays, in terms of being an "Arcade Style" controller.

I agree 100% that the pricing structure is insane, but I also have a difficult time with the pricing of the DAO as well. (Needs free shipping, AMAZON STYLE :D) The KOC controller has always been faithful to me for playing at home, so it is very difficult for me to even consider spending that amount of money on a new controller anyways.

[zorahk]

Well, dao can't really do free shipping from china since it'd be around 100 bucks a package.

Regardless, i'm not doubting the quality of this new controller, rather I am doubting that it is worth the premium over a dao, in which case I'd be surprised if it was.

[nostromer]

Nice review : )

My 2cnts -

I've owned a dao for a few months, and my real problem with the NING controllers - is there just isn't enough difference to justify the price point.

I would like to maybe see some more novelty factor into the controllers, or some original idea's incorporated. Like maybe hi+,- buttons, customizable TT color (the actual platter) more custom graphics underneath the clear plastic top, like some goli-esk designs, or even like a dedicated effector button or something (like I said, novelty)

I don't mind paying extra, when its called for, but aside from a slightly different look. *and i mean slightly* I really don't see how this has ANYTHING to offer that the dao doesn't, other then a higher price.

Still keeping my eye on it though...

[XSleepyPanda]

DJ Dao > DJ NING .

I'd never be able to afford a DJ NING. Although it does sound powerful.