Tom’s Talking
What the Arrival of the VMS5 Means for You

American Audio has a rich history when it comes to controllers – and that’s something that I’m incredibly proud of. For this reason, I’m sure you can understand why I was excited to be showcasing the new VMS5 controller at NAMM 2016 earlier this year. Visitors were intrigued, surprised and impressed by it (usually in that order!) and I was more than happy to point out that the original VMS4.1 was, in fact, an industry first, debuting many industry leading features!

While it may seem like only yesterday that the VMS4 was making waves in the DJ world, at American Audio we felt it was time for an update. With a raft of other new products launched throughout 2015, we didn’t want our customers to forget our heritage as the creators of some pretty innovative MIDI controllers! And now, after it garnered a positive reaction at tradeshows late last year, we’re continuing where the VMS4 left off by launching the flexible, feature-packed new VMS5 controller.

So, what exactly does the VMS5 do? And what does it mean for you and your DJ setup?

Well, we didn’t want to go about changing a popular product like the VMS4 without any reason to! So we made sure we had plenty of inventive and interesting things to do with it first. I guess what I’m most pleased about is that you’ll find the VMS5 more accessible than previous versions; easier to use and designed with a more intuitive layout. But we’ve also made the controller better sounding and more powerful than its predecessors, while retaining some of the legendary features and keeping the price at a similarly reasonable level.

Aside from its new new-look design and different layout, the VMS5 offers you a series of new features by way of larger jog wheels, a new browser function, a colored backlit display and full MIDI mapping. Thanks to the multi-colored LEDs, this backlit display makes it even easier to glance and grab your EQ knobs for bass, mids and highs; while the new four-function browser lets you browse not only your music collection, but control your samples, video FX and video transition FX too.

While these improvements are incredibly important, I’m aware that there were plenty of features that you definitely wouldn’t have wanted us to change! So, you’ll still find the VMS5 equipped with a user-configurable soundcard (8 x 2 four-deck or 4 x 4 DVS) and a standalone 6-channel mixer, switchable between USB/line/phono, featuring two mic inputs and four stereo channels. The controller is also fully MIDI-mappable, even down to the mic inputs, so you can create some cool effects with your voice on the mic.

Another awesome feature of VMS5 – and one that I’m incredibly pleased about – is the fact that it now comes bundled with a 32-bit version of Virtual DJ 8 LE, which provides you with all the excellent features found in the software along with a better quality of sound.

The overwhelming response from visitors when we’ve showcased the VMS5 at tradeshows has been one of amazement at just how adaptable the controller is, with its full MIDI mapping, hardware EQ and user-configurable soundcard making it perfect for DJs building a setup with lots of inputs and outputs. Housed in an incredibly robust, all-steel unit with industrial-rubber corners, the VMS5 is also well-suited to the rigors of the road – if you drop it, this thing is built like a tank, so you’ll find any damage is minimal and the plugs on the back are protected due to the depth of the corners.

Well, hopefully I’ve answered any of your questions on our thinking behind the VMS5 controller. This really is the next evolution in terms of user-friendly, affordable MIDI controllers and I’d encourage you to check the product out as soon as you get chance! Easier to use and packed with new features, while holding onto the ones you love – we haven’t cut any corners.

Safe to say, as long as you still want them, American Audio will continue to create innovative, budget-friendly controllers. I can’t wait to see what awesome things you do with this one!

The VMS5 is available now from ADJ USA; available April 2016 from ADJ Europe.

For more information on the VMS5, visit: http://www.adj.com/vms5

- Tom Freret is the Sales Manger at American Audio

For more information Contact ADJ:
U.S. Office - Tel: 800-322-6337/+1-323-582-2650 • Web: www.adj.com