One concern is with the channel and line faders, which don’t seem the strongest (you can bend them quite easily by twisting the faders gently). The jogwheels, while not the most refined looking things in the world, feel secure with not too much give in them (I have seen earlier American Audio models at shows with badly loose jogwheels, and I hope these are nice and tight because the manufacturing has been improved, not because it’s simply a new unit). The professional XLR ins/outs show that this unit is meant to be used in more than just the bedroom. The on/off switch is high quality and lit. The toggle switches are standard metal jobs, better than those on the Pioneer DDJ-T1 and DDJ-S1, for instance.
The crossfader is InnoFader compatible and hot-swappable (ie you can replace it on the go, mid-set if you wish!). The knobs have a good, rubberised finish.
The rubberised buttons have a slightly cheap-feeling “click” when pushed, but you get used to it, and it’s compensated for by them all being pretty tastefully backlit, although the lights are dim on USB-only power and many aren’t over-bright even with the supplied AC plugged in. It is a good, portable size, but it is heavy – even if you don’t choose to flight case it, you’ll be lugging it purposefully around rather than throwing it over your back in a bag. It looks and feels purposeful, industrial, unsubtle – kind of old school, with its gun-metal polished casing and hollow metal jogwheels (that ring when you tap them – not so good).Īmerican Audio has got some stick for build quality in the past, but overall this is well built, much better than many DJ controllers. The painted metal surface is like you’d expect industrial electrical equipment to be.
It is not designed to be put in a drawer at home and got out to be played with on the lounge table once in a while. With its all-metal casing, massive rubber corner protectors and feet, and the supplied 19″ rack mounting kit, it is clear than American Audio expects this unit to be used by real DJs as well as hobbyists. The VMS2 is plainly meant to be used in gigging environments.
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