Hercules today announced the DJControl Instinct, the second controller to use the DJUCED software, which the company has licensed from an unnamed developer and skinned for its purposes. It is priced competitively for a controller with software and a built-in sound card. A rudimentary plastic-cased controller with what looks like the same form factor as some of company’s more professional units, the DJControl Instinct features distinctive paddle-type pitch controls and another take on Hercules’ quasi-mechanical jogwheel design.
The controller, which is to retail for €99, is unlikely to win fans among any but beginner DJs due to its non-standard software and cheap build, and will not be a good choice for anybody wanting to learn manual beatmatching because of those paddle-type pitch controls. However, Hercules is gambling that at this price point, the unit will appeal to impulse buyers and beginners looking for a cheap and simple way to DJ at parties this summer.
When we reviewed the Hercules DJ Control Air we highlighted some rather serious shortcomings in the DJUCED software, which Hercules assured us at the time would be looked at for future releases.
As soon as we get a chance to review this new unit alongside the software, we’ll let you know how things have come on. It’s due the second half of June 2012.